I am pondering a lens purchase. My kit lens does the trick for the most part but I can't help wanting a better lens :P Just looking to see what yall use so maybe I can get an idea of what I should get ;)
My D90 came with a 18-105mm which is pertty versatile and I really can't complain about the quality of the images, but the 50mm 1.8 was some of the best money I ever spent. It was super affordable and produces some great photographs.
Didn't you read my post from last night!!!! Sigh... all for not... @jinximages... I suppose you like the mention a nifty fifty!
For me if you have a kit lens and you don't really know what other lens you need... you likely don't need another lens... treat yourself to a day at the spa...
Ok if you really want to spend some money think where or what you would photograph if you could... do you want a Ultra Wide Angle for sweaping shots... something in the 8-12mm range would be good... do you want something soft for portraits... a f/1.4 - f/2 would be great (yes the lens is sharp... but that makes no sense you want soft portraits for ladies... hence the soft focus lenses!) if you want to shot animals, scary people from a distance... maybe a 200mm or 300mm lens would be great...
maybe something more useful like a 18-250mm so you can just pack one lens when you go for a long walk... (WHAT PACK ONE LENS ONLY>>> YOUR MAD!!)
but I think 90% of the replies will be for a nice fifty mm lens... but try it out before you buy one... it is not for everyone... if it will be an indoor low light lens a 21 or 35mm f/1,4 might be better....
@lvmychunkalunka And you think I know what the heck any of it means?! @icywarm I am a stay at home mom with a husband in the army, we would never be able to afford that kind of lens! Jeeze. I am looking for fun extra "hobby lenses" I will call them lol.
@amorton1437 than I think the points for an f/1.8 is well made.. under or around $200. It will open up shooting in dark conditions and will make those living room shots chasing the kiddos around seem a little smoother...
the f/#.# means how much light the lens lets in... lower = better/more your kit lens will be like 3.5 - 5.6 which means a 1.8 (the math is done with logs... remember those from highschool math!) will let you get crisper shots in darker areas without a flash....
The XXmm means how long the lens is... your kit lens is like something like 18-55 or 24-1XXmm. A prime lens.. means you cannot zoom without moving you feet, they are often optically better, because they are simpler.
you may or may not need stability in your lens... the shorter the lens... say 28mm vs 200mm the less you need it... and without it the lens is MUCH cheaper...
For a change in pace try macro tubes, fisheye or other filters... filters are cheaper... can do great things... and don't take up that much room... all +1's if you have a small family....
@amorton1437 OR!!! Don't get a new lens... buy a new camera!!! WHAT!!! Yes... get a great little digital water proof camera like the Pentax W90 or Panasonic. For around $200 on a good sale they will live much better at the beach... in the water... tossed in a purse... having milk spilt on them... they take good video... great photos (macro and low light modes, under water, on water, ect)
My 28mm f/1.8 is almost permanently attached to my camera, although now that I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L I'm always trying to find an excuse to use it, even if it does weigh about 4 pounds.
Nice glass is one of those things you won't miss until you experience it. Once you do, however, your "kit" lens will collect dust. For me, my favorite lens right now is 24-70 f/2.8.
I am in the same boat! I am asking for a lens for my birthday but I can't decide what I want! I have an 18-55 mm that came with my kit and I like it, but I wish it had better zoom. I also want a wide angle lens but not sure how often I would actually use it
My 50mm f/1.8 is my "go to" for the most part. I also have my kit lens (18-55mm) and my 18-200mm lens, which is good for traveling. What I reaaaally want is a macro lens. I have my eye on the Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8 micro :) Here's to dreaming!
My 24-70mm / f2.8 is my baby, it's pretty heavy but unless I'm on a hike then it usually comes along. Sharp as a tack, awesome optics, useful range (36-105mm on my D300s).
Also, my 50mm / f1.4 is the party lens, the people lens, the indoor stuff.... it eats low-light for breakfast!
At the mo I have my 18-55mm lens which came with the camera. I also have a canon 70-300mm lens and I absolutely love it. Only drawback with it is I didn't do enough research before I bought it and it's not compatible for my canon, only the older ones so the auto focus doesn't work on it and it will only take a picture when the f/no is at it's lowest so not good on sunny days unless you put your shutter speed right up. I've taken loads of photos with it though and they are great, just need to compensate a little. That's what I get buying second hand but didn't think I would get into photography as much as I actually am when I got it.
My next purchase will be a 50mm f1.8 as my house is pretty dull, even on sunny days so want to get brighter images. Will need to save up.
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For me if you have a kit lens and you don't really know what other lens you need... you likely don't need another lens... treat yourself to a day at the spa...
Ok if you really want to spend some money think where or what you would photograph if you could... do you want a Ultra Wide Angle for sweaping shots... something in the 8-12mm range would be good... do you want something soft for portraits... a f/1.4 - f/2 would be great (yes the lens is sharp... but that makes no sense you want soft portraits for ladies... hence the soft focus lenses!) if you want to shot animals, scary people from a distance... maybe a 200mm or 300mm lens would be great...
maybe something more useful like a 18-250mm so you can just pack one lens when you go for a long walk... (WHAT PACK ONE LENS ONLY>>> YOUR MAD!!)
but I think 90% of the replies will be for a nice fifty mm lens... but try it out before you buy one... it is not for everyone... if it will be an indoor low light lens a 21 or 35mm f/1,4 might be better....
My other favourite lens is my girlfriend's f/1.4 50mm. It is amazing. AMAZING. :D
When I shot crop-frame DSLR cameras as my mains, the 50mm f/1.4 was my main lens.
Love primes. Super-sharp, low distortion, compact, and cheaper than most zooms.
@icywarm I am a stay at home mom with a husband in the army, we would never be able to afford that kind of lens! Jeeze. I am looking for fun extra "hobby lenses" I will call them lol.
the f/#.# means how much light the lens lets in... lower = better/more your kit lens will be like 3.5 - 5.6 which means a 1.8 (the math is done with logs... remember those from highschool math!) will let you get crisper shots in darker areas without a flash....
The XXmm means how long the lens is... your kit lens is like something like 18-55 or 24-1XXmm. A prime lens.. means you cannot zoom without moving you feet, they are often optically better, because they are simpler.
you may or may not need stability in your lens... the shorter the lens... say 28mm vs 200mm the less you need it... and without it the lens is MUCH cheaper...
For a change in pace try macro tubes, fisheye or other filters... filters are cheaper... can do great things... and don't take up that much room... all +1's if you have a small family....
just my 2 cents...
Also, my 50mm / f1.4 is the party lens, the people lens, the indoor stuff.... it eats low-light for breakfast!
My next purchase will be a 50mm f1.8 as my house is pretty dull, even on sunny days so want to get brighter images. Will need to save up.
Wide angle if you're looking to do some landscape photography
Ken Rockwell wrote a good article on his idea of a good lens team; what he dubs the 'dream team'. Wide + Fast Prime + Tele Zoom
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/dx-dream-team.htm