Where to get decent priced DSLR lenses?

[Little-Miss]

I'd like a 1.8 lense for my camera (is that right, im still learning!)

There are some on Fleabay but im loathed to spend £80 on there...incase the goods dont turn up!

I gotta Nikon D3000.

[siuko]

You might need to provide a little more detail..

1.8 could mean the f-stop of the lense or something else?

What exactly do you plan to do with this lense?

Have you any links to any that you are interested in?

I've only just got into dslr photography so I'm definitely no expert hehe

[K.C.Leblanc]

A 1.8 lens?????

I'm guessing you're looking at the 50mm 1.8. That lens won't auto focus on the D3000, you need to be looking out for AFS lenses. Unless you're happy to focus manualy.

The only AFS 50mm is very expensive, there is an AFS 35mm 1.8, it's about £200.

A good place to look for cheap prices - Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear

A good place to ask questions - Talk Photography™

[tech_guy]

I wouldn't purchase off eBay as a lot of the lenses are counterfeit ( a colleague spent £400 on a Nikon VR lens from a seller in HK & it turned out to be counterfeit when he checked the serial number with Nikon ).

I buy my lenses from either Pixmania or Bristol Cameras. Sometimes Amazon come up trumps as well.

[cromertech]

I got a 75/300mm lens from amazon for my sony at quite a good price. If you have a search there you may find a macro lens which i think is what you want. I guess the 1.8 you refer to is the focal length so you can do close up shots?

[K.C.Leblanc]

I guess the 1.8 you refer to is the focal length so you can do close up shots?

1.8 would be very close. The closest lense I've even seen is a 14mm.

1.8 is almost certainly the appeture, since it's quite a common appeture on entry level prime lenses.

[tech_guy]

I've got this lens - for candids / portraiture it delivers some crisp shots on my D90:

Nikon 50mm F1.8D AF Nikkor Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[Little-Miss]

lol sorry guys....

My camera came with a 18-55 mm VR Lens Kit....which is fine.

I'd like to...i dunno, be able to get more in the picture?!

Oh i dunno, does anyone know of a good guide so i can get my head around this stuff. I'm waiting on a book ive ordered.

Ok, if you had my setup, what would you be going for? I like landscapes etc and i like close up and i know you need a macro lense for that.

[Little-Miss]

wow....do you have to purchase the crane seperately?

[keithu]

If you're interested in making panoramic landscape pictures you might like to investigate Image stitching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As jinnantonnix says, your existing lens is already fairly wide. Anything wider is getting into the 'ultra-wide' category and would be quite expensive for something half-decent. Anything costing less than a few hundred would probably be a waste of money.

[JPS]

Go into your local branch of Jessops (try to avoid busy times) and take your camera with you. They should be able to help and allow you to try out the lenses there in store (I know not quite the same as for example photographing landscapes like the Grand Canyon etc) and at least take some pics and as its digital you can take them home and see on PC before you make a decision. Identify which one you want then look for the best price. Take evidence of the price back to Jessops and they should match it.

James (former employee of Jessops)
Canon EOS 350D + Sigma 18-50mm F1.8 EX
Canon EOS 50E + various canon USM lenses.

[Ric_]

I've bought loads of kit of Fleabay and never had a problem (touch wood). I do own a Canon mind and maybe Canon-people are more genuine than Nikon If you follow the usual Fleabay buying rules (check the feedback, make sure there is a picture of the ACTUAL ITEM and only buy from the UK) you should be fine.

Warehouse Express is another good place for camera gear.

As for choosing lenses:
* The shorter the focal length (bit in mm), the more you will fit in your picture
* The smaller the f-stop, the more light can be let in and the quicker your shutter can operate which helps in low light (it also decreases depth of field - this is the blurryness behind and in front of the object that is in focus)

If you start playing with panormas, I've found the stitching ability of Photoshop CS4 to be rather good.

[Robz]

I also have a D3000 and I find Amazon to be pretty good, Nikon Lenses will be quite expensive but their alter ego Sigma are generally a lot cheaper. You need to bear in mind when buying that the D3000 has no Vibration Reduction or Auto Focus on the body, it is all in the lense so if you want it you'll have to pay for a lense with it.

As others have said, shops are generally the best place as they have guarantees, unless you're not fussed by imperfections etc on secondhand lenses from fleabay.

[webman]

I bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D from Ebay (and it is a fantastic lens) for around £75, after considering all the extra money for the 1.4G really wasn't worth it. Genuine lens with fast delivery from a UK seller with good feedback. Just do your research first

Good for portraits and when you want to throw the background out of focus from the main subject. Since buying the 1.8D it's hardly been off the camera body.

[ajs]

I'm a Canon man, but is it true that modern Nikons can take the old fashioned Nikon 'F' fit? If so, you can scout around the camera shops for some second hand bargains. You might get a nice quality lens for a few quid. Of course they won't auto-focus, but for landscapes that's no problem.

Yep, all Nikon DSLRS still use the F-mount. Aside from the FX/DX lens issue, the only real problem is whether or not you need AF-S lenses in order to be able to autofocus.