Does it have to be a Nikon lens? If the Nikon is too rich for your blood, then you will find other lenses with similar specifications for much less money.

A Tokina 12-24 will set you back a shave under £500 for example:
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tok ... t/p1030873

The best thing to do is take your camera into an independent camera shop, try a few of the lenses in the range you are looking at, fire off some shots and take the camera home and check the images to see what you get.

So far I've been very impressed with Tamron lenses - I find that what goes on inside the camera seems to make more difference to the final image than the lens does. I guess at the end of the day it depends what you do with the images.

that ones an F4, I think I need at least F2.8 for indoor usage

Got a tripod?

This one them?

really not sure if it would be good image output(?), have you used that actual lens?? I have a 70-300mm TAMRON f4 and its horrible, I think I chucked that one in the bin too

Next time you want to bin a lens can I offer to pay for postage to myself?

Thanks in advance.

yep


I think I may buy that tamron one, liking the reviews etc and I do have tripod ye but the top bits missing so I cant use it

Duct tape and bungee straps.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

I recently built a box to attach a camera to a telescope out of wood, electrical tape and a few nails. I then found the photo tube that came with the telescope but which still requires a make specific adaptor, so I used more electrical tape. Both work perfectly, it is the tripod system that lets the whole thing down now. Telescope and camera tripods working together with a large off-centre mass create a bit of a wobble. I've already thought of how I can eliminate a few of the surplus parts that requires, yes you got it, wood and electical tape.

To be fair the Tamron 70-300 is a really cheap lens (I know, I have one ) that for most just adds a bit of extra zoom to the camera bag. I'm sure its never intended to match the optics of something a lot pricier. Personally I dont like to use it much past 200mm otherwise it goes softer than Mr Softs soft bits.

But... that doesnt mean all Tamron lenses are rubbish. Like I said the 17-50 f2.8 has some very favourable reviews and is seen as a great 'kit lens' replacement. Likewise the 18-250 (or is it 18-270) is really useful as a 'one lens' solution. These are still under £500 though so again dont expect £1000+ Nikon optics.

Looking at the original post the two lenses you were looking at were a wide angle (14-24) and a standard zoom (17-55). Personally I would first look at which lens would be the better option as they offer different things in terms of focal lengths. Once I'd decided if I was more interested in the wide or standard zoom option then I'd set a budget. I know the Nikon glass is very appealing but £1000+ is a lot to spend when you dont have the cash. I dont know if you are a pro, semi, amateur photographer and/or sell your pictures but if you dont stand to make money from the investment I'd stick with the cheaper brands. Its only my opinion mind you, its up to you what you do with your cash (or credit). I find a £1000 lens a bit overdoing it for a hobby.

Looking at the wide and standard zoom options then I can see:

Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 OS HSM £379
Sigma 10-20 f3.5 EX DC HSM £499
Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 EX DG £687

Tamron 10-24 f3.5-4.5 Di II LD AF SD £384
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 XR Di II VC £529

Have a look around at some reviews. You'll see these aren't lenses to be chucked in the bin. There some good value-quality glass out there.

For what you'd pay for a 14-24 f:2.8 you could buy a prime 24/2.8 and a new tripod and have change left over.

That's quite possibly very true, but then you don't get the 14mm goodness of that lens.
For all the money saving advice that's so far been given in this thread, that Nikon 14-24mm lens is worth every single penny. Don't underestimate just how bloody good a lens it is. (8+)

Mark

I will be creating a website soon to sell my best photos only, but I take pictures as a hobby mostly, and im not professional no (never will be) just below amateur hobbyist id say

does it work on the D80?