Based on all of the great advice given in this thread, I've strayed from my original choices and decided to go with the 50mm 1.8g for now. It fits my budget, will do what I need it to do and gives me a lens I can use with an FX body if and when I decide to upgrade.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to offer your opinions and expertise!

That is an FX lens, and my understanding is that on a DX body that would be equivalent to a 127mm, which is bit long for portraits. Or am I still not understanding the "FX lens/DX sensor" conundrum?

That is a bit pricey for me at the present time, but I thank you for bringing it to my attention. Oh, if only I'd hit the lottery... ;)

Again, I have to thank you all for your responses and advice. There are obviously a lot of very talented and knowledgeable folks in this group, and I am glad I happened across it. I honestly wish I had a bucket of money to spend because I would buy every lens that every one of you suggested! But, I am on a budget that puts any true "pro" quality lens out of range. Given that a 50mm FX lens on my DX body put's me in the "goldilocks" range for portraiture (thanks for that, Alan!), I think going for the 50mm f/1.8 is the best bang for my buck right now (unless I can find an f/1.4 used for under $300, which is not likely). An f/1.2 is definitely out of my range and would probably be overkill anyway.

I'll make due with the short kit lens for street shots and happy snaps of my grandson for now, though I'm thinking I might just sacrifice that bottle of Macallan for the 35mm DX lens...

I know that park, having fished from that pier quite a few times. I will definitely head down to the stables; it completely slipped my mind! It's just down Bayshore from my apartment. If you know the area, you'll have a pretty good idea of where I live from this panorama taken from my balcony. Downtown Tampa is in the distance mid-frame (just about two miles away), Bayshore Blvd and Hillsborough Bay to the right, and the Fox13 radar tower on Kennedy near the left edge.

Get that foot healed up soon and get in touch! I'd enjoy getting out for a shoot. St Pete has some interesting architecture, nice marinas, and of course that amazing banyan tree in the park near the Museum of Fine Art.

18-55mm @ 18mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 180

(Download)

Thanks to all of you for your input. You’ve given me plenty of food for thought and definitely made me reconsider my options. My thinking was definitely wrong on the focal length for a portrait lens.

I do plan to eventually upgrade to an FX format body, which will inevitably mean buying new glass. If I go with a quality 50mm FX lens, I get a 75mm equivalent that I can use for portraiture with my DX body now and will be able to use that as a first lens when I upgrade. I’ll just have to make sure the AF will work with my current body because my eyes are not what they used to be. And, as SXRICH pointed out, getting the 35mm DX lens used wouldn’t set me back much more than the cost of a good bottle of scotch.

I’m happy! I’m gonna get two lenses instead on one — and I don’t have a wife to explain it to!

Welcome, fellow newbie!

Thanks, Mac! My folks are in Spring Hill. I’m up there often. I’m gonna try some snorkeling with my GoPro in the Weeki Wachi outside the park. I’ve often seen manatee near Doctor’s Spring.

I have a d3300 with three zoom kit lenses (18-55, 55-200, 70-300) and am ready to buy a prime. I don’t have any real problems with the kit lenses, I just want a faster fixed focal length lens. I’m not looking for a pro lens strictly due to budget constraints. I’d happily buy both if I could afford it, but one’s the limit. So, I’m looking at two lenses:

- AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8
- AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G

I wanted to seek some advice here from people that have used or are using these lenses. I’ve read reviews and watched videos on YouTube but would prefer hearing from real users. Here are my questions?

- how is the build quality of the 35? Does it feel cheap?
- is the bokeh nice and creamy? I’m interested in using whichever I buy for portraits. The 18-55 I have doesn’t really do a good job at all.
- am I losing too much light on the 40 for low-light photography?
- how is the close focus on the 35? Is it worth giving up the larger aperture of the 35 for the micro capability of the 40, or can I make it up with a decent close-focus lens?

It would be nice if there was a real camera shop nearby where I could check this out for myself, but no such luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and all opinions are welcome! Thank you all in advance.

Well...

I heard digital cameras would drive film cameras to extinction. I also heard that online retailers would wipe out the neighborhood brick-and-mortar stores.

Amazingly, I still see 35mm film for sale at the pharmacy.

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself to the group.

I’m a New York transplant, been in Tampa for 8 years. I’m just getting back into photography seriously. I Was always a Canon user (started back in the mid-70s with an Ftb, then AE1 and A1) and did my own developing and printing. A few years back I bought a Nikon d3300 with two kit lenses, used it a few times then into the closet it went. I was fooled by the camera in my iPhone! I dug it back out when my grandson was born and now it’s always within reach.

I don’t specialize in any particular type of photography; a good image is a good image, no matter the subject!

If anyone is in the neighborhood, I’d enjoy getting out for a photo walk now and then.

Happy shooting!

Ralph (TampaRalph)