The TSN photography studio

[GCab]

  richwig83 said:

vv Very nice... that 17-55 2.8 is supposed to be very good!

I just love this lens, I take about 99% of my shots with it. Unlike its Canon equivalent it has no IS/VR, but the optics are just superb for colour and contrast.

[DHA]

  GCab said:

I like this a lot, the absolute straightness of the breakwater at right angles to the horizon, with the natural stuff breaking all round it, makes it feel very calming and Zen

Have you ever tried using a ND filter and slow shutter speed for waves? I don't live near any and have never got myself organised to try it when I visit my folks on the South Coast

Cheers, I didn't have a strong enough ND with me that day (my 10 stop ND will be used for such like in the future).

[NewNiceMrMe]

I really, really, like the shot of the chicken.

However, I couldn't resist tweaking the crop a little and increasing the warmth slightly. Lovely colours that I felt could be enhanced ever so slightly and the crop means your eye appreciates the details a little more in my opinion.

[Thorburn]

Nothing special, but a few of my favourites from the Elise Trophy at Castle Combe last month. Taken with my (now pretty old) Canon EOS 350D and cheapskate Tamron 28-300mm

[DHA]

Some from Goodwood FoS

Edited July 4, 2010 by DHA

[Mort]

Just been to Sydney for the weekend.... took a few shots

[DHA]

Started editing the photos I took on holiday.

A bit of a cliche, being in France and all, but I like the result

[Riz]

I`m back..... managed to buy a 18-200mm VR Nikkor collect it in a week or so. This means I will have a 18-55 and 55-200mm which I will need to get rid of...

Next on the list is a 35mm F1.8 and maybe oneday a 70-200mm F2.8

Riz :D

[DHA]

My 2p worth, keep the 18-55 Riz as it will keep the kit complete if you sell the D40. Try and sell the 55-200 as you don't need it now.

The 70-200 will be way too heavy to use on a D40, it was too heavy for my D90 and that makes the D40 seem like its made from air.

[CarMad]

Is the Nikon 18-200 good then, I'd always think that was too long for a zoom to not be a bit of a compromise. :confused:

[DHA]

Its a decent lens, the reviews say it's sharper between 55-200 than the 55-200, but for 3 times the price you would expect that. For an all-round lens it's very good. I considered it, was quite close to going for it but something made me hold back perhaps as you say the concerns of compromise. I went for an expensive, but used example, of 17-55 f2.8 and a 70-300 zoom which totalled close to double what the 18-200 is worth. But I felt that the 18-200 did not offer as big a jump in quality and range from my 18-105 kit compared to what I have now. The 18-105 now sits on my girlfriends D40 (same as Riz) and is a notable improvement on the 18-55 kit lens that came with.

[CarMad]

Fair enough, Canon doesn't really offer anything like that thats any good really. They do an L lens thats 28-300 but thats really a FF lens.

I did another wedding a few weeks ago and the L lens that Canon do really are very nice to use. It makes me want to save to just get those, except the 85mm f1.8, its just stunning for the money.

DXO rated the 5DII and 85mm f1.8 as the fourth best lens / body combination you can buy second only to a Nikon D3X and another Canon body, no bad considering the massive price difference. :D

DxOMark - Lens rankings

[Riz]

Omg your right... the 70-200 F2.8 is a massive weapon would definately be too much for the D40 body even with a battery clip?

If I dont manage to sell my 55-200mm I`ll just keep it, it came with my 18-55mm as a kit set and I have a thing for keeping original bits etc not really desperate for the cash.

Your right in regards to the cost of the 18-200mm VR lens.... optically its good but it costs 3x the amount when compared to my original 2 seperate kit lenses, but it does have the added plus of not having to swap lenses all the time and my originals dont have VR.

The Nikkor 18-200mm VR`s go for about £460-560 new depending if its VR or VRII (they are both the same apart from the VRII having a zoom lock switch) They both have 4 stops VR.

I found a second hand VR for £410 they seem to be holding their values well and are so hard to find 2nd hand.....

Greys have two for sale priced at £399 and £425 in Exc++ condition.

Ive managed to get one for £320 with a Hoya UV filter which I think is excellent! I`m soooo excitied......

I`m deffo going to get the 35mm F1.8 DX sometime but unsure what else I would want for my collection.....

Check this beast out...

On the shopping list next.

Nikkor 35mm F1.8 DX

Manfrotto Modo Tripod

Batteryclip and spare batteries

D40 screen protector

Nikon flash

Riz

Edited July 30, 2010 by Riz

[DHA]

Grays second hand stuff is good, I got my 17-55 from there, and you get a warranty for 1 or 2 yrs (depending if you are a member of their club) with all the second hand stuff.

