Beginner

brendanstl · Nov 8, 2010

My wife is interested in photography so we decided to go ahead and get her a camera, editing software and now we are confused on what kind of lens to get her. We purchased a Nikon D90 without a lens. She's interested in taking portrait photos, some close ups and a few photos here and there that might be up to 20-30 foot away, we obviously have a budget now due to the price of software and the D90 and we're looking to spend around 200-300 dollars for now on a lens. What lens should she get?

phiya · Nov 8, 2010

If she wants to take good portraits/closer up photos a nice prime is a good start

I'd recommend this lens:
Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo: Reviews, Prices & more

She'll be able to control her Depth of Field substantially and have good working distance for portraits and a lot of other close ups. Then you could spend another 100 or so on a kit lens, something like this.

Amazon.com: Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens: Electronics: Reviews, Prices & more

That should have enough reach for most subjects 10-18 feet away or so.

I would round out your expense by getting her this book it will really help her understand what she is doing.

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (9780817439392): Bryan Peterson: Books

That all would come in right around $300. I know it's the top of your budget, but it would be an EXCELLENT start, imo. She could then decide exactly what she wants to do with photography before buying any more expensive glass. Good luck!

Alternatively to the second lens I listed if she wants more reach, she could go with something like this,
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-70-300m..._1_cc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1289258995&sr=1-2-catcorr
That lens has a lot more reach and would still be in your price range, but it is a bit slower than the other one listed, and she would be lacking some very popular middle range zoom in the 36-55mm range as well as a true wide angle option. It's a trade off, and in your budget she'd have to decide which to go. She could also say no to the first lens and get the second one and this one, but honestly the first lens is a superior portrait lens, and really, really worth the price tag.

PS - pay no attention to the equipment I have listed in my signature, I bought mine as a kit, and would easily have changed that choice had I known what I know now about photography.

ajkramer87 · Nov 8, 2010

Also look into the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4.

bigtwinky · Nov 8, 2010

You should have her post up here if she is the picture taker

kundalini · Nov 8, 2010

To be honest, the 18-55mm kit lens actually takes pretty good images, given enough light. It's only about $110USD. Add to that an external flash like the Nikon SB-600, for about $220. That fills your budget (+/-) and will last you well until you have decided what exactly you need.

If you're wanting to do portraits, a flash is a necessity. Supplement that with an el cheapo reflector (search B&H or Adorama for a 5-in-1) and you're much further along the road for portraiture.

sobolik · Nov 8, 2010

You will be hard pressed to do better than the D90 kit lens 18-105. I love it. Buy a used one on eBay to say a few bucks.

phiya · Nov 8, 2010

kundalini said:
To be honest, the 18-55mm kit lens actually takes pretty good images, given enough light. It's only about $110USD. Add to that an external flash like the Nikon SB-600, for about $220. That fills your budget (+/-) and will last you well until you have decided what exactly you need.

If you're wanting to do portraits, a flash is a necessity. Supplement that with an el cheapo reflector (search B&H or Adorama for a 5-in-1) and you're much further along the road for portraiture.

It is true that if she wants to do portraits, she's going to want a flash in short order. This is not bad advice.

KmH · Nov 8, 2010

The 35 mm f/1.8 will introduce to much facial distortion to be effective for portraiture.

To make photos of things 20 - 30 feet away will require at least a 200 mm focal length. Look a

I agree with kundalini that the AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G, an SB-600, and a reflector is the smart start for portraiture, and some close-ups.

After a little experience get the nifty-fifty, prime lens- Nikon AF 50 mm f/1.8 ($130)

Quality images is more about having quality lenses than it is about having a high priced camera.

To make photos of things 20 - 30 feet away will require at least a 200 mm focal length to have sufficient subject scale in an image. Start saving for a Nikon AF 80-200 mm f/2.8D zoom lens, about $800-$850 used and it also makes great portraits.

Then you will want a Nikon AF 85 mm f/1.4D "Cream Machine", about $900 used.

rpm · Nov 8, 2010

id consider the 50mm 1.8 + the flash. you learn so much with a prime....

Vinny · Nov 8, 2010

I agree with the 18-105 lens as a great all around lens. It is a wide angle and for portraits it'll give you the 105mm that traditionally is what portraits were shot with. The 50mm 1.8 is an good (great?) inexpensive lens as well. When I had it on my film camera I got bored with it but I don't like to photograph people.

I would forget the photo software and spend the money on lenses like the 2 mentioned or a lens and a flash unit. The idea is to learn how to take photos correctly. You can get free software on the net for now and when the time comes for paid software get it then.

brendanstl · Nov 9, 2010

Thank you everyone for your help,

Would it make any sense for me to get her a 50mm 1.8 and a 18-55 3.5-5.6 AFS DX VR. Will this suffice her learning for now? Or would it make more sense to get her a 70-300 4-5.6 with one of these two? Are the 18-55 and 50mm not that much different?

kundalini · Nov 9, 2010

Purchasing the 18-55mm and the 50mm f/1.8 at the same time doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Simply because you would already have the 50mm FL in the kit lens AND she is still in the learning curve.

My first two lens purchases were the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm. Both being consumer lenses, but you get a pretty broad FL range in those two without overlapping. Both are relatively inexpensive to boot. That being said, both can produce quality images.... with the caveat of having enough light.

At this point, you may want to go the less expensive, bang for your buck option. Once you or your wife have narrowed down what is missing in your arsenal, then start with the better glass.

Just my 2¢.

Vinny · Nov 9, 2010

Personally, I think having a zoom lens that only goes to 55mm is a little low as far as focal length unless there is a need to go super wide then go with one of the 10 - 20 mm lens. I was happy to see that the D90 came with a zoom to 105mm vs the 55mm that other bodies came with. I also like to have a little overlap in focal length so that you're not taking off the lenses all the time. There are two 70 - 300mm's out there, make sure that if you get one you get the VR version, I've read the other isn't as good.