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[lukeandbrookesmom]

OK, I think we want to get DH a lense for our new camera (Nikin D60) for Father's Day. We were going to get the package for our anniversary but opted for just the camera at that point due to cost. What size do we buy? The lense that's with the camera is 18-55. My gut tells me to get something that overlaps (because I can't get my brain around anything remotely related to photography!) - what do you guys think?

How can I be a mom and not know how to photograph my children best at the Happiest Place on Earth? That's a whole other thread I guess

[bau8]

My DD has the D70. The smaller the distance between the numbers the better the lenses. However, you can get great lenses with a greater distance that can enhance what you already have or even (sort of) replace it. Most common of these are a 35 to 135 or 70 to 210. The 35 to 135 gives you some telephoto and still gives you some wide angle so you can just keep that lenses on. While the 70 to 210 you can't take wide angle, you need more distance between you and the object but you can bring things in much closer. You have many different options with lenses. The larger the number the more grainy the photo will be and possibly more fuzzy. A lot of shake. The camera takes great pictures. I would go to a camera store and ask questions. When I bought my DD's camera I asked a ton of questions and tried out the different lenses to see which ones I liked better. I hoped that helped a little.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I would love to not have to change lenses a million times (did I mention that I'm also clumsy?) so I'm thinking something that overlaps would be good

[emtpej]

If it were me getting something technical / photo - related, I would prefer a gift card because then I can get what I want and not have to exchange it... IMHO

The lens suggestions from bau8 sound good... it depends on what distance would be helpful, based on what you are trying to do. I hope you have time to wait and see what the photogs (guys and girls) here have to say...

[LizardCop]

If you're looking for a general purpose, compromise type, lens then the 35-135 would be a good choice. You won't have the long zoom, but you will be able to take photos almost anywhere you wanted, inside or out.

Moving up to a 70-210 would start limiting your inside photo capability, but would give you a stronger zoom outside...

If you're looking for one lens to carry all the time, the 35-135 would be my choice.

I tend to carry my DSLR with a long lens on it, 140-600 35mm equivalent. Indoors, I use one of my point and shoot cameras because it has the wide angle lens on it, and they zoom to 4 or 5X depending on which camera I have. But then, that's just me not wanting to change lenses in my old age...

[muphoto]

I usually carry two lenses with me in the parks. I shoot with the Nikon D3 and D2xs and carry the 17-35 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8 VR. These give me a good range of wide-angle to medium telephoto shots. Plus the f2.8 aperature give me great quality photos at night.

[Chikabowa]

I doubt that the OP wants to spend $1200-$1600 on a new lens or heft all that equipment around the park!

My suggestion is purchasing a lens that will give you a little more zoom. I would go with the 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 VR. I would also look at the 70-300 f1.4-5.6. That will give you more range and bang for your buck. Before you buy anything, make sure that the autofocus will work with the D60. There are some considerations regarding that camera that you need to check out before you buy. I suggest going to a good camera store (not best buy or another box store) and ask the sales person to make sure what you buy will work with that particular camera.

[muphoto]

It depends on what you want ot be able to take photos of. If you want the nighttime parade, fireworks and other dark attractions, the lenses that stay at f2.8 throughout the focal range will enable you to take good shots.
When you extend lenses to their longest focal length and the largest aperature you can get is 5.6,the shutter speed will be so slow that the photos will be blurry. By the way, the lenses I mentioned in my last post are both Nikkor lenses and will work on the D60.

[Tonichelle]

I have a 28mm-200mm zoom and I rarely if ever use a different sized lens when travelling. It's not a fast lens, though, but it's what I could afford for the focal length I wanted... so I sacrificed speed for length

I'm not a Nikon user, so I can't really point you to what you want as far as lens brand, etc.

[A & J's Dad]

Unless you have a need for uber lenses I'd stick with one to the super zooms. I just picked up a Tamron 18-250 at Best Buy for $450. Sigma also makes a nice 18-200 with their version of image stabilization for about the same price. Either would be great for an every day walkaround/vacation lens. Sure it's not L (or whatever Nikon's designation is) quality. But it also didn't more than a grand. I'm not carrying 40 pounds of gear on my vacation. One body and one lens, that's it.

Cheers
Craig

[Tonichelle]

LOVE your thinking, Craig!

[wdwlovers]

I picked up the D40 earlier this year and have the 18-55 lens. I used it on our WDW trip last month and it worked great for those Disney shots. Unless you are taking more long range photos, you may not need to upgrade just for Disney. If he enjoys taking more "photography" shots, then I'd splurge.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Originally Posted by wdwlovers

I picked up the D40 earlier this year and have the 18-55 lens. I used it on our WDW trip last month and it worked great for those Disney shots. Unless you are taking more long range photos, you may not need to upgrade just for Disney. If he enjoys taking more "photography" shots, then I'd splurge.

OK, you're in my head The D60 came with the 18-55 but after getting it we were afraid it wouldn't be good enough for Disney pictures which is our main reason for getting it. We take what I think to be 'typical' Disney pictures - we are not photographers by any means : I also didn't like the thought of carrying another lense and needing to change it - I'm clumsy - which is why I thought something that overlapped in range to what we have would be good. Your post is now getting me to think that what we have will meet our needs - unless another post has a different point of view and changes my mind

[LizardCop]

Honestly Judi, I'd stick with what you have for this trip and it should do you good. You'll get a good idea of what you want and then get it for the next trip.....

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Thanks Bill, I'm obsessing, I know That's just something I do I think I'm comfortable going with just the new lense that it came with and taking it all from there.