Good everyday lens for D300

Question

18-200, 18-135, 55-200, what is the best everyday lens, that can cover a descent range... doesn't have to be too far, can be between $200-$1000.00. Obviously a fixed/prime isnt the answer, though one question additionally I do have, inst there a lens that can switch between normal and wide angle?

Answer 1

Unlike at least one answer above me, I actually have the 18-200 and use it often.  If you have no experience with a piece of equipment, you need to disclose that your answer is based on reviews.

Nikon has a new lens that you might want to look into.  I admit that I do not own it, but I am considering buying it for my wife's D50 to replace the 18-70 that we started with.  It's a 16-85.  That's a great range for a walk-around lens and PopPhoto reviewed it highly.  See the review here: http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/542...

Here's my stock answer on the 18-200, which is based on a couple of years' experience with the lens:

Consider the popular Nikon 18-200 VR lens.  Okay, it's not the world's PERFECT lens, but it is not too shabby.  All zoom lenses are a compromise compared to single focal length lenses.  Go here and read Rockwell's review:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.h...

Here is the Nikonians Forum review:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/nikkor-18...

Go here and look at the sample images.  Click on them to view them full screen.  If you click at least once in the white space, your cursor will turn into a magnifier when you scroll it back over the image.  Click again over the image and it will zoom to 100% size so you can really examine the image.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200/e...

"Optically, this lens is the best superzoom we’ve seen, though it’s not compatible with Nikon teleconverters, extension rings, or coupled macro bellows. It also costs about $300 more than third-party digital-only glass. But are extremely rugged construction, unusually well-controlled distortion, and four extra handholdable speeds worth the extra bucks? That, and more."

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/276...

Here are some of my own photos taken with the 18-200 VR lens, showing the versatility of the lens.  These were all taken with the D200 or D300 and 18-200 VR lens.   Read any comments below the photos for more information.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei...

See also: http://www.flickr.com/groups/72604026@N0...

Answer 2

Currently, THE ultimate all-purpose lens for  Nikon DSLRs is the 18-200 VR, demand for that sucker hasn't waned since it's introduction.  

It covers the entire range from wide-angle to telephoto. With vibration reduction it's effectively 2 stops faster- plus it's sharp, light, compact and durable.  It's quality construction, not a cheap kit lens.  Quite possibly the best lens Nikon has made in the past 5 years.

In addition to that lens, you might want the 50mm f1.8 for low-light photography.  Any other lenses wouldn't really be for everyday use- they'd be specialty lenses like ultra-wide angle or long telephoto.  Of course depending upon what type of shooting you do, these definitions will vary.  Wildlife photographers for National Geographic might use their 400mm more than anything else- for them, it's considered their everyday lens... LOL

Answer 3

You Should Get The 18-200mm Lens, Here's Why:

a) you get much more of a focal length, all the way from 18-200mm's.

b) this isn't a starter lens, like the 18-135mm lens, and the 55-200mm lens. This has much more build quality, and is a more professionally built lens. This isn't a starter lens, whereby the 55-200mm lens, and 18-135mm lens are.

c) You can zoom from a nice wide angle ( 18mm ) to an medium telephoto length ( 200mm's ) the 55-200mm isn't wide angle, and the 18-135mm doesn't give you the 200mm reach.

If you aren't going to do nature photography, an 18-200mm lens would be really good for just day-to-day shots, it's a really nice lens. It breaks away from Nikon's Starter lenses. And no, they don't have a switch for that, because you would manual move the focal length to wide angle, and some lenses don't have a focal length to be mentioned as wide angle. Just get the 18-200mm lens, it's a really nice lens, you won't go wrong.