Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi Guys, Can you please suggest me a good and cheap zoom lens compatible with Nikon D5100.

I don't know much about Nikons but the first thing I would ask is, how do you shoot and what would your regular subjects be? Also, keep in mind that good and cheap normally don't last long. I had a fairly "good and cheap" lens at one point. It lasted 1 month then I sold it. It did almost everything until I realized that if I had spent the extra $200, I could've gotten myself a faster and sharper set of lens which I'd still be using now if I hadn't gotten so serious about photography. I sold that too and upgraded. LOL!

Anyway, my 2 cents, borrow and/or rent. Try out what best works for you and use that as a guide to buy your lens. You have a number of manufacturers to choose from so even if you don't get a Nikon lens and end up with say a Sigma, at least you know you did your research and spent your money's worth.

FYI, I went from a Tamron 18-200 f3.5 - 6 --> Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 --> Canon 24-70mm f2.8.

in the photography world is true that good hardly can be mixed with cheap...
on the other hand, Lenses are something worthy to put your money on, their value and performance outlast DSLR digital bodies.

Now, to answer your question, search for Tamron, Sigma or Tokina lenses with a Nikon mount.
cheers

The best value Nikon DX zoom is: http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/235-nik ... est-report [~$150 2nd hand]

The best pro-quality Nikon DX lens on a budget is: http://www.photozone.de/component/conte ... 175028vcdx [~$300 2nd hand]

+1 The tamron is well worth the money. Great lens to start out with.

Hehe...that's the same lens I replaced my first lens...but for a Canon. It is definitely a good lens.

Thanks for the response and Sorry for the lack of information.
I am quite new to DSLR world. Infect this is my first DSLR. I have already got 18-105mm lens with my DSLR. I am looking for a long rand zoom, something like (70-300mm) to shout landscape etc.

Thanks for the response. I have already got 18-105mm lens....I am looking for something greater then that. probably (70-300mm) or so. BTW...The like you posted looks very useful site. Thanks

Generally, but not always, landscape is shot with wider lenses. Unless it's detail shots you are after?

Yes. I am looking detail shoot. Also little bit of sports so that I can close in on my subject from distance.

Nikon 70-300 sounds like a good choice that you already looked at.

55-200mm VR is the best budget zoom for Nikon. You'll find one for ~$200.

I purchased the Tamron 18-270 PZD a few months ago and I think it is a great lens for the range. It retails for about $570. on sale and again, not a top of the line lens but great value for the money and I have used it for landscape and family shots.

OK, it depends on what you mean "cheap".

If you want to stay under $200, the 18-55 and 55-200mm Nikon lenses are decent (not amazing). They include VR (vibration reduction) to help stabilize things, but optically, they're just average.

The "old version" of the Nikon 70-300 might actually be worse optically and although it offers longer reach, it doesn't have VR. It is also in the same sub-$200 pricerange. The newer Nikon 70-300 with VR is great quality (for a consumer zoom), and also has VR, but runs about $500-$600+.

The Tamron 18-270 is... well average quality, (but not terrible) and could replace everything you have, though missing some features and with a few drawbacks like distortion issues, slightly soft corners and a slow (f/6.3) speed on the long end.

The 70-300 range is probably best for what you're looking for. Both the Nikon and Tamron are good quality and the Sigma of that range isn't bad.

I lean toward the older Nikon 70-300 (over the Tamron or Sigma), given your price range, unless you want to pony up for the new VR version at 3x the cost.