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New to DSLR, need some help with a Nikon D90

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Aug 23, 2004
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New to DSLR, need some help with a Nikon D90

I am going to pick up a used D90 body. I am new to DSLR. The seller's pictures of the body are all good and he said the count is about 8,000 which I think is quite reasonable, the price is $225 and I think it is also quite reasonable. Anyway, my question is what is a good cheap starter lens with it, I am looking at the Nikon 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5, don't want the 18-55.

I was told the D90 has a focus motor so there are other alternatives. Anyway, can any DSLR guru show me the way. Thanks a lot.
33 replies
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Aug 29, 2006
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You can usually use Flickr to see samples of the photos from a particular lens or camera then check which lens was used.
ie. https://www.flickr.com/groups/2640764@N25/
https://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_d90/

Then there are sites that use the Flickr library to help you narrow down the lens to buy by you selecting the type of photos you like to make
ie. https://whatthelens.com/nikon/

Just same ideas and tools to help.
The Devil made me buy it - RFD. :twisted:
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Jun 9, 2011
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Good cheap lens will be 50mm F1.8 and 35mm F1.8

I had a 35 and 18-200 on d90, the zoom lens was only used outdoor, cannot use the zoom indoor with low iso. Since native ISO wasn't good on d90. I can get away with decent indoor pictures with the 35 prime at F2.0 or F2.8. But I end up always backed into a wall.

The zoom and sb-900 flash is just to troublesome, especially I have the battery grip (still have it), for indoor shots.

Until I balled out and got myself the 24-70 F2.8, I stopped using the other lens, and shortly, i moved up to full frame.
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Nov 24, 2004
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The issue with the 28-70mm focal length on a crop sensor DSLR like the D90 is that you get very little in the way of wide-angle coverage. This is why people choose the 18-55mm or 18-70mm ranges for crop sensor DSLRs. Is there a reason you're not interested in that focal range?
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JHW wrote: The issue with the 28-70mm focal length on a crop sensor DSLR like the D90 is that you get very little in the way of wide-angle coverage. This is why people choose the 18-55mm or 18-70mm ranges for crop sensor DSLRs. Is there a reason you're not interested in that focal range?
Thanks, I am new to all this, a friend told me not to buy the 18-55 because although it is ok for starter like me but it is not very durable. I made a mistake, he told me to get the older 18-70 instead not 28-70.
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Nov 24, 2004
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I used the 18-70mm for years on a D90 and it was plenty durable. Obviously, don't drop it, but it works fine.

IMO 28-70mm on a crop sensor DSLR is too limiting.
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Mar 5, 2018
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The 28-70 is for old film cameras. For DX it's not wide enough, you will find very uncomfortable. The (cheap) kit lens 18-55mm VR is however a very good one for crop body. People say 18-70 but it's older and has no VR, I think 18-55mm VR (don't buy the no VR) is a little bit sharper.
Here are some test photo when I bought my first D70 with the 18-55:
http://s679.photobucket.com/user/MQTech ... sort=3&o=3

Here are some photos taken by others with D40 + kit lens:
http://s679.photobucket.com/user/MQTech ... t=3&page=1

I have switched to Nikon after seeing these photos and try the first used D70. Will buy another D7500 this summer :-)
Deal Guru
Dec 10, 2004
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The D90, with the crop factor, is not a good for the 28-70mm
The reason why they make a 28-70mm, is because it is for full frame cameras.
For the crop sensor, the 18-55mm offers a field of view equivalent to 27-75mm, close to the 28-70mm of the full frame.
For a beginner, I would say the 18-55mm AF-S VR II is a good lens given the price you can find them used for. The AF-P version of this lens won't work with the D90, so don't buy that one.
Otherwise, if you have the bucks, go for the 16-85mm VR. There is an 16-80mm but it is much more expensive.
In the $300-400 used range, there is the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC that is good, it is close to the 28-70mm of a full frame camera (in terms of view) so a very usable walkaround lens.
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Well I made a mistake posting, it should be 18-70 not the 28-70. Thanks. I am now looking for a 18-70 or a 50 prime the D not the G.
Newbie
Feb 12, 2017
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I use a D90 most often with a Nikon 35mm f/2.0D. I also use a Nikon 24mm f/2.8D. Both lenses rely on the motor in the camera for focus. The 35mm provides a standard field of view with a DX sensor (equivalent to 50mm on an FX sensor), suitable for general photography. I use my 35mm indoors and outdoors, for portraits, food, and as a walkabout lens. At f/2.0, it shoots fine in all but darkest indoor lighting without a stabilizer. I think a 50mm lens on a DX sensor makes a better portrait lens and closeup subject lens, but the field of view is narrow for general scenery. When I expect to shoot mostly scenery or group photos, I mount my 24mm lens for a comfortably wider view.

