All purpose lens

[badpickev]

personally i would wait for the nikon 18-300 vr2.

but in reality there is no such thing as a general purpose lens.

[jerryph]

Originally Posted by badpickev

personally i would wait for the nikon 18-300 vr2.

but in reality there is no such thing as a general purpose lens.

Sure there is... just like there are specific purpose lenses like architectureal, macro, etc... lol

The thing that one has to be most accepting of is that the moment you take a lens that is known as a general purpose lens... more commonly known as a "super zoom", that you need to be really accepting of some serious compromises.

The greater the range of focal lengths that these kinds of lenses have:
- prices won't be low, but not very high either
- lower chance it will be a constant aperture lens
- greater chance that it will be a slow lens at one end and an even slower lens at the other
- it won't do anything at the excellent level, do some at the good level and do lots at the mediocre level.
- build level is not going to be very impressive
- glass quality is not going to be the best
- sharpness is going to be lower than average overall
- distortion is going to be higher than average overall

... so, knowing this, you are now better equipped to make a choice if you really want something that does everything... yet nothing very well.

[badpickev]

gee i remember when a 50mm lens was considered a general purpose lens.

the nikon website does not list one general purpose lens. they have four categories of lenses and none say general purpose.

but to end this the general purpose of all of my lenses is to take pictures, amazing they all work well at that task.

[Narsuitus]

Originally Posted by badpickev

gee i remember when a 50mm lens was considered a general purpose lens.

Your comment reminded me of my first newspaper assignment. At the time, all I had was a 35mm body and a 50mm normal lens. I thought I was ready for any routine assignment.


However, my first routine assignment was a grand opening of an Ethan Allen furniture store that just screamed for a wide-angle lens. That was when I learned that a 50mm would not work as a general-purpose lens for me.

[Steven G Webb]

I think the OP tossed a tin can and you all have been kicking down a deserted road ever since.

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by Songman45

I think the OP tossed a tin can and you all have been kicking down a deserted road ever since.

An excellent analysis of a phenomenon which lately occurs all too frequently on this site.