Nity Fifty queston
Apr 5, 2012 07:11:29 #
I'm trying to understand crop factor in relation to nifty fifties and have three questions. I have a Nikon D5100, which has a crop factor of 1.5. There has often been discussion in the UHH threads about the value of having a nifty fifty. If I understand crop factor correctly, if I buy a 50 mm lens for my camera, it will be the equivalent of a 75 mm lens on an SLR (50 x 1.5). So, does this mean that to get a nifty fifty for my camera I should actually be getting a 35 mm, which would give me the equivalent of a 52.5 mm lens on an SLR (35 x 1.5)?
Which is more useful in day to day shooting on a camera with a 1.5 crop factor, especially when shooting nature/landscape photography, a 50 mm or a 35 mm?
And the next question is, what nifty fifty should I be getting for my camera? Should I stick with Nikon, or go with Sigma or some other brand?
Which is more useful in day to day shooting on a camera with a 1.5 crop factor, especially when shooting nature/landscape photography, a 50 mm or a 35 mm?
And the next question is, what nifty fifty should I be getting for my camera? Should I stick with Nikon, or go with Sigma or some other brand?
Apr 5, 2012 07:43:11 #
1) a 50mm lens is simply very popular, and has a long history on film 35mm cameras - it is easy to build optically, and delivers a reasonably useful FOV frame for much photography. But there is nothing 'magical' about them.
2) you are correct, to deliver about the same FOV frame on your cropped sensor camera, you would look for a ~35mm lens, which is almost 'wide angle' on a 1.5 or 1.6 sensor.
3) For landscape and most 'nature', wider is usually better. It's relatively easy to crop OUT, much more difficult to Crop IN.
HTH
2) you are correct, to deliver about the same FOV frame on your cropped sensor camera, you would look for a ~35mm lens, which is almost 'wide angle' on a 1.5 or 1.6 sensor.
3) For landscape and most 'nature', wider is usually better. It's relatively easy to crop OUT, much more difficult to Crop IN.
HTH
Apr 5, 2012 07:43:44 #
All good questions. I'll try to answer one and let the forum chime in on the others.
One lens for everyday use? I'd get a quality telephoto in the 25-105mm range, the fastest that you can justify. Good for landscape, portraits, and can zoom in fairly close. Nikon is great, Sigma varies but is very competitive performance-wise for the money on many lenses. Unless you want something that Nikon does not offer, I'd stick with Nikon on a Nikon body.
Sorry, that was two questions answered. I could not help myself...
One lens for everyday use? I'd get a quality telephoto in the 25-105mm range, the fastest that you can justify. Good for landscape, portraits, and can zoom in fairly close. Nikon is great, Sigma varies but is very competitive performance-wise for the money on many lenses. Unless you want something that Nikon does not offer, I'd stick with Nikon on a Nikon body.
Sorry, that was two questions answered. I could not help myself...
Apr 5, 2012 11:48:05 #
Well, opinions are cheap and many on this site, but you asked so here's mine. If you're shooting landscapes, I'd go with a wide prime lens. Even wider than the 35mm. Like 24 or 18. As to which one should you go with Sigma makes great lenses at a reasonable price and Nikon makes really great lenses at a higher price. If money isn't an object go with Nikon. If it is the Sigma will perform well and you won't see any difference in most enlargements.
Apr 5, 2012 12:09:38 #
A hint.
Go to www.nikonusa.com, and once there, on the Nikon products tab, select "Lenses".
Once in the "Lenses" section, click on the Need Help tab.
Check the "Introduction to Lenses", and THEN, "Lens Simulator".
You should have a pretty good idea of what you want, based upon the information presented there.
Then, review the different lenses you are seeking information about.
Not saying buy Nikon, exclusively. But, don't rule out Sigma, Tamron, etc. They make some exceptional products.
Hope this helped a little.
Go to www.nikonusa.com, and once there, on the Nikon products tab, select "Lenses".
Once in the "Lenses" section, click on the Need Help tab.
