LENSES???

[gribur]

Hey all, I know this is a common issue but I need some opinions. I own a d5200 and have the 18-55 and 55-200. I am going to Disney with the children and am debating between the 35 and 50 mm lenses, both are rated amazing so I cant lose, just trying to figure if a player in the game is missing, I love close up nature shots/macro I also enjoy doing portraits and landscape. I have around $400 to spend, I was thinking of getting an all around good lens, jack of all trades but I am wondering if it makes more sense to buy a lens dedicated to a single task? Basically I am lost, have been reading a million reviews on lenses and still havn't the slightest clue. I tried 35 and 50 on my 18-55 and I am thinking the 50mm seems to feel more natural. Opinions, suggestions ideas, please help me out, I have until Fri. to decide and then we are on our way. I definitely need something faster and that will work indoors also. cheers guys, sorry all over the place, just want to make a wise investment.

 

[MGRPhoto]

Well this is about as versatile as it gets without a major sacrifice in picture quality: Amazon.com: Sigma 884306 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens: Camera & Photo

 

[Tailgunner]

My advice would be to pick up a 18-200mm VR for your vacation/travel lens. Then sell the kit lenses and but a 50mm or 35mm.

 

[Dao]

35mm and 50mm, basically the main difference is the focal length. And the difference in focal length affect the field of view. So if you like the view that 50mm give you, then of course get the 50mm. Also due to the different in field of view, you may need to walk closer or further from the subject. So in certain situation, the perspective distortion between the 2 are different. So the nose the subject may look bigger with one lens than the other one when the framing is about the same.

It's all personal preference. Last time when I was at Disney world in FL, I brought one body with a standard fast zoom lens, one 85mm fast prime and one flash. And that works out quite well for me.

 

[Big Mike]

Unless you really like shooting with a prime (non zoom) lens, I'm not sure that either a 35mm or 50mm is a great idea for a family vacation to a place like Disney. A zoom would just be so much more convenient, which is likely an important factor when on vacation.

Of course, if you're buying it, you'll have the lens a lot longer than just the vacation and either lens will be a great option to supplement your two kit lenses.

Have you considered getting an accessory flash, SB700 or something like that? That would very likely allow you to shoot indoors with your existing lenses.

Another option would be something like the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8. It gives you a nice large aperture across the whole zoom range and the quality is probably better than your 18-55mm. It would essentially replace your 18-55mm lens, but it might be more appropriate for everything you'd shoot on your vacation....and still be a very nice lens for a long time after.

 

[goodguy]

Before I bought my first 50mm lens I went to the camera store and tried it next to the 35mm and just like you the 50mm felt more natural, simply it felt like its the right lens for me.
I got it and then I got an other 50mm lens which is faster but in general I cant see myself without a 50mm lens, I use it a lot in many different scenarios and love its results.

 

[ruifo]

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G
or
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

 

[Braineack]

Well this is about as versatile as it gets without a major sacrifice in picture quality: Amazon.com: Sigma 884306 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens: Camera & Photo

This was the lens I went for a single lens for travel. Great lens.

 

[Derrel]

Lotta good advice in posts 2,3,4,5...for travel/vacation/walkabout use, I almost,almost always will pic a zoom lens over any single prime lens. JUST a 35 or JUST a 50mm on a 1.5x crop body is not very fun. $400 is not "a lot of money" these days for a lens purchase, but there are some Nikon lens rebates that just went into effect like two days ago, so maybe there's something that's come down $100 or so that might be close.

 

[PaulWog]

Some of my favorite family photos on vacation were with the 35 1.8g. I didn't like the bokeh on it so I got rid of it, partly because I know the newer 600 dollar version is out, which is better if you move to a full frame camera ever.

My vote, purely based on focal length, is the 35mm focal length for all around. You'll have some difficulties from afar, and the lens doesn't handle greens very well in a lot of cases... But the focal length on dx is really easy to manage.

If you're happy with 50mm, it's a better lens. Better performance for the same dollar. But it's a longer focal length.

Try the two focal lengths on your kit lens. Take your kids out for a walk and see how both work for you. Recompose for each focal length (step forward or backward as needed). See which you prefer.

 

[ulrichsd]

I think the 35mms it's a little more versatile for family candid shots. The 50 can definitely feel tight indoors. I use the 50 more for portrait and the 35 more for everyday pictures. But it is all personal preference.

 

[dubiousone]

Pluses to an all-around zoom; you can take shots easier without moving. No fumbling for lenses, its all there, right on the camera.
Limitations; You're stuck with a fairly high F-stop. Not a problem if you don't mind cranking the ISO for low light shots. Having VR is a plus, I've found!

A 50, like Ulrich said, can be a bit much indoors the 35 is maybe better. That having been said, a 50 is probably my favorite; I use it a lot.

 

[SquarePeg]

I agree with those that said you want a zoom for a vacation like Disney where you'll be taking candids and scenery shots. Swapping out lenses is a pita when you're in a busy place like Disney and you miss those spontaneous shots. Also, with the crowds and pathways, sometimes there is not a space to back up or the possibility of moving in to frame the shot how you want. The zoom allows you to frame out the crowds and focus on your subject.

When I had only the 18-55 and the 55-200 I felt like I was constantly running into situations where the lens that I had on the camera at the time was the wrong one for that moment. I ended up getting a 18-105 zoom and a 35mm prime. I use the zoom when I want flexibility and it's been great for vacations. Took it to Hawaii and never used the others for the entire trip. I like the 35 for family pics indoors and when I'm on a photo only solo outing in the city.

 

[Braineack]

Pluses to an all-around zoom; you can take shots easier without moving. No fumbling for lenses, its all there, right on the camera.
Limitations; You're stuck with a fairly high F-stop. Not a problem if you don't mind cranking the ISO for low light shots. Having VR is a plus, I've found!

The Sigma that was recommended is a f/2.8-4 at f/4 it was still pretty sharp even at 70mm, and has decent bokeh. As a bonus it's a macro lens as well, being able to focus within 1" of the front element.

That comes in handy here--I shot this at 70mm and f/4:

Since it has a really close min. focus distance, there's really good background blur when you can get close.


Here's my wife at 28mm and f/3.2:

It's a pretty good focal range, while still having the benefits of a slightly lower f/stop so you are able to get better use of DOF. The last thing I want to do on vacation, with the kids, at disney of all places, is fumble around with lenses.

I personally believe the 35mm won't be that versatile while you are out there trying to get shots, you're going to have to get in very close to ge the framing you want of your family and it's going to be more trouble than it's worth just to have fast glass. I'd much prefer being stuck with the 50mm, but would much rather have something that can zoom, but I don't think one would need a telephoto at the same time; just more versatility.

With the 17-70, you can so super wide, and get in pretty tight all-in-one-lens without much sacrifice. The 18-105 VR isn't a bad choice either. Pretty good optics too, and can be had cheap since they were a kit lens that a lot of people end up parting with.