I’ve had this lens since it became available in stores in March. It really is an indispensable lens for the DX-frame crowd. So if you have any Nikon in the D40, D50, D70-D90 family, definitely get this lens. It will be a great beginner lens to step up to once you become used to using the kit lens that comes with most Nikon SLR’s.

Quite simpy, this lens offers great low light shooting – the f1.8 aperature, combined with the great low-light performance of SLR’s really bring out low light pictures without a lot of sensor noise. You won’t have to explore the limits of high ISO settings with this lens. As well, when the lens is used between f4 and f8, it’s incredibly sharp. When mounted on a tripod and focused on a stationary object, prepare to get some of the clearest pictures you can get.

Best of all, it’s inexpensive. I lost my original lens (don’t ask) and picked up a replacement today for only $259.

Also with the launch of the D5000, Nikon also released a new lens: 10-24mm F3.5-4.5G ED. With the previous release of the 35mm f1.8 DX lens and now this wide angle, it seems that Nikon is focusing on lenses for the DX format with a lot of new product. Clearly Nikon is supporting their line of DX cameras with all these new lens options. Like the 35mm that came out last month, expect a lot of supply shortages of this lens when it becomes available.

I’ve often tried to picture how the image stabilization optics work inside a camera lens. Both Nikon and Canon offer this technology in many of their lenses. Even compact cameras now come bundled with this feature more often than not. The camera compensates for movement of the camera in an attempt to capture a better image. This works well in low light situations where the camera increases the time the shutter is open to let in more light.

This video at Gizmodo shows how the electro-mechanices of a Canon lens with image stabilization works.

Gizmodo continues their latest streak of good editorial content, not just the relinking of announcements and press releases from product companies. I may switch to them instead of Engadget as my primary source of “what’s new in gadgets” content.

Today they published a layman (well, internet layman) description about SLR lenses and their importance in taking good photographs. Sure, switching from your point-and-shoot camera to an SLR will undoubtably improve your pictures through a better sensor and more manual control, but the optics in good lenses is where the gravy is. By investing in a great zoom, and a good basic prime lens, you can enable some pretty great pictures through your camera.

Keep in mind, upgrading to an SLR is not the end all of your photography expenses. Most lenses are the cost of a small point-and-shoot camera so budget accordingly. Sometimes it’s not worth upgrading to an SLR with basic zoom.