Camera Newbie Needs Lens Suggestions For Job

[TheTaoOfBill]

Hello guys

Let me first warn you that I am absolutely clueless when it comes to photography. Which is why I came to this forum. I'm hoping you guys can help me out. I have a new job working for a framed art publisher as the web master. Part of my job involves taking pictures of framed art. We just bought a spiffy new SLR camera for the job. It's a Nikon D3000 digital camera. Problem is when we bought it we didn't know when they advertise "Body" in the title what they mean is it doesn't come with a lens.

So now I'm lens hunting and I am very overwhelmed as someone who knows nothing about Cameras. Let me describe what we need. We need a general purpose lens between 100 and 200 dollars (cheaper if it cans still get the job done well). And keep in mind that the main purpose of the camera is to take pictures of framed art. So if there is any lenses that would benefit that job that would obviously be awesome.

I hate to shove my search work on you guys but I'm just a bit overwhelmed. There are so many lens options out there and I don't know what any of them do! If you guys could help me out I'd be very grateful!

 

[AgentDrex]

Here's some link/s I found for you...may hold a few tips or what-not:

How to Photograph Art, lighting to photograph art

Glass photography - how to take pictures of glass

How to Light Artwork

 

[2WheelPhoto]

here is a list of lenses to price and select from: Nikon D3000 Compatible Lenses

 

[TheTaoOfBill]

I appreciate the quick reply and the links, AgentDrex. But those links don't answer my question. I already have lighting set up properly. My question was about buying a lens for Nikon D3000 camera.

 

[TheTaoOfBill]

here is a list of lenses to price and select from: Nikon D3000 Compatible Lenses

Thank you for the link but I already found similar ones. I don't know what all those names mean. I was hoping someone could help me narrow the list down a bit. Obviously there are tons of lenses compatable with this camera. But I don't know which ones fit the qualifications I asked for and the needs of my job.

 

[wilsoncs3980]

Get a simple nikon 50mm f/1.8d

 

[TheTaoOfBill]

Get a simple nikon 50mm f/1.8d

Awesome! Thanks for the straight answer! Anyone want to second it?

 

[Dao]

Maybe a macro lens that is usually distortion free and flat field.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8 G ED N (AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED from Nikon)

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG (50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro - Macro Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com)

 

[bazooka]

It fits your budget and because the purpose is a set studio location, you won't need zoom capability. It's a pretty sharp lens stopped down too (don't shoot at 1.8). You might want to get a tripod as well.....

Dao, I think you missed the price range part....

 

[TheTaoOfBill]

Maybe a macro lens that is usually distortion free and flat field.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8 G ED N (AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED from Nikon)

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG (50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro - Macro Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com)

I'll see if I can find any good prices on those. Looks like the features apply to what I'm doing but the prices on those links are a bit above my price range unfortunately.

 

[Dao]

But to do the job well, I believe macro lens is the best for framed art. Or OP can look for a used lens or older manual focus lens. (maybe better off using manual focus since it is hard to autofocus on a flat surface that don't have much contrast)


Edit: I just learned that the Sigma 50mm macro lens do not have AF motor on the lens. So with your D3000, it is a manual focus lens.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

here is a list of lenses to price and select from: Nikon D3000 Compatible Lenses

here is a list of lenses to price and select from: Nikon D3000 Compatible Lenses

Thank you for the link but I already found similar ones. I don't know what all those names mean. I was hoping someone could help me narrow the list down a bit. Obviously there are tons of lenses compatable with this camera. But I don't know which ones fit the qualifications I asked for and the needs of my job.

You're welcome. I don't know of anything meeting the qualifications of $200 or less new is why I sent you the whole list.

 

[AgentDrex]

Sorry...man...tired from staying up last night shooting lightning...I thought the title read "Camera Newbie Needs Light Suggestions for Job"...obviously it doesn't and now I'm questioning my sanity...I apologize...

 

[TheTaoOfBill]

Sorry...man...tired from staying up last night shooting lightning...I thought the title read "Camera Newbie Needs Light Suggestions for Job"...obviously it doesn't and now I'm questioning my sanity...I apologize...

No worries!

 

[AgentDrex]

I don't know...looking at it now...I'm wondering how I saw "light" when it obviously reads "lens"...I kinda worry about that sort of thing considering I think of myself as appropriately literate...