| A new Nikon D80 body sitting beside a | | | | take big-group shots in tight locations and include |
| recently-opened box on your table is one of the | | | | everybody into the picture, and it also allows you |
| most amazing sights to behold. You'd have to get | | | | to go to 70mm for relatively tight portrait shots. |
| one for yourself to understand the sensation. | | | | Hunt around for $320-ish prices, and not a penny |
| A digital SLR camera on its own, however, is | | | | more, at your camera stores. Before the |
| pretty much next to useless - you'd need to buy | | | | availability of Lens #3 that I'm about to mention, |
| a lens (or two, three or more) in order to start | | | | this glass was a firm favourite among many |
| taking photographs with it. The only problem is, | | | | casual photographers who shoot travel and |
| there must be something like 1,013 lenses out | | | | vacation images. |
| there to choose from, at least, it starts feeling | | | | Nikon Lens #3 - The Nikkor 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6g |
| like it after you spend hours, if not days, | | | | IF-ED AF-S DX VR.This lens is so hot. How so? |
| thumbing through catalogs and spec sheets, | | | | Well, it's hot enough to be out-of-stock at virtually |
| browsing forums, reading debates and arguments | | | | all stores, but you can find one if you're a walk-in |
| over which lenses to buy (or not to buy) and | | | | customer, and Nikon is bending backwards to |
| getting advice from one friend too many, other | | | | ramp up production to meet demand. Why is it |
| enthusiasts and professionals in the field. | | | | hot? Well, because it's the only lens on the |
| All you'd really like to know now is, what are the | | | | market offering such a huge zoom range, with |
| best lenses for your Nikon D80? | | | | fast autofocus action and even a VR mechanism |
| I have some good news for you - if you're simply | | | | that helps you get steady shots without the use |
| coming into SLR photography for personal | | | | of flash. You'll appreciate how useful the VR is if |
| pleasure, as a pastime or simply to get better | | | | you're in a museum that doesn't allow you to use |
| pictures for sharing with your family and friends, I | | | | flash and tripods - the new version of the VR |
| can quickly list down 3 lenses you can get right | | | | technology Nikon made available on this lens allows |
| now without having to bust your bank account. | | | | you to eliminate handshake at ever slower |
| From the selections below, simply select lens #1 | | | | shutter speeds which beats out the VR capability |
| only, #2 only, #3 only, #1 & #2 or #1 | | | | in more expensive, but older lenses. $750 is all |
| & #3 depending on your budget. | | | | you need to own this lens which you can take |
| Nikon Lens #1 - The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF lens. | | | | 90% of your shots with. |
| For $100 or less, there is no other lens out there | | | | So, there you have it, the lowdown on which lens |
| that can give you sharper images for the money. | | | | to get for your D80. Are there better lenses to |
| You can buy $400 lenses which give marginally | | | | be had? Of course, but you'll be paying through |
| sharper pictures, but the 50mm f/1.8 lens has the | | | | the nose for those, and the high prices can only |
| highest sharpness / dollar-spent ratio in the | | | | be justified if you have special requirements in |
| industry. Its maximum 1.8 aperture also allows | | | | your photography pursuit, or if you're an |
| you to take great-looking portraits with a blurred | | | | enthusiast who cannot tolerate not having the |
| background, the kind you see in some | | | | absolute best lenses on hand. Be careful though, |
| professional shots. It's small, it's light, it's great for | | | | lusting over pricier and bigger lenses without |
| taking photos in dimly-lit locations where flash is | | | | knowing how to value or profit from them is only |
| not allowed. | | | | going to mean more money down the drain. |
| Nikon Lens #2 - The Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G | | | | Good luck in your decision, and enjoy an amazing |
| ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom lens. That was a mouthful, | | | | photographic experience with your new D80 and |
| wasn't it? Yes, this is a zoom lens, unlike the | | | | lenses! |
| 50mm f/1.8 mentioned above. Meaning you can | | | | |