Is it silly to get an 85mm f1.8 as my first lens?

bdslr said:
So when I was starting out (2011) I did the research and then bought myself a brand new entry level camera - despite looking at second hand mid-range cameras. That was a mistake - I should have taken the mid-range advice and gone for second hand. Mind you, if I knew that this would become an obsession (photography not gear) then I would have bought FF straight away.

If you are certain it is going to be an obsession then the D750 would do you fine. If you are happy with that level of weight and are not certain about the obsession my advice would be to get a D700 second hand. Then any lens choices you get will be compatible if you want to upgrade body in the future.

However, if I was starting now and could advise myself what to get it would be a second-hand D7000 and Tamron 28-75 F2.8 (I dont shoot very wide)

But stop looking at gear on furums, get yourself a camera and get using it!
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Thanks! All that is very helpful to know. :) Getting a used camera would be a really good idea, but I've finally decided to ditch it, mostly because my husband is financing my "obsession" and I think it's easier to convince him I need a better camera right now than have to convince him later that I need to upgrade (read: buy ANOTHER camera), god forbid. :P

But yes, I'm totally hoping to make a purchase today, then I will have to stop reading whatever else people are saying!
 
Entry level cameras (normally Crop) have an AUTO mode - This means that you can just pick it up & press the button ...
This is why they are aimed at people who do not yet have (or want) the same skill levels as is required for a full frame camera.
 
Diving Pete said:
Sheylara,



Ok, thats good to know - AP & SP modes will help you a lot... - there is NO AUTO mode on this camera...



The reason for this question was; you will end up spending between £1500 & £2000 this year (D750 / 24-70, bag, memory cards, strap - budget £50 on Black Rapid curve S-7, flash, etc,etc.... so will in essence cost you £1 a picture next year...:eek:



Excellent



You will - once you gain a greater understanding of light - lol
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Oops, I'm sorry, I made a mistake in my first answer. Answered too quickly and I tend to get manual and auto mixed up (like how sometimes I get left and right mixed up even though I really do know left from right). So in fact, I do NOT shoot in manual because my camera can't do that, lol. Does that make me seem even more hopeless now? :P)

And I'm not about to start calculating how much it costs me to take each photo! Besides, I'm totally planning to use it for more than a year!
 
Its a great camera to choose - & getting back to the original post - the 85mm is an excellent lens. I'd just buy one if you like the look it gives. I use the Sigma 85mm 1.4 & it is excellent for the purposes you mention (as the Nikon 85mm 1.8 would also be)...
 
snerkler said:
No, but I said sling strap not neck strap :p Neck straps are fine, and as posted above you can put the neck strap over your shoulder too. However, sling straps distribute the weight across your body and are so much more comfortable to wear all day, especially when you have a big heavy lens on. Plus the camera's always right there ready to take the shot as it just slides up the strap. If you have the neck strap around your shoulder you have to remove it to take the shot if you don't want it to be awkward ;)
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Right, ok, I did some research on straps and just learned there are many kinds. I quite like the black rapid strap for women. Looks like it's, um, body friendly, lol. I'll probably get one at some point down the road....
 
Order it with the 85mm you will love it - lol
easy way to spend £1350
 
Winter said:
Right, ok, I did some research on straps and just learned there are many kinds. I quite like the black rapid strap for women. Looks like it's, um, body friendly, lol. I'll probably get one at some point down the road....
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I would recommend trying one before buying if you can. I bought a women's sling strap but found the camera snagged on my, er.. bosom, whenever I tried to lift the camera up. I think they are only suitable for the less well endowed, shall we say [emoji4]
 
Diving Pete said:
Entry level cameras (normally Crop) have an AUTO mode - This means that you can just pick it up & press the button ...
This is why they are aimed at people who do not yet have (or want) the same skill levels as is required for a full frame camera.
Click to expand...
So does the D750 and other FF bodies, although I would always urge people to move away from this mode ASAP. But the D750 is no different to a D3200 in that you can choose full auto, A,P,S and M modes, between AF-S, AF-C, AF-A, change the number of focus points etc etc. The only differences are that the D750 has more features to learn as and when you're comfortable with it, and it may be a touch more difficult when using shallow DOF. Other than that, in basic function they are no different to an entry level crop body imo. In fact I'd say they're easier as you don't have to delve into menus to change ISO etc.
 
Winter said:
Right, ok, I did some research on straps and just learned there are many kinds. I quite like the black rapid strap for women. Looks like it's, um, body friendly, lol. I'll probably get one at some point down the road....
Click to expand...
I use the black rapid sport and find it excellent. However, I cannot comment on how these sorts of straps are for ladies ;)
 
Diving Pete said:
Entry level cameras (normally Crop) have an AUTO mode - This means that you can just pick it up & press the button ...
This is why they are aimed at people who do not yet have (or want) the same skill levels as is required for a full frame camera.
Click to expand...

D750 must be an entry level camera as it has an Auto mode. :D
 
MadWoman said:
I would recommend trying one before buying if you can. I bought a women's sling strap but found the camera snagged on my, er.. bosom, whenever I tried to lift the camera up. I think they are only suitable for the less well endowed, shall we say [emoji4]
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Oops, lol, well, it sounds right for me then. :P
 
snerkler said:
So does the D750 and other FF bodies, although I would always urge people to move away from this mode ASAP. But the D750 is no different to a D3200 in that you can choose full auto, A,P,S and M modes, between AF-S, AF-C, AF-A, change the number of focus points etc etc. The only differences are that the D750 has more features to learn as and when you're comfortable with it, and it may be a touch more difficult when using shallow DOF. Other than that, in basic function they are no different to an entry level crop body imo. In fact I'd say they're easier as you don't have to delve into menus to change ISO etc.
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My bad - Dont have the D750 & didn't realise it has an auto mode...:(
However - I'd still recommend it as it is truly a great camera.. - my partner at work just got one..
 
nearly all cameras have a auto mode now or similer

id say buy the camera and lenses thatll cover or give you the things you are looking for

strap wise optech sling (15 quid or so) and the 3/8ths connector at 4" length (5-6 quid) is good for me, but my manboobs are small :p

imo the best 85mm was made by minolta, but thats a entirely different system which sony bought and now seem indifferent too :/
 
85 and 35 is a good combo. I'm sure there is affordable 35mm f/2 around. The kit will be perfect for portraits and lifestyle.

The most obvious alternative is 24-70mm f/2.8
 
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