Ready for the next level - hobby photography with Nikon D5000

[Tailgunner]

My only concern is most of your DX glass is built with internal focusing motors while FX glass does not. FX glass is usually auto focused through a motor built in the body.

That is simply not true.
Only the older FX lenses do not have an AF motor in the lens.

AF-S FX lens can only use the AF motor in the lens. AF-S lenses - DX or FX - lack the lens part of the camera to lens mechanical connection needed to use an in the camera AF motor and screw=drive.

OIC, So neither a DX or FX lens has the ability to use an AF motor built into a body?

 

[NORTHERNGAL]

What about some of the off-brand lenses - Sigma, Tamron - better to skip or worth a try? It should be noted here that I don't intend to make photography my full time work, just a part time endeavour (but one I want to do well).

 

[Derrel]

I think the images I am seeing on-line from the new Tamron 24-70 VC and the new Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC lens look quite, quite high-grade and "modern" in their color saturation and really sharp-sharp rendering characteristics. As far as other lenses, the new 85mm f/1.8 AF-S G-series Nikon prime lens is super-sharp, and I mean one of the sharpest, crispest lenses under $4,000. It's only got the one length though...that's the rub. No zoom, so less flexibility than a zoom.

I think the new 70-200 f/4 VR-Nikon, the smaller, lighter, f/4 model is a great value. For light duty use, I expect a 70-200 2.8 or f4 lens from any of the makers will last 20 to 30 years. And it is a SUPER-convenient tool, so, the price while not low, represents five to six different lens lengths in one, single tube, and a heck of a lot of good shootin'!

The lens I have now switched to for portraits is the Nikon late 1990's era 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S. This is not the cheaper "two-ring" model still available new. This lens has three focus-lock buttons, located PERFECTLY for horizontals or verticals, in raised "beds"...small, round buttons you can hold in and use to lock focus with the left hand's thumb or fingers, with the focusing action left on the shutter button: this makes this lens perfect for focus-recompose action on big cameras that have only the AF-ON button when the built-in vertical grip is being used for talls. These focus lock buttons again are perfectly positioned, and they work splendidly, and the left hand can support the lens with the tripod foot. That makes the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S (the one with the five ED-glass elements!) also a very nice lens for small-body cameras like the D3000 or D5000 or Fuji S5 Pro/Nikon D200 size cameras. it also has GOOD image quality on full-frame, better than the 70-200 VR-1 it has replaced for me on FF. Price wise it's $900-$950, and a bargain at that price. The focus lock buttons on the VR-1 are wayyyyyyyyyy out at the end of the barrel, in frankly, a stupid location; this 80-200, AF-S focusing f/2.8 Nikon zoom lens was designed for SHOOTERS!!!!

 

[Designer]

I wish you had numbered them.

#s 1,2,&3 could use some fill, either from a flash or a reflector.
#s 1&5 white balance is off
#s 1,2,&3 framing issues

#s 6,7,8,&9 most of above issues

And just as I suspected; you don't need a new camera body yet, you just need to work on your skills (something a new body upgrade will not improve) and maybe a new lens or two, as KmH has suggested. So if you can afford some new stuff, get a speedlight, a modifier, remote triggers, stand etc., and perhaps an upgrade lens or two and then learn how to use all that. At some point in the future, when your skills actually outgrow the D5000, is when you can think about a body upgrade.

 

[KmH]

OIC, So neither a DX or FX lens has the ability to use an AF motor built into a body?

If they are an AF-S DX or FX lens. Only AF lenses use the built-in AF motor and screw-drive.

A Nikon AF 50 mm f/1.8D will use the built-in AF motor and screw-drive, but a AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G can't - because it has a AF motor in the lens.

Nikon started making AF-S lenses about 1992, years before their 1st digital camera was launched.
All of Nikon's DSLR cameras were DX cameras (AFS-C image sensor) until Nikon launched the FX (full frame) D3 in August of 2007.

 

[NORTHERNGAL]

Thanks.

 

[gsgary]

If you're doing mostly portrait work, do yourself a huge favor and pick up a dedicated portrait lens. 35mm and 50mm are okay for environmental portraits, but for those up close and personal moments, you might consider a good 85mm or 105mm lens.

Some advice I wish someone had given me when I was starting out: learn more about off-camera flash. Check out Strobist and Neil van Neikerk. Save some of that cash for a portable speedlight setup and a couple modifiers. Attend a workshop or buy a book on lighting. Quality lighting will make your photos look better than a new camera. When you can learn to combine ambient lighting with flash, you open up new doors.

I have never seen a dedicated portrait len, does it say "85mm dedicated portrait lens" on the barrel ?

 

[Tailgunner]

A Nikon AF 50 mm f/1.8D will use the built-in AF motor and screw-drive, but a AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G can't - because it has a AF motor in the lens.

Yes sir, this is exactly what I was thinking when I made my statement. My D3100 couldn't auto focus my 50mm 1.8D but my D7100 could. So I knew some glass had built in AF motors while others did not. I just never paid attention to which.

Either way, I Think the OP could benefit more for a couple triggers, speed light, and a soft box...that and shooting with less intense sunlight.

 

[NORTHERNGAL]

Thanks everyone so much for your feedback and suggestions. I think lighting is definitely one of my main issues, as many of you have pointed out. I've decided to get myself an 85mm 1.4, Tamron 24-70mm 2.8 (has fantastic reviews!) plus the SB-700 speed light. All of that comes to just over $2k (Canada). We're on holidays for the next 3 weeks, so I'll be playing and practicing. When I get back from I'll also be purchasing a soft box and probably a tripod and some other gear. Really looking forward to spending some time improving my skill and learning to use everything together.

 

[astroNikon]

Just for clarity. I'm fairly sure the d5000 does not have a built-in focus motor, thus cannot use AF screw-drive focusing lenses and expect them to Auto Focus. You can still use them and manually focus. Only AF-S identified lenses for electronic auto focusing.

 

[KmH]

Nikon 'compact' entry-level DSLRs that do not have a built-in AF motor/screw-drive system:
D40, D40x, D60, D3XXX, D5XXX.

 

[NORTHERNGAL]

Thank you. I'm not completely averse to manual focusing, if that is the case. The 85mm lens I'm getting is actually a manual focus lens. The price point difference is huge, and it has excellent reviews. I figure it will give me the opportunity to practice my manual focus. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003V06YA6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

I'm very excited to get going! 2-day shipping it is.

 

[studio460]

I think you would get the most bang-for-the-buck (plus, the most fun), with a brand new AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G. One of the best values in Nikon glass, and among Nikon's sharpest. Gorgeous, 127mm-equivalent focal length on DX, perfect for shallow-focus, head-and-shoulders portraits.

 

[NORTHERNGAL]

Ive already ordered, Studio460, but thank you for your comment! Hopefully I'll have good luck with the ones I got.