Nikon photography question

[89911]

I purchased a Nikon D5000 a year ago and want to add a lense to the set up. It came with both a 18-55 and 55-200 lens that integrate with the camera autofocus. Going on Nikon's website is a bit confusing both in need and price. You can easily spend more for a single lens that cost twice the price of the package of the camera and lens mentioned above. I am looking for one that integrated with the AF controls of the camera. It seem like I am constantly switching between the lens I have for distance and portrait type pics. I guess a multizoom lens would be better? I would like something beyond the 200 limits I have now without breaking the bank. Suggestion?

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/

[Steve Carlton]

So, you're looking for one lens to go from (say) 18-300mm? Nikon just introduced a 28-300mm for about $1,000, but the early reviews I saw weren't exactly glowing. You're going to make sacrifices with a superzoom like that, the 18-200mm being perhaps the best compromise so far.

Maybe sell your existing lenses and get a 18-105VR and a 70-300VR. Going beyond 300mm tends to get expensive.

[Chocaholic]

I have the same camera but got it with the 70-300 lens (rather than the 55-200). I use it almost all the time. Not terribly expensive and incredibly useful. Maybe you can sell your 200 on ebay since it would be redundant. Just a thought.

[Zeke]

I think the 18-105 they sell would cover most of your needs.

[RWebb]

18-200 VR is an outstanding lens - I rarely use anything else.

it far closer to the holy grail of one all-purpose lens than anything else

the reason some of the lenses you saw cost so much, is that Nikon is used by pros and adv. amateurs -- they will pay to get what they need; some lenses are so expensive that most people rent them for a particular project

BTW - think about it -- the lens forms the image; all the body does is to store that image on something

[campbellcj]

+1 for the 18-200 for travel or day-to-day "one lens" purposes. These super-zooms are performance compromises, like many other things, but the flexibility outweighs the negatives for many folks.

[Eric Coffey]

This has been discussed here not too long ago. Basically, you need to decide see your current and future needs may be. With Nikon lenses, you can either go FX or DX. The DX is optimized for the cropped-sensor bodies (like your D5000), while the FX lenses are the full-frame/35mm versions. You can use an FX lens on a DX body, but can/will have issues going the other way round. Also, on a body like the D5000 that isn't the greatest in low light, lens "speed" (max. widest aperture) is something to consider. If I had to have just two Nikon lenses, they would be the new 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II tele-zoom lens, and the 17-35mm f/2.8 wide-angle zoom "photojournalist" lens. YMMV.

[89911]

Thanks so far. Any problem going the ebay or amazon route buying these? There are no good camera stores around any more and I refuse to go the Ritz cameras and pay full retail when they know nothing to help. I have been there and left with the same questions. If not the sites listed above, which online store to try?

[89911]

Originally Posted by RWebb

18-200 VR is an outstanding lens - I rarely use anything else.

it far closer to the holy grail of one all-purpose lens than anything else

the reason some of the lenses you saw cost so much, is that Nikon is used by pros and adv. amateurs -- they will pay to get what they need; some lenses are so expensive that most people rent them for a particular project

BTW - think about it -- the lens forms the image; all the body does is to store that image on something

This looks like a contender. I found one online at the Sams Club website for $736. Good?

[Steve Carlton]

B&H has them for $660 delivered.

[Bill Douglas]

Lucky dog - what ever the lense situation!!!

How do you find the camera in general?

[89911]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

B&H has them for $660 delivered.

Saw that. It is a grey market and not the same price as US model. Whats the diff?

[masraum]

+1 for B&H photo. Great prices and service.

[Chocaholic]

Yep...that's where I bought my camera.

[ckcarr]

The sky is the limit with Nikon. However they do try to cater to both the consumer and pro. The consumer lenses are typically DX, made of very high quality polycarbonite (plastic), but much more affordable (relatively). The 18-200mm is a great "do all" lens. As a practical matter, most experienced photographers will eventually end up (speaking DX only) with an ultra wide angle lens like a 10-24mm or 12-24 Nikon, the 16-85mm Nikon, and the 70-300mm. Those 3 will set you back approximately $1,900.

However, having said that, many, many people love the one solution lens (18-200mm vr) because they are not looking and paying for the "best" image quality, which is a different discussion altogether...

Being that you have a very decent camera body, but want to simplify your life I'd buy an 18-200mm. Only thing wrong with that lens is almost all copies will eventually suffer from lens creep... Aim the camera down and the barrel will slide outward.

New Nikon USA gets you the 5-year warranty if you follow through with their requirements.
New gray market gets you zero warranty and no Nikon service ever.
Factory refurbished (by Nikon) gets you a 90-day warranty - or 1-year at some dealers, but they are covering, not Nikon.
Used gets you technically zero warranty, as Nikon does not transfer. But there are side deals with the original buyer, where they will send in for repair if you need one.

Now talk dealers...
B&H, Adorama, Amazon, Roberts, Calumet, and a few others are five-star and great.
Other New York, New Jersey can be schemer scammers...
All prices will be about the same, a low price is a schemer.

By the way, if you want to buy a nice 18-200mm I may have one for sale. LOL!

[TimT]

B&H has a good return policy...


Not sure about the gray market though.. I bought a Pentax K-7 that need warranty repair from B&H and Pentax had no problem fixing the problem...

[ckcarr]

That is not Nikon. I only know Nikon.

[TimT]

Those are not Nikon.

uuummm ok... similes etc are not allowed...real life examples are verboten

how about this.....

Return & Exchange Policy | B&H Photo Video

At B&H, our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction with your purchase. If, for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return it to B&H within 15 days of receipt of item(s). Claims for missing items or items damaged in transit must be received within two business days of receipt of merchandise.

You have the option of exchanging the item(s) or receiving a refund for the full amount of the original purchase price. Refunds on returned items will be issued in the same payment form as tendered at the time of purchase. If payment was made by credit card, once we receive the product we will credit your account. Please allow 7-10 days for a credit to appear on your credit card statement. If payment was made by check, the refund check will be issued after 10 business days from the date of purchase.

Please read all conditions below. If conditions are not met, B&H reserves the right to refuse the return or to charge a restocking fee of 15%.

How to return or exchange an item:

* In order to return an item you need to first obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number.
* To request an RMA number online click here.
* To request an RMA number by phone, call Customer Service at 800.606.6969 / 212.444.6615 .
* Place the original package into a shipping carton.
* Please do not place stickers or shipping labels on the original manufacturer’s package.
* The RMA number must be clearly written on the outer box. If you received a label in the email, print the label and tape it to the carton.
* Ship via insured ground service with a tracking number. Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer. We are not responsible for lost or damaged packages.
* Send pre-authorized returns to:

B&H Photo Return Dept.
63 Flushing Avenue
Brooklyn Navy Yard, Building# 664
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205

Point being that a one of the players in the market has no problem doing warranty repair on a product bought from B&H.

[TimT]

more

U.S. & Grey Market Products | B&H Photo Video

[ckcarr]

A return policy is not the same as a warranty.

By the way, Adorama and Amazon have 30-day return policies, B&H will eventually be forced to follow suit someday. It's just business after all.

Gray market gear will Not be serviced by Nikon repair centers, but other very competent repair centers are available and more than willing to do the work.