Both the 35mm and 24mm lenses I mentioned are relatively cheap and compact given their capabilities. When I want wider landscapes, I mount a Sigma 18-70mm f/2.8-4.0. Early on, that was the lens I used most until learning to match my shooting style and subject selection to a given lens. I suggest starting with an 18-55 VR because it is flexible and affordable, and then try primes at 24, 35, and 50 mm as your budget allows or preferences develop.
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Mar 5, 2018
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It seems the 18-70 has the metal mount but the picture quality of 18-55 is better. Especially the generation of D90, high ISO is not very good, you will find the VR is valuable in door.
Or you can search for a 18-105, the price is not much higher.

The 50mm prime is very good for IQ
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apvm wrote: Well I made a mistake posting, it should be 18-70 not the 28-70. Thanks. I am now looking for a 18-70 or a 50 prime the D not the G.
In all honesty, I would prefer an 18-55mm vr over 18-70. Metal mount isn't that important for these lenses, and I've found the IQ of the 18-55mm lenses are quite good.
The G is a much faster focusing lens, and quiet as well. The D, while a good lens, wasn't necessarily made for a digital sensor so it's a bargain at $100 but the G has the AF-S motor which is faster in focusing.
I much prefer the 35mm lens over the 50mm lens, though it really depends on what you want to do with them. 50mm on crop is a decent lens but not great for indoor work as I've found it too zoom too close. The 35mm is better for this and as a general lens.
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goofball wrote: In all honesty, I would prefer an 18-55mm vr over 18-70. Metal mount isn't that important for these lenses, and I've found the IQ of the 18-55mm lenses are quite good.
The G is a much faster focusing lens, and quiet as well. The D, while a good lens, wasn't necessarily made for a digital sensor so it's a bargain at $100 but the G has the AF-S motor which is faster in focusing.
I much prefer the 35mm lens over the 50mm lens, though it really depends on what you want to do with them. 50mm on crop is a decent lens but not great for indoor work as I've found it too zoom too close. The 35mm is better for this and as a general lens.
Thanks, picked up the D90 this afternoon, the owner bought it from Henry and receipt with his name on it, bought on boxing day 2010. Got it for $200, hope it is a good price. Shutter count is 17,775. I may pick up a Nikon AF 50mm 1.8D for $80 tomorrow, not sure if that is a good price. This seller has a Tamron AF 28-300mm 3.5-6.3 IF MACRO XR Di VC asking $405 but that is way out of my budget.
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apvm wrote: Thanks, picked up the D90 this afternoon, the owner bought it from Henry and receipt with his name on it, bought on boxing day 2010. Got it for $200, hope it is a good price. Shutter count is 17,775. I may pick up a Nikon AF 50mm 1.8D for $80 tomorrow, not sure if that is a good price. This seller has a Tamron AF 28-300mm 3.5-6.3 IF MACRO XR Di VC asking $405 but that is way out of my budget.

That's a good price, imo, for the 50mm.
I would not buy the 28-300mm on a crop sensor like the D90. The reason for the 28-300mm lens is really for full frame cameras. The equivalent to that lens on a crop sensor (such as the D90) is the 18-200mm offerings from the vendors. 42mm FF equivalent as your wide end may leave you wanting more wide angle.

