jdiscala

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, this guy is crazy.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Which Nikon and what kinds of things do you want to shoot? Of course, a lens may make your camera more capable of getting better images, but the important thing is the user. Photography is about light. If the quality of that light sucks, no lens is going to fix it. Do you have any lighting equipment? That’s something a lot of newbies overlook.

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Who, what where, when why. WHAT is the question.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Which Nikon camera did you buy?

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You are correct. In general, the monkey behind the camera is the part that will make you a professional caliber shooter.

If you want something inexpensive, stay with what you have and work on your skills first.

Also, there is no “one” lens that will do what you want even if you were the next Ansel Adams.

You don’t shoot hummingbirds with an ultra wide angle lens and you don’t take your 600mm lens to shoot landscape.

Right tools for the right job.

What camera/lens are you using?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

If it is a Dx body, the Sigma 18-35 f/2 ART cannot be beat.
If it is a Fx body, the Nikon 16-35 f/2.8 is great.

BB4A

A difficult question. If I might make a suggestion? Review all the photographs that you most like, since you bought your camera, while asking yourself:
1. Which photograph did I have the most fun conceptualizing, initiating, planning, capturing the image?
2. Which of those (possibly a shortish list?) images did I enjoy the most, when I closed my photograph process; which am I most proud of?
3. Final question, after answering 1 & 2, what style of photography do I now realize, that I get the most pleasure from?

Answering the final question should hopefully inform you of the type of lens you want to buy. From there, it's a relatively simple matter to review online the available choices that best fit your budget, and if possible, try to rent one or two of your top pick lenses, and then make a decision.

Someone above mentioned about light, and in particular working with artificial lighting units. This is a good idea, if you find you are particularly interested in a style of photography that needs additional, artificial lighting. If that is the case, I suggest you take advice or borrow some time with a local camera shop or photography professional who specializes in the work you enjoy, getting used to the lighting tools that they use? I'm sure they can recommend (or in the case of a local shop, help you buy) a low-cost alternative that will still allow you to manipulate enough light to help you explore further.

I suggest that, if you are getting the most enjoyment out of outdoor or natural light photography, then keep trying to capture the photographs you most enjoy, in all natural light conditions, up to nearly pitch black(!), using your kit lens. This will give you valuable experience about controlling the natural light hitting your camera's sensor, via your existing lens, which will then inform you on the light gathering capabilities you need in your new lens.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

The lenses that professionals use are usually, relatively expensive. So, tell us why you are not crazy.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It MIGHT be, if Nikon made such a lens. Which they do not.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Maybe you mean the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 ART lens?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Or the Nikon 16-35 f/4?

Jim Bob

Yep. You ain’t never lied.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Start your Holy Trinity F2 collection...

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

No, your not crazy. I would recommend many Primes that may get you a start. The Nikon 35mm 1.8 D can set you back just about $150.00. A very good
start. The current to 50mm 1.8 G lens and for portraits the Nikon 85 1.8 G is excellent. When your war chest builds I would strongly suggest the Nikon 24-70 2.8. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

Neither the camera or lens will take a photographer from a amateur to a professional level. Patience, dedication to learning, and diligent practice with all aspects of photography, composition, processing, and knowing ones equipment might just get you there someday. Being at the right place at the right time also helps.