A good camera lens that professional use (Page 4): Have you "left the building." If you haven't, then I hope you get the main point of the discussion. A camera doesn't make you a pro.

therwol Loc: USA

jdiscala wrote:

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.

Have you "left the building." If you haven't, then I hope you get the main point of the discussion. A camera doesn't make you a pro. If you spend the time to learn how to use it, even an entry level Nikon with a kit lens can take "pro" level pictures. If you do want advice on which lenses you should buy for your camera, you really need to tell everyone what you hope to take pictures of and also which camera you bought.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

jdiscala wrote:

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.

You could always rent just about any pro lens you want and see for yourself if it does what you are expecting it will do for photography. If you find one that, does then you've got an answer to your question . . .

anotherview Loc: California

The voice of experience:

WF2B wrote:

You first thought should not be about getting a le... (show quote)

tomcat

GoofyNewfie wrote:

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.

So true. I have seen so many folks try to get pictures in dim light--concerts, ball games, churches, amusement parks, and get so disappointed with the blurred noisy images from poor performing lenses. For the OP here, I would save my money and go for either an f/1.4 50mm lens or an 18-35mm wide angle lens. Those 2 are probably the most versatile for beginners and you can get a pretty good deal on a used one from your local camera store, KEH, or B&H. But definitely go for the 1.4 first

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

OddJobber wrote:

Damn! Why did you not tell me this $15K ago?

Aah the fickle finger of fate. Advice comes to late. The sales are always better after your purchase. The latest upgraded edition hits the shelves sooner then expected.

Robeng Loc: California

jdiscala wrote:

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.

Not sure how good a photographer you are. I recommend learning what gear you have and get an understanding of what you might want to photograph as a professional. For example the camera gear is different for shooting wildlife than shooting models. Even though some of lenses can be use for both types of photography for example a 70mm-200mm lens. Figure out what you want to photograph and go from there.

Later on if you do make it as a pro you can join the camera's manufactures professional service and borrow free equipment for free.

ELNikkor

The lens that came on the camera is capable of taking awesome photos that most people will not be able to distinguish from the "professional" lenses. Share with us some of your best photos, maybe then we can suggest some better lenses if we think a lens will suitably improve your work. It could just be that you just need to improve your ability and save the money.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

How about you just call B&H and ask them to ship to my address, which they and UPS know well. I will take some shots and try to get them returned in 30 days for a full refund...

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I'll help you Todd!
Just send me your checking account numbers & password.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Now we are going to have to go back to defining a Professional again. It is like my son and his drag racing and whether he is a professional. I tell people no even though he races for money. But when you race in the PDRA, Professional Drag Racers Association the question sometimes comes up. Now if we can define Professional, then we can move on to tackling the definition of Pro Mod drag racing car...LOL.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Buying lenses on a trial and error basis is expensive. Suggest joining a meet-up group, read a few books or watch a few hundred youtubes as a starter.
If you have your eye on doing weddings, portraits, etc. You can do most of them with 2 lenses. A 24/70 f/2.8 and a 70-200 f/2.8. Wide angle and macro lens to follow. Budget - about $4K for both.
Sports - unless you get attached to a news service - I think it reasonable that $50K is a good starting point for a couple of bodies and a few lenses. In the mean time suggest a 50mm f/18 to get started.

tomcat

sirlensalot wrote:

Buying lenses on a trial and error basis is expens... (show quote)

You want to go back and check your decimal points?

ecurb1105

jdiscala wrote:

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.

35mm f1.8

jcboy3

jdiscala wrote:

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.

Get a 35mm f/1.8 prime lens.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

jdiscala wrote:

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.

the 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens should do it.