Check the "Introduction to Lenses", and THEN, "Lens Simulator".
You should have a pretty good idea of what you want, based upon the information presented there.
Then, review the different lenses you are seeking information about.
Not saying buy Nikon, exclusively. But, don't rule out Sigma, Tamron, etc. They make some exceptional products.
Hope this helped a little.
Apr 5, 2012 22:19:11 #
Apr 6, 2012 00:22:30 #
I have a D7000 which also has the crop sensor and the 50mm 1.8 G lens. The only problem I've had with it is that I can't get the full dining room table in at Thanksgiving. I end up putting on another lens.
Apr 6, 2012 08:45:51 #
SteveR wrote:
I have a D7000 which also has the crop sensor and the 50mm 1.8 G lens. The only problem I've had with it is that I can't get the full dining room table in at Thanksgiving. I end up putting on another lens.
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
Apr 6, 2012 08:50:11 #
[quote=Kalskag2Which is more useful in day to day shooting on a camera with a 1.5 crop factor, especially when shooting nature/landscape photography, a 50 mm or a 35 mm?[/quote]
I suggest the Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens. It's my walking around lens especially when out hiking. Plenty of wide angle at 18mm to get those great vistas and enough zoom for what we might see right on the trail.
I don't know if new ones are available any more, but mine was a refurb I got for a good price with the standard Nikon warranty. Might have been at Adorama.
I suggest the Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens. It's my walking around lens especially when out hiking. Plenty of wide angle at 18mm to get those great vistas and enough zoom for what we might see right on the trail.
I don't know if new ones are available any more, but mine was a refurb I got for a good price with the standard Nikon warranty. Might have been at Adorama.
Apr 6, 2012 09:10:40 #
The f1.8 35mm is what you want. I have one for my D5100 and it is fabulous.
Test it yourself: take your 18-55 that came with your camera and walk around your house making trial images. I think you'll find that set on 55mm you are trying to back through walls fairly often.
Test it yourself: take your 18-55 that came with your camera and walk around your house making trial images. I think you'll find that set on 55mm you are trying to back through walls fairly often.
Kalskag2 wrote:
I'm trying to understand crop factor in relation t... (show quote)
Apr 6, 2012 10:10:31 #
The Nikkor 50mm/1.8D is great but has no motor and I don't think it will AF on your camera. The Nikkor 35mm/1.8G has a motor and would be the better choice of the two for your camera.
Apr 6, 2012 10:23:33 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
SteveR wrote:
I have a D7000 which also has the crop sensor and the 50mm 1.8 G lens. The only problem I've had with it is that I can't get the full dining room table in at Thanksgiving. I end up putting on another lens.
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
Jerry, I always love your answers. :-) Cheers.
Apr 6, 2012 10:23:33 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
SteveR wrote:
I have a D7000 which also has the crop sensor and the 50mm 1.8 G lens. The only problem I've had with it is that I can't get the full dining room table in at Thanksgiving. I end up putting on another lens.
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
Jerry, I always love your answers. :-) Cheers.
Not sure why that double posted.
Apr 6, 2012 10:25:11 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
SteveR wrote:
I have a D7000 which also has the crop sensor and the 50mm 1.8 G lens. The only problem I've had with it is that I can't get the full dining room table in at Thanksgiving. I end up putting on another lens.
I had the same problem. We got a smaller table, invited fewer people, and had more turkey to eat. Worked great all around.
Gotta love practical solutions...excellent!
Apr 6, 2012 10:42:22 #
It depends on how you see things. If you like to include lots in your shots the 35mm or even shorter would be the lens for you. I tend to have tunnel vision 135mm was my keep on lens on my 35 so an 85 would be the lens for me if I used a prime lens. I have a Tamaron 35mm-105mm fixed f/2.8 that I like to use as a walkaround lens. With the 18mm-whatever zooms I would go with one of them and get everything. The only time I use a prime is when I need it for lower light. - Dave
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