Advice on a good prime lens
Oct 23, 2013 13:24:28 #
I have a Nikon D5100 with an 18-105mm zoom. I'm looking for a prime lens, maybe one with a 18-55mm zoom on it, with a low f/stop, but all Im finding is 3.5-5.6. Do I really need an f/stop of 1.4? Should I stick with the 50mm? I'm really confused about all the DSLR's and lenses out there. I was also considering saving my pennies for an 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6. Any suggestions? :?
Oct 23, 2013 13:29:42 #
A prime lens is one with a single, fixed focal length, ie: NOT a zoom.
Why do you want a prime lens?
They can be very useful, depending on what you want to do with them.
Having said that, I shoot just about everything with zoom lenses.
(Very good ones though)
Why do you want a prime lens?
They can be very useful, depending on what you want to do with them.
Having said that, I shoot just about everything with zoom lenses.
(Very good ones though)
Oct 23, 2013 13:31:18 #
Oct 23, 2013 13:37:48 #
Oct 23, 2013 13:38:28 #
Oct 23, 2013 13:45:09 #
MaisyMae wrote:
I have a Nikon D5100 with an 18-105mm zoom. I'm looking for a prime lens, maybe one with a 18-55mm zoom on it, with a low f/stop, but all Im finding is 3.5-5.6. Do I really need an f/stop of 1.4? Should I stick with the 50mm? I'm really confused about all the DSLR's and lenses out there. I was also considering saving my pennies for an 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6. Any suggestions? :?
'Prime" lens means a fixed focal length lens, not a zoom.
I think the word you're looking for is 'primary'.
You've limited yourself too much in your searches. There's a Sigma 17-50 2.8 for Nikon.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/689623-REG/
What lens you buy depends entirely on what you want to accomplish with it. Every lens is a compromise.
Geez. 4 replies while I was writing this.
Oct 23, 2013 13:49:39 #
Wall-E wrote:
Geez. 4 replies while I was writing this.
Geez. 4 replies while I was writing this.
But two were totally misleading and not helpful at all.
Come on guys! Seriously? A 15mm and large format lens for a newbie?
Oct 23, 2013 14:16:47 #
these are good
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-50mm/MTE3MTg_A?googlebase=1&country=GB&gclid=CIyaq6fHrboCFQXHtAodxTsATw
so are these
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-35mm/NzU4NQ_A_A
but sharpest of all and cheapest wont auto-focus on your camera is
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-nikkor-af-50mm-f/MTM4Mg_A_A?googlebase=1&country=GB&gclid=CPyz4ZfIrboCFfHKtAod1VIAuA
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-50mm/MTE3MTg_A?googlebase=1&country=GB&gclid=CIyaq6fHrboCFQXHtAodxTsATw
so are these
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-35mm/NzU4NQ_A_A
but sharpest of all and cheapest wont auto-focus on your camera is
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-nikkor-af-50mm-f/MTM4Mg_A_A?googlebase=1&country=GB&gclid=CPyz4ZfIrboCFfHKtAod1VIAuA
Oct 23, 2013 14:33:42 #
MaisyMae wrote:
I have a Nikon D5100 with an 18-105mm zoom. I'm looking for a prime lens, maybe one with a 18-55mm zoom on it, with a low f/stop, but all Im finding is 3.5-5.6. Do I really need an f/stop of 1.4? Should I stick with the 50mm? I'm really confused about all the DSLR's and lenses out there. I was also considering saving my pennies for an 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6. Any suggestions? :?
Q: Why?
Why are you looking for a prime lens?
The answer that is important...if you want one but you don't know why...or what for...you are throwing your money away and are going in the wrong direction...trust me...I know..I've done it in spades.
Oct 23, 2013 14:37:49 #
The 21mm Leitz R f4 is also a good prime lens.
Honestly the only prime I recommend to anyone who shoots a Nikon DX body is the 35mm 1.8 as its a good field of view, a rather fast fstop for lowlight and generally a pleasing every day lens IF you are willing to work with the focal length.
If you cannot find value in changing lenses often as your shooting demands change, dont bother going with prime lenses and just buy the 18-300 lens.
