I too am retired two years ago and was looking for a hobby to pursue. Enter photography and I was bit hard by the bug. I shoot with a Nikon D3200. The kit lenses which came with the camera were, I suppose, adequate to learn with but quickly discovered I needed to upgrade. In hindsight just purchasing the camera seperate would have served better. So now I shoot with a Nikon 18-70 and 70-300. I love the VR on the 70-300. This forum really is a blessing. I thought I needed a prime lens but all the helpful posts convienced me otherwise. My interest is leaning to nature, landscape and portraiture. So I am researching studio lighting and post processing which I discovered are quite useful in photography. You will find these "hogs", as we are nicknamed, will shoot straight with pertinent advise and information. Its a great place for an amateur to learn and take baby steps on their way to becoming proficient in whichever venue they pursue. The only advice I can give you is do due diligence. Research, research and more research before you invest. As the old saying goes: The internet is your friend. I would start with questions on this forum and then verify on the internet. Sadly, many of us spend way more than we should on equipment that once the novelty has worn off just sit in the closet or hopefully recoup some money by selling. Well, enough, so good shooting to you.

The seperation between the couple bothers me a little along with his feet showing and I notice blur in the oldest girls left hand but I also do not know alot about posing. All in all its better than I could have done. You are on your way and I will have to catch up, lol. Good shooting to you.

Well I haven't dropped off the face of the earth but have been preoccupied with researching studio strobe lighting. Also, downloaded GIMP and am learning post processing. The posts regarding prime lenses convinced me not to invest in a prime at this time. It was quite daunting to filter out all the irrelevant banter but barring all that the majority consensus is a 35, 50 or 85mm DX lenses are the choices I will consider at the time of my choosing but right now those settings are available on my 18-70 and 70-300 so I will make do and focus on lighting and post processing for the time being. I posted pics so you all will know I really am into photography. Hope you like them and good shooting to all.

The very shy Cat bird.


Caught this fellow having lunch.


The Mocker.


Springtime Cardinal.


Cedar Waxwing moving through N. Alabama.


Capital Building Washington DC


Grand Canyon.


Posed on a petrified rock.


Grand Canyon.


A Welcomed Visitor.

I didn't expect condemnation on this forum so thanks for nothing!

First I want to thank all for the excellent feedback! This forum is amazingly helpful. So after digesting the answers so far I am fully persuaded I do not need a prime lens right now. I will set my 18-70 to 35mm and see what happens and then to 50mm and then maybe to 85mm on my 70-300. Because of all the helpful posts I am convinced I need to proceed in this manner to obtain portrait shots with all the different focus lengths and then decide. My main aim is more toward a small constant lighting studio for family portraits. You all have been most helpful and I thank you for adding me to this forum.

I feel I need a prime lens because of all the different research read on the inet. The reasoning of those who are supposed to know such as pros and experts is with a prime lens you make sharper images and can shoot in much lower lighting. Now, with your input, I am back doubting my need of a prime lens. So confusing.

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.