What lens should invest in next for my Nikon D90?
I got the Nikon D90 a few months ago and have been enjoying learning how to use it and getting more and more into photography. I started with just the kit lens (I believe it came with a 18-105mm), but quickly moved on from that. I bought the Nikkor 50mm/f1.4 and have really enjoyed using it. Well, now I'm ready to expand my photography skills and add another lens. Something with a wider angle. As it is only my 2nd purchases lens, I want something practical and another essential lens to own for a photographer. I used a friends Nikkor Fisheye 16mm/f2.8 and really enjoyed using it and took some awesome pictures… But it really isn't practical to purchase as only my 2nd lense. I was looking at the 28mm… Thoughts? And any other suggestions?
Do you want another prime lens? If you are concentrating on portraits and things that a prime is ideal for, the 28mm is a very nice selection on a crop sensor like yours. It will allow you to take great portraits with a family (or similar shots with a wider view) without the distortion you get when you get down lower in mm (fisheye range.) I have a 28mm f/1.8 for my Canon's and I love the lens both on my crop sensor cameras and on my full frame cameras. It is just about perfect for the wider end on both.
There are some people who are all for primes and some who are all for zooms. Some who mix the two. It really depends on your needs.
Personally I'd also need to have a good, f/2.8 wide zoom and a good f/2.8 long zoom. Ideally the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 VR along with a selection of primes for portraiture. Those are spendy models, but do have more affordable options if you are willing to use a Sigma or Tamron len. Some of those are good, some are not. You need to know which is worth it and which isn't when purchasing the off brands.
Take out your zoom again, play with it, see how much wide angle you really want. There's zooms and primes for all tastes.
My favourite lens is the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L quickly followed by the 70-200 f2.8 L but I do alot of protraiture, events, weddings… Not so much into the landscapes or macro (the 24-70 can do well enough in terms of macro shots for what I need… Mostly shots of the rings).
Lenses are situational… What do you shoot. What do you plan on shooting? Sports, landscapes, architecture, portraits, events, macro, wildlife, product shots…
Like hiswifetheirmom suggested, if you don;t mind going third party, you can get a decent 24-70 or 70-200 f2.8 for quite cheap. The Sigma 24-70 f2.8 has gotten some good reviews from DPReview.
I got the Canon 24-70 instead of the Sigma mainly for weather seeling and build quality but for a non pro, the Sigma is porbably a good choice.
Since you have only had the camera several months, i would ask the question WHY do you think you need all these additional lenses… You can't have exhausted all the possibilities with the kit lens yet…
spending money for the sake of spending it seems a little unnecessary… And things like fisheye lenses are gimmicky… Something people might use a few times and then get bored with…