I'm studying abroad and trying to get a lens to take that isn't the kit lens... (I have a nikon D50, so it's an 18-55 F3.5-5.6G AF-S ED) I'd also like something that shoots fast, but I'm thinking when I'm taking pictures of castles and other architecture, wouldn't I need something a little wider than a 50mm? Cause I'm thinking about the 50mm f1.8, or if somebody convinces me it's worth the extra $, the f1.4... what do you guys think?

you'd want a lot of range for wide angle and close ups.
is there a reason you can't take more than one lens? they don't have to be bulky and weigh you down if that's what you're worried about.

... but it's for a manual focus 35mm, so wouldn't that make it more like 100-300?

I guess the lenses was thinking were things like the 50mm and a 12-24 or so, or skip both and try and find a cheap 24-120VR

pretty sure you said Nikon and i dont know their prices, but a canon 17-40 L glass is about $700, the 50mm is under $100, and a 70-200 is about $500.

you could probably check out a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-28-70mm-Aspherical-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B00063KO66/sr=8-6/qid=1171038099/ref=sr_1_6/105-8463361-7768455?ie=UTF8&s=electronics">28-70</a> and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B000A7V2DC/sr=1-14/qid=1171038205/ref=sr_1_14/105-8463361-7768455?ie=UTF8&s=electronics">70-300</a> (or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-50-150mm-Telephoto-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000HPMP6A/sr=1-16/qid=1171038205/ref=sr_1_16/105-8463361-7768455?ie=UTF8&s=electronics">50-150 f2.8</a>) for a grand and both those would likely have lower f-stops than an 18-200. but i suppose it probably depends on what you shoot too. if you do mostly landscapes and would rather shoot wide angle, chec

I do mostly landscapes, so other than the telephoto I already have, I really don't think I'll need anything over 50mm... so I'm curious as to my options for wide angle lenses and what the image quality is like in my price-range (which is like... anything under say... 600-700 bucks? assuming somebody actually buys my car)

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-12-24mm-Autofocus-Nikkor-Zoom/dp/B000092M1T/sr=8-3/qid=1171045655/ref=pd_bbs_3/105-8463361-7768455?ie=UTF8&s=electronics">this 12-24 f4</a>. that'll have your wide angles very well covered.

I own 8 lenses right now and the Tokina 12-24 is the only non-nikon lens in my bag. It is built much better than I would have expected and has been a tank taking all abuse i've put it through. Good lens for sure.

I think I might spring for that tokina, and maybe if I've got some change left over, a 50mm... the kit lens just isn't cutting it in terms of sharpness. I am kinda suprised at how well the kit lens has taken abuse though... I've taken over 5,000 pictures with it this year, and it's been with me backpacking around 100 miles in NM, as well as across about all of NC, and half of VA!

I would guess that the 18-200vr would be much sharper than your 70-210mm. Also look at the Sigma 18-200mm and Tamron 18-200mm...Good amount cheaper than the 18-200VR and your probably sacrificing quality a bit but saving a lot of money. Also I believe sigma now has a OS version which definitely helps. They are also pretty compact!

Its very convenient to have a 18-200 lens although like you said in my experience you sacrifice IQ for convenience!