Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DX VR is an excellent lens for the Nikon D90. It has the right size and weight and most importantly the image quality is excellent. But if you only have D90 or D80 body, then you might be confuse to choose ideal lenses for those cameras.
Here are my suggestion on some best lenses for Nikon D90 or D80.
Nikon 18-200mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX VR II Price: $780
This multipurpose lens is great for any circumstances, you can shoot wide or shoot telephoto for far away subjects. The problem is the weight (565 g) and relatively high price tag. But if you only want to carry one lens, then this is the one.
Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4-5.6G VR Price: $550
This telephoto zoom lens is great for wildlife or outdoor sports. It is quite long and big (143mm / 745 g), but it is still very balanced when mounted in Nikon D90. The lens is very sharp at 70-135mm range and it has VR (Vibration Reduction) to combat camera shake. VR is very helpful in long telephoto zoom like this lens. Great for outdoor sports and portrait.
Nikon AF-S 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 VR DX Price: $800
This is the newest Nikon ultra wide angle zoom lens. It is great for landscape photography, architecture or photojournalism. It is relatively small (830 mm / 460 g) and lightweight. It fits D90 very well.
Nikon 35mm AF-S f/1.8 DX Price: $199
This is great for low light or to create a shallow depth of field (blur / soften background). The focal length is equivalent to 52.5mm, so it is very close to our eyes viewpoint. The lens is very small and light. The original price (MSRP) is $200, but this lens is very popular and Nikon can’t keep up with market demand. As a result, the price is a bit higher than MSRP most of the time.
Nikon 85mm AF f/1.8D Price: $435
This lens a superb head and shoulder portrait, candids or night scene lens. It is very sharp in the center even wide open, and the bokeh (out of focus blur) is smooth and creamy. It focus very fast and the size fits Nikon D90 very well. Furthermore, it is much cheaper than the f/1.4 version.
Nikon 60mm AF-S f/2.8 Micro Price: $550
If you like to shoot small subjects like insects, then this macro lens is for you. It is quite expensive, but you will have a lot of fun with it. The other application for this lens is portrait. Although it might be too sharp for girls.
Also check out Recommended lenses for Nikon entry level / beginner DSLR camera or Recommended Sigma lenses for Nikon.
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Nikon 70-300mm VR is good for sports.
for general purpose zoom, 16-85mm VR, abit over budget but if you can find use one it will be ok.
I am going to buy Tokina 12-24 DX for my Nikon D90, is it ok for me to get 77mm lens filters for Tokina wide angle lens,or is there any specific size,I am thinking Hoya,Tiffen
TP
Yes TP, 77mm filter will be fine. I suggest HOYA filters.
Since, I can’t afford the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 at the moment, I found out that the cheaper lens, similar to the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 are Nikon 18-55mm and Nikon 18-55mm II are quite identical to the performance and quality it displays. My question is which one should I buy, the Nikon 18-55mm or Nikon 18-55mm II? Thanks.
Grab Nikon 18-55mm VR if you have little bit extra budget, because VR (Vibration Reduction) will be handy in low light situation. If not than get the II version.
What alternate cheaper lens would you reccomend for AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, very expensive /street price about 2300.00 any other make or model available with similar features?
There are a couple non-VR alternative such as Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 macro HSM, which I personally use for two years now and I am happy with it.
Sigma will also launch the stabilized version soon.
Tamron also has 70-200mm f/2.8. This Tamron lens is sharper compared to Sigma, but auto focus is slower.
One more question on zoom, How about Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED Lens compare to Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 macro HSM and , Which one is the better lens with features.
Thanks
image quality wise, both lens share the same characteristic. Built quality wise, Nikon is better because it build like a tank (full metal). However, Sigma has HSM, which has internal focus motor and quiet when auto focus. Nikon 80-200mm AF speed will rely on camera.
If you have high quality /advanced nikon cameras such as DX00 (D300, D200, or full frame D3, D700) then Nikon 80-200mm might be a good choice. If you have consumer grade camera such as D90, D3000, D60, D40, then Sigma 70-200mm is an obvious choice.
It is a very close.
Nice list. Since budget is one of your main selection criteria, I would recommend the Nikon 85mm f1.8 lens over the 1.4 and save yourself about $600. I would also recommend the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 over the Nikon 10-24mm for wide zoom; it’s faster, cheaper and just as sharp (if not sharper).
Great topic! What do you think which lens better for a portrait photo? for Nikkon D90. Budget is 600$
I suggest Nikon 85mm f/1.8 for head and shoulder portrait. Nikon 50mm f/1.4 for half body portrait.
Hi, i am going to buy a telephoto lens for my D90. I am already using the 18-105 VR lens that comes with the kit…which is the best 70-300mm range lens? apart from Nikor, can i look for Sigma or Tamron or Leica etc?
paul, the Nikon version of 70-300mm VR is the best.
Which macro lens is best for D90? What about Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens?
