Nikon ..now what ?

Novaman · Jan 2, 2011

Happy New Year to All !
I am a Newbie in photography , using a Nikon D90 with a 18-105 lens . Purchased the BMD-80 and have a SB-800 flash on it's way.I am thrilled with the camera and will be enrolling in a photo class next month. I have taken a few photo's and I am getting some good / some bad shots.
The 18-105 lens came with the kit . I would like to hear some comments regarding this lens and any suggetions for a second lens . Would a telephoto lens be beneficial concidering my lack of ability?

Light Artisan · Jan 2, 2011

Congrats and welcome.

What do you shoot most often?

robb01 · Jan 2, 2011

Congrats on choosing Nikon, I hear they are the best

mwcfarms · Jan 2, 2011

Its a nice lens to learn with. Sucks in low light. But until you learn the basics its very decent. I shot most of my landscapes etc on my flickr with it and some portraits I did. Just be aware that in low light its not the best. Gratz on the new gear and happy learning.

Dominantly · Jan 2, 2011

Wow, nice job on snagging an SB-800...

I have the same kit you have, and love it. It was a thrill to learn on, and will keep you entertained for quite some time.
As for a second lens I would say get a zoom. I use my 55-200 quite a bit, and haven't had any issues with it. Some will also say the 50mm f/1.8 is a must for the price.

sanpan · Jan 3, 2011

I would suggest a 35mm f1.8 prime lens. Give it a go. Its pretty affordable as well.

Light Artisan · Jan 3, 2011

Why would you suggest that? You don't even know what range they would need.

photorookie12 · Jan 3, 2011

My recommendation is to get a good Normal Zoom, this gives you some flexibility and allows you to carry just one lens around. Consider Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 G AF-S ED. As for telephoto lenses these can quickly become very expensive, so unless bird photography and the likes (i.e. where you're not able to get close to the subject) is your primary interest you'll be better off borrowing or renting this when you need it.

sanpan · Jan 3, 2011

Light Artisan Why would you suggest that? You don't even know what range they would need.

I assume that is directed at me.
We, photographers, sometime tend to lay too much emphasis on zooms. I think a fast prime lens could maybe open a whole new dimension for the OP.
So a 35 mm f1.8 or a 50 mm f1.4or f1.8 could be beneficial in the OP's education as a photographer. Hence the suggestion.
Besides he has not mentioned any particular type of photography he is pursuing.
He is just fishing for suggestions.

Light Artisan · Jan 3, 2011

I see... thanks for the clarification.

I guess we come from different schools when it comes to this... Zooms have gotten so good that I am beginning to believe that the only time you really benefit from primes is in a studio where distance is fixed. Sure, it's fun to challenge yourself with a prime on a photowalk and all, but for normal day to day photography I see no point in it.

Therefore, I typically don't recommend any gear until I have more information. You may be right on the mark however.

Vinny · Jan 3, 2011

I wouldn't buy any other lenses until you know what you like to shoot. When I bought my D90 I knew that I wanted a long lens and that 200mm was too short for my needs so I bought the 70 - 300 VR lens - because I knew I needed/wanted the extra reach. If you don't plan on using a long focal length then you don't need it.

The 18-105 is on my camera 95% of the time. Personally I like zooms but do see a need for primes if the photographic situation warrants it. At this point I do not own a prime and in my past experience with a 35mm SLR and a 50mm prime I became bored with it.

As far as the camera/lens combo - yes the lens isn't good in low light but the D90 is a decent camera in low light. I've used the D90 on ISO 6400 and the photos are acceptable. Would I want to keep it at 6400 - no, but I was able to get shots rather than not getting anything at all. A little PP on the noise and it looks OK.

My advice is to learn to use what you have already; get used to the camera and lens and what they can do; learn how to take good photographs and think about what you want shoot - then buy new stuff.

sanpan · Jan 3, 2011

Light Artisan said:
I see... thanks for the clarification.

I guess we come from different schools when it comes to this... Zooms have gotten so good that I am beginning to believe that the only time you really benefit from primes is in a studio where distance is fixed. Sure, it's fun to challenge yourself with a prime on a photowalk and all, but for normal day to day photography I see no point in it.

Therefore, I typically don't recommend any gear until I have more information. You may be right on the mark however.

hmmm..... quite a diplomatic answer there

But you are right. There are quite a few fast zooms as well and might be more useful in day to day photography. But they can be very expensive (what isn't nowadays?). As you said, we are from different schools. So the difference in opinions. If the OP clarifies the type of photos he wishes to click, maybe we would agree.

cdino88 · Jan 3, 2011

for any beginner learning the ropes your system is a bit over the top, but that just means you can grow into it. i know many pros who don't even use the sb-8 and settle with the sb-6.

anyway i have the 18-105 on my d7000 and it is pretty much like all the other kit lenses. not terrible, but by no means is it great. if you have no preference on a focal length for a new lens then probably the 50 f/1.8 is your best bet. forces you to learn to zoom with your feet instead of your fingers. that will also force you to become more creative in the way you compose your shots.

Syco · Jan 3, 2011

I suggest you learn the limitations of the kit lens before you buy anything else. The first thing you likely notice is poor low-light performance -- you'll have trouble shooting indoors in ambient light without a flash. So, eventually you'll want a fast, fixed-focal length lens (35mm or 50mm). But for now, I suggest you stick to what you've got. There's enough to learn with just that! If you're dying to spend money, purchase a good post-processing tool, like Photoshop Elements or something like it.

IgsEMT · Jan 3, 2011

18-105 lens is soft at default, boost she sharpness to about 5-6.
Don't unless you have to, shoot at extreme zoom ranges as it tends to vignette and become extra soft.
Don't shoot wider then 5.6 (i'd say even 6.3) as again, b/c of the softness of this lens. Otherwise, if you know its limitations (some that I mentioned above) you'll be fine.
GREAT JOB on sb800!!! I wish Nikon kept it in production, but its another topic for another thread.

One point of Primes: I'm not a fan of primes. During Bronica days, all I was shooting was primes and zoom lenses were G-d's gift

. I have a 50 1.8 that my wife uses for in-studio newborns but thats about it. Other times the lens is in the camera bag.
A good zoom lens, that you can probably get for about $200-300 is a 28-105 3.5-4.5 Its a 10y/o model but an amazing piece of glass. I used it for portraiture mostly - either in-studio or weddings, or anywhere else I need to do portraits. B/c I'm using a Dx body, I can't use it as an all-in-one lens but when I did have F100, it was an ALL IN ONE lens.
good luck