I am currently using a Nikon D3000 with an AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens. I am looking at new lenses. What would be a great, useful lens? I like to shoot portraiture...children, babies, seniors, families, as well as nature, and a lot of random, fun things of my kids.
i actually just took a class on nikon's at a local camera store, and the instructor had reccomended the 35mm f1/8 prime for the d3000 since it is an af-s (has the auto focus)....i'm not sure teh 50mm f1/8 prime will auto focus with the d3000 (same camera i have)
since then (this was only thursday night) i've been thinking about getting the 35mm....it's around $200....the 50mm prime is a little less expensive
he did say both were great for portraiture and good in low light situations though, but again, i don't think the 50mm will auto focus (with the d3000)
eta: the 50mm f1/4 has the auto focus, but is a bit pricier...not sure what your price range is....
The 50mm is a great lens, especially for the price, but can be a little tight for indoors. I would consider the 35mm which is comparably priced if that's the direction your heading. Either way, you get a fast lens with little distortion for a very affordable price.
Please do note that 50mm 1.8D WILL NOT autofocus on D3000. You will have to resort to manual focus. I suggest go with 35mm f/1.8 prime :) or the 50mm 1.4G
@heatheryv review some of the other threads - there were a couple around the holidays. A fixed lens (not zoom) like a 35, 50 or 65 are good ones because they force you to use your feet and reposition your body, which helps the creative process. These fixed lens also have the inherent quality of having big lens openings, or f stop, which allows more light in, and in turn allows you to shoot with less flash and more natural light. For your intent, 35 or 50 are focal lengths.
If you have coin, a mid-level zoom with a big f stop (or aperture) can give you increased flexibility. Much of the time I use a 28-70 mm f/2.8 as a one shop lens. They are expensive though.....and IMHO, it's the glass that makes the picture. Good luck!!
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Nikon 85mm f/1.8. When it comes to shooting individual portraits or head shots, this is my go-to lens. It's a pretty tight crop, as you might imagine, but works great with solo shoots.
I have the 50mm f/1.8 and it is my main portrait lens for groups. I end up standing about 20' away for a group of 6, framing it for 8x10 reprints.
my husband bought me the 50mm 1.4 for christmas and i have to say i absolutely adore it. I also have a 28-105mm macro which is lovely, but doesn't autofocus on the d3000. I manual focus mostly anyway though so isn't a problem for me. You actually get used to manual focus pretty fast and now it's sometimes difficult for me to go back to autofocus!
I got a new (Canon) 50mm f/1.4 lens right around Thanksgiving. It can practically take pictures in the dark -- campfires, indoors, neighborhood Christmas lights, etc. No flash! I love it except for one thing: it is too narrow a field sometimes. For example on Christmas evening I wanted to take a group portrait of my family (7 people) and I literally could not fit even 1/2 of them in the frame at a time. Which was disappointing. Overall though, I heartily recommend it.
I guess this is because most digital cameras have a different sensor? than film ones did, so that the picture is "cropped" more than the equivalent picture on film. So a 50mm lens takes pics more like what 35mm used to; 50mm more like what 85mm used to, etc. I'm sure there is better vocabulary to explain that but there it is.
I have the 35mm 1.8 and it's awesome. Very clear, great DOF and it is very good for indoor shots. The 85mm is great but it would be difficult to use in close quarters. I have a 70-300mm lens and even at 70mm it makes it difficult to get family shots/group shots in a typical house (Although outside it is fantastic). Usually when I go to family and/or friends houses I take my 35mm because it gives me pretty good versatility. The 35mm also focuses automatically and it does a great job at it. I bought mine used on ebay with 2 filters (UV and Circular polarizer both my tiffen) for $170. I would highly recommend the lens!!!!
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since then (this was only thursday night) i've been thinking about getting the 35mm....it's around $200....the 50mm prime is a little less expensive
he did say both were great for portraiture and good in low light situations though, but again, i don't think the 50mm will auto focus (with the d3000)
eta: the 50mm f1/4 has the auto focus, but is a bit pricier...not sure what your price range is....
If you have coin, a mid-level zoom with a big f stop (or aperture) can give you increased flexibility. Much of the time I use a 28-70 mm f/2.8 as a one shop lens. They are expensive though.....and IMHO, it's the glass that makes the picture. Good luck!!
I have the 50mm f/1.8 and it is my main portrait lens for groups. I end up standing about 20' away for a group of 6, framing it for 8x10 reprints.
But yes a 35 is great indoors and I actual bird with a 77mm... close to an 85... and I love it...
I guess this is because most digital cameras have a different sensor? than film ones did, so that the picture is "cropped" more than the equivalent picture on film. So a 50mm lens takes pics more like what 35mm used to; 50mm more like what 85mm used to, etc. I'm sure there is better vocabulary to explain that but there it is.