Lenses For The Nikon D80
With so many lenses out there to choose for your D80, it gets pretty mind-numbing after a while, thumbing through specs sheets, and browsing reviews and forum threads. Linked up here are discussions, tests, articles and images which I feel could assist you in narrowing your choices down. In the end, there are no perfect lenses, but only the right one for your style of photography.
Best-value Nikon lenses for the money
Read more about:
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8: Brief long-term use review. Nikon D80 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 samples.
Nikkor 18-200mm VR (or consider Version II of this lens): Sample photos with a Nikon D200.
Nikor 18-135mm: Sample photos with a Nikon D80.
If you fit this 10-point profile, then the Nikkor 18-200mm is the lens for you, there's no need to purchase pricey, optically superior but less versatile lenses. Also includes a tip on how to quickly test a lens for sharpness while you're at the store.
RGarcia asks for help on deciding 3 lenses for his new Nikon D80: Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 ED, vs Nikon 24-85mm f2.8-4.0, vs Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX.
December 11th, 2006 at 12:26 am
What teleconverter lenses are compatible with the nikon d80?
December 11th, 2006 at 8:44 am
Roger, ALL teleconverter lenses from Nikon work with the D80. If you purchase TC lenses from third-party companies such as Tamron and Sigma, be sure to order the versions that are made for Nikon, since Tamron and Sigma manufacture lenses for other mounts too.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Honestly, I have three major lenses I use.
1. Tamron 18-35mm (every day crap lens – $180 to $300 on a good day)
2. Nikon Nikkor DX 18-135 1:3.5-5.6 ED (stock kit 1 on D80) – $300 – $500.
3. Sigma 10-20mm Wide for landscape creepiness and artistic valued pictures, w/o getting the bowed fisheye affect. – $500 just about anywhere you look.
So to be honest, I think the 10 point from DPR was on spot for 50% of the people out there, but if you are spending $1000 on your camera, then another $1000 – 1500 on lenses – using the D80 with my setup as example – then I honestly think you need three lenses – 1 for everyday, 1 for universal coverage on zoom (up to 135 – 150mm depending on lens you find), and an “Artistic” lens for semi-enthusiasts.
I purchased a really low-end 18-50mm off brand just because I hate handing my high(er) lenses off w/ D80 body to someone else …. to which point I change the lens and say “here”.
The review is to narrow …. and most people don’t have infinite budget, so I think the Sigma is “the” lens for someone spending MORE than $1000 in their setup. Not everyone is made of money, but not everyone is poor either in this realm of money effort to do nice work for a “more than point and shot” person.
If you want a point and shoot that is better than average, but less than a DSLR – Canon IS cameras are extremely good and have GREAT optics and easy to use. Case in point the PRE-DSLR days for me were spend with a Canon S2 IS.