People tend to prefer prime lenses for their sharpness and fast apertures for thin dof or light swallowing capabilities at night. That is just a couple of the key features/reasons for prime lenses. They are hands down sharper than the 18-300mm you may want. You probably should examine what it is you want to shoot and read up about aperture settings. Id buy a copy of Understanding Exposure before you invest in more glass.
Honestly the only prime I recommend to anyone who shoots a Nikon DX body is the 35mm 1.8 as its a good field of view, a rather fast fstop for lowlight and generally a pleasing every day lens IF you are willing to work with the focal length.
If you cannot find value in changing lenses often as your shooting demands change, dont bother going with prime lenses and just buy the 18-300 lens.
People tend to prefer prime lenses for their sharpness and fast apertures for thin dof or light swallowing capabilities at night. That is just a couple of the key features/reasons for prime lenses. They are hands down sharper than the 18-300mm you may want. You probably should examine what it is you want to shoot and read up about aperture settings. Id buy a copy of Understanding Exposure before you invest in more glass.
Oct 23, 2013 19:35:10 #
rpavich wrote:
Q: Why?
Why are you looking for a prime lens?
The answer that is important...if you want one but you don't know why...or what for...you are throwing your money away and are going in the wrong direction...trust me...I know..I've done it in spades.
Why are you looking for a prime lens?
The answer that is important...if you want one but you don't know why...or what for...you are throwing your money away and are going in the wrong direction...trust me...I know..I've done it in spades.
As have we all. Like my 60mm macro. :cry:
Oct 23, 2013 23:29:21 #
This is the advice I gave to someone else asking what lens to get. It may help you too - Since an "all around lens" is not the best for any one thing I would get "kit lens" . The 18 to 55 mm would work well. And then I would go shoot like mad and every time my lens would not do what I wanted it to I would make a note. It may not get close enough (need macro). It may not reach out far enough. ( need telephoto) it may not be fast enough glass to shoot in the light you have (fast glass) etc etc. You will then be able to tell what type of lens you need for the type of shooting you want to do. With the 7000 you have a focus motor in the camera and can buy many lenses on eBay or used dept of camera stores that do not have a motor and will not auto focus on the bodies without motors. - Dave
Oct 24, 2013 05:46:00 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
As other posts have said, a prime is a fixed focal length and therefore usually available with a larger wide open aperture than a zoom.
The other advantage of a prime is sharpness. A good prime should always be a little sharper than a good zoom at the same focal length.
Maybe you need to look at the lens range that covers your photographic interests. There is no problem with a maximum aperture range of 3.5 to 5.6 unless you are looking to shoot very fast or are consistently working in low light. How often do you shoot wide open?
The other advantage of a prime is sharpness. A good prime should always be a little sharper than a good zoom at the same focal length.
Maybe you need to look at the lens range that covers your photographic interests. There is no problem with a maximum aperture range of 3.5 to 5.6 unless you are looking to shoot very fast or are consistently working in low light. How often do you shoot wide open?
Oct 24, 2013 06:32:04 #
I'm not sure why you are wanting a prime lens, but I have a Nikon 35mm lens that takes great photos but it is not a zoom and I have the Nikon 18-300mm. I have more fun with the 18-300!! It is bulky so there are times I just use the kit lens 18 -55mm that came with the camera (D3100), but I rarely use the prime lens and I love to use the zoom. I just shoot for fun! So as the experts on this site say to us novice camera people :) Think about why you are shooting, and what you are shooting before you make your purchase. If I could only have one lens, it would be the 18-300 because I always end up with fun shots at the end of the day.
Oct 24, 2013 06:36:24 #
MaisyMae wrote:
I have a Nikon D5100 with an 18-105mm zoom. I'm looking for a prime lens, maybe one with a 18-55mm zoom on it, with a low f/stop, but all Im finding is 3.5-5.6. Do I really need an f/stop of 1.4? Should I stick with the 50mm? I'm really confused about all the DSLR's and lenses out there. I was also considering saving my pennies for an 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6. Any suggestions? :?
You want a zoom lens not a prime. The one you have is fine and more flexible than the 18-55.
It appears you have caught a bug called equipment lust.
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