Prime lens (Page 5): Now that is one of the most intelligent decisions I have seen around here. Much better than most of mine. If you have the time, and inclination, starting a thread...

Bill_de Loc: US

d3200prime wrote:

First I want to thank all for the excellent feedba... (show quote)

Now that is one of the most intelligent decisions I have seen around here. Much better than most of mine. If you have the time, and inclination, starting a thread and updating it with images as you proceed through your testing could be very helpful to most of us Hogs.

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Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

d3200prime wrote:

I was bitten by the photography bug about six months ago. I shoot with a Nikon D3200. I have no desire to become a professional but want to make photography a serious hobby. I own two lenses: Nikon 18-70 and Nikon 70/300 but I understand a prime lens should also be part of my kit. My question is which prime would be a good all around lens ie landscape, head shots to full length portriats along with group portriats? Thanks in advance for help on this matter.

If you must have a prime lens, I recommend an f1/8, 50mm. But there is no law that you must have one. With a D3200, your 18-70 will almost always be great. Occasionally you may find the need. For me, trying to shoot the inside of a Mexican small town church. The church was dark and, of course, flash would have been inappropriate even if allowed--which it was not. My first time, I had to accept 2+ stop underexposed images. When I returned to Mexico the next time, I had my 1.8, 50mm. Other than such opportunities, I have not used a prime lens. Zooms have gotten so good that it takes a microscope to see the difference.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

d3200prime wrote:

First I want to thank all for the excellent feedba... (show quote)

It is not just a matter of focal lengths - but also of apertures ....

Jim Bob

moonhawk wrote:

i would advise against 50mm since he is shooting a... (show quote)

PhotosBySteve

I suggest you figure out which focal length you typically shoot at most, on average, with your current lenses. This can be done easily if you have all your photos cataloged in Lightroom or similar.
I would select a prime nearest that range.
Generally speaking, 35mm is the closest to normal view on a crop-frame such as your's.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

FiddleMaker wrote:

shutterbob, are these 2 lenses FX lenses that you are referring to?? I notice Nikon does not offer a 50mm DX lens.

The 50mm is a FX lens that will obviously work fine on a DX body. The 35mm I am referring to is the DX version. Though the FX lens will work just fine on a DX body, the cost and size of it make it impractical for use as a DX prime.

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

FAST NIFTY FIFTY!!

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

shutterbob wrote:

The 50mm is a FX lens that will obviously work fine on a DX body. The 35mm I am referring to is the DX version. Though the FX lens will work just fine on a DX body, the cost and size of it make it impractical for use as a DX prime.

A 35mm on a DX body will appear in the view finder to be similar to an FX 50 on an FX body. Actually, the 35 DX will appear as a 53 FX (35 times the crop factor of 1.5=53) Have I got that right ?

On a different subject I tried to attach my Nikon FX 28-300 (for my D750) to my Nikon D7000 DX body but it went on with MUCH difficulty. Had trouble getting it off. So I won't do that again.
Perhaps I'll sell off all my Nikon stuff and get me a Leica M10.

veezee Loc: CT

SteveLew wrote:

I have been a Nikon shooter for many years. There ... (show quote)

Nikon has a deal on the 35mm and 85mm for $500. http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/macro--portrait-2-lens-kit.html

DGICONCEPTS

I too would recommend the 35 mm I use it on my D7100 and love this lens.

whitewolfowner

d3200prime wrote:

I was bitten by the photography bug about six months ago. I shoot with a Nikon D3200. I have no desire to become a professional but want to make photography a serious hobby. I own two lenses: Nikon 18-70 and Nikon 70/300 but I understand a prime lens should also be part of my kit. My question is which prime would be a good all around lens ie landscape, head shots to full length portriats along with group portriats? Thanks in advance for help on this matter.

A prime lens should only be part of your arsenal if you have a need for one. If what you have serves your photo needs and you are satisfied with the quality they deliver, then ignore the gas (let it pass; pun intended, of course) and enjoy what you have. You only need another lens when either what you have does not provide the quality you want or prevents you from getting shots you want to do.

Video Vinny Loc: Pahrump

moonhawk wrote:

You didn't mention whether you're using FX or DX camera. It makes a big difference when discussing what lenses work for you in different situations.

Sure did. Check very last sentence. But you are correct in as much as I left it out when mentioning the primes. The 35 & 50 are also DX. Thank you for the heads up. V

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

Get yourself a 35mm very sharp and fast for groups and tight spaces. 50mm better for portraits. with what you have and these you should be good to go.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This is all to much speculation on how and what is in the composition - it is a bunch of "poo Poo" to chatter on about full frame and cropped when the user is not one bit interested in what gets cropped out of a full frame when they get what they want from a cropped.
When one has their camera set for large photos it is darn easy to take a step or two back to get "your full frame" shot.

.

wingclui44 wrote:

As 'd3200prime' mentioned on his/her post, he/she want a prime for portrait, 50mm on a DX camera will be like a 75mm, it's good for shoulder to head shot of portrait. it's okay too for full length shot, but with group picture, you are right the 35mm is the one for group and scenery, he/she already has a 18-70mm, it's a very good lens for general use for scenery.

Bill P

The idea that you need a fast prime for low light is fast losing relevance. Today's cameras are already shooting in light that was too low to produce an image in the film and early digital days.

There is a disipline that you will learn using a prime, but many have gotten past that with zooms.