Lens for d5500
Apr 15, 2017 16:55:54 #
I am looking at a refurbished d5500 and was wondering what would be a good lens for portrait and photos of son playing piano on a stage with not great lighting. Maybe used/refurbished in $500 range. Thanks for your advice.
Apr 15, 2017 17:07:26 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
I would recommend the Nikon 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.8. The fifty is a cheap good lens.
Apr 15, 2017 17:21:24 #
For what you mentioned, I think the 50mm f/1.8 would be the best. The 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 that Mas mentioned is very versatile and would also be a good choice, but it will be larger and heavier and not as good in low light as the 50mm.
If you can swing it, get them both.
If you can swing it, get them both.
Apr 16, 2017 01:14:18 #
Jban wrote:
I am looking at a refurbished d5500 and was wondering what would be a good lens for portrait and photos of son playing piano on a stage with not great lighting. Maybe used/refurbished in $500 range. Thanks for your advice.
May I respectfully suggest that anyone looking for a D5XXX consider the D7XXX series; because the D5XXX series requires a motor in the lens, the D7XXX will make available a wider range of lenses. Also, unless you are in need of wide angle, do not dismiss FX lenses, if only to equip yourself for an eventual change to full frame.
Apr 16, 2017 06:24:36 #
If you go with a prime lens you might take a look at Tamron's new SP series prime lenses. The reason is that they all have vibration compensation. They also have a metal lens barrel and are fully weather sealed. I bought the 45mm f/1.8 for my Nikons. Vibration compensation is great to have for the situations where you can't set up a tripod.
Apr 16, 2017 07:29:10 #
Jban wrote:
I am looking at a refurbished d5500 and was wondering what would be a good lens for portrait and photos of son playing piano on a stage with not great lighting. Maybe used/refurbished in $500 range. Thanks for your advice.
A lot depends on how far you are from the stage. You can crop the image closer, but zooming in would give a better result. As BHC said, a D7xxx would offer the advantage of a motor in the body, but you have to consider the photographic capabilities of whatever D7xxx you are considering. Can you use a tripod for the stage shots? Monopod?
Lens comparison sites -
http://lensvslens.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.diyphotography.net/this-website-helps-you-choose-your-next-lens-based-on-the-photos-you-like/
https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/
http://lenshero.com/comparison/Nikon-AF-S-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-vs-Nikon-AF-S-200-500mm-f5.6E-ED-VR
Apr 16, 2017 08:58:14 #
I too, suggest a refurbished D7xxx series. I have the D7000 and would recommend either the D7100 or the D7200. I shoot landcape and birds and animals in the wild. My most used lens is a 55-300 mm but I use fx telephoto that crop out to 750mm with a 2x teleconverter .
Apr 16, 2017 09:17:13 #
Apr 16, 2017 09:19:04 #
imagemeister wrote:
Sigma 50-150 2.8 .......ups your budget a little .
Actually, I meant to say Sigma 50-100 1.8 .........but either are good options !
Apr 16, 2017 09:25:23 #
I had considered the d7100 but didn't think the IQ would be much better. Also I will be about 30-40 feet from piano.
Apr 16, 2017 09:48:03 #
Apr 16, 2017 10:02:55 #
I have the D5500 and purchased the Nikon 35mm F/ 1.8 Great lens for the price. If doing it again I think I would by the Nikon 50mm which would also be better for a portrait. (75mm in FX) Both good in low light and you could crop for the stage shots.
Apr 16, 2017 10:59:26 #
Jban wrote:
I am looking at a refurbished d5500 and was wondering what would be a good lens for portrait and photos of son playing piano on a stage with not great lighting. Maybe used/refurbished in $500 range. Thanks for your advice.
Sigma 17-50 f2.8. Mine stays on my D5300 90% of the time.
I have many other lenses.
Apr 16, 2017 11:04:36 #
BHC wrote:
May I respectfully suggest that anyone looking for a D5XXX consider the D7XXX series; because the D5XXX series requires a motor in the lens, the D7XXX will make available a wider range of lenses. Also, unless you are in need of wide angle, do not dismiss FX lenses, if only to equip yourself for an eventual change to full frame.
IMHO this is bad advice.
The control mechanisim on the D7xxx sucks. It relies on unlighted randomly placed buttons and a little green screen I can't read without reading glasses. The info screen on the LCD isn't active where it needs to be as on the D5xxx.
D7xxxs weigh and cost twice as much and lack the extremely usefull fully articulated LCD.
Unless you already own old lenses the in body focus motor is just something else break. No modern lenses need it.
Apr 16, 2017 11:43:14 #
I recently got a 5500 to use when I don't want to lug the weight of an 810 around. I love it and I use the 35mm f/1.8 with it. You can pick up one of these refurbished for a very good price. I also have a 50 mm AF f/1.8D that you can pick up refurbished or new for even less. It would give you an effective focal length of 75 mm on the 5500 that might be perfect for photographing you son on stage. However, the latter won't autofocus on the 5500, but a 50 mm f/1.8G will. Whatever you decide upon, I highly recommend products refurbished by Nikon.
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