D90 Upgrade - kit lens (18-105) or 16-85

[Amberglass]

Hmmm,i've try the lens once for couple of hours but that time i don't come out with the idea that you've suggested.It's a great lens but it's to bulky for my D40 at that time.at certain length it has some weakness(from rookie point of view ).maybe i can try out the method that you've suggest .Thanks Amberglass

The D90 is somewhat larger than the D40, but trying out strictly for 2-3 weeks will give you a preview of potential or possible purchases (in the near or far future) as your hobby and skill level grows. Yes "all in one" zooms do have draw backs including image quality (results are "okay" for the money) and build quality (because of the design; they prone to lens creep). They were created more for the consumer (who wanted to cover all the bases) than for the professional/freelancer.

The whole point of this lesson is to help you "see the world as you see it" thru the camera instead of buying lens after lens to "find one that works". As a freelancer I have to carry the "Holy Trinity" (14-24, 24-70, & 70-200) and couple of fast primes. But after years of shooting, if Nikon ever decide to make custom zooms; a 24-138 f2.8 or f4, that would be the zoom of my choice for me.

[syaifs]

"see the world as you see it" Very nice Amberglass.I'm 100% agree with it. Not the equipment but the man behind it. Which lens from the trio that you mostly use?

[Amberglass]

"see the world as you see it" Very nice Amberglass.I'm 100% agree with it. Not the equipment but the man behind it. Which lens from the trio that you mostly use?

I use my AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (mid-range) the most, but if you're complaining about the weight of either one of the 18-200 mm; you're in a for a rude awakening. The 24-70 weighs in at 31.9 oz. (aka a brick) while the 18-200 are 19.8 oz. Lens should be considered "investments" because camera bodies will come and go while lenses will last your from body to body (that's if you're child doesn't gets his/her hands on it first, chuckles). Just remember that the D90 isn't heavily weather sealed for moisture as the D300s and above are. I take my gear in all kinds of inclement and harsh environments that most people would rather carry/lose a P&S or not bother with a camera at all.

[Shadowman]

I use my AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (mid-range) the most, but if you're complaining about the weight of either one of the 18-200 mm; you're in a for a rude awakening. The 24-70 weighs in at 31.9 grams (aka a brick) while the 18-200 are 19.8 grams. Lens should be considered "investments" because camera bodies will come and go while lenses will last your from body to body (that's if you're child doesn't gets his/her hands on it first, chuckles). Just remember that the D90 isn't heavily weather sealed for moisture as the D300s and above are. I take my gear in all kinds of inclement and harsh environments that most people would rather carry/lose a P&S or not bother with a camera at all.

I think you meant ounces for the weight and yes that is very heavy.

[syaifs]

That's a heavy stuff.But if i like it,for me there is no problem for the weight. Yup,i'm also bring my camera everywhere i go(some sort of self meditation).any suggestion for extra protection of the camera?

[Amberglass]

Make sure you have a good quality protective filter on your lens, preferably by Nikon, Canon, B+W (Pro F Series), or Heliopan because they actually do not effect IQ as cheap ones do. A rain coat for your camera if you're going to take it out in the rain or inclement weather. If you're seriously going to get the 24-70 2.8, strongly recommend that you pick up your setup by the lens closest to the camera mounting. Not by the camera body itself because D90 has a plastic body with metal mounting bracket, not solid alloy like the d300s on up.

[Bill44]

Amberglass, mate the D90 bodies are not as weak as you would suggest by your post.

[syaifs]

Thanks amber and bill,

for now,24-70 is not on my list because of the price. my friend had an experience where his 24-70 fall out from D90 while he hang it to his neck.it was a disaster for him.crying all day
like amber,i'll bring my camera where ever i go,sometimes i woke early in the morning to shoot before sunrise scenery.is D90 moisture proof?

[Amberglass]

Amberglass, mate the D90 bodies are not as weak as you would suggest by your post.

Bill, for the consumer grade lenses no, they're not an issue of the lens mount bracket braking off. But the commercial grade or pro grade lenses, they are significantly heavier and can put a lot of stress on the mount of the D90; eventually there will be a "imminent system failure". So I caution people to be aware of this. A friend of mine told me last year while at a soccer game, one of the moms pulled out her D90 (mounted with a pro level 70-200 2.8 VR zoom) by the body from her camera bag (instead of picking it up by the lens) and the bracket came out of the camera along with the zoom. Fortunately for her that she was on grass when the lens came out and not concrete or asphalt, at least she saved the lens.

Just because a lens can properly mount a camera body, doesn't necessarily mean it was designed to take the weight of it. Nikon will not repair cameras or lenses in situations like this. There's a big difference in weight of your 70-300 f4-5.6 (shy of 1 lb.) to a 70-200 2.8 VR (3.24 lbs) or even the slightly heavier version II.

Can you put a use a 6.32 lb 300 2.8 on a D90? Of course you can. But even my D3 and D700, I wouldn't dare pick this combination up by the body. I'd pick it up from the lens or tripod collar foot.

[Bill44]

Agree with what you have said regarding handling Amberglass, but you have negated your point by saying you wouldn't pick up a metal bodied camera by the body either. My point was that you were implying that the D90 was in some way weak because of the plastic body, the camera mount is actually attached to the metal subframe, which is quite strong, not swinging off the plastic outer case.

Have you ever seen a D90 dismantled? I have, my nephew is a camera tech.

[uspandey]

Agree with what you have said regarding handling Amberglass, but you have negated your point by saying you wouldn't pick up a metal bodied camera by the body either. My point was that you were implying that the D90 was in some way weak because of the plastic body, the camera mount is actually attached to the metal subframe, which is quite strong, not swinging off the plastic outer case.

Have you ever seen a D90 dismantled? I have, my nephew is a camera tech.

Agree with Bill44. D90 is not quite the weakling as inferred and would physically accept rather heavy stuff with grace (before the sensor gives up at the Nyquist limits). If you mate a mammoth lens with it, you fix the legs to the lens of course, not the body . That said, Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 is the highest class of glass Nikon has in that focal range and nothing short of a D300/s would do justice to it.

[syaifs]

totally no experience in this issues.i thing every camera and assorted accessories need good handling right? except if your kids get their hand first on the camera.like what happen to me

[smarty]

actually I couldn't help you here .. but I wanna ask a question that came into my mind. is the 18-105 a really sharp lens?