SESchild

Hello all! You were so tremendously helpful in guiding me to buy my first kit to get started in DSLR photography. I've learned a lot and have been having a lot of fun doing it. So I thank you! I've heard such good things about nifty fifty lenses, and have seen such nice photos from them, I figure it's time to get one. Can anyone recommend a good one? I checked old posts and didn't see anything related, I apologize if I missed one. I have a Nikon D3200. I have 3 young kids, who are my subjects 90% of the time. The other 10%of my photos are landscape photos, just for fun. Thank you again for sharing your passion on UHH, and for helping amateurs like me!

jnoll

50 f1.8G Nikon

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

When I want a lens, I simply google it and read reviews. Then I go to B&H website, see the choices and read the reviews. There are so many old posts regarding the 50 or fifty it would make you cray.

The 50 is relatively easy, either 1.4G or 1.8G as you need AF-S type lenses. Hard for the average guy to justify the 1.4, plus they are both FX in case you go full frame down the road.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Maybe consider the Nikon 18-140. Not as fast...but will give you more flexibility...from wide landscapes to zooming in on kids and close-ups. Maybe for X-mas...a nice flash :)

phit4life Loc: Indiana

My d7100 came with the 18-140 lens and I just love it. I'm using it all the time.

I do have a 50mm prime but don't use it often.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

He bought a kit, so he most likely has an 18 to something zoom, plus he's asking about a 50mm.

Jahawk Loc: Rhode Island

On your crop sensor camera you may want to look at the 35mm f1.8
which will give you close to 50mm. just a thought

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

From Ken Rockwell -

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5018daf.htm

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/50mm-f18-g.htm

And -

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare

Jcmarino

I have the Nikon 50mm 1.8 Its reasonably priced, sharp and fast. I use it for portraits mostly.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

If the OP is a novice, like me, he may want to get a 1.8 G in order to have autofocus. The D3200 does not have an internal motor.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you are referring to a 50mm lens, which is considered a "normal" lens for a 35mm camera, I'd recommend the 50mm f/1.4. I've used that lens on my Nikon F, Nikon F5, and D700. It's quite a wonderful lens.

That lens, accompanied with sneaker zoom, is quite versatile, along with using it for low light situations.
--Bob

SESchild

Wow, great information everyone - thank you! To clarify, I have the nikon lens that came with my kit (18 - ?? 70 I think). I've never used it. I bought a sigma 18 - 250, which is what I always use. It helps photograph the kids in sporting events. I would like to improve my portrait photos of the family, hence the interest in the 50. I have to educate myself on the difference between a 35 and a 50 on my camera. Thanks again for your help!

SESchild

Yes, I am a novice! Good tip, thank you.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Let's assume you have an 18-55 zoom. You should set the zoom to exactly 50mm. This is the perspective a nifty fifty will give on your D3200. The perspective is closer to 80mm which will tend to be pretty 'close' when shooting close to people in groups. When people speak of 50s, they're actually talking about full frame cameras particularly back in the days of film. Next, set your zoom to 35mm and again test the perspective. Here you're looking at a 35mm lens mounted to a cropped sensor and you're seeing the result of (approximately) a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. If you want that 50mm perspective using your camera, you should instead be looking at the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX.

<Edit> I see several people have responded. You also mention portrait where maybe that 50 is what want for the 80ish mm perspective.

With the lens set to 35mm, look thru the view finder. Then, lower the camera away from your eye. See how what you see with your eye is what the camera sees. The 50mm lens is closest to the human eye in a 'what you see is what you shoot'. Do the same with the lens set to 50 and you'll see how a 50 prime on a D3200 is not the same perspective as the human eye. Personally, I found a 50mm on a crop sensor very useful for a walkaround combination, but not in small groups of people which may / may not apply to your reference to pictures of kids.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

CHG_CANON,

I think this is very sound and simple! :thumbup: