michswiss

Not exactly true. The D3 and D700 have a DX "Crop Mode" (may not be exact term) that works great with DX lenses. The compromise is the number of mega-pixels in the cropped area, but for the majority of applications it isn't a real limitation.

I had the 16-85 and it's a very good lens. I only recently traded it away as I have just picked up a 24-70 f2.8. If the 16-85 hadn't gone to a good friend, I would probably regret not having it any more.

Interestingly, I haven't seen the 16-85 included as a kit lens. I think it would be positioned in Nikon's mid-range for DX lenses; above a kit lens but below the specialist DX range.

Mikey likes it

Frankly for her development as a photog she'd probably be better off learning with a cheap prime like the 50/1.8 for $100.

That said, I'd just get her the 18-70 DX lens for $300 or so and be done with it. That's the one I use for 75% of my shooting. If you want to spend more, or get her a wider zoom range, I'd get either the 18-200 DX or the 18-70 and add the el cheapo AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G for $150 or so.

Then if she really digs shooting, she can buy her own pro-grade lenses, like the 12-24 (a must for architectural shooting and a great lens), 28-70 and 70-200VR for a total of something like $4000. For serious reach, maybe add the $5K 200-400/4 dentist's lens.

rkkwan

That's correct, but it totally defeats the main purpose of paying big money for those cameras.

cj001f

You can also disable the DX mode and use the 12-24 DX from 18-24.

michswiss

If the OP was planning an imminent purchase of an FX body, then I'd agree with you. Not much point in having a collection of DX lenses. But unless the GF seriously gets into photography, then the D300 with a couple of DX lenses will do very nicely for some time.

DullesJason

Actually 1,5x, but close enough

DullesJason

Actually 1.5x, but close enough

DullesJason

70-300 VR and don't look back. Aside from it being the cheapest of the 3, it's also got better optics than the 18-200 and I have owned both. I sold the 18-200. Yes, the 18-200 is a do it all, but for serious photography, you WILL need to change lenses from time to time, so gt over the one lens thing. The 18-200 does everything pretty good, but does nothing excellent. The extra long coverage out to 300mm isn't perfect beyond 200, but it's nice to have and can be quite good--I have excellent images out to 220mm, and maybe could do excellent images longer. I just haven't tried yet. For a quality wider lens, do the 12-24/f (Tokina or Nikon), add a 50mm f/1.8 or 1.4 and you should be set. You could also get full range coverage with the 16-85 or near coverage with 18-55, but I wouldn't. You don't need a set of zooms that cover every possible focal length. Once you outgrow the variable apeture of the 70-300 VR, as good as it is, the pro glass, 80-200 f/2.8 (which I have) or 70-200 f/2.8 will be your next step.

But for a comparison of those 3 lenses

ekwang

Thanks for this additional information. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Eric

SeAAttle

While we are on the topic of lenses:

1. Can one tell from the lens "name" whether it is full frame or not? I am aware of DX vs FX, but that is not always indicated.

2. Any suggestions for a full frame equivalent of the Nikkor 18-200 VR? I have used it with a D200 and enjoyed it very much. Just upgraded to a D700 and have not been able to find an equivalent. Read elsewhere that Tamron makes something similar, but in the store, we encountered problems with the zoom - it seem to lock briefly upon retraction. Tried with two different bodies and two lenses. Seems to be a design problem. Has anyone else experienced this.

Thanks.

pdxer

crop sensor lenses will have 'dx' (nikon or tokina), 'dc' (sigma) or 'di ii' (tamron) in the name. if it doesn't have that tag, it's a full frame lens. note that tamron differentiates between 'di' and 'di ii'. the former is a full frame lens with additional coatings that help when on a digital camera and the latter is a lens designed for a crop sensor (in addition to the coatings).

some crop sensor lenses may work on a full frame at some of their focal lengths, such as the 12-24mm starting around 18mm or so. other lenses, such as the 18-200, might not have any focal length that fills a full frame. it depends on the lens.

the tamron 28-300 vc is about your only choice for the range unless you want to split it up (vc is vibration correction, tamron's name for stabilization).

if you don't mind having two lenses, you could get something like a 28-105 and the very good nikon 70-300vr. also, the old (and now discontinued) nikon 28-200 g was pretty good considering it was not very expensive.

RCyyz

I'm joining this thread a little late, but I have to agree with the comment above. I like the do-it-all aspect of the 18 - 200, but when you look at the shots with a critical eye you can tell it's a real limiting factor of the camera system. (I'm using a D200 body.)

I still miss my 50mm f1.4 lens on the old Nikkormat, manual-everything 35m film camera. But it's a digital world and I'm not going back to film ever.

The 18 - 200 is incredibly convenient, but for the perfect shot you truly need a real lens which of course means you need several different lenses.

RCyyz

In full-frame equivalent the 18 - 200 is a 27 - 300. Nikon doesn't make anything like that. If I had a D700 I'd probably use the 24 - 120 (which unfortunately is only f3.5). I've used the 24 - 120 before and found that it was a decent lens.

reubencahn

Any thoughts on how the Tokina 10-16 compares for architectural shooting (DX sensor)?

SJUAMMF

I compared the Nikon 12-24mm, Tokina 11-16mm and the Sigma 12-24mm side by side at the Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo. I wound up buying the Nikon.

While it is very hard to compare detail results in the store, the finish and feel of the Nikon is better. After buying the Nikon, the full wide performance is very good, a bit of pin cushion. I have another 18mm (effective) setup to compare it to and it is the best. Most other setups have barrel distortion at the wide end.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/digi...comparison.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm