I have a Nikon N80 with a standard 28-80mm lens, which suits my purposes for close-ups & normal shooting just fine. But I have the need for a zoom lens as well for safaris, animals, birds, landscapes, etc. I am looking at getting the Nikkor 28-200 lens, but have read that the 28-105 is sharper. I don't think it will cover my need for zoom though. Please advise on which you would think would be best for me to get.

Thanks.

-- Lizelle (lizelleh@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002

Answers

For animals and birds you really should be looking for at least a 300mm lens. Nikon makes a nice and affordable 70-300mm zoom which would compliment your 28-80mm nicely. Tamron and Sigma make 28-300mm zooms if you want one lens to do everything for you, but they may not be sharp enough for you if you wish to make prints larger than 8"x10".

If money is not a factor you might consider Nikon's 80-400VR lens. I use a Canon 100-400IS for most of my wildlife and bird photography as well as many landscapes and have been very pleased with the extra reach it provides over the 300mm lenses. The additional IS/VR feature in these longer lenses also allows you to take better shots when handholding the camera though I still use a tripod whenever possible.

-- TJ Sullivan (shamrock94@aol.com), April 12, 2002.