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[Puzzled]

Mrs. Clause let it leak that there is a Nikon D80 under the tree for me.  So this has me lens shopping. I have been at a few events with some fellow forum members using SLR cameras and I'd like to know what size/style of lens you are using. I like the ease of my point and shoots however they require some distance to capture an entire bike which usually results in someone walking through the pic or me not waiting for the auto focus.  I believe I'm after a wide angle and something in the 24MM range, not certain. 

[Hoist!]

Mrs. Clause let it leak that there is a Nikon D80 under the tree for me.  So this has me lens shopping. I have been at a few events with some fellow forum members using SLR cameras and I'd like to know what size/style of lens you are using. I like the ease of my point and shoots however they require some distance to capture an entire bike which usually results in someone walking through the pic or me not waiting for the auto focus.  I believe I'm after a wide angle and something in the 24MM range, not certain. 

Unless you want to carry multiple lenses around, I would think you'd want a really good Zoom lens. Maybe 24-90 or 24-135 should be good for a bike show camera. That should get ya most everything but long distance shots. You'll have wide angle and be able to do closeups, all in 1 lens.

Hoist!

[RedDevil]

Puzzled,
Momma got me a D90 kit for Xmas, but she won't let me play with it until tomorrow.  It came with two lenses a 18-55mm and 55-200mm.  The 18-55mm will be great for bike shows and the 55-200mm for outdoors.  Nikon also makes another great kit lens an 18-105mm.  That would be another good all around lens.  Tamaron makes an excellent "good for everything lens" an 18-270mm lens.  It lists for $899, but I've seen it as low at $549 new on Ebay.  I'm thinking of getting that one myself later.  Have fun with the D80.  I can hardly wait to tear into the D90 myself.

  

[Hoist!]

Puzzled,
Momma got me a D90 kit for Xmas, but she won't let me play with it until tomorrow.  It came with two lenses a 18-55mm and 55-200mm.  The 18-55mm will be great for bike shows and the 55-200mm for outdoors.  Nikon also makes another great kit lens an 18-105mm.  That would be another good all around lens.  Tamaron makes an excellent "good for everything lens" an 18-270mm lens.  It lists for $899, but I've seen it as low at $549 new on Ebay.  I'm thinking of getting that one myself later.  Have fun with the D80.  I can hardly wait to tear into the D90 myself.

  

Wow, now that's a great all purpose indoor lens size!

Hoist!

[RedDevil]

Wow, now that's a great all purpose indoor lens size!

Hoist!

It is a good all around lens...


     

[Puzzled]

Soooo what do the numbers mean? I found a 17-35 that looks compact. Some of the larger spread in numbers make for a longer lens. I'd like to try and keep the camera compact (as possible).

[Hoist!]

Soooo what do the numbers mean? I found a 17-35 that looks compact. Some of the larger spread in numbers make for a longer lens. I'd like to try and keep the camera compact (as possible).

The measurement is for focal length in mm. The smaller focal focal length, the wider the view, your Wide Angle Lense. The longer the focal length, the closer you can get to the subject, your Telephoto Lens. That 17-35 is a Wide Angle Zoom, but would not be pratical for normal or longer distance shots. I like Charlie's idea of 2 zoom lenses. Should cover most anything! You should get that 18-105 that Charlie recommended. Good for most anything overall, except very long distance. You can get a 135-270 zoom cheaply for those longer shots.

Hoist!

[RedDevil]

Puzzled,
I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ here, but if you want to stay compact, stay with the point and shoot digitals.  D-SLRs are great because they are so versatile and give you so much flexability and capabilities.  Eventually, you'll want numerous lenses, but right now for a starter I'd either go with the Nikkor 18-105 or the Tamaron 18-270mm.  They both, when at their lowest, are less than 6 inches long and the 270 expands out to less than 12 inches at full zoom.   Just my recommendation, I'd sacrifice a little compactness for versatility and flexibility, then buy yourself an 17-35 later...but for your fist lens you won't be happy with that 17-35 as your only lens.  Trust me.

[BIGDOG]

To give you a rough idea your eye sees about 70mm ,so if you have a 50mm lens it will make the object look farther away in the picture than when you are looking at it with your eyes. the larger the number the closer the object will appear. the smaller the number the fartheraway the object will appear but you will get more view to both sides,great for group shots or panoramic pictures.The important number is the f# or focal length. The smaller this number is the better the light penetrates the lens making it faster to produce an image.
Have fun with the cameras guys.

[Puzzled]

RedDevil I found the 18-55mm and 55-200mm in a combo package for a decent price. I may go that route to start. As for the point and shoot, that will still be my bike travel camera as it fits in my glove box on the bike. The SLR is for the shows I attend. It has been two decades since I messed with anything other than a point and shoot. My last decent camera was a Cannon EOS.

I appreciate the replies guys as I'm Puzzled and learning on the fly.

[Puzzled]

BIGDOG, thank you. That explanation is what I needed. 

[Puzzled]

Hoist, I'll have a decent camera for Javits and Cincy now. 

[RedDevil]

RedDevil I found the 18-55mm and 55-200mm in a combo package for a decent price. I may go that route to start. As for the point and shoot, that will still be my bike travel camera as it fits in my glove box on the bike. The SLR is for the shows I attend. I has been two decades since I messed with anything other than a point and shoot. My last decent camera was a Cannon EOS.

I appreciate the replies guys as I'm Puzzled and learning on the fly.

Those are two good lenses.  Those are the ones that are in the D90 Kit Momma got me...they're very versatile and good everyday lenses.

   

[REGGAB]

Congrats on the new equipment.  The extent of my photography skills is point and shoot.  I still can't figger out my new Sony Cybershot.   

[Puzzled]

Congrats on the new equipment.  The extent of my photography skills is point and shoot.  I still can't figger out my new Sony Cybershot.   

That is pretty much the extent of my ability also. My wife reminded me while I was lens shopping how much I complain about not knowing how to use my "simple" cameras.