There are three macro lenses for D90, each has its own advantage and disadvantages:
Nikon 60mm f/2.8 : Big aperture, working distance is great for still life, food potography
Nikon 85mm f/3.5 VR : slower aperture, but has VR, relatively light and inexpensive
Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR : A bit long and big for D90, longer working distance therefore it is good for outdoor.
Sir, I have a couple of questions I like to ask you….
What teleconverters can I use for my D90 Nikon? I want a Nikon but don’t want to over-spend more than I should. I have but 3 lenses….a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens, a Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1.35-5.6G ED, and a Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G.
Would a Nikon 18-200mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX VR II be a wise investment for me, even though I already have the lenses I mentioned already? I would greatly appreciate your expertise….
Sir, one last question…
For my Nikon D-90, what flashes will work best for my camera, an SB 600 or a SB 900 AF Speedlight? For the price, I am leaning towards a SB 600….
Nikon teleconverter compatible only with limited amount of telephoto lenses such as 70-200mm f/2.8, 80-200mm f/2.8, 200-400, and prime lenses 200mm and above. None of your lenses compatible with Nikon teleconverter.
Regarding to your second question, I don’t think getting 18-200mm will improve your photography. However, if you have 18-200mm, you might not need to bring extra lens or change lenses in the trip.
I suggest a macro lens, especially if you like to shoot small subjects such as flowers, still life, insect. I compared three Nikon macro lenses briefly in comment right above your comment.
we got my wife(our site’s staff photographer) her D90 back in the spring. since she was building a new set up we spared no expense. she got 6 lenses.
the 18-105 VR & the 70-300VR came with her package, but we added the Sigma 150-500 & the 1.4x tele for across the field shots, the tamaron 18-270, a Complete Lensbaby Muse set up to fuel her Artsy jones, and the Nikon 80-200…
the next two purchases are the 150 macro and the Sigma 70-200 OS HSM(VR)
Nice, I also interested at Sigma 70-200mm OS HSM. Please let me what you think about it.
Does the Nikon 70-200mm VR2 lens fit on a D90 and will it function 100% as it should? Or is it meant to work on full frame D3’s or D700 only
Yes, the 70-200mm VR2 II will work 100% on all Nikon SLR cameras today including D90.
I have a question, I am looking for a good telephoto lens, and I am deciding between the Nikkor 70-300mm VR or the Tamron 18-270mm. I am looking for sharpness and overall length. Which lens would be the best investment because I do a lot of sports shots?
The 50mm f/1.8 is way better than the 35mm, especially when it comes to bokeh (soft blurring of the background). Not to mention the 1.5x crop factor of this sensor puts it at 75mm which is still pretty good for portraits. And to add icing to the cake it’s on $100. In my humble opinion it’s a must have unless you can shell out a little more for the 50mm f/1.4 which is even nicer.
It will be 70-300mm VR. Not only because it is longer and sharper but it also has significantly faster auto focus system which is crucial for sports photography. However, this lens will not be good in low light condition such as indoor sport because of high maximum aperture unless you have camera that has high ISO range.
For the Nikon APC kit, I like …
18-200 VR
10-20 Sigma or 12-24 Nikon (like fixed apertures)
16.5mm fisheye – use it more than I expected
35mm G – just ’cause
As far as macro lenses are concerned, I usually put them on a D3, but I love my 105 VR f2.8., The “trinity” will also work well on an APC sensor, and the 14-24 is truly amazing..
For an APC sensor, any 80-200 or 70-200 f2.8 will provide amazing bokeh, and some of the older ones are now DIRT CHEAP on the used market, although the 70-200 VR still commands a good buck. These, along with the 105 f2 & 135 f2 DC lenses are great for portrait work.
The 70-300 VR is a good compromise if you are needing the range. If you’re not “reaching” and want a single lens, the 17-55 f2.8 and 16-85 are worth a look.
Watch out for the 18-55s and older 70-300s if you intend to use a polarizer, since these lense all rotate, … and I avoid plastic mounts.
… one further comment:
One of the previous posters mentioned the need for a focusing motor in the body of the camera. Contrary to what was said, this is not an issue with D50/D70/D80/D90 cameras, and is also not an issue with any AFS or similar (HSM etc) lenses on the cheaper cameras (D40, D60, D3000, D5000)
Hi,
I have the D90 and have the following lenses:
Sigma 10-20mm
Nikon Kit lens 18-105mm
Nikkor 105 VR f2.8
I am going to start shooting in nightclubs for events and things like that, i will be using an SB – 600 but can’t decide on which lens would suit best for this situation. I don’t mind spending more on the nikon f 2.8’s like 24-70 or 15-55 but don’t know if i really need this, and if not i am mixed up with all the other options like the 16-85 or other makes like tamron 28-75mm , can anybody give me any advice on this ?
Thanx
24-70mm will be too narrow for Nikon D90, I recommend 17-55mm f/2.8 for the job. It bet it will be your most used lens.
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