larrytroy

I am buying a nikon d3500 tomorrow with the 18-55 and 70-300 bundle. I am also planning get a 50 mm Prime and a macro lens. I'm looking for suggestions about a single lens that could serve both purposes. Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You have 50mm covered by the kit 18-55, a fine VR-enabled lens. For a macro, look at the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G macro. If the new price is a bit much, see if there are any EX-rated used versions at KEH.com.

For a DX-style camera like the D3500, the 50mm perspective is accomplished by a 35mm prime. You also might consider any of Nikon's VR-enabled zooms that range from 18-105mm to 18-200mm. These are excellent general-purpose lens and more useful than the shorter 18-55. Again, used copies make these options more attractive.

CO

I have the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens. It has vibration compensation, a metal lens barrel, and is fully weather sealed. The vibration compensation gives approximately 3 to 3.5 stops of additional hand holding ability. It has the closest focusing (11.4 inches) of any lens in its class. Tamron also makes a 35mm f/1.8 SP VC lens.

(Download)

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Definitely agree with CHG CANON. I have the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G and it is an excellent macro lens.

Don

CO

There's something that two posters here are missing. The OP may want a large aperture 50mm lens for general purpose and macro photography. The 18-55mm lens has a max aperture between f/5 to f/5.6 when set at 50mm. 50mm primes typically have an f/1.8 or f/1.4 max aperture. That's great for general purpose photography especially in low light. A 105mm lens is too long for that.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Welcome. I've heard many great things about the Nikkor 105mm f2.8G.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Buy the macro first. You will want a longer focal length macro (Nikon calls them micros) like the 105s others have recommended. The shorter the focal length the closer you have to get to your subject, which can block light. I am also a big fan of used gear when you can find it in near new condition. Like others, I am high on KEH.com. Look for E, E+, or Demo glass.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When considering a macro lens, 45-60mm is fine for focusing very closely to non-moving subjects like coins or flowers or candle flames. But, for the full-spectrum of macro work, including insects, a longer focal length is much more useful to achieve a longer working distance from the subject and to not scare the subjects away.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

My two cents? Just find a used d7200 with an 18-140 walk around lens
and the 105 f2.8 macro. You won't be disappointed, it will be a better
camera and probably less money. I wasted some time going through
the 3000 bodies and then 5000 only to find the d7200 is where it's at.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

In the 18-55 and 70-300 kits, the latter lens is usually not a VR version. I purchased a D5600, bundled with an 18-140 and a 70-300, both VR lens. A bit pricier, but I thought the 18-140 would make a better "walk around lens". I use the 18-140 about 80% of the time. I recently acquired a sigma 100-400. If I had a do over, I'd skip the 70-300 in favor of the 100-400 - an FX lens. Nikon doesn't make any zooms longer than 300mm in DX format. The D3500, like my D5600 needs a focusing motor in the lens. I believe Nikon only has 2 DX macro's for these camera's. (Nikon calls them Micro's) I've bought both - used - off of eBay. a 40mm - I purchased first with an adapter to copy 35mm slides. Works great on the cropped sensor camera, with nothing else needed other than the adapter to hold the slides. The other, an 80mm gives you a better working distance to get 1:1 macro shots, but can not be used for copying slides - my original reason for purchasing the 40mm. Granted there is a bit of overlap in my two zooms, but I really like the extra reach in the 18-140mm, and not having to switch lens as much. The one draw back to the 70-300 - it's not compatible with tele-converters to extend the reach a bit more.
The 105mm macro mentioned above posting - I think is only available in FX and a bit pricier than the DX micro's.

Beware of gray market cameras when buying. Nikon USA site covers that quite well.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

What's the story with Demo Glass? I just bought a Sigma 100-400 off of e-bay which was described as used. The box is clearly stamped "DEMO ONLY". It looks brand new. My concern, if the day comes that the lens might need repair, will Sigma work on a "DEMO" lens?

Bill_de Loc: US

Here is a 40mm F/2.8. It often gets bundled with a 35mm F/1.8

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-dx-micro-nikkor-40mm-f%252f2.8g.html

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-dx-nikkor-35mm-f%252f1.8g.html

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Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

My understanding is that demo gear was used for demonstration purposes. For example, a lens taken out of the box and used to show customers at a photography shop. The demo glass I have bought came in the original manufacturer's box with all the normally included accessories. I could not tell the difference from new.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

larrytroy, I have a Nikon 105 mm f2.8 macro. Superb lens.

cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL

The nikon 60mm micro will be the equivalent of a 90mm on a DX body. The Nikon 105 micro is an excellant
lens but will be the equivalent of a 157mm on a DX body. I find I have to use a tripod with my 105 macro on a DX body to get a sharp picture or a very high shutter speed which isn't always possible. Something to think about when making your decision. The 60 micro will also be a nice portrait lens.