After many digi point and shoots...all canon. I finally replaced my film slr Nikon with a digi slr Nikon D5000. I got it for a ten year anniversary present at the end of September. I am still using the lens it came with...it is so limited. I have a Nikkor Telephoto that is actually compatible but I find little need for telephoto. If you were going to get one lens right now for this camera...which would it be? If you know the lens it comes with..it seems I keep hitting walls with it, if you know what I mean. Any advice would help! No way I would purchase anything without speaking to this community. :) Thanks in advance.
Hi Brandy, I have three lenses for my D700 - 24-70, 70-210, and a 65 mm macro. All are 2.8. I use them all, but the one I use the most is the 24-70. Provides the most amount of useable range of the zoom without getting in the way. Nearly all of the photos I have placed in my project, that have been shot with the Nikon, is using this lens. It's worth the $. My wish list is for a lovely little 50mm 1.4 or 1.8. The f stop is to die for! Next would be a wider zoom, but the $ is more like $$$$$$$$ for nikon glass.
Brandy, when i first purchased a D300 about a year ago the very first lens I bought was a simple, powerful, relatively cheap Nikon 50mm f/1.8. It costs $135 brand new and with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 you can shoot in really low light and very limited DOF.
But, to give you the bigger picture, here is the order I purchased all the lenses I own now with approximate values (if I remember correctly)
1. Nikon 50mm f/1.8 - $135 new
2. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 - $400 used
3. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 - $300 used
4. Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 - $2400 new
5. Nikon 85mm f/1.8 - $900 new
6. Nikon 20mm f/2.8 - $600 new
7. (My next purchase) Nikon 300mm f/2.8 - $morethaniwanttothinkabout
@brandee76 I do. I did have a Tokina wide angle zoom 2.8 for the D80 I had a few years back. It was nice, fast but the images seemed a bit "flat" when compared to nikon lenses. I don't know why and can't even be sure if I was just seeing things. I sold it when I sold the D80 to trade up to the 700.
However, I also use an Olympus E-PL1 for the ability to have something in my bag all of the time. I use a 20mm Panasonic lens and it's a really nifty setup! Some of my 365 images are from that little rig.
Think about what you like to shoot - maybe it's up close, from far away or a little bit of everything. That can help you decide on that first piece of glass!
I just got my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 for $80 used, and I like it a lot. The 50mm (f/1.8 or f/1.4) is really nice for portraits, and very cheap compared to other lenses.
Not a Nikkon user (use Canon) but I think principles the same. Type of lenses you need depend on type of photography you like to do and budget. Image Stabilised zoom lenses (mine 24mm-105mm ) provide great flexibility and probably your best starting point. Then next place if you like taking pictures of people is to think of getting a fast 50 (50mm lens with low f/stop 1.8, 1.4 or even 1.2 - although 1.2 gets quite pricey). Prime lenses (ie one focal length) tend to give sharper images. I also have a longer zoom 70-200 mm good for candid shots of people (favourite of wedding photographers) and a ultra wide angle (14mm) for fun shots. Suggest you may want to subsribe to This Week In Photography PodCast lense and camera selection on eof the topics they always discuss. And on ekey message is that the lenses are in some ways more important than the body. Also lenses tend to last a long time (if you buy quality) so worthwhile saving up. Good Luck
@brandee76 - I have a Nikon 50, 24-70, 80-200, and 105 macro. I also have a Tokina 11-16. So tough because they all serve distinct purposes, but I would say I use the 24-70 the most. I noticed that many of your photos where shot on the wide end of your 18-55 so not sure if this might be a little limiting for you. All depends on what you're trying to do and your budget. Before spending too much, I wold be certain you're committed to Nikon. I love Nikon, but in hindsight Canon might have been the way to go for me personally. Good luck with your project Brandy.
a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8!!!! eaither or will do.... they're must!! LOL!!! and they're pretty cheap.. like the 35mm in Peso, costs around Php10,000 so that's around US$200 i guess... 50mm is much cheaper like a hundred bucks... ^__^
those 2 lenses are really good for everyday use.. id rather bring them than telephoto... hahahhaha ^__^
@brandee76 faced the same problem with my D3000 (which has almost the identical issue of your D5000 - no internal focus motor). i also wanted the 50mm f/1.8 but it won't AF on the D3000 so i got the best compromise, the 35mm f/1.8. not too wide, not too long, plus a good wide aperture for low key shots without flash. it also AFs on the D5000/D3000 models. the DOF is just gorgeous, plus you can squeeze in more subject than in a 50mm (that could also be a bane than a boon. different strokes. :)) bought mine last July, haven't taken it off my camera since. (i have the kit 18-55 and a 70-300 that doesn't AF on my camera). . :D
If you are looking to upgrade your 18-55 with a nicer lens I would recommend the Tamron 17-50 2.8. I picked one up recently and love it. I'm not sure I would go with something like a 24-70 on a crop body, I don't think the focal lengths work that well. 24 isn't wide enough for me. I got my Tamron used for $300 with a built in motor so it will auto focus on your d5000.
I also have the Tokina 11-16 2.8 which I think is a great ultra wide angle.
the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens but it will not auto focus on your camera. It is still probably worth the $100 just to have it. Your alternative is the 35mm 1.8 but I don't have any experience with that one.
If I was to buy one lens, it would be the 28-300mm., because you can use it for almost anything. I have the 18-200mm DX one right now, and it's on one of my bodies most of the time. I hate changing lenses, this solves that problem unless I'm in low light where flash isn't usable. I only like Nikkor lenses... all my experience with Tamrons shows bad image quality (chroma, distortion, not sharp). I have a wide angle Tokina, but never never use it.
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But, to give you the bigger picture, here is the order I purchased all the lenses I own now with approximate values (if I remember correctly)
1. Nikon 50mm f/1.8 - $135 new
2. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 - $400 used
3. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 - $300 used
4. Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 - $2400 new
5. Nikon 85mm f/1.8 - $900 new
6. Nikon 20mm f/2.8 - $600 new
7. (My next purchase) Nikon 300mm f/2.8 - $morethaniwanttothinkabout
Hope this helps.
However, I also use an Olympus E-PL1 for the ability to have something in my bag all of the time. I use a 20mm Panasonic lens and it's a really nifty setup! Some of my 365 images are from that little rig.
Think about what you like to shoot - maybe it's up close, from far away or a little bit of everything. That can help you decide on that first piece of glass!
those 2 lenses are really good for everyday use.. id rather bring them than telephoto... hahahhaha ^__^
I also have the Tokina 11-16 2.8 which I think is a great ultra wide angle.
the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens but it will not auto focus on your camera. It is still probably worth the $100 just to have it. Your alternative is the 35mm 1.8 but I don't have any experience with that one.
Good luck.