Need lens recommendation for a Nikon D610

[Lonnie1212]

Tomorrow I have a chance to purchase a Nikon D610 for a very reasonable price. This will be the first full frame camera to own and I don't have any lenses. Would like to have a functional lens without breaking the checking account. It would be something basic and to start out with. Would like to keep the price down and I don't need to be impressive. I just want to learn and start out with something reasonably functional. Something older or manual would be just fine. Just as long as it doesn't harm the camera.

Thank you,

Lonnie

 

[JoeW]

My "go to" lens when I'm traveling and can only take one, or I'm going street photography is something like a 25-75mm f2.8. Wide enough aperture for good bokeh on portraits, good wide angle for landscapes and architecture, and a little bit of reach for street photography when you don't want to go get in someone's face. You can find good prices on either Nikon (or other maker) versions that are used.

A very inexpensive lens that should be in everyone's kit bag is a 50mm prime. Nikon makes an f1.4 and and f1.8 (as you'd guess, the f1.8 is cheaper). Both are tack sharp lens, small, light, inexpensive.

At some point you'll want a lens with a longer reach and will look at something like a 200mm or longer. But unless you want to shoot wildlife photography right now, I'd hold off. And yes, some will argue that you should try and get a lens like a 40-120mm. The problem with a less expensive version of those is that they aren't very fast and the DoF isn't very narrow so they aren't so hot for portraits.

I suggest you either get a 50mm or a used 25-75 variation. You'll use them constantly. I have a D600 and use those two lens on it constant with great results. The only time I put on other lens is when it's a unique shooting need (like I need an extreme wide angle, or am shooting with a 600mm lens for sports or wildlife).

 

[Lonnie1212]

My "go to" lens when I'm traveling and can only take one, or I'm going street photography is something like a 25-75mm f2.8. Wide enough aperture for good bokeh on portraits, good wide angle for landscapes and architecture, and a little bit of reach for street photography when you don't want to go get in someone's face. You can find good prices on either Nikon (or other maker) versions that are used.

A very inexpensive lens that should be in everyone's kit bag is a 50mm prime. Nikon makes an f1.4 and and f1.8 (as you'd guess, the f1.8 is cheaper). Both are tack sharp lens, small, light, inexpensive.

At some point you'll want a lens with a longer reach and will look at something like a 200mm or longer. But unless you want to shoot wildlife photography right now, I'd hold off. And yes, some will argue that you should try and get a lens like a 40-120mm. The problem with a less expensive version of those is that they aren't very fast and the DoF isn't very narrow so they aren't so hot for portraits.

I suggest you either get a 50mm or a used 25-75 variation. You'll use them constantly. I have a D600 and use those two lens on it constant with great results. The only time I put on other lens is when it's a unique shooting need (like I need an extreme wide angle, or am shooting with a 600mm lens for sports or wildlife).

Thank you for the reply. Have been reading reviews about various lenses. Sounds like an area to be cautious in. The 50 mm or the 25-75 variation sounds like good advice. Maybe I could start off with something safe and later on get something bigger. I don't want to purchase a big piece of equipment that has flaws in it.

 

[Braineack]

The D610 opens you up do the world of D series lenses.

I've used this on my D610 and if I didn't already have a 24-70 2.8, I would have this as a walkaround lens.

Honestly, I still kinda want it since the size/weight is so much lens and the focal length is so much more versatile

Nikon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF Zoom Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF Autofocus Lens.

Here's some examples from it: Search: 28-105mm | Flickr

 

[Derrel]

The Nikon 28 mm to 105 mm mentioned above is actually a pretty decent lens, but I have found the 28 to 80 m m f 3.5~ F 5.6 to be a surprisingly good lens for as little as $35. I have shot it on the Nikon d2x, the Nikon d3x, and the Nikon d610 and the Nikon D800. It was designed as a kit lens back in the film days, and as such was designed to be a decent all-around lens on a 24 by 36 mm image area

 

[Lonnie1212]

The Nikon 28 mm to 105 mm mentioned above is actually a pretty decent lens, but I have found the 28 to 80 m m f 3.5~ F 5.6 to be a surprisingly good lens for as little as $35. I have shot it on the Nikon d2x, the Nikon d3x, and the Nikon d610 and the Nikon D800. It was designed as a kit lens back in the film days, and as such was designed to be a decent all-around lens on a 24 by 36 mm image area

Since it was made for a film camera, would it work on a Nikon D610?

 

[ac12]

The Nikon 28 mm to 105 mm mentioned above is actually a pretty decent lens, but I have found the 28 to 80 m m f 3.5~ F 5.6 to be a surprisingly good lens for as little as $35. I have shot it on the Nikon d2x, the Nikon d3x, and the Nikon d610 and the Nikon D800. It was designed as a kit lens back in the film days, and as such was designed to be a decent all-around lens on a 24 by 36 mm image area

Since it was made for a film camera, would it work on a Nikon D610?

As long as it will autofocus it will work.
I shoot older film era lenses on my digital cameras without problem.

 

[ac12]

BTW did you post this question some place else?
I thought I answered it.

 

[Derrel]

The Nikon 28 mm to 105 mm mentioned above is actually a pretty decent lens, but I have found the 28 to 80 m m f 3.5~ F 5.6 to be a surprisingly good lens for as little as $35. I have shot it on the Nikon d2x, the Nikon d3x, and the Nikon d610 and the Nikon D800. It was designed as a kit lens back in the film days, and as suchet was designed to be a decent all-around lens on a 24 by 36 mm image area

Since it was made for a film camera, would it work on a Nikon D610?

I have used the lens on four Nikon digital cameras with good results. I have used the lens on the Nikon d610 , as I stated in my post above . I paid $35 for my copy.

 

[ac12]

BTW did you post this question some place else?
I thought I answered it.

Found it, cross posted, on page 3 of this thread
Moved to FX. Need a "budget" low power wide-telephoto lens