Lens advice / reviews appreciated

[andyc0114]

I use a d300 with the nikon (nikkor) 18 - 200mm lens that came with it and a Sigma 10 - 20mm. I have been told that the prime lens's are much sharper than zooms. My interest is landscape and i am looking to purchase a wide angle prime lens. I am looking at the Nikon f2.8 20mm - does any one use this lens who can comment on it's performance. Will the lens be noticeably sharper than my zooms and be worth the cost of duplicating the 20mm point for the third time? Thanks.

[flake]

The 18 - 200mm is not particularly wonderful as far as any lens goes, so a change to just about anything would be an improvement.
However both Canon & Nikon have neglected development of their prime lenses and many of them are not as good as you might expect, the 20mm is one of them. If you are considering a lens and would like a technical evaluation www.photozone.de are very good, if you want other users opinons then go to Fredmiranda, beware here though as it's difficult to know what peoples initial expectations are.

Photozones conclusion on the 20mm:

Verdict
The Nikkor AF 20mm f/2.8 D had a very good reputation during the film era but the D200 didn't really like the lens. The resolution is fine for most of the APS-C image frame but the extreme corners never really reach impressive results even at medium aperture settings. Vignetting is fairly high at f/2.8 and CAs are pretty bad. All-in-all you may prefer to look elsewhere to cover this focal length on an APS-C DSLR.

You might prefer a lens in the 17 - 70mm kind of range which will give better results. Consider third party manufacturers such as Sigma and Tamron as they offer good value for the optical quality.

[andyc0114]

Thank's for your help mate it is appreciated although i still have no idea which lens is the one i need. I read reviews in the magazine as i did with the nikon 18-200mm and buy if the review is very positive which it was, apparently well worth the extra cost because (then) it was so much better than the other's - sigma etc. . Within a few months every article is pointing out it's weaknesses (including the manufacturer who wants to sell you the much improved version which in 2 months will also be crap). I have only recently come back to photography after a 20 year break (skint whilst bringing up my kids) but i am beginning to wish i'd just purchased a disposable camera lol.

[matt wilson]

Being a Nikon 18 2oo at least it's a good name .It's taken. me a year to relaise my canon 18 200 is not the best tool in the box.

Hopefully though if I trade it in I won't do too badly .

[flake]

try an ebay sale, you'll get more than a dealer will offer you

[jinky]

You get used to these swipes at the Nikon 18-200. I have to say that the reported lens creep has never been an issue for me and it does what I want of it - makes a great travel / walkabout lens. I would not sell it unless I go full frame - and even then would probably use it on my D80 as back up. Yes the quality of my other lenses - especially primes - is betterand like you I have a Sigma 10-20 which is a favourite. I have looked at the 20mm myself but on a crop body it is just not wide enough for landscapes for me so i will be sticking with my siggy until / if I go for a D700 when the Nikon 14-24 will be the one of choice.

[flake]

Friend bought a 14 - 24mm when he moved fronm the D2x to the D3, and while it is a really nice lens it just doesn't get used anything like as much as the 24 - 70mm. Before you do buy the 14 - 24mm take a look at how many shots you've taken at less than 16mm on the APS-C camera (equivalent of 24mm on FF).

What I'm trying to say is, good though the 14 -24mm is most people will find that the 24 - 70mm f/2.8 will be used far more and is better value per shot .

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by flake

What I'm trying to say is, good though the 14 -24mm is most people will find that the 24 - 70mm f/2.8 will be used far more and is better value per shot .

That depends on what you photograph. If it's mostly landscapes then the 14-24mm will be used more but if it close-ups, then the 20-70mm is the lens of choice. I was in Birmingham last week photographing the wheel but only had my 24-70mm with me but could have done with the 14-24mm instead.

[flake]

It tells a story though, that you actually chose to have the 24 - 70mm on and not the 14 - 24mm. If we had desert island lensand all of them were washed away & you could save one (between these two) which would it be?