Whats a good lens for a nikon d80? im on a pretty short budget so nothing too expensive?

Question

Whats a good lens for a nikon d80? im on a pretty short budget so nothing too expensive?

Answer 1

What do you want the lens to do? What lenses do you already have? Let us know and we could give you a much better answer.

Answer 2

What is your budget?

Answer 3

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5...

Answer 4

The D80's usual kit lens is the 18-135, which is decent for walking around.  I have it, and it is my usual travel lens.  Here is a link to some images made with this lens on my Flickr.  All the ones on the first page except the spider and the two of Bryce Canyon were made with the lowly kit lens.  (Bryce is on the Nikon 24-85 f/2.8-4 on a 6006 film camera.  The spider is a P&S Canon G6)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12604020@N0...

Do you want to shoot portraits?  Sports? Kids?  Flowers?  Bugs?  Street?  Travel?  It would help to know what kind of photography you're into.  If you don't have a 50mm f/1.8. then I would suggest getting one.  Although it is a restrictive length on the crop sensor, it is great for low light and  portraits, and is very sharp.  For a bit over $100, hard to beat.

There are all sorts of lenses made by third party manufacturers, some of them are very good.  The Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 may not be quite as good as the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8, but it is close.  And there is about $800 difference in the price.  If you can swing it, though, try to get Nikon lenses.