Question:
desperate for a zoom?? try the 28-105 – it lies mid way in the price/quality scale – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality,etc will be very much appreciated!! * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Deckard, All lenses involve compromises. Primes are optically superior, lightweight, fast and relatively inexpensive, but they are limited to one focal length. Zooms are more versatile, but they are heavier, slower and more expensive. Personally, I prefer fast prime lenses, and I also believe that wide angle is generally more useful than telephoto. Hence, my recommendation would be the Nikkor 35mm/f2, which can be gotten relatively cheaply. This is a moderate wide angle lens which can be used for a broad range of photographic purposes ranging from travel to portraits (not too close.) As you mature, you can add other primes or even zooms to your collection, but I am confident that you will love the 35/2 once you learn how to see with it.
this is good reasoning for a beginner……
Response:
For what it’s worth, I started off with a 28-105 and 75-300. They weren’t very expensive for my Canon A2, and I ended up paying something near $1100 a few years back. I like to shoot motorcycle events, which I mostly use the 75-300 lens. To do indoor shots of people, I just picked up a Sigma 105mm Macro lens, which is very nice. I will say that unless you have the time to "frame up" your shot, a zoom would likely be your best bet to start off with. Posed pictures are best for a fixed lens, but quick, "grab the moment" pictures are tough.
Response:
Deckard, All lenses involve compromises. Primes are optically superior, lightweight, fast and relatively inexpensive, but they are limited to one focal length. Zooms are more versatile, but they are heavier, slower and more expensive. Personally, I prefer fast prime lenses, and I also believe that wide angle is generally more useful than telephoto. Hence, my recommendation would be the Nikkor 35mm/f2, which can be gotten relatively cheaply. This is a moderate wide angle lens which can be used for a broad range of photographic purposes ranging from travel to portraits (not too close.) As you mature, you can add other primes or even zooms to your collection, but I am confident that you will love the 35/2 once you learn how to see with it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm. Likewise you won’t be able to get some shots you’d like with the zoom, either. There is no such thing as a universal lens. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me. As a rule of thumb, for good sharpness, you should stop down at least 2 stops from max aperture. That puts you at f11. In sunlight, with ISO 100 film, that gives an exposure of 1/250 second. Perfectly adequate for bright sunny days, and you can still open up a stop or so. But on a cloudy day, or indoors using available light, an f5.6 zoom is very marginal. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality, etc will be very much appreciated!! It seems you understand the issues. There’s no question that I’d prefer the 50mm 1.8, but others would have different preferences. If you don’t get the 50mm right away, I’d put it on the short list of things to buy soon (if nothing else, try borrow one for a quick peek through the viewfinder — notice how bright it is, and how things snap in and out of focus so clearly). It’s very inexpensive and very high quality — such a bargain! —
Before you buy.
Response:
I like your choices except I would substitute the Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. This is a good lens that’s brighter than the one your looking at. Also more expensive, I believe. I have this lens in my camera bag along with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2, and I’ve been completely happy with both. Depending on your budget, you could start with the 35-70mm as your sole lens since the range includes 50mm. Then you can buy a 50mm prime lens later if you feel you need one. Bill Welch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality,etc will be very much appreciated!! * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find
related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful —
Response:
Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm.
Likewise you won’t be able to get some shots you’d like with the zoom, either. There is no such thing as a universal lens. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me.
As a rule of thumb, for good sharpness, you should stop down at least 2 stops from max aperture. That puts you at f11. In sunlight, with ISO 100 film, that gives an exposure of 1/250 second. Perfectly adequate for bright sunny days, and you can still open up a stop or so. But on a cloudy day, or indoors using available light, an f5.6 zoom is very marginal. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality, etc will be very much appreciated!!
It seems you understand the issues. There’s no question that I’d prefer the 50mm 1.8, but others would have different preferences. If you don’t get the 50mm right away, I’d put it on the short list of things to buy soon (if nothing else, try borrow one for a quick peek through the viewfinder — notice how bright it is, and how things snap in and out of focus so clearly). It’s very inexpensive and very high quality — such a bargain! –Rich
Response:
You have the right idea about the lenses, the problem is you have answered your own question. Now you need to decide. Personally from what you have said about yourself and your plans for photography, I would suggest the zoom. You may be able to make up the speed loss with faster film for now and if you find you need more speed then you can go with a 50 mm 1.4, even faster. For day to day use the zoom should do just fine. Joe M 26 + 6 = 1 – It’s Irish math
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality,etc will be very much appreciated!!
The 50mm is a lot faster but the 28-80 is more flexible for snapshots. If your budget’s tight, why do you want an N70? See my other post about the FM10. For $199.95 you get an all-manual camera with an admittedly slow 35-70. You can add a 50/1.8 to that and still have spent less than you’d spend on the N70 body with no lens at all.
Response:
Hello, I’m thinking of taking up photography as an outlet for creativity instead of just point-and-shooting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). My budget’s pretty tight but I’ve got enough for a Nikon N70 and was wondering what might be the best lens to start with. I’ve read that it’s wiser to begin with a 50mm 1.8 since it’s fast and the normal degree is good to get a rough idea on composition,etc. But there’s the worry that I’ll not be able to get some of the shots I’d like with just a 50mm. So should I get a zoom 28-80mmD F/3.5-5.6 instead? It’ll offer greater flexibility but 5.6 sounds a tad slow to me. Any advice on which of the 2 lenses to get, their relative picture quality,etc will be very much appreciated!! * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
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