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Whats the best zoom lens when getting started?


9 years 7 months ago #402618 by Benny13
I'm looking for some recommendations, I have just about $1200 to spend on a zoom lens for Nikon mount.  I currently have a D7000, but might be upgrading to a D7100 this holiday.  
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9 years 7 months ago #402631 by garyrhook

Benny13 wrote: I'm looking for some recommendations, I have just about $1200 to spend on a zoom lens for Nikon mount.  I currently have a D7000, but might be upgrading to a D7100 this holiday.  


Those are both DX cameras, so upgrading is irrelevant.

You do not indicate what you prefer to shoot. Nor what brands you are willing to consider.
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9 years 7 months ago - 9 years 7 months ago #402751 by Aaron56
Yup.
This is not a bad idea. Anyhow, one thing I want to clear here that the d7100 is a pixel upgrade, not a performance upgrade. This is true that d7100's AF is second to none among all nikon DSLRs nowadays. 
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9 years 7 months ago #402758 by Stealthy Ninja
D7000's AF is pretty bad though. Is the D7100 better?
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www.aevansphoto.com
The following user(s) said Thank You: Benny13
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9 years 7 months ago #402765 by Shadowfixer1

Benny13 wrote: I'm looking for some recommendations, I have just about $1200 to spend on a zoom lens for Nikon mount.  I currently have a D7000, but might be upgrading to a D7100 this holiday.  

Easy answer for me. The Nikon 18-200 VR hands down. I still have the first 18-200 bought in Atlanta, GA. I have taken many, many images with it over the years. That is the solution for me, but you haven't stated what you want or need to shoot so the answer for you may be different. I you want to shoot low light, street or birds and wildlife would influence the answer.
www.betterphoto.com/?ramshots
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9 years 7 months ago #402973 by Benny13
So helpful, thank you all.  I don't have any in particular that I focus on when I get out and take photos.  Honestly I'm all over the place and taking photos of what ever catches my eye.   I would like to stick with Nikon, just because I have been told it's a good idea to stick with the same brand.

Which lenses would you recommend to someone who is just starting out and doesn't know what they like?
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9 years 7 months ago #403005 by garyrhook
Depends upon what you find acceptable in image quality, but IMO it's I still think that it's hard to beat the Nikon 18-200 for a general walk-around lens. I took one on a trip to Italy and absolutely loved it, even though I didn't know what I was doing at the time.

Look in this album:  www.photographytalk.com/photo-galleries/.../album?albumid=23611

These were all taken with that lens (and have admittedly undergone serious editing) but I think it's a fine lens. You can find it used for around $400 now.

I'd insert the images here, but once again, the forum software fails to allow immediate access to uploaded images...
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9 years 7 months ago #403045 by Joves
While I have never owned the 18-200 VR myself, I know everyone that has one loves it. So go to KEH to get a good used one for less money. At least then you will have a lot of range to play with, and the ability to go from short to long when needed in an instant. 
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