Lens purchase advice
Sep 28, 2017 16:37:19 #
Hi all,
Was wondering if I could get a little advice on lenses? I have a Nikon D3300 that I only have the kit lens for (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens). Works for me most of the time, I'm not a big equipment person because I feel I could fall quickly in to that trap and I don't have a lot of money. However on my two trips this summer - one to Cuba and one to Florida - I was really wishing I had a little more zoom and a little more low light capability. I mostly shoot street photography and people. Would like to be able to get more candid shots from farther away. And I'm not a fan of flashes so would like something that will go lower than 3.5....any suggestions? is there one lens that would help out with both situations?
thanks so much!
Was wondering if I could get a little advice on lenses? I have a Nikon D3300 that I only have the kit lens for (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens). Works for me most of the time, I'm not a big equipment person because I feel I could fall quickly in to that trap and I don't have a lot of money. However on my two trips this summer - one to Cuba and one to Florida - I was really wishing I had a little more zoom and a little more low light capability. I mostly shoot street photography and people. Would like to be able to get more candid shots from farther away. And I'm not a fan of flashes so would like something that will go lower than 3.5....any suggestions? is there one lens that would help out with both situations?
thanks so much!
Sep 28, 2017 16:52:07 #
jules1476 wrote:
Hi all, br Was wondering if I could get a little a... (show quote)
A 3rd party lens might be your best bet to get a faster & longer focal length lens. Be careful though as your model camera requires lenses with a motor built into the lens in order to autofocus. Best to look at the used market to save some money as they can get pricey...Good Luck. I can't recommend any particular lens as none of my cameras need the in lens motor and am able to buy older, less expensive lenses that meet your criteria except for the in lens motor.
Sep 28, 2017 16:54:11 #
jules1476 wrote:
Hi all, br Was wondering if I could get a little a... (show quote)
Most of what you are looking for will not come cheap, my every day lens is a 17-70mm f-2.8-4.5 Sigma, the newer lens is a 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. Most lens are in that range, to have a zoom lens below 3.5, you would have to go to some thing with a F-2.8, these will cost you some money, the next option would be an F-4. What I would do is to go to B&H Photo web site and see what is made for your Nikon camera.
Sep 28, 2017 17:04:41 #
Jules, one of the drawbacks to using a telephoto to do street photography is that you begin to appear creepy, and creepy with a camera is never a welcomed sight.
I've found that a 28~85 f/3.5-4.5 works well. In lieu of spending a lot of money on a "fast" lens, just utilize a higher ISO setting. There's nothing wrong with that approach. Just in case, they do make a 28~85 f/2.8. The f/3.5 lens can be found for about $100. The f/2.8 around $270. The f/2.8 lens reduces to f/4 at 85mm.
--Bob
I've found that a 28~85 f/3.5-4.5 works well. In lieu of spending a lot of money on a "fast" lens, just utilize a higher ISO setting. There's nothing wrong with that approach. Just in case, they do make a 28~85 f/2.8. The f/3.5 lens can be found for about $100. The f/2.8 around $270. The f/2.8 lens reduces to f/4 at 85mm.
--Bob
jules1476 wrote:
Hi all, br Was wondering if I could get a little a... (show quote)
Sep 28, 2017 17:11:35 #
The little extra zoom is doable without tremendous cost. It usually costs more to get a wider aperture. A wider aperture along with some zoom, zoom, zoom, will cost you not only in dollars but in weight and bulk.
For what you like to shoot, although no faster than what you have, you may want to consider the Nikon 18 - 200 VRii Dx. It is fairly compact, not too heavy, and a real workhorse. I have the lens (one model older) and think it would be a good buy.
If you want to go for broke in size, bulk and $$$, the Nikon 70 - 200 F2.8 is a beauty.
--
For what you like to shoot, although no faster than what you have, you may want to consider the Nikon 18 - 200 VRii Dx. It is fairly compact, not too heavy, and a real workhorse. I have the lens (one model older) and think it would be a good buy.
