Lens Suggestions??

[james_ls]

I'm looking for a new lens for my D50...

Want something thats just sharp and nice quality.

Doesn't have to be HUGE...just a decent suggestion.

[i like rice]

depends what you plan on shooting the most and what your budget is.

[Chris_PA]

What do you have
What do you want (wide angle, tele, macro...)

[ibepressin]

With the info given the 18-200vr is a great all around lens. If I only had room for 1 lens that would be the one I'd take. :)

[howielong]

Do you want a prime lens (fixed), zoom, wide angle, etc.. What to you currently have what your D50?

[OWENthatsmyname]

70-300 G lens, and 50mm F1.8

good cheap lenses that seem to be standard.

[james_ls]

Thanks for the recommendations TST.

If you look at my car-of-the month picture...I want something that can really focus on a topic while keeping the background semi-fuzzed.

(Did that make ANY sense?)

[S4toSTI]

Thanks for the recommendations TST.

If you look at my car-of-the month picture...I want something that can really focus on a topic while keeping the background semi-fuzzed.

(Did that make ANY sense?)
Fuzzed lol. Ok so you want something with a shallow DOF(depth of field). Thats anything really you need to just shoot at a large aperature and get as close to you subject as you can. But anyway what lenses do you have now?

[i like rice]

Nikon 80 200 f/2.8 is a good telephoto zoom lens on a budget. The 70-200 f/2.8 VR is better, though.

If you want more background blur, there are several ways to get it. 1) create more distance from the background, 2) shoot at a large aperture

[S4toSTI]

80-200 at 900 new isn't so budget i would much more likely go for 70-300vr for 500. It would be good to know what lenses he has.

[OWENthatsmyname]

ha or you could just get a 50mm F1.8 for about $110

very shallow DOF at 1.8, great for day time and potrait shots

[james_ls]

Sorry I haven't been back to check this...almost forgot about it.

I have the Nikon 18-55 that came with the D50 package. Great lens...but really sharp. I'm really aiming for that depth-of-field blur.

My Dad has the Nikon 28-80 and 70-300 which I've used from time to time.

The 70-300 (which I literally JUST got done playing with) is a pretty nice lens but doesn't seem to have any real SHARPNESS on the foreground.

[S4toSTI]

I am at work so i can't write a long response right now but to get the affect you want all you need to do is change the way you are shooting.

[jspek]

ha or you could just get a 50mm F1.8 for about $110

very shallow DOF at 1.8, great for day time and potrait shots

yes ftw! everyone should have a fitty.

oh and if u want that dof style, just use the kit lense past 45mm. but the 50mm will give u a nice dof.

heres a crappy example
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5560/dsc6335kx4.jpg

[i like rice]

the problem with the kit lens is that it goes to a smaller aperture as the focal length increases (ie 70mm is f/5.6).

Here's a shot at 200mm f/3.5
http://asianguywithacamera.com/2004_Mazdaspeed_Miata/images/01.jpg

[S4toSTI]

Ok before we make him spend more money he can get some of these results at 55mm. What you need to do is be relatively close to your subject with the backround far away and shoot at a large (small number) apature.

[james_ls]

Ok before we make him spend more money he can get some of these results at 55mm. What you need to do is be relatively close to your subject with the backround far away and shoot at a large (small number) apature.

Thanks Barry.

Came out how I wanted (for the most part).

Now I just have to tinker with settings.

Lower aperture...lower aperture...

[S4toSTI]

Yeah and get as close as you can while still being able to focus and make sure the backround behind what you are shooting is nice and far away.

[james_ls]

Thanks dude.

Any lens suggestions as a potential upgrade though?

I love the 18-55 it's really sharp...but what else would be a good well-rounded lens to add to the arsenal?

[S4toSTI]

Thanks dude.

Any lens suggestions as a potential upgrade though?

I love the 18-55 it's really sharp...but what else would be a good well-rounded lens to add to the arsenal?

To be honest i would start by replacing the 18-55 with a 18-70 if you find the 18-70 used which is very easy it should only be a 100 dollar upgrade since you can sell you 18-55 for about 100.

What are you looking to shoot that will help all of us understand what kind of lenes you "need" more.

[ibepressin]

Thanks dude.

Any lens suggestions as a potential upgrade though?

I love the 18-55 it's really sharp...but what else would be a good well-rounded lens to add to the arsenal?

With the info given the 18-200vr is a great all around lens. If I only had room for 1 lens that would be the one I'd take.

[S4toSTI]

With the info given the 18-200vr is a great all around lens. If I only had room for 1 lens that would be the one I'd take.

Well if he doesn't need that much zoom and can't spend 750 thats not at good of a choice.

[ibepressin]

I can't think of a lens you can do more with. He wants a "well rounded lens" :)

[james_ls]

That's not a bad lens...I just played with one at the camera shop.

I'll start putting it away...

[den9]

a 18-70mm is a nice lens

[97TurboDSM]

i have a 28-70 if ya'd like.

[S4toSTI]

a 18-70mm is a nice lens

I would agree with this and a 70-300 if you need some zoom... both together would be about 700 if you get the 18-70 used and the 70-300vr new.

[den9]

i bought my 18-70mm used for 250

[james_ls]

Chaz just suggested a Nikon 50MM for what I want.

However when you go on their website it has 2...VERY similar (at least to my knowledge).

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1902

and

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=2137

But I'm looking a little further.

So I give you 4 choices TST.

Give me your choice and WHY!!

1) (50mm f/1.4D)
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1902

2) (50mm f/1.8D)
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=2137

3) (85mm f/1.4D)
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1933

4) (85mm f/1.8D)
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1931

Thanks all!!

[jspek]

talk to vwcorradokid. i know he has the 1.4. i havent used it. that .4 lower f stop must be nice to use at night or low levels.

[james_ls]

Which one do you have the 1.8?

The 1.4 would work the SAME...just better light-suckage.

[jspek]

i have the 1.8.

[james_ls]

So whichever I can find for cheaper.

Good plan!

[jspek]

yea theres about a 100+ price difference in the 1.4 and 1.8

[i like rice]

Which one do you have the 1.8?

The 1.4 would work the SAME...just better light-suckage.
the 1.4 is better. it has USM so the autofocus is quieter, faster, and more accurate. the bokeh is smoother since the 1.4 has more blade diaphragms (oof stuff on the 1.8 has a pentagonal shape; the 1.4 is octagonal)

[howielong]

I also have the 1.4D. I love it low light but again I rarely use it in that low of a F stop, unless i have to.

[S4toSTI]

I would say the 1.8 unless you can find a 1.4 used there are some arround for 200 but a 1.8 for 100 new is not beatable.

[vwcorradokid]

If you're looking for an INSANELY shallow DOF, the 1.4 is the lense to go with. If you're looking for a good 50mm prime, then I say you go with the 1.8. It costs less and does a nice job. I was actually shooting with my 50mm yesterday and will post pictures up shortly. I'll post the link so you can see what I mean about the insane DOF.