Prime lens (Page 3): After all the suggestions given, you are on the right track with your choice above. I have the 50mm and the 35mm and love both of them. Because my camera is a crop...

lamontcranston

canyondweller wrote:

...I want a fixed length lens that I can use as my "main" or "primary" lens. I think I will look around for a 50 and a 35.

After all the suggestions given, you are on the right track with your choice above. I have the 50mm and the 35mm and love both of them. Because my camera is a crop sensor, I prefer the 35mm 1.8 for my prime lens. It's inexpensive, perfect for low-light situations, gets excellent reviews, and is small and compact making it a perfect "walk-around" lens. The 35mm will give you the perspective of a 50mm on a crop sensor camera like the one you have.

tommy2slow Loc: Drippings Springs, TX

Well said..Leitz

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Back when I chased dragon flies "on-the-fly" I used the 70-300. Its light, easy to use hand held and focus snaps-to. A good all around lens except at the low mm end its not wide enough to be a walk around lens. As far as a prime lens - wait a while until you settle a bit into what it is you are likeing to do. The, get the lens that fits.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am going to say that a 50mm lens and considering the "digital factor" will have an angle of view similar to a 75mm lens with a full frame. It is not that the 50mm f1.8 lens is a bad lens but I consider a full frame body would be a better option to use that lens. Yes, you can use the 50mm with the cropped body but as I said the angle of view will be similar to a 75mm lens.
Nikon makes a very good 18-140 lens and other lenses within a short range that work nicely with cropped sensors. Independent lens manufactures also have such lenses like the excellent Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VR.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

canyondweller wrote:

I just purchased my first DSLR. I have a D7200. I am still learning to use the camera. I also purchased a 70 - 300 lens. I shoot anything and everything. Nature, Portrait and love shooting live concerts usually indoors. Any suggestions on a lens to use as a prime or do I stay with what I have until I learn the camera? The lens is not a kit lens, they were bought seperately.

I have and use a 24mm, a 40mm and a 50mm, I also have a 17070 zoom and the 18-55 zoom, I'd get a shorter zoom before I started collection primes, BTW my 55-250 seldom gets used, just don't do that much tele stuff.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

canyondweller wrote:

I just purchased my first DSLR. I have a D7200. I am still learning to use the camera. I also purchased a 70 - 300 lens. I shoot anything and everything. Nature, Portrait and love shooting live concerts usually indoors. Any suggestions on a lens to use as a prime or do I stay with what I have until I learn the camera? The lens is not a kit lens, they were bought seperately.

I have a D7000 with the 18-200 kit zoom and added a Nikon 35mm 1.8 for my prime. It's very versatile. I also have a Sigma 10-20mm and a Tokina 100mm macro to round out my stable.

werg Loc: Sunnyvale, Ca

and it is super sharp

werg Loc: Sunnyvale, Ca

werg wrote:

and it is super sharp

meaning the 35mm, 1.8

leftj Loc: Texas

dsmeltz wrote:

The OP actually said "lens to use as a prime" The OP might not mean prime lens in the way it is usually used here (a lens with a fixed length), but might mean "lens to use as a MAIN lens" The language is ambiguous. Clarification from the OP would be helpful.

Only ambiguous to you.

PeggySue58 Loc: Sedro Woolley, WA

canyondweller wrote:

Great, Thank You. I was looking at refurbished glass from Nikon and the 50mm did catch my eye.
Thanks again

I also have the D7200. I purchased the 35mm 1.8 several months ago, it has not left my camera since. I still love my 18-140 but in low light the 35mm is better. I am now looking at getting a 50mm 1.8G to use as a portrait lens. I had thought that the 35 would be a nice portrait lens but I have now been told that with the 35 there is distortion and that either the 50 or 85 is the way to go. The 50 1.8G refurb at Cameta is $164 and I am learning in that direction. I am posting a picture taken with the 35 for you to see what the 35 can do. You do have to get closer to your subject, this is also cropped, but gives you an idea! Good luck with your decision!

(Download)

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

selmslie wrote:

Because of the 1.5 crop factor, a 35 mm lens would give you a “normal” field of view.

Many photographers like 35 mm on a full frame camera so a 24 mm lens would give you the same result on your camera.

In either case, get the FX version of the lens and you will still have something you can use if you ever get a full frame camera.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

canyondweller wrote:

I just purchased my first DSLR. I have a D7200. I am still learning to use the camera. I also purchased a 70 - 300 lens. I shoot anything and everything. Nature, Portrait and love shooting live concerts usually indoors. Any suggestions on a lens to use as a prime or do I stay with what I have until I learn the camera? The lens is not a kit lens, they were bought seperately.

Getting a fixed focal length lens at this stage is a mistake. Pick out one of the zoom lenses that have been suggested.

Fixed focal length lenses are special purpose items. Zoom lenses are general purpose. Once you know exactly what you will do with a fixed focal length it makes sense. Not until then. (Note that "zoom with your feet" is an error not a method. If you understand perspective you will never do it.)

ray manclark

Ya, I agree entirely with this writer. You can't beat a 50mm F1.8 Nikon lens for overall use, low light, value for money, and use with any Nikon FX or DX. Wirral UK

RRS Loc: Not sure

canyondweller wrote:

I just purchased my first DSLR. I have a D7200. I am still learning to use the camera. I also purchased a 70 - 300 lens. I shoot anything and everything. Nature, Portrait and love shooting live concerts usually indoors. Any suggestions on a lens to use as a prime or do I stay with what I have until I learn the camera? The lens is not a kit lens, they were bought seperately.

Well there are so many primes, what do you like to shoot most? If wildlife a 500mm f/4.0 would be nice but an 85, 135 or a 200mm all fast lenses would be great for portrait and your live concerts. Not knowing your past experience in photography if in fact you have any at all makes this a difficult question to really answer. Another factor is money and your commitment to your photography.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

When I first started out I found that I was using wide angle focal lengths more than tele. Since the D7200 is an APS-C, I would think an 18mm or 24mm lens a good start. If you can get to a camera store, I suggest trying a moderate wide angle zoom to see which focal length you might find best for landscapes, then buy a prime of close to that length. Then again, you might like a wide angle zoom.