What lens should I get for landscapes, portraits, and events with a Nikon D7200?
Asked 3/6/2019
9 views
2 answers
0
I use a Nikon D7200 and previously shot with the 18-140mm kit lens, but I was unhappy with its overall sharpness. I mainly shoot landscapes, couples/portraits, and some events. I’d like a lens that covers a wide-to-telephoto range, and I’m considering something like a 24-120mm. Is that a good choice, or is there a better approach if I want stronger image quality?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
2
So i need something which covers wide to telephoto range.
If you care about getting top-notch image quality from your equipment, trying to do it all with one lens isn't the solution. Get a selection of lenses, and change as appropriate - it's an interchangable lens camera for a reason.
As for which lenses to get, that's where you have to decide which compromises work best for you. The "holy trinity" (at least on full-frame) is the combination of the 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 lenses, but I'm guessing you probably don't want to spend $6k or more on lenses. If you don't want that, decide whether you're prepared to compromise on:
- Zoom range
- Image quality
- Aperture
- etc...
Originally by user11371. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11371
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A single wide-to-telephoto zoom is convenient, but it usually involves compromises in sharpness, aperture, and overall image quality. If image quality is your priority, the best approach is usually not one “do-everything” lens.
With an interchangeable-lens camera like the D7200, you’ll generally get better results by using different lenses for different jobs. Landscapes, portraits, and events each benefit from different focal lengths and lens designs.
In general:
- Superzoom-style solutions trade convenience for image quality.
- Shorter-range zooms usually perform better than one lens covering everything.
- Prime lenses often offer the best image quality, but you lose zoom flexibility.
So the key decision is which compromise matters most to you:
- maximum convenience
- better sharpness
- wider aperture
- broader zoom range
A 24-120mm-type lens can be a practical all-around option, but it won’t be the best possible choice for every subject. If you want noticeably better results than a kit superzoom, consider building a small lens set instead of relying on one lens for everything.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I get strong foreground blur while keeping the subject sharp?
How can I get sharper portraits with softer-looking skin on a Nikon D7200?
Why buy a 50mm f/1.8 prime if my 18-55mm kit lens already reaches 50mm?
Best lens for newborn photography on a Nikon D7200 (APS-C)?
How should I choose a second lens after the 18-140mm kit zoom on a Nikon D7500?