Nikon landscape lens?

I'm looking for a Nikon lens for landscape photography. What's the best option if I have around $200-$250

I use the 12-24 mm, but it costs about five times your budget.

The kit lens has a 18 mm focal length so you will have to use it until you can save your pennies and buy the slightly less expensive 10-24 mm lens

It depends on what camera you have. If you have a full frame SLR (Nikon D3/D3X, D700, D300, D4, Canon 5D/Mk II/III etc then anything below 24mm will be a nice wide lens. However, for cropped frames (D90, D7000, D3200 etc) don't go above 18mm. I have a D90 with the default 18-105mm which is awesome for landscapes. But anything under 18mm is expensive. You can pick up an 18-105mm for around $300-400.

18-55 kit lens for about $150 is probable your best bet for that price range. If you want super wide angle look at a bower also known as Rokinon 8mm fisheye. They usually run at about $250-$350.

The wide end of the 18-55mm kit lens should be enough for most beginners. When you start to want more, you should understand it will cost more than just that.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...4261208226

If you know how to properly operate the equipment you have, both camera and lens, virtually any fairly wide lens, as it 18, will work just fine. There's nothing special about landscapes, portraits, or just general photography for that matter if you know your gear. If you don't, none of these will come easy.