Lens recommendations?

[Severian]

I have a Nikon D50, along with the 18-55 kit lens, a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 prime, and a Nikkor 70-300mm VR. When comparing shots between the three lenses, it's quite clear to me that the 50mm prime and the 70-300mm lenses are considerably sharper than the 18-55 kit lens.

I do tend to do a lot of my shooting in the 18-55mm range for walkaround shots, but I think I'd like to pick up something equivalent but with better sharpness. I'd like everyone's suggestions on a good choice of lens to replace my lesser-quality 18-55 kit lens. Doesn't have to be Nikkor, I'm open to all suggestions.

thanks!

 

[OdiN]

I believe this lens is quite good:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...5_5_6G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

I'm not a Noink shooter though, just heard a few good things about it. Perhaps if anyone here has used it, they could provide you with further information.

 

[jpeyton]

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is a standard suggestion.

Want something wider, check out the Tokina 12-24mm f/4.

Nikon has a 16-85mm VR that just came out in January; haven't heard anything about it yet.

 

[pennylane]

Noink?! How dare you!

Many people (myself included) have been quite pleased with the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (constant aperture), for lots of different bodies: Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc. It's not perfect (some CA, vignetting, kinda slow/loud focusing), but it's sharp and contrasty. And the CA/vignetting is easily fixable in PP.

It's a good lens. Nice cheaper alternative to Nikon's 17-55 f/2.8.

Incidentally, my lenses are that Tamron, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8, and the Nikon 70-300mm VR. And I have a D50.

 

[OdiN]

Noink is....a term of endearment

 

[soydios]

If you aren't satisfied with the 18-55m sharpness, you won't be satisified with the 18-200mm. They're the same, and in my book, pretty good for kit lenses (i.e. they out-resolve my D50's 6MP sensor). Either you got a soft copy, or you need to fix your technique. Note that your sharpest lenses are the one with a larger aperture and the one with VR; both of which go a long ways towards minimizing camera shake.

 

[Severian]

It could very well be my technique, but it really does seem to me that the other lenses are sharper. Do you think the kit lens is on par with the other two in terms of glass quality?

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Severian
It could very well be my technique, but it really does seem to me that the other lenses are sharper. Do you think the kit lens is on par with the other two in terms of glass quality?

Print out a test chart, put the camera on a tripod on timer mode, stop the lens down to f/5.6, and center sharpness should be comparable to the 50/1.8 at f/2.8.