Personal Lens Review?

[RandellJohn]

Hello!

I'm extremely new to photography and even more so to my new Nikon D90.

I'm wanting to do beauty shots, fashion shots, black and white, portraits, and just a general (somewhat) close up of things in dark rooms where there is not a BUNCH of light.

Would it be in my best interest to purchase a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens?

I really want to get into this whole thing and i'm reading all these posts and reviews and hoping that someday soon I can post some of my pictures .

RJ

 

[subscuck]

Learning to use what you already have to it's fullest extent would be in your best interest. You may find down the road a 50mm isn't a lens you would need or use often.

 

[tirediron]

There is no one 'best lens'. Each lens has pros and cons and some will do better in one situation than another. The 50 1.8 isn't a bad all-around lens. It's reasonably fast, and has good optical qualities. If low light is a real concern, than you may want to look at the 50 1.4 or even a 1.2, but they do get a LOT more expensive. Assuming your D90 comes with a kit lens of some description, than what I would suggest is shoot with that for a while, and see what your most used focal lengths and apertures are, and base your purchase off of that information. Jumping in too quickly usually leads to regret.

 

[KmH]

I really want to get into this whole thing......

RJ

Then you need to concentrate on gaining a technical understanding of how photography is done (composition and lighting), how the camera works, and how lenses work.

Visit www.cambridgeincolor.com and read all the tutorials, which are like Cliff Notes. Visit Wikipedia.org for more in depth explanations of the technical stuff.

 

[RandellJohn]

Thank you guys so much! I'm so glad that I found this website!

All this information is great!

I am going to read all the tutorials on this website ASAP and find what focal lengths and apertures I use the most or enjoy the most.

Thanks again guys!

I am going to post a couple pictures soon for some input!

One more thanks!

 

[Derrel]

The Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AF or AF-D has been made for about 25 years now. It's not really what you'd call a "pretty imager". The images coming out of it are rather average, bokeh-wise. It just does not make "pretty images" under many circumstances. For a person who wants a lens for, as you wrote, "beauty shots, fashion shots, black and white, portraits, and just a general (somewhat) close up of things in dark rooms where there is not a BUNCH of light." I am not all that sold on a 50mm 1.8 lens. I think you ought to spend a bit more money, and get the 85mm 1.8 lens if you want a lens for the listed types of work. I'd suggest buying the 85mm lens used, since it is a very durable lens,and has been made for many years, and the value of the lens for dollars spent is about as high as exists.

 

[Railphotog]

50mm lenses are certainly great tools to be able to take photos with minimal lighting. But keep in mind if you're shooting with them wide open (f/1.4 or f/1.8), the depth of field will be really shallow. Imagine taking a head shot of someone with the lens wide open and getting their closest eye in focus; not much else is likely to be in focus. If this is what you're looking for, then perhaps a 50mm might be your best bet. The f/1.8 versions are relatively inexpensive and you can play around with one without breaking the bank.

 

[RandellJohn]

I got the Nikon D90 and got the Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G AND the Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 ED.

I'm reading up on some stuff and I think i've already learnt a bit about my lenses!

 

[RandellJohn]

I took these today just to give a better idea of things I want to do.

I think I'm getting the hang of things but I may be wrong.

Let me know! Critic my pictures!


(Just don't critic the model! )

 

[RandellJohn]

...or critique I should say.

 

[subscuck]

They're all a bit underexposed, and a lot of harsh shadows. You seem to have hit focus, tho.