If you want to go for broke in size, bulk and $$$, the Nikon 70 - 200 F2.8 is a beauty.
--
Sep 28, 2017 17:12:49 #
jules1476 wrote:
Hi all, br Was wondering if I could get a little a... (show quote)
One of my favorites right now, though not particularly fast, is a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 It gives you a nice range for walking around - 16 mm is plenty wide even on a crop camera, and the 300 mm zoom reaches pretty far out there...but you are probably looking at a $500.00 lens with some accessories as a kit bundle.
If you can't get the low light with higher ISO, then you are going to need a f/2.8 and that will set you back a bit more, especially in a big zoom range.
I shoot a Canon, and it performs very nicely for me.
16mm
Dune & Ocean
by Donald Gallagher, on Flickr
66mm
Mustangs on the Beach
by Donald Gallagher, on Flickr
300 mm
Vignetted Waves
by Donald Gallagher, on Flickr
Sep 28, 2017 17:26:14 #
rmalarz wrote:
Jules, one of the drawbacks to using a telephoto t... (show quote)
But are they lenses with a built in focus motor. From Nikon, they are not. There is a 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 AFS but it's likely still out of her budget. I'd agree on upping the ISO some though. I don't see any AFS 24 or 28 to whatever F2.8 AFS lenses from Nikon.
Sep 28, 2017 17:28:08 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
jules1476 wrote:
Hi all, br Was wondering if I could get a little a... (show quote)
I would get the Nikon AF-P 70-300mm with VR to accompany your kit lens. If you get it, be sure that the firmware on that camera is updated for that lens. This lens won't break the bank.
Sep 28, 2017 17:34:17 #
mas24 wrote:
I would get the Nikon AF-P 70-300mm with VR to accompany your kit lens. If you get it, be sure that the firmware on that camera is updated for that lens. This lens won't break the bank.
Just checked & B&H sells it for $346.95 (so does Adorama) but it is an f/4.5-6.3 lens as well. The OP needs to let us know her budget for the lens. While this is a good price, it may not be for the OP..
Sep 28, 2017 17:43:32 #
67skylark27
Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI
I have the Nikon 18-140 and it is very nice, it's what's on my camera
most when I am outdoors and in the city. I have a 50mm 1.4 for night shots
and that's very handy. A 35 or 50 mm 1.8 lens is very cheap too.
most when I am outdoors and in the city. I have a 50mm 1.4 for night shots
and that's very handy. A 35 or 50 mm 1.8 lens is very cheap too.
Sep 28, 2017 17:47:26 #
thanks everyone - will look through all the responses when I have a little more time...running to class now.
the more under $500 the better....i'm not opposed to two different lenses, one for each situation....was mostly wondering if there was one that would help out with both...
the more under $500 the better....i'm not opposed to two different lenses, one for each situation....was mostly wondering if there was one that would help out with both...
Sep 28, 2017 17:47:51 #
Dngallagher wrote:
One of my favorites right now, though not particul... (show quote)
Good advice: great images!
Sep 28, 2017 18:09:31 #
Einreb92 wrote:
Good advice: great images!
Thanks, I have been really happy with that Tamron, even though I have faster lenses, it does work out nicely
Sep 28, 2017 18:51:51 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
Screamin Scott wrote:
Just checked & B&H sells it for $346.95 (so does Adorama) but it is an f/4.5-6.3 lens as well. The OP needs to let us know her budget for the lens. While this is a good price, it may not be for the OP..
This is the DX version. The FX 70-300mm version is more expensive. The OP wanted f3.5 or faster? A f2.8 lens is going to cost more, like a 70-200mm. Third party is the best bargain.
Sep 28, 2017 18:59:54 #
rmalarz wrote:
Jules, one of the drawbacks to using a telephoto to do street photography is that you begin to appear creepy, and creepy with a camera is never a welcomed sight.
And the traditional street shooters used wide angle lens because of the perspective. A shot taken via telephoto lens looks like it was taken by a voyeur, while one taken with a wide angle lens looks more intimate.
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