I’ve just started doing photography for a newspaper and am going to be doing more very soon. I love using my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 but I suppose I also need a more versatile lens? I’ve borrowed a Nikon 18-200mm VR for the time being but this is way out of my budget. Also, I don’t have a flash gun and far prefer to shoot without flash anyway so a constant aperture of at least f/2.8 would be lovely.
Do you think the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 or the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 would do the job?
Sorry, I guess that’s quite important! I have a Nikon D50 and will, hopefully, be getting a D90 next month.
If you’re getting paid for this, FIND THE MONEY for that 18-200 lens. It may be the only one you need for newspaper and event photography, provided that weddings are not included in the events.
Sigma and others make similar lenses, although I do not know about prices or quality. Read some reviews. Be sure to get an "OS" (optically stablized) version that is similar to Nikon’s "VR" system. Sigma 18-200 OS for $369, which is a very reasonable price: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/485229-REG/Sigma_888_306_18_200mm_f_3_5_6_3_DC_OS.html
B&H shows "Buy used: $519 + $529" here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/408518/Nikon_2159_AF_Zoom_Nikkor_18_200mm.html One is rated in 9+ condition.
With the new VR-II version coming onto the market, there will be some people who just "gotta have it" who will probably sell their "old" VR lenses on eBay for a good price, even though nothing is wrong with them.
Here are some samples of images made with the 18-200 lens on various Nikon DSLRs that have been published in a newspaper: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=7189769@N04&q=18200+AND+published&m=tags It’s quite versatile and a great lens to load when you don’t know quite what to expect.
Then again, here’s my set from the 17-55 lens, which means you could do all this with the 18-55 that you already own. Maybe you’d be limited in some low light settings but it’s still a good general purpose lens. http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=7189769@N04&q=1755+AND+published&m=tags
2 Responses to “What lens should I get for newspaper and event photography?”
You don’t mention the camera you are using. I will assume APS-C.
For fast changing things like a news event you will probably want to use the 18-200mm with an APS-C camera.
Although, I must say, that most of the news pros I have personally seen in action were carrying two FF cameras. A 24-70mm mounted to one and a 70-200mm mounted to the other.
References :
If you’re getting paid for this, FIND THE MONEY for that 18-200 lens. It may be the only one you need for newspaper and event photography, provided that weddings are not included in the events.
Sigma and others make similar lenses, although I do not know about prices or quality. Read some reviews. Be sure to get an "OS" (optically stablized) version that is similar to Nikon’s "VR" system. Sigma 18-200 OS for $369, which is a very reasonable price: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/.....DC_OS.html
B&H shows "Buy used: $519 + $529" here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/.....200mm.html One is rated in 9+ condition.
With the new VR-II version coming onto the market, there will be some people who just "gotta have it" who will probably sell their "old" VR lenses on eBay for a good price, even though nothing is wrong with them.
Here are some samples of images made with the 18-200 lens on various Nikon DSLRs that have been published in a newspaper: http://www.flickr.com/search/?.....amp;m=tags It’s quite versatile and a great lens to load when you don’t know quite what to expect.
Then again, here’s my set from the 17-55 lens, which means you could do all this with the 18-55 that you already own. Maybe you’d be limited in some low light settings but it’s still a good general purpose lens. http://www.flickr.com/search/?.....amp;m=tags
References :