Need lens advice. I'm on lens overload.
Jun 4, 2014 21:44:29 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
Hi gang! I have a Nikon D3200. I'm newish to photography and my brain is on overload from all the information and differing opinons everywhere. Please give me some advice on this!
I have the following lenses, which should I keep, which should I dump, and if you have good reasons, please tell me why you say that. All the Nikon Lenses are AF-S.
Nikon 55-300mm 4.6-5.6 VR (assuming keep over the 55-200)
Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5 (assuming keep over the 18-55)
Nikon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 (kit lens)
Nikon 55-200mm 4-5.6 (kit lens)
Nikon 35mm 1.8 Prime
Nikon 50mm 1.8 Prime
Nikon 85mm 1.4 Prime
Sigma 70-300mm D 4-5.6 Manual Lens on my D3200, but has Macro
Sigma 28-200mm Older Lens, so manual as well, but seems SUPER SHARP in photos. And does Macro as well.
I'm eyeing a Sigma HF Aspherical Macro HF 28-80 mm F/3.5-5.6 but not sure if I need it... but it's much smaller than my two big Sigmas.
Also, have an offer to buy a Nikon 50mm 1.4 dirt cheap, (the person is desperate for money) but I read that it doesn't perform any noticeably different then the 1.8 I have.
I have the following lenses, which should I keep, which should I dump, and if you have good reasons, please tell me why you say that. All the Nikon Lenses are AF-S.
Nikon 55-300mm 4.6-5.6 VR (assuming keep over the 55-200)
Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5 (assuming keep over the 18-55)
Nikon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 (kit lens)
Nikon 55-200mm 4-5.6 (kit lens)
Nikon 35mm 1.8 Prime
Nikon 50mm 1.8 Prime
Nikon 85mm 1.4 Prime
Sigma 70-300mm D 4-5.6 Manual Lens on my D3200, but has Macro
Sigma 28-200mm Older Lens, so manual as well, but seems SUPER SHARP in photos. And does Macro as well.
I'm eyeing a Sigma HF Aspherical Macro HF 28-80 mm F/3.5-5.6 but not sure if I need it... but it's much smaller than my two big Sigmas.
Also, have an offer to buy a Nikon 50mm 1.4 dirt cheap, (the person is desperate for money) but I read that it doesn't perform any noticeably different then the 1.8 I have.
Jun 4, 2014 21:58:13 #
I am shooting with a D3000 and have the 28-80 sigma as well as the 70-300 Sigma. I like both of these lenses even though I have to manually focus them. I would keep them and the 2 kit lenses and the 3 primes.
Jun 4, 2014 22:04:16 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
Jethro, now I'm curious on why you think I should keep the kit lenses over the upgraded ones?
Jun 4, 2014 22:14:22 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
imjcmr wrote:
Hi gang! I have a Nikon D3200. I'm newish to photo... (show quote)
I would keep the following:
* Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, because it is newer, and Nikon seemed to make their consumer lenses better as the last decade went on.
* Nikon 55-300mm
Do you use any of the other lenses? More importantly, have you gotten "keeper" pictures from any of them? I would get rid of almost all of them. And stop buying any new ones for now!!! :-D
Jun 4, 2014 22:15:24 #
imjcmr wrote:
Jethro, now I'm curious on why you think I should keep the kit lenses over the upgraded ones?
I would sell them and buy the Tamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD that Adarama has for $629.00
Jun 4, 2014 22:18:04 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
Well the prime lenses I got for portraits and because I like good bokeh in my backgrounds. I've been playing with them and getting pretty good results.
Jun 4, 2014 22:35:36 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
imjcmr wrote:
Well the prime lenses I got for portraits and because I like good bokeh in my backgrounds. I've been playing with them and getting pretty good results.
Then I would keep the 85mm f/1.4G, it is a great lens for portraits. With a DX body, the 50mm f/1.8G is also good, and it gives you some more flexibility with framing.
I think the problem with so many lenses is that it's hard to decide which to use for a particular situation. Fewer lenses can make life easier, and can improve your photography, because you learn how to make great pictures with those lenses.
Jun 4, 2014 22:42:56 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
Good advice I forgot to mention I have the 24mm 1.4 being delivered next week. I am told its a superb wide angle lens.
Jun 4, 2014 22:52:13 #
If you have the same 85mm 1.4 that I do, I'd definitely keep it! it's one of my favorites.
Jun 4, 2014 22:55:39 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
imjcmr wrote:
Good advice I forgot to mention I have the 24mm 1.4 being delivered next week. I am told its a superb wide angle lens.
It would be a superb wide angle lens on a FX body. It is an overpriced wide-ish normal lens on a DX body.
What is your general thinking about photography? What is your background and what are your goals?
Jun 4, 2014 23:05:21 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
Erik_H wrote:
If you have the same 85mm 1.4 that I do, I'd definitely keep it! it's one of my favorites.
Which one do you have? I have the Nikon Version.
Jun 4, 2014 23:09:07 #
imjcmr
Loc: Fort Lauderdale
amehta wrote:
It would be a superb wide angle lens on a FX body. It is an overpriced wide-ish normal lens on a FX body.
What is your general thinking about photography? What is your background and what are your goals?
What is your general thinking about photography? What is your background and what are your goals?
I'm guessing you meant on the DX body! My general thinking on photography? Anything goes. Something capture my eye, and its usually things everyone else overlook or just take for granted I think.
Background? Not sure what you mean. I'm not a photographer in any sense of the word. I just enjoy taking pictures. Always have, always will. I like shooting architecture, landscapes, catching people off guard. Making normal things look captivating. If that makes sense.
Goals- to have fun and enjoy my photos!
Jun 4, 2014 23:25:20 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
imjcmr wrote:
I'm guessing you meant on the DX body! My general ... (show quote)
You're right, sorry, I meant on a DX body.
Making normal things look captivating makes perfect sense. Do you want to be a "jack of all trades, master of none" or "jack of all trades, master of some"? Keep in mind that the latter takes significantly more effort. And throwing money at it will not get you there.
I would suggest you keep three lenses with the camera:
* 18-55mm
* 55-300mm
* 85mm f/1.4G
and put everything else out of reach for a month or two. Any time you think another lens besides these three would take a significantly better picture, write it down somewhere. But also note what you did to still take a good shot in that situation. At the end of the time, see how often you needed another lens and which one(s).
If the 24mm f/1.4 has not shipped, I would cancel the order, unless you are getting it at a significant discount. You can always order it later if it's the missing piece of the puzzle. Of course, clearly none of this is about money, since you could sell everything except the 85mm f/1.4 and it would probably total less than either of the f/1.4 lenses.
Jun 4, 2014 23:27:13 #
imjcmr wrote:
Which one do you have? I have the Nikon Version.
I have the AF Nikkor 1.4 D
Jun 4, 2014 23:28:12 #
imjcmr wrote:
Hi gang! I have a Nikon D3200. I'm newish to photo... (show quote)
Keep all of the ones you already have, and don't get any more. You have plenty of decent lenses there, and the collection takes care of all of your photographic needs. A new lens will not significantly improve your photography. If there is a lens that could add something special, it is the 135mm prime, as this lens has some unique, interesting applications. But it certainly isn't a necessity.
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