I need help choosing which camera lenses to get?

Question

I'm probably going to get a nikon D60...so should I get the AF-S VR DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED OR get the AF-S VR DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G & AF-S VR 55–200mm f/4–5.6G IF-ED-------I want to mainly be using it to shoot sports shots and wildlife

Answer 1

for that type of shooting, I would leave the 18-55 out of the equation altogether. It is too short a focal length to be useful. The 18-200 is probably a wiser choice at this point. You are covering the same focal length as the other two lenses and it is slightly faster than the 55-200. It also keeps you from switching lenses all the time and possibly getting dust inside the body.

Answer 2

18-200 is very good lens for traveling around. 18-55 and 55-200 will cover the same area, and these are not very fine lenses at all.

If money is not an issue for you, then buy Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55mm F2.8 G IF ED and Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm F2,8 G IF ED VR for sport shooting and Nikkor AF-S 300mm F2,8 D IF-ED VR and some teleconverter (1,4x, 2x, or  3x) for wildlife.

But! If money is an issue, then I personally would take Tamron AF 18-200mm F3,5-6,3 Di II Motor for everyday life and Tamron AF 200-500mm F5-6,3 for wildlife.

Price levels where I live are something like that:

Tamron AF 200-500mm F5-6,3 - 1600 USD

Tamron AF 18-200mm F3,5-6,3 Di II Motor - 500USD

Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm F2,8 G IF ED VR - 3600USD

Nikkor AF-S 300mm F2,8 D IF-ED VR - 8000USD

Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55mm F2.8 G IF ED - 2600USD

18-55 - 400 USD

55-200 - 400 USD

18-200 - 1300 USD

So finally is the money what makes the lenses. Whatever smaller is the number after F the better and heavier and more expensive the lens  is.

Answer 3

If budget is not a big consideration, then for sports & wildlife you would probably want a lens that goes up to 300mm, and is faster than f/5.6 at the telephoto end. Possibly the professional lenses which are around f/2.8 or f/3.5.

Otherwise, between those two choices, the difference is convenience. Do you want a single lens that covers the entire range, or are you willing to switch when you shoot everyday stuff?

Image quality should be more or less similar between these options.

Answer 4

Since you are shooting sports and wildlife, get the one with the longest reach at telephoto range. Try to get a fast lens with a large aperture like F3.5 or lower. It might be expensive but it's likely worth getting.