Which do-it-all lens - Automotive application

[ImDesigner]

Currently I'm using my Nikon D60 with the standard kit lens (18-55) and my zoom lens. The kit lens isn't great at this price point and the zoom, although great, is just too long for static automotive photography.

I'm looking for a lens with a good useable range - close ups but with the ability for a good bit of zoom and nice depth of field too - something the kit lens desperately lacks but were the zoom excels. Ideally it would be a quick responsive lens too.

I don't really know how much I want to spend as I've been out of the loop for a while. Perhaps ~£300?

Throw some suggestions at me.

[ImDesigner]

My current zoom lens is a Tamron 70-300mm F4/5.6. Although is quite slow, for the price it's pretty good IMO.

[LongQ]

Since DoF can be calculated (there are a number of free on-line or on-your-mobile applications for this) you could consider reverse engineering the numbers and working out the sort of spec. you think you might need. I'm assuming you could come up with a shoot format for which you could reasonably estimate the distances required to focus point on the subject, the near "appears to be in focus" point, the far "in focus" point and the distance to any likely background that you want to be out of focus.

There are also some DoF tables floating around on the net that could provide a more pertinent visual comparison for a rough assessment.

This could help you in a couple of ways, one of which would be to derive a shortlist of possible candidate lenses.

You may well find you would ideally like a wide max aperture - which tends to imply a more expensive lens rather than something from the budget end although that's not a certain rule. If so, and if you have the finances avaialable, you could think of such a purchase as an investment rather than a spend (especially if bought used) since the value of better lenses tends to be quite stable for extended periods.

[K12beano]

Ah - if only there was such a thing as the perfect lens. (Obvious suggestions would include a Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 AF-S DX - secondhand)

LongQ said:

....which tends to imply a more expensive lens rather than something from the budget end although that's not a certain rule. If so, and if you have the finances avaialable, you could think of such a purchase as an investment rather than a spend (especially if bought used) since the value of better lenses tends to be quite stable for extended periods.

Indeed As an example, i purchased a secondhand 17-35mm AF-S f/2.8 in 2008, from a "premium" place in Pimlico. IIRC i paid £725. There's no way I could get less than that on Fleabay today if I tried (and there's absolutely no way it'll be prised from me unless someone wants to offer a 14-24 AND a 24-70 in direct exchange!! ) let alone "lose" £300.

But it can be risky, so do your homework first!

[ImDesigner]

To be honest guys, I'm just a casual amateur with an decent eye. As I said, I don't really know what to look for in a lens except I'd like a good all rounder that I can use for a variety of photography with a good proportion of that being automotive. I'll be taking exterior and interior shots, photos of people and pets. I'll get a separate lens for landscapes etc at a later date.

I'd like to see examples (links) of what people would recommend for around 3-400 quid, New or used. All I ask is that it takes a nice crisp photo with the ability to add a bit of depth of field.

[Elderly]

ImDesigner said:

......with the ability to add a bit of depth of field.

I think that most people answering your question have (rightly) taken this to
mean that you actually want a small depth of field (the ability to isolate a subject
from its background or foreground); or do you actually mean that you require more of
your frame to be in reasonable focus?

[ImDesigner]

Hopefully GF won't mind me using this as an example;

GFWilliams said:

I can achieve this effect with my zoom, but I'd like a similar quality with a more useable range. Perhaps my terminology was wrong?

I know that particular photo was taken with a 70-200mm f2.8 but I'd like a lens that can replace my 18-55mm whilst maintaining a hint of zoom if such a thing exists?

[2slo]

I suggest you take your camera into a well stocked High St camera shop with a short list of lenses you think you might like. Try them at the door photographing cars outside. See which images appeal comparing what you get with different focal lengths, apertures etc. You'll feel much happier deciding based on practical experience.

[andy-xr]

18-200?

Or the Sigma 50-150 2.8 might just maybe possibly creep into your budget