As for the 70-200 on a D40 with a grip, I'd still say too heavy. The lens is about 2kg as I recall, I think you need a D300 as a minimum but even some say that's not ideal weight ratios.

[eldavo69]

I've got a D5000 with Nikon 18-55 and a Tamron 70-300. The Nikon 18-200 is probably my next purchase due to it's flexibility and the reviews it has got. After that I may go for the f1.8 35mm too as it I can't justify the big jump in costs for the f1.4 50mm.

Would love to know how you're getting on with the new lens and any negatives?

[Riz]

  eldavo69 said:

I've got a D5000 with Nikon 18-55 and a Tamron 70-300. The Nikon 18-200 is probably my next purchase due to it's flexibility and the reviews it has got. After that I may go for the f1.8 35mm too as it I can't justify the big jump in costs for the f1.4 50mm.

Would love to know how you're getting on with the new lens and any negatives?

Will post up a review next week

A point worth noting is that these 18-200mm lenses do suffer from lens creep, this includes the VRII model, the only difference between the one I`ve bought and the newer VRII model is that the VRII had a lock switch which will lock the lens at 18mm to avoid the lens creeping. Its a total non-issue for me as mine sits in a rucksack all tucked away safe`n`sound.

Most reviews stay optically its a great lens but it is bigger than the standard 55-200mm lens and a little heavier too. VR works upto 4 stops which is exactly like the new VRII model, strangely both use the same VRII system just that the original lens was branded as VR, it was the first VR lens from Nikon if memory serves me right.

Riz

Edited July 30, 2010 by Riz

[Riz]

  eldavo69 said:

I've got a D5000 with Nikon 18-55 and a Tamron 70-300. The Nikon 18-200 is probably my next purchase due to it's flexibility and the reviews it has got. After that I may go for the f1.8 35mm too as it I can't justify the big jump in costs for the f1.4 50mm.

Would love to know how you're getting on with the new lens and any negatives?

Collected my lens yesterday and its well worth the £320 I paid for it, only wear was that the Nikon logo on the lens cap has lost its silver colour.

Tested it optically and its as good if not better than the two that I have (18-55mm & 55-200mm). Makes so much difference not having to change the lens anymore. But it is indeedy a heavier lens, infact I would say its probably as heavy as both my originals put together. It gives it a solid and quality build feel to it. You can tell its a better quality lens than the standards.

Not had any issues with VR, just does its job without much fuss. The lens itself is 72mm which means you`ll need a 72mm filter, it came with its lens hood etc.

Lens creep happens between 35-135mm rage, at full zoom or at 18mm its rock solid with no movement, even when shook about.

What more can I say, its a smashing lens and for £320 incl a Hoya 72mm UV filter a good buy. Even at £400 its not bad value. But they cheaper option would be two seperate lenses.

If you need any other information or test shots give me a shout.

Here are some pictures of all 3 lenses side by side.

Riz

Edited August 3, 2010 by Riz
added pictures

[eldavo69]

Cool, looks like a winner all round. Lens creep between the midrange is a bit of a non-issue though as I will always be holding the barrel of the lens anyway.

No having to change lenses will be a great benefit and if the optics aren't really compromised (or are improved) then that's a bonus.

As for the size, my Tamron 70-300 is pretty chunky so no probs there either:

Thanks for the info!

[Riz]

Wow thats massive, but it does go upto 300mm, which is 100mm more than the Nikkor 18-200mm.

It`s a wonderful all-rounder, I`ve still kept my originals

Like I said I bought mine for £320, these lenses usually sell for £460+ new so cost does become a factor when comparing them to other or two lens options.

Riz

[fizzbitt]

Some great looking pics in this thread over the last few pages.

DHA - loving the GT3 Cup car shot!

Thought id throw a couple in as well. I have a 350D as well.

This one is a fav i took of some bird of prey in dundee about a year ago..

And a couple of my little girl dancing at a wedding reception while holding on to Mrs Fizzbitts scarf..

I loved the contrast between the red/black.

Will dig some more out which i like and put em up on here.

[Riz]

What lens did you use to capture that bird of prey?

Riz

[eldavo69]

Here's one I took in Morocco with the 18-55 kit lens:

[fizzbitt]

  Riz said:

What lens did you use to capture that bird of prey?

Riz

Just the standard kit lens for the 350D 18-55 i think it is. I think the lovely weather helped with the shot.

Just remembered i got a couple of nice shots from the lake district.. will post them up when i get home from work if i remember to that is.

[Riz]

Excellent pictures..... I`m going to have to get the Flickr Pro account and start uploading. I`m not really into Photoshopping etc, just prefer to shoot and upload in jpeg.

Riz

[eldavo69]

I'm quite glad that this one is photoshopped, as otherwise I don't know how I'd cope: