All-in-one lenses

[Nolatari]

I'm looking for an all-in-one lens for my camera one with a 55mm to 300mm zoom, built-in stabilizer and a macro setting....I found one but I would like to know if there are any better ones out there....the one im looking at is from Nikon.

[Spike]

Being a Csnon-girl myself, I don't know a lot about the lenses for Nikon, but here's something that might point you in an entirely new direction and perhaps save you a little money.

 

Amazon link << This is a tube that attaches to your zoom lens giving you a shorter minimum focal range for macro photography. Generally the zooms with macro cost a lot more than those without.

[Doug Sundseth]

I'm not seeing a 55-300 lens for Nikon. I see a 55-200 VR (which I have and like quite a lot, but for landscape and wildlife photography) and a 70-300.

 

FWIW, the 55-200 VR is about 25-35% of the price of the 70-300. (Make sure you get the 55-200 with VR if you go that way; Nikon also sells a 55-200 without VR.)

 

Frankly, for miniatures work, the most common Nikon kit lens (18-55mm) works just fine. I can get nice sharp pictures with a 25mm figure about 1500 pixels high, which is larger than I've ever needed.

 

What do you want to do with the lens?

[Jeremy]

Two good online places.

 

Adorama

and

 

B&H

 

Both should have just about anything you would want lens wise.

[Doug Sundseth]

Two good online places.

 

Adorama

and

 

B&H

 

Both should have just about anything you would want lens wise.

 

I've bought from both and I agree that either of them or Amazon would be good choices for online camera gear.

[eastman]

There are a number of websites with reviews of digital SLRs and lenses. For Example -

 

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php

http://slrlensreview.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/

 

I recommend checking the reviews on a number of sites for any lens you are interested in. The average of several sites will reduce any site bias (there are a few sites with major issues, YMMV).

 

In some areas, it is also possible to find camera stores with rentals. If possible, the try before you buy method should be used. This is especially true of zoom lenses with large zoom factors. They may have issues with sharpness at the extremes and/or focus and exposure changes as the lens is zoomed. Constant aperture zoom lenses are better, but that will increase the cost significantly.

 

Have fun

[Nolatari]

I got my zoom lens from Wolfs...(I think I spelled that right) But it didn't have a stabilizer so I have to use my tripod every time I use that lens, and it is ENDLESSLY frustrating....

[Spike]

Two things that will help you with your shaky-zoom problem, provided your camera has these options.

 

1 - Use the self-timer or a shutter cable. I'd bet all DSLRs have the timer and most have a jack for a remote shutter cable. Either will work, but I like the instant-nessity of the remote cable.

 

2 - Use mirror-lockup. Check your camera's manual in advanced options for this setting. (All DSLRs should have this function because it is needed to get to the sensor for cleaning). Basically when the viewfinder mirror raises up to allow the light to reach the sensor, it shakes the camera a bit. The mirror-lockup causes the mirror to raise when you half-depress the shutter button (or begin the self-timer) so that the camera will supposedly have stopped shaking when the shutter opens.