New here and need lens advice.

ancha930 · Jul 3, 2011

Hi, everyone! I'm looking for advice on lenses, if you don't mind. I currently have the D5000 and three lenses: 18-55, 55-200, and the 35mm f/1.4. Photography is just a hobby of mine and you'll never hear me call myself a photographer. I'm far too disorganized and impatient to actually sit and learn all of the functionality of the camera, which is a HUGE downfall of mine, because I think if I pushed myself, I would be okay at this photography thing. Anyway, back to my original point... We're leaving for Florida this week and I'd like to rent a couple of lenses just for the heck of it and to test them before purchasing. I definitely want an ultra wide to play around with for beach sunset shots and whatever else catches my eye, but I'd also like a fisheye because I think they're fun. (I know, my terms are incredibly technical and I'm sure you're blown away

) now, here is where my lack of technical knowledge bites me in the butt because I don't know which lens(es) to choose. For the ultra wide, I'm trying to decide between the Nikon 10-24mm and the Sigma 10-20mm. For the fisheye, I'm unsure if I want the nikon 10.5 or the sigma 8mm? I know the fisheyes will not a/f with the d5000, but, other than that, can anyone lend any input? Thanks! Oh, and heres the link to my flickr account; nothing special at all, but I figure since this is a photography forum, I should share? Flickr: Andrea930's Photostream

tirediron · Jul 3, 2011

I would suggest considering the Tokina 11-16 as a contender for your UWA selection. It's long been the favorite of all crop-sensor UWA lenses. As for the fisheye, I wouldn't bother, simply because unless you have a need for it, after a few shots, the 'cool' effect will become boring and it will sit in your bag and rot. If you do for for one however, you' can't beat the Nikon 10.5!

ancha930 · Jul 3, 2011

tirediron said:
I would suggest considering the Tokina 11-16 as a contender for your UWA selection. It's long been the favorite of all crop-sensor UWA lenses. As for the fisheye, I wouldn't bother, simply because unless you have a need for it, after a few shots, the 'cool' effect will become boring and it will sit in your bag and rot. If you do for for one however, you' can't beat the Nikon 10.5!

Thank you! I will definitely look into the Tokina, as well. I'm going to rent the fisheye only for a week or two, just to play with it. I'd never consider purchasing it for exactly the reasons you described. It seems more like a novelty item that I'd get bored with fairly quickly, but I still want to give it a spin. Thanks again for the tokina suggestion! Good to know it's a favorite of crop frame sensors.

flea77 · Jul 3, 2011

Time for me to repay a little info!

If you are not really concerned with money, the Nikon 10-24 is a fantastic lens. I own the Sigma and have played with the Nikon and will be trading in my siggy for the Nikon. Not that the siggy is bad, the Nikon is just better.

I have to agree that the 10.5 is an awesome fisheye. The problem is that once you rent it, you will want to own it, then the novelty wears off, then it rots in the bag. By all means rent it and play, but I will warn you, it is seductive.

Allan

ancha930 · Jul 3, 2011

Thank you for your input! I went ahead and ordered the Nikon variations of both lenses. I've been looking at photos taken with the lenses and I feel like a kid waiting for Santa Claus to come. But, after hearing the same thing over and over again about the novelty of the fisheye, I'll be able to push temptation aside and resist purchasing one because I won't be able to justify an $800 purchase that will just be put aside to rot in a relatively short amount of time after purchase. I can rent it for 4 weeks for $117, and that I can deal with. I'll get it out of my system in that amount of time, I'm sure...especially after using the heck out of it on vacation. It doesn't seem like it would be a versatile lens, so I'd probably get bored fairly quickly. Thanks again to both of you for the advice!