New to Photography, Lens Recommendation

msaluta · Mar 19, 2016

Hello,

I recently purchased my first DSLR, a used Nikon D50. It has a Sigma DC 18-125mm 1:3.5-5.6 D lens.

What has me interested in photography is the ability to photograph rock climbing, mountaineering, extreme sports, remote/unique landscapes etc..

Is the lens I have suitable for this type of thing? What lenses would one take on such excursions? I've heard good things about the Nikon 35mm 1.8 prime lens, but as I'm only in the position to be buying one lens before my trip, I'm looking for recommendations. Looking to stay under or around $300 for the time being.

goodguy · Mar 19, 2016

If you want a wide lens to capture the surrounding then the Nikon 35mm 1.8 is a good lens, its super sharp, small and light and very affordable.
If you want to get close to people climbing way up above you, bellow you or aside you then maybe a long zoom lens is recommended like the Nikon 70-300mm VR.
You can get this lens used for less then 300$

BananaRepublic · Mar 19, 2016

What I have in my head is something that would capture scale, i.e. cliff but also be sharp enough to get the climber climbing in the scene ? is that what you mean sort of cliffhanger type stuff. post up some pics you have done so people can get a better idea of what you currently do

msaluta · Mar 19, 2016

BananaRepublic said:
What I have in my head is something that would capture scale, i.e. cliff but also be sharp enough to get the climber climbing in the scene ? is that what you mean sort of cliffhanger type stuff. post up some pics you have done so people can get a better idea of what you currently do

Attached are some images. These aren't my images, but are representative of the type I'd like to take.

Credit:

Mountain shot is Grades Jorasses by Harlan Barton.

jaomul · Mar 19, 2016

I think you are looking for a wide angle lens? Have a look at something like the tokina 11-16 f2.8 or a sigma 10-20mm. Check spomething like flickr and see if thats the type of shots you need

Ihatemymoney · Mar 19, 2016

I don't shoot Nikon, all of my gear is canon and I don't know much about Nikon lenses.

For climbing I use a EF 100-400 mm MK I lens, the lens used is selling for 800.00 plus and the MK II is running 2100.00.

For landscape depending on focal length I use a TSE17mm TSE 24mm normally but any lens can be used for landscape .

Before I pulled the trigger for expensive glass I bought a canon EF 70- 210mm lens for 135.00 bucks and I love the lens takes very sharp photos .

What you would be looking for is something like a 50-300mm lens non IS .

I am about 100 yards away and I am using a 100 to 400 dust pump

goodguy · Mar 19, 2016

msaluta said:
BananaRepublic said:

What I have in my head is something that would capture scale, i.e. cliff but also be sharp enough to get the climber climbing in the scene ? is that what you mean sort of cliffhanger type stuff. post up some pics you have done so people can get a better idea of what you currently do

Click to expand...

Attached are some images. These aren't my images, but are representative of the type I'd like to take.

Looking at the pictures in your post I think you will need the flexibility of a zoom lens rather then a prime lens.
It will be a better more useful tool.
So I would change my recommendation to a kit lens Nikon 18-105mm or a Nikon 18-140 (used)

msaluta · Mar 19, 2016

Would a Tamron 18-270 found here be a good buy?

Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD for Nikon - LensAuthority

goodguy · Mar 19, 2016

msaluta said:
Would a Tamron 18-270 found here be a good buy?

Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD for Nikon - LensAuthority

Not a big fan of superzoom lenses, they are too soft for my taste.

Watchful · Mar 19, 2016

I'd say, try the zoom and try several different primes and get a set of tubes and filters, and try everything and see what fits what you are doing on a particular day.
Every piece of equipment has a place and a use, what you use will depend of what you are shooting and from how far away.
I was once relegated to the ranks of wedding photographer (something I don't wish upon anyone) and the equipment needed for that is a lot different from a wildlife videographer for example or a sports photog.
I have several cameras from pro to prosumer to a cell phone with a zeiss add on lens and lots of lenses, tripods, etc. and probably don't use one more than any other.

BananaRepublic · Mar 20, 2016

I don't think some of the images you posted could be achieved by a non climber, maybe you are but I think the images are a bit unachievable at the moment. there have been a few recommendations for zooms here but all would overlap with what you have to 125 mm anyway. What would put me off primes is the limitations of being stuck at that focal length.

dennybeall · Mar 20, 2016

I'd comment but made the mistake of looking at the OP's photos and I'm now cowering under the dining room table................that's some seriously scary stuff!

wfooshee · Mar 20, 2016

What lens depends on distance to the subject. if you're part of the climbing group and shooting from within the climb, you'll want a wider lens. On that camera, the 35 is a "standard" lens by field of view and I think would be pretty limiting. One of Nikon's 18-whatever zooms would be much better from within the group, but I'm in agreement with the superzoom feeling. OTOH, the softness of that lens may not matter on the 6-Mp D50. I know my 55-200 lens was adequate for long shots when I had my D50, but when I upgraded to a D5000, suddenly that lens sucked! your glass has to be sharp enough for the sensor's resolution, so getting the 18-270 might be OK for now, but on your next camera it's going to be very disappointing.

if you're not shooting from within the climbing group but from a vantage point watching them, then you need a longer lens.

in your samples, the one with the red jacket was shot from very close, with a very wide-angle lens. the one of the guy silhouetted against the sky was shot from a fair distance with a moderately long lens.

You're going to want a zoom, not a prime. The things you'd want a prime lens for would be generally when you need larger apertures, as primes tend to be faster, like f:1.8 or f:2.8, where zooms are in the f:4 to f:5.6 or even f:6.5 range. But zooms let you adjust to your distance and field-of-view requirements, which i think would be more important in that environment, and you don't want to have to be changing lenses to change the reach of the camera.

Watchful · Mar 20, 2016

I have a Nikon™ 400-800 that if(edit (is)) perfectly fine for a lot of distance close ups and you can be fairly far off. I love free climbing, but not with that much weight on me. For shooting rope climbers, you can get a lot with a long lens from a helicopter. I have done a few of those weekends and it's a load of fun, you get to see it all from a new perspective.