Moving Up (Page 3): Can't beat the Nikkor 35mm f1.8 DX, a great lens for a decent price.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Can't beat the Nikkor 35mm f1.8 DX, a great lens for a decent price.

sjb3

DaveyDitzer wrote:

I have the D5300 and still love it! I bought mine with the 18-140 kit lens and then later sold it - a mistake. I should have kept it. I also had both the 50mm and 35mm f1.8 lenses. Buy the 35mm 1.8 if you can add that as well.

35mm f/1.8 is ordered and on the way. This was the most-recommended of all the replies to my original post. Thanks very much to you and all the other UHH members for your (valuable!) input.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

orrie smith wrote:

The 18-140mm lens is a fine lens, but I would suggest that any future lenses be FX. That way, if you ever decide to upgrade to a full frame camera, you will not have a wasted investment in lenses. FX lenses will work fine on a DX camera, but a DX lens will not work so well on a full frame camera. A 35mm lens or a 50mm lens would be a great investment, and the 50mm fx lens is inexpensive.

Another vote for the 50mm f/1.8 GX lens. On my D7100 it's a great portrait lens @ 75mm equivalent. And it's a perfect normal lens on my film FE where it functions as an AIS lens.

sjb3

repleo wrote:

If you want to progress as a photographer you need to add a good fast prime lens to your kit to explore depth of field as a composition tool. If you rely solely on zooms you may as well have stayed with your compact cameras. The 35mm f1.8 mentioned above would be great addition to your zoom lens.

The 35mm f/1.8 is on order and on its way to me. Zoom for me is okay but not essential, especially with this camera; I will probably go later on with something like the well-recommended 18-140 or 18-105, but there's no rush. Besides, I still have my Fuji Finepix S-1 bridge camera with its 50x optical zoom (f/2.8 - f/5.6, 35mm equivalent 24mm - 1200mm; I used it to shoot the eclipse).

sjb3

orrie smith wrote:

The 18-140mm lens is a fine lens, but I would suggest that any future lenses be FX. That way, if you ever decide to upgrade to a full frame camera, you will not have a wasted investment in lenses. FX lenses will work fine on a DX camera, but a DX lens will not work so well on a full frame camera. A 35mm lens or a 50mm lens would be a great investment, and the 50mm fx lens is inexpensive.

In doing my research for this first DSLR I read about FX lenses being ok to use on a DX body, so I certainly agree with what you've posted here. It's not likely that I'll upgrade, though; I'm strictly a hobbyist, and pushing 70 years old. I want to learn to proficiently use one of these DSLR's and chose the DX d5300 body as the means to do it. I've chosen a good lens (the 35mm f/1.8) which will stay attached and be used for the initial immersive phase of self-education, if you know what I mean. When I think I've started to learn something, I'll branch out with one of the moderate-zoom lenses like the 18-140. That will be plenty for me (and my budget!).

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

sjb3 wrote:

In doing my research for this first DSLR I read ab... (show quote)

Great approach. Consider getting a copy of Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure” to help you through all of the phases of setting up your camera and using it easily with manual settings. You have a great camera body and lens to make that happen. Have fun in your quest.

agillot

the kit lense or lenses are a bargain when bought with the body , i would have started there , they are descent in quality , and also give you a extra set of lenses to fall back on in case of problem with the better lens .just my opinion .

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Hello and congratulations on your purchase. I have the D5500 and several lenses. My all time favorite lens is the 18 - 140; the crop factor is 27 - 210. I have the 35 mm 1.8 and with those two lenses it is all I really use 90 % of the time. I do have a 10 - 20 that is good for landscapes; a 16 - 300 for vacations when I want extra reach. Good luck and happy shooting. Post some of your pics.

sjb3

fourlocks wrote:

Good move deciding against the kit lenses. I purc... (show quote)

Moderate telephoto reach will suit me fine; not looking to get it now but what interests me the most so far is the 18-140 but there's no rush; I'm retired and have lots of time (like a lot of the folks here).

sjb3

RKL349 wrote:

Great approach. Consider getting a copy of Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure” to help you through all of the phases of setting up your camera and using it easily with manual settings. You have a great camera body and lens to make that happen. Have fun in your quest.

Bought it back in August of this year, in anticipation of what I'm doing now, i.e., getting my first DSLR. Great book, btw.

sjb3

mymike wrote:

Hello and congratulations on your purchase. I have the D5500 and several lenses. My all time favorite lens is the 18 - 140; the crop factor is 27 - 210. I have the 35 mm 1.8 and with those two lenses it is all I really use 90 % of the time. I do have a 10 - 20 that is good for landscapes; a 16 - 300 for vacations when I want extra reach. Good luck and happy shooting. Post some of your pics.

I'll do it; thanks for your interest. I'll also be sure to use the correct section to post them in. I'm not in any hurry and would prefer to be super self-critical for awhile before putting stuff out for review.

sjb3

Don W-37 wrote:

First, let me admit that I'm not pixel peeper, and... (show quote)

I'm with you on changing lenses in the field; I'd sure hate to get dust on the sensor.

d3200prime

sjb3 wrote:

In doing my research for this first DSLR I read ab... (show quote)

Checkout www.udemy.com.

Hal731

You will save a lot of money by going to either Sigma or Tamron. They both make fine lenses and are more reasonably priced

Hal

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

sjb3 wrote:

Bought it back in August of this year, in anticipation of what I'm doing now, i.e., getting my first DSLR. Great book, btw.

👍👍👍