which lens to get first?

[guitar guy]

Okay, I know I'm putting the cart before the horse here, since I just got this nice camera (Nikon D3000) and really have no idea what I'm doing, but would appreciate any advise.

I have two main interests right now with the camera. Nature/Landscape photography and Portrait photography (in other words, nice pics of my daughters).

In my scant research I've learned that for landscape photography I'd want to go with a wide angle lens, like perhaps a Sigma 10-20mm Amazon.com: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

and for portrait I'd want to go with an 85-100mm lens (haven't research one in particular.


So my question is, based on the kit lens I got with camera (18-55mm), which lens would be of more necessity to get first? In other words, with the lens I have already could do better with landscape stuff or portrait stuff?

thanks!

 

[Stradawhovious]

My recommendations are.....

This...
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D Review (but it won't autofocus on the D3000)

or This...

Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX (and it will autofocus on the D3000)

Both are available for less than $200, Both are great protrait lenses, both take great sharp pics when used properly.

I own both, so depending on where in the TC you are located, I would be happy to get together and let you try them out before you buy. Also, West Photo in Mpls. rents equipment. It's a great way to try gear to determine if you want to drop the cash on it.

I'm not affiliated with West Photo.

 

[Light Artisan]

Both of those (in my opinion) are too wide for portraits, especially head shots. The 50mm would be good for full body shots.

I typically don't recommend primes unless you do studio work, they are just not that flexible when there are really good alternatives out there. Especially when dealing with kids, they just don't stay in one spot.

An 85 or 105 would be good depending on how much space you have, for primes that would be my recommendation. That said, I much prefer using my 70-200 f/2.8 lens for portrait work usually.

What I would recommend is to wait.

See how that 18-55 works out and pay attention to what range you use the most. If you wish you had a wider angle, or more zoom - take it from there.

Everyone goes through this, and very few take the advice and end up buying/selling lenses for a year or 2 until they finally realize what they want/need. All that money spent could have bought really nice glass in the first place.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Both of those (in my opinion) are too wide for portraits, especially head shots. The 50mm would be good for full body shots.

Are you taking the crop sensor into account?

the 50mm acts more like a 75mm and the 35mm acts more like a 50mm. With the 50mm 1.8 on that crop sensor body for and adult sized person you would need to be standing more than 20' away for a full body shot.

That and I have found the 35mm to be very good for when you don't have 20+ ft to work with.

YMMV.

To the OP, whatever you do, try and get a hold of the lenses for a test run before you buy them. Figure out what they can do for you, and whether or not they fit the gap you are trying to fill.

 

[Light Artisan]

Yes, that plus personal experience... I've had both the 35 and the 50 and felt I had to get in people's faces. The 50 isn't too bad for a head and shoulders shot, but I'd much prefer more distance from subject.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Yes, that plus personal experience... I've had both the 35 and the 50 and felt I had to get in people's faces. The 50 isn't too bad for a head and shoulders shot, but I'd much prefer more distance from subject.

I agree that a head and shoulders shot with the 35 would get a little, well, "personal".


The offer of try before you buy to the OP still stands. It's really the only way to know for sure if a lens is going to do what you want it to.

 

[Village Idiot]

Both of those (in my opinion) are too wide for portraits, especially head shots. The 50mm would be good for full body shots.

Are you taking the crop sensor into account?

the 50mm acts more like a 75mm and the 35mm acts more like a 50mm. With the 50mm 1.8 on that crop sensor body for and adult sized person you would need to be standing more than 20' away for a full body shot.

That and I have found the 35mm to be very good for when you don't have 20+ ft to work with.

YMMV.

To the OP, whatever you do, try and get a hold of the lenses for a test run before you buy them. Figure out what they can do for you, and whether or not they fit the gap you are trying to fill.

They don't act like anything. They're not William ****ing Shakespeare! They have the field of view of a lens of those focal length.

 

[Stradawhovious]

They don't act like anything. They're not William ****ing Shakespeare! They have the field of view of a lens of those focal length.

Yes. What I was trying to relay. I stand corrected.
Feel better?

 

[DerekSalem]

The reason people don't like wide lenses for portraiture is because it distorts the features. When taking pictures of landscapes or buildings it's not very noticeable, but when you're filling the frame with a person's face every little distortion will be noticed...and barrel distortion is the worst of the kind.

Most people either use a 135mm prime or a longer lens like a 70-200 at 135+ so you get virtually no barrel distortion whatsoever.

As for landscape, get the widest lens you can find. On a crop sensor you're already being hindered a bit so 10mm should be around the place you want.

 

[Professional]

Nikon 14-24 for landscapes, the best zoom lens i've ever seen from Nikon even i shoot Canon, the alternative is Sigma 10-20
Sigma 17-70 for landscape and portraits, or Nikon 24-70, not sure about Nikon 17-55, 24-120 is one good lens i heard, but i am not keen about Nikon lenses.

If you want 2 lenses cheap a bit then go with Sigma 10-20 or Sigma 17-70 and Nikon 50mm or Nikon 85mm.

 

[guitar guy]

Hey, thanks everyone. My head is spinning. I think I'll definately just play around with my present lens to see what it can do and then take it from there.

 

[mrpink]

Hey, thanks everyone. My head is spinning. I think I'll definately just play around with my present lens to see what it can do and then take it from there.

Smart cookie.










p!nK

 

[Tulsa]

I agree to play with what you have. Although I love my Sigma 10-20mm for urban photography, and some outdoor portraits. here are a few examples with the 10-20mm

I mainly use a 50 1.8 for portraits, but the 10-20mm works well for certain outdoor portraits.