Beginner: All Prime?

RDOwens · Jan 9, 2011

I am still struggling with the purchase of my first DSLR. I have accepted that I can live with the following:

D90 with 18-105 kit lens
50mm f/1.8

I very well may purchase that set-up.

Before I pull the trigger, however, I am toying with some other ways of going about this. I am a newbie with DSLRs. I recognize everyone has his own feelings on these things, but if I am learning to shoot well, would going all prime be a consideration?

I am wondering about the following:

D90 body
35mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.8

or perhaps:

D90 body
50mm f/1.8
either 35mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.8

The consideration for this is that I keep reading that purchasing better lenses saves one from replacing as he goes along. I like the efficiency of that.

I am looking at mostly family candids, shots in my classroom (fluorescent lighting), assemblies in a poorly-lighted cafeteria, shots along hiking trails (although not specifically wildlife), and food.

I am working with the idea that I have $1500 to spend. I also want to get a couple fast SD cards, and a bag. I think I have decided to wait on a flash and a tripod for now. I also am planning buying all new.

So would limiting myself to two prime lenses not knowing when I would be able to add on (although a 18-105 kit lens could probably be picked up at some point if I felt limited) be a reasonable way of beginning?

Josh66 · Jan 9, 2011

There's nothing wrong with primes. The only zoom lens I really use is the 70-200, everything else is prime.

You can generally get better lenses for the money with primes. Plus, they are pretty much always faster. You're not going to find a f/1.4 zoom...

edit
Personally, I would go with the 50 & 85 to start, but that's me. You may want something wider than 50mm, in which case the 35 would be good ... but do you sacrifice the 50 or 85 for it?

ausemmao · Jan 9, 2011

I'm a noob myself, so take what I say with a pinch of salt.

I'd say get the 18-105 first, spend a few weeks with that. Then you'll have a better idea of what you shoot, what light you shoot in, and where you feel the lens is coming short. Your picture files capture information about aperture, focal length and exposure so you can even go back and see.

Then you might see "oh, I've spent most of my time shooting indoor candids" and then get a lens for that. Or you've been doing wide landscapes and get one for that, or been chasing birds.

Then in a month or so, get the primes that fit what you what to do

John Mc · Jan 9, 2011

The primes will give you better quality images,the 35mm on a croped sensor will give you closer to around 53mm,and the 85mm will be closer to 130mm. the zoom's not a bad idea,but it wont be as fast as the 1.8 primes. Most of the time,my 50mm prime is on the camera,and im looking to purchase an 85 and a 28mm as soon as i have the money.
Most people start with zoom's as it is an easier device,but i'd much rather move closer or further away. it's you that can only decide on what you'd rather have.

KmH · Jan 9, 2011

Back in the day the optics and design of zoom lenses didn't match the quality prime lenses provided.

But, this is today and zoom lenses offer a lot of advantages.

1. The D90 buffer write speed determines how your camera performs in burst mode, more so than memory card speed. Fast SD cards just speed upload to your computer.

2. For indoors a hot shoe flash is pretty handy to have, but steepens the learning curve.

For your stated uses I would recommend 2 zoom lenses (Nikon or 3rd party equivelent):

and plan on getting the 2-ring Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras or the less expensive push-pull version (about $600 used in good condition).

Pepperpwni · Jan 9, 2011

I'm a beginner, and of my two lenses my prime is my favorite thus far. It's a bit limiting at times, but most of the time I can simply reposition myself to set the frame up correctly. Diversify your glass collection, definitely add some primes.

Studio7Four · Jan 10, 2011

Count me as another vote for starting with the zoom, with or without an additional prime, just because of its versatility. You mention that family candids are one of the subjects you're looking to shoot and a zoom will greatly help with the composition of these. Trying to compose a candid with a prime means moving yourself forward or back and you might likely miss the moment.

As has been mentioned, you can also look back and check at which focal length(s) you're spending most of your time. I'm certain you'll want a prime in the not too distant future, but I think trying to decide between 35mm and 50mm, or between 50mm and 85mm, might be tough at this point. You might even find that you spend so much of your time shooting around 50mm, for example, that you would prefer to save up a little and splurge on the 50mm f/1.4 rather than starting with the 50mm f/1.8 and wishing you had the faster lens.

(For the record, I started with the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, bought the 50mm f/1.4 prime - which is still my go-to lens, and recently got the 17-40mm f/4L. I followed up with the wider zoom rather than another prime because I found that trying to shoot my little girl when she's moving greatly benefits from the zoom.)

Jcampbelll · Jan 10, 2011

Only thing you will be missing without a zoom is the wide-angle.

kundalini · Jan 10, 2011

RDOwens said:
....I am looking at mostly family candids, shots in my classroom (fluorescent lighting), assemblies in a poorly-lighted cafeteria, shots along hiking trails (although not specifically wildlife), and food......

I'd suggest to get the kit lens and a flash for these types of shots. 6-12 months later, you can start your "Which lens?" thread, but you'll have a better idea of which focal length you will need.

c.cloudwalker · Jan 10, 2011

I don't like zooms for several reasons and the kit lenses are usually pretty poor so I agree with starting with a prime. Just one. Shoot with that for a while and learn photography.

As you learn, you will also figure out what other lenses you want or need.

For the type of photos you are talking about I would get either a 35mm or 28mm. 35 on a FF body and 28 on a crop body.

usayit · Jan 10, 2011

c.cloudwalker said:
I don't like zooms for several reasons and the kit lenses are usually pretty poor so I agree with starting with a prime. Just one. Shoot with that for a while and learn photography.

As you learn, you will also figure out what other lenses you want or need.

For the type of photos you are talking about I would get either a 35mm or 28mm. 35 on a FF body and 28 on a crop body.

I'm pretty much in agreement....

Except, I found myself shooting mostly 50mm on FF and 35mm on crop.... for a single lens kit. Very natural (to me).

but.. KMH is right. Zooms have come a long long way since the 80s when they first started to be commonplace. An optically good zoom will cost.

LoneWolfUSMC · Jan 10, 2011

I don't have as much experience as a lot of these guys, but I will throw in my two cents.

I picked up a Rebel with the kit 18-55mm. The zoom is flexible, but I do a lot of low-light shooting and it's nowhere near fast enough. After much research I picked up a "nifty-fifty" 50mm f/1.8 prime. I can do a ton with it. It's light and the image quality is excellent. I am a big fan of natural light and the speed allow me to get some great shots in lower light.

My next lens will probably be a 28mm f/1.8. I shoot on a crop body so the 28mm will let me get a little closer and keep the speed.

After that though I will be getting a 24-70mm f/2.8. When I shoot rifle matches I need the flexibility of the zoom. Sometimes I am restricted on where I can stand (for safety) and the zoom makes it quick to frame the shot when the shooter may only be on the line for minutes or seconds.

If you can afford to move around to frame the shot and you have the time to switch lenses out, then I would stick with the primes. If you have to move quickly or you may be limited to the gear you carry (like when "I" am competing in a rifle match and shooting photographs at the same time) then the zoom may be a good option.

djacobox372 · Jan 11, 2011

O|||||||O said:
There's nothing wrong with primes. The only zoom lens I really use is the 70-200, everything else is prime.

You can generally get better lenses for the money with primes. Plus, they are pretty much always faster. You're not going to find a f/1.4 zoom...

edit
Personally, I would go with the 50 & 85 to start, but that's me. You may want something wider than 50mm, in which case the 35 would be good ... but do you sacrifice the 50 or 85 for it?

I'm a lot like this guy, I use only primes except for my 80-200mm f2.8.