You should be able to find a used Sigma 18-200mm DC OS HSM for around $300. I believe even Henry's sells them for around that price. That's a decent walkaround lens. Not great at anything but not horrible at anything either.
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Mar 5, 2018
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apvm wrote: Thanks, picked up the D90 this afternoon, the owner bought it from Henry and receipt with his name on it, bought on boxing day 2010. Got it for $200, hope it is a good price. Shutter count is 17,775. I may pick up a Nikon AF 50mm 1.8D for $80 tomorrow, not sure if that is a good price. This seller has a Tamron AF 28-300mm 3.5-6.3 IF MACRO XR Di VC asking $405 but that is way out of my budget.
200$ for a D90 body is a very good price. The shutter can go over 100K easily. The 50mm is amazing, if you become used to its image quality, you will not like other 'cheap' zoom. The only lenses that have better image quality is the 85mm or the 60mm macro. I bought a 17-55mm but not sure the image quality can be equal the 50mm, at F1.8 the 50mm wins :-)
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TomShopper wrote: 200$ for a D90 body is a very good price. The shutter can go over 100K easily. The 50mm is amazing, if you become used to its image quality, you will not like other 'cheap' zoom. The only lenses that have better image quality is the 85mm or the 60mm macro. I bought a 17-55mm but not sure the image quality can be equal the 50mm, at F1.8 the 50mm wins :-)
just picked up the 50mm $80 (I heard it is the on going price in used market) very good condition but no box. Anyway, took a few pictures and I love it. Going to pick up a 28-70mm and a 70-300mm for $100, heard they are older lens and not very good but for $100, I think it should be fine.
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Jan 27, 2006
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apvm wrote: just picked up the 50mm $80 (I heard it is the on going price in used market) very good condition but no box. Anyway, took a few pictures and I love it. Going to pick up a 28-70mm and a 70-300mm for $100, heard they are older lens and not very good but for $100, I think it should be fine.
The 28-70mm was a fine lens in it's day so you should have too much of an issue with it.
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The quality of Nikon lenses is generally very high. It certainly won't be a factor in the quality of your images unless you are doing very careful, precise work (pro lighting, camera on tripod, etc.)

$100 is a very low price for a 28-70mm and a 70-300mm together -- assuming they are in good condition. I personally don't think the 28-70mm focal length is very useful on a D90, and truth be told, I don't think the 50mm is either (despite the high quality and low price of the lens). It is "neither here nor there" in terms of focal length.

The kit you are assembling has no wide-angle coverage. I really do think you should try to find an 18-70mm lens. True, it will not have VR, but unlike the setup you have now, it will cover a useful focal length range. The 18-70mm was the kit lens sold with the D90 AFAIK. It's a good place to start.
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Are you sure you don't mean the 28-80? That was a pretty garbage lens, imo. That's worth about $30, so the 70-300 you are getting is probably the G lens, without VR. Means that you will need high shutter speed/high iso at the longer focal lengths to avoid blurry pictures.
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JHW wrote: The quality of Nikon lenses is generally very high. It certainly won't be a factor in the quality of your images unless you are doing very careful, precise work (pro lighting, camera on tripod, etc.)

$100 is a very low price for a 28-70mm and a 70-300mm together -- assuming they are in good condition. I personally don't think the 28-70mm focal length is very useful on a D90, and truth be told, I don't think the 50mm is either (despite the high quality and low price of the lens). It is "neither here nor there" in terms of focal length.

The kit you are assembling has no wide-angle coverage. I really do think you should try to find an 18-70mm lens. True, it will not have VR, but unlike the setup you have now, it will cover a useful focal length range. The 18-70mm was the kit lens sold with the D90 AFAIK. It's a good place to start.
goofball wrote: Are you sure you don't mean the 28-80? That was a pretty garbage lens, imo. That's worth about $30, so the 70-300 you are getting is probably the G lens, without VR. Means that you will need high shutter speed/high iso at the longer focal lengths to avoid blurry pictures.
The AF 28-80 3.5-5.6D and the AF 70-300 4-5.6G are both in good conditions, both come with filter and the 70-300 come with hood. No box. Pretty satisfy for now. The 18-70 in good condition is pretty hard to find, may pick up a 18-55 instead. Should be able to sell them at cost if I don't like them.

If I could take pictures with the 28-80 like the ones below, I'll be very happy.

https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/nik ... f-3-5-5-6d

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