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Broken Nikon 18-55 lens, buy same or replace with a better one?

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 Denni 22 Dec 2014
Hi folks,
the other half managed to smash the "standard" 18-55 lens on our Nikon D5000.
Should I just replace it with the same one (£70 new on fleabay) or is there a lens that would do a better job for about the same price?
Thanks in advance, Den
 Fraser 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

I have (had) a D5000 and got the 18-105mm with it when bought, as I was told the 18-55 is quite soft. Not sure if or how much better the 105 is but I use it a lot. I've since bought a 55-300mm which is quite adequate for my requirements (but not as good as the 70-300mm) but it kind of depends what you want to use it for.

What other lenses do you have?

...and would you like to buy my Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 ?! ;D
 Coel Hellier 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

It depends on what other lenses you have and what you want to do with it, but the short answer is that other options will be more expensive. The 18-55 is the budget zoom option in that range. The 35mm prime is excellent and in the middle of that range, but of course doesn't zoom.
OP Denni 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Coel Hellier:

Cheers Fraser, Coel.
I don't have any other lenses although I was going to buy the Tamron 70-300 telephoto/macro lens for it as it is fairly cheap and means I can try a few other things out. I only use our camera for family stuff and the odd picture of the moon on my telescope so nought exciting.

Fraser, just googled your lens, thats more than I paid for the camera and all the kit second hand! May have to pass on that :0)

Looks like the standard lens is the best option then which is fine as it is more than adequate for me.
Cheers, Den
 The Potato 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:
I had one too, broke it, bought another, got bored of it then bought an 18-200 instead, much more useful.
I didnt like the 18-105 btw
BUT
I prefer my tokina 12-28 f4 though, depends how much cash youve got.

If you were happy with the 18-55 and have more money then consider the sigma 18-55 f2.8
OP Denni 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Fraser:

Eeek! Far too much for me to fork out for a lens I reckon Fraser, but thanks for the link.
OP Denni 22 Dec 2014
In reply to ow arm:

Thanks for the reply mate, much appreciated. Looking at £70 for a new one on fleabay but I suppose only a budget of about £150 if thats feasible failing that then back to the standard one.
 Sean Kelly 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

Try LCE as they might have an 18-70mm S/H, a much better lens for the money. 16-85mm is very good but expensive.
 Fraser 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

> Fraser, just googled your lens, thats more than I paid for the camera and all the kit second hand! May have to pass on that :0)

No worries, (thought I'd give you the chance to go ultra-wide on the cheap!) but if I were you, I'd definitely go down the second hand route - bargains to be had that way, for sure.
 dek 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

A shameless bit of promotion here Denni! 18-105 Nikon surplus to my collection.

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=603119
 Fraser 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

I recently got a used D7000 body from these guys and they have a good rep:

For Nikon & others: http://ffordes.com/category/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon_AF_Fitting/Nikon/Others

For Sigma: http://ffordes.com/category/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon_AF_Fitting/Sigma

I see they have a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8 at £159 which might suit if you can stretch the budget a bit. (Okay, stretching it means doubling it!)
OP Denni 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Sean Kelly:

Cheers Sean. The 18-70 on fleabay is bthe same sort of price as the 18-55 standard one so do you reckon that is a better lens? I know bugger all about photography but I would say that after 3 years of using it, it's becoming dull.

Looked at the 16-85 and may be able to stretch to £220 ish so again, out of the 3 would that be the way to go if I could afford it?

Thanks for all the advice. Den
 Sean Kelly 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

Better optics and wider zoom on the 18-70mm lens compared to your last lens. Seem to recall it was priced at £300+ when it first hit the market.
 Coel Hellier 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:
> The 18-70 on fleabay is bthe same sort of price as the 18-55 standard one so do you reckon that is a better lens?

Yes, it's generally reckoned to be a better lens, and of course it has more zoom range. Of course Dek's 18-105 has even more range, which you could consider if you don't have any other lenses.

The 16-85 is a very good lens, but is more expensive.

Or you could consider the "does everything" 18-200.

Basically, you need to decide what range you want.

(Rule of thumb, the greater the zoom range the bigger and heavier and more costly the lens, and the (slightly) worse the optical performance, since it involves more compromises.)
Post edited at 22:13
In reply to Denni:
I have nothing against Ebay - but if you want to replace like-for-like you could look on Ffordes - I hear they are well regarded: http://www.ffordes.com/product/14121209491831

Or, if you would like a similar quality lens with more at the telephoto end there's a few options:

http://www.ffordes.com/product/100723163510665

and

http://www.ffordes.com/product/14120514210631

Of for a similar zoom range to what you have, with better low light performance and more opportunity to isolate the subject (blurry backgrounds) you could try this:

http://www.ffordes.com/product/14102415070231

[however, check reviews first - it might not be all that good...)


P.S. I have no link to ffordes, just a good place to find 2nd hand stuff at OK prices.
Post edited at 22:15
 richprideaux 22 Dec 2014
In reply to Denni:

I have just gone through a similar thing... broken barrel mounts on my 18-55 so was pondering a replacement. Ended up with an 18-70 from ebay. £70 and as others have said, it's a superior lens. The only problem is that I need new filters etc now, as all mine are 52 or 55mm...

I've used it for a few shots and a bit of filming and notice an improvement.

In the end I managed to repair the 18-55 as well. The VR ones have a common fault with plastic bushes becoming dislodged in the lens. A very delicate strip down, clean, repair and rebuild has brought it back up to original spec. Quite alarming to see how much crap was inside a 12 month old lens!
 richprideaux 23 Dec 2014
In reply to Fultonius:

Thanks for the links, new to me but I think I will be making a purchase or two there

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