Whats the 1 you have to have?

Alright.
Playing around more and more with my D200 and learning that its a whole other kind of creature. ..in a good way.
The guy I got it from sold it to me with 3 lenses. Im not in love with any of them. I dont know if its my lack of experience, or the lenses.
Im having trouble with getting a good focus on subjects for example.

So, I guess primarily Nikon folks, if you could have only 1 lens, whats the one you would absolutley have to have for all around use??

Corey

Well, I have the 18-70mm, I get sharp images.
I have the 70-200mm and get sharp images.

So, really, it's a matter of getting used to a new camera.

For example, if you focus, pressing the shutter half way down, then, continue to release the shutter, you will have an out of focus image. Why, you pressed half way, hesitated, therefore in that split second, slightly moved back or forward. It happens, it's normal, that's why, don't just take one shot of the subject, rather, capture a number of shots. Digital, it's cheap.

It also depends on the shutter speed selected.
There is another rule for either hand held or tripod.

 Double the focal length of the lens, 70mm for example, 140 shutter speed, anything below per say, a Tripod needed. Some lenses have the VR, well, that changes that tune. haha

I also use the wide format focus option.

I have that one! Its the one Im favoring of the 3 I have.
Also a 35-70 thats crazy heavy, and a 70-300, but I cant hold that still Most the time.
Right now its the 18-70 Im working with.

I'll keep learning. the hard way.
What about the CF card? Is there a way that it can play into the speed of the capture at all?

Thanks.

Corey

If I had to go with only one lens . . . that's tough.  A few weeks ago, everyone was listing the gear that they drag around with them and I was accused of bragging.  So, I do carry a lot . . .

One lens?  It would have to be my 80-200f2.8.  I don't know how I would pull off group shots with it . . . stand in the next county maybe . . . but, I would figure out a way to get it done . . .

Ed

If I had to limit myself to one, it would be my 24-70 Sigma.  It's a heavy sucker, but is on my camera probably 75% of the time. 

Although I do want to get an 18-200 at some point.  Seems like that would be a great general use lens.

I've got a 70-200 which I almost never use without a monopod because it's so heavy and hard to hand hold.  Great to have for when you need the reach but a beast to carry around.

I use my 24-85 f/2.8-4.0 almost exclusively.  There are some photos I really need my 80-400 telephoto for, but they're almost never at a normal session.  Talk about a heavy lens, probably comparable to the 80-200 and 70-200 that's already been mentioned; but certainly quite a bit heavier than any of the 70-300's I've seen.  I use my 24-85 for my studio work, landscape work, wildlife when I can get close enough (like at a zoo or something), wedding stuff, etc.  There aren't very many things I don't like it for.  I do wish I had a wider lens, but it still wouldn't be used as often, so I guess that doesn't apply to your question.  I have used an 18-200VR that a friend of mine had, and if you are primarily a wedding photographer I could see it being a great tool for the money.  I opted for the much cheaper 70-200VR to use on a second camera for weddings and events when I might need a full range of wide to mild tele.  The 24-85 is still on my primary body though, and still gets most of the action.  I just like it, and use it a lot, for a lot of photographs.

Maybe true.
But its been fun to find out what everyone uses the most.
And they didnt seem to mind telling.
 

Corey

My 12-24mm zoom comes in really handy when I need it, but it stays in the bag most of the time.