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Message
Need Nikon Camera Lens Recs
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:18 pm
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:18 pm
Amateur photographer. Got the D5300 bundle that came with 2 lenses last christmas:
18-55mm VR II
55-200mm VR
I've been learning fairly quickly thanks to my dad who had to know a decent amount for work. At least it only takes 1 shot now to get the settings where I want them. But I think I'm ready for an upgrade. Kid is a toddler and running all over the place. With summer coming up, lots of outdoor, action shots. Looking for something up to 300mm and a lower aperture (f/1.8) with the wide angle lens.
TIA
18-55mm VR II
55-200mm VR
I've been learning fairly quickly thanks to my dad who had to know a decent amount for work. At least it only takes 1 shot now to get the settings where I want them. But I think I'm ready for an upgrade. Kid is a toddler and running all over the place. With summer coming up, lots of outdoor, action shots. Looking for something up to 300mm and a lower aperture (f/1.8) with the wide angle lens.
TIA
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:29 pm to ell_13
Do you have Lightroom? Invest a little money in that program and shoot in RAW...
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:30 pm to ell_13
You need to look at prime lenses. They have a fixed focal length but are much higher quality.
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:31 pm to ell_13
quote:
Looking for something up to 300mm and a lower aperture (f/1.8) with the wide angle lens.
I don't think both of those things exist in the same zoom lens.
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:32 pm to wickowick
You're suggesting I use an editing software and fix the photos in post rather than try to get it right on the shot? Is that preferred?
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:33 pm to Evolved Simian
I'm not looking for them on the same sense... those are to replace the two I currently have.
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:34 pm to juice4lsu
Suggestions on lengths to get if that's the route I take? Seems a little overboard for my level.
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:38 pm to ell_13
What do you want to do? Portraits? Landscape? A good overall lens?
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:41 pm to juice4lsu
Definitely not portraits. We travel a lot. Camping mostly. My wife runs marathons so I'd use it there. The kid is all over the place.
I really just want a couple of good lenses that can do more and give me more options. I'm feeling a little limited only going up to 200mm. And the 18-55mm I have is f/3.5-5.6
I really just want a couple of good lenses that can do more and give me more options. I'm feeling a little limited only going up to 200mm. And the 18-55mm I have is f/3.5-5.6
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:46 pm to ell_13
I use a 35mm 1.8 lens for most indoor shots. Great lens and very fast. Don't worry that it's not a zoom. You can always "zoom" with your feet or crop in an editing program. For action shots I have a 70-200 f2.8. It is an FX lens so on a crop sensor it equals approx. 100-300. I bought an older lens for about $1200. There is a newer version but it is more costly and the newer features wasn't worth it to me. With those two lenses I can shoot just about anything.
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:49 pm to NBR_Exile
Best place to shop? Amazon?
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:54 pm to ell_13
The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 is a fantastic lens. I have one and highly recommend it. $800 new. If that's too much get the Nikon 35 f/1.8. It's not particularly wide but it's $200 and optically excellent. Plus it's small and light (the 18-35 definitely isn't).
300mm is tougher. The Nikon 70-300VR isn't great at 300mm. The 55-300 is okay. Unfortunately the 300 f/4 won't autofocus on your camera since it requires the camera body to have it built-in. Your best bet is probably Tamron's 70-300 because it's supposed to be better than Nikon's 70-300 from 200 to 300mm (the Nikon one gets soft after 240mm. I had one and it's true).
Whatever you do, stay away from the superzooms that go out to 300mm (Nikon's 18-300 probably being the best of a mediocre lot).
Putting my money where my mouth is, here's what I currently shoot with:
2x Nikon D7000 bodies
Sigma 18-35mm 1.8
Nikkor 50mm 1.4
Nikkor 85mm 1.8
300mm is tougher. The Nikon 70-300VR isn't great at 300mm. The 55-300 is okay. Unfortunately the 300 f/4 won't autofocus on your camera since it requires the camera body to have it built-in. Your best bet is probably Tamron's 70-300 because it's supposed to be better than Nikon's 70-300 from 200 to 300mm (the Nikon one gets soft after 240mm. I had one and it's true).
Whatever you do, stay away from the superzooms that go out to 300mm (Nikon's 18-300 probably being the best of a mediocre lot).
Putting my money where my mouth is, here's what I currently shoot with:
2x Nikon D7000 bodies
Sigma 18-35mm 1.8
Nikkor 50mm 1.4
Nikkor 85mm 1.8
Posted on 3/16/15 at 9:56 pm to ell_13
Yea, Amazon is good.. I'd recommend the Nikon - AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Standard Lens. I also have a nikkor 55-300mm telephoto that I've gotten some great shots with. It's not pro grade but should fit your needs fine. And definitely think about getting Adobe Photoshop Lightroom like someone recommended earlier. It is a powerful easy to use program. It can take a good photo and make it an amazing photo.
This post was edited on 3/16/15 at 9:59 pm
Posted on 3/16/15 at 10:00 pm to ell_13
Amazon is fine. I also would check out Adorama and B&H. Both of those are usually as cheap as Amazon and they sell refurbs also
This post was edited on 3/16/15 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 3/16/15 at 10:03 pm to just1dawg
I forgot to add that you can try things out before you buy them via renting from lensrentals.com in Memphis. I highly recommend them.
https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/telephoto
https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/telephoto
Posted on 3/16/15 at 10:05 pm to just1dawg
lensprotogo.com is another reputable site for rentals.
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