Lens

ruthwebb

ruthwebb

Suspended / Banned
Messages
319
Name
ruth
Edit My Images
No
I am purchasing a new lens in a few weeks time and was wondering which one to get. There's a few to choose from and was hoping for some recomendations. The following lenses I have to choose from are; Nikon 70-300mm AF-S VR f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens, Nikkon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS (Stabilised) Nikon AFD Fit Lens
 
I have a Nikon d5100 with vr kit already. Thanks
 
Are you happy to change lenses when the situation dictates? (keep 18-55 and add 70-300)
Or do you want one lens to do it all? (18-300)

What do you plan shooting that makes you want 300mm?

You could pick up a Nikon 55-200 VR for much less if you are happy to swap lenses and limit yourself to 200mm?
 
@zarch I want it to do everything with one lens. I don't feel comfy swapping lenses as I am only learning. I want to up my game and defo need better glass. I shoot anything from baby's to scene photography. I want it to do it all. X
 
ruthwebb said:
@zarch I want it to do everything with one lens. I don't feel comfy swapping lenses as I am only learning. I want to up my game and defo need better glass. I shoot anything from baby's to scene photography. I want it to do it all. X
Click to expand...

Well a 18-200 or 18-300 would suit then Ruth. Although "better glass" is something you can't really say for the 18-200 or 18-300. They are more "convienient" then "better".

I have a Nikon 35mm 1.8 and Tamron 17-50 2.8 for general use around the house/indoors etc, ie "better glass" but when i'm on days out with the kids I put the 18-200 on and I don't miss anything.

Granted, the 18-200 isn't optically a match for more specific lenses, but you don't miss anything as you don't have to swap lenses.

I previously had 18-55 / 18-70 and 55-200 but hated missing shots because I had the "wrong" lens on.

Went to a little Farm with the family yesterday and my 18-200 came into its own as the kids were running about I needed as wide as 18 then zoomed straight upto 200 for the animals. I'd have missed shots without it.

I don't think it performed too bad, even in dull crap lighting/weather.


DSC_1050.jpg by Zarch1972, on Flickr

End of the day, I didn't miss a shot, regardless of whether the 18-200 lens isn't as good as other, more specific ones out there, which to me is the most important thing on days out.
 
Last edited:
Bloody hell. Good shot. It's really clear too which is what I am looking for. My photos are ok but I want them to be even better. So what's the 18-300 lens used for then and which do you think is better and suitable. Just trying to get my head round it

Thanks for taking the time to explain to me :)
 
Ruth,

You might want to post some pictures up here along with the settings you used . These can be just as important, if not more than what lens you have on.

Without wanting to patronise, your D5100 and kit lens should be able to perform. If you can't get that to happen right now, adding a 18-300 won't make much difference.

Are there specific problems you are having with the 18-55?
 
I don't zoom in a great deal and its not that wide so group shots are a struggle. I will post some photos up now
 
4B661A93-2119-45BE-908D-6171B502A41C-451-000000B4A0D079A0_zps3c6bb4ff.jpg


4F67AE84-6826-4E4E-8BC5-3ADDCC0A5BA4-5202-000002F6CF29E7BA_zps7f623e8e.jpg
 
ruthwebb said:
I don't zoom in a great deal and its not that wide so group shots are a struggle. I will post some photos up now
Click to expand...

If group shots are a struggle at 18mm just take a few paces backwards if possible or move the group further away!
 
@cotty I have done that but I have seen professional photographer taking group photos and they look close but far away if you get Me.
 
Ruth,

I'll be the first to say it before anyone else does....... I think you need to get out of AUTO and start taking control of the camera. You could throw more expensive lenses at your camera, but i'd suggest spending time learning A, S and M modes with the kit you have would benefit you more. (if you haven't already)

(although I don't see too much wrong with the two shots you posted) :lol:
 
Last edited:
ruthwebb said:
@cotty I have done that but I have seen professional photographer taking group photos and they look close but far away if you get Me.
Click to expand...

Your 18-55 can only zoom out as far as 18mm, you'd need something like an ultra wide lens (say 11-16mm) to get more into the frame if you are unable to move back.
 
Last edited:
That helps a lot thank you. Just trying to get my head around Manual mode
 
ruthwebb said:
That helps a lot thank you. Just trying to get my head around Manual mode
Click to expand...

The book that did it for me Ruth was "understanding exposure" by Bryan Peterson: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understandi...-Photographs/dp/0817439390/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

It had that real "light bulb" moment for me.

Once you get the concepts of aperture priority, shutter priority and manual you'll soon be taking better shots I'm sure. So I'd sit tight with your 18-55 for now.

Don't worry that thinking a new lens will sort all your problems, most of us have been there too. ;)

Also, don't be afraid to post your images up here along with aperture/shutter speed/ISO settings and what you think is wrong. Plenty of people to help you along.
 
@zarch thank you so much. There's some good uns on here. Will check the book out now. Thank you xx
 
I get the whole apature thing now as I have watched a few videos. Is this lens any good as it goes to F1.8
 
you would need the nikon 50mm 1.8G

perfect for portraits
 
Thank you. Would that one be better than all the other ones I suggested above x
 
KieranSLR said:
you would need the nikon 50mm 1.8G

perfect for portraits
Click to expand...

This is a prime lens which means that it had a fixed focal length of 50mm!
You can not zoom in an out with this lens you have to move your body to zoom!
To see if this would suit zoom your kit lens to 50mm and then use it on nothing but that!
Primes offer sharper images and shallower depth of field.
 
I wanted zoom really. I mainly shoot portraits and weddings so need something suitable and that would fit my d5100. Any of the above???
 
I would recommend the 70-300 from the lens you have listed above as for the money it is a superb lens.
 
Thank you. Would it fit my camera. I think it will
 
ruthwebb said:
I get the whole apature thing now as I have watched a few videos. Is this lens any good as it goes to F1.8
Click to expand...

Ruth, if you do get it, why are you shooting in AUTO?

I'm not trying to be being funny, I just don't want you to buy a new lens for the sake of it if you don't need to. :-)
 
Ruth,

You said you didn't want to change lenses? Adding a 70-300 to your existing 18-55 means you will be changing lenses.

You also said your 18-55 wasn't wide enough. So considering a a 70-300 or 50mm prime wouldn't help there.

Has your requirement shifted now? LOL.
 
I just want the best out if my camera and want my photos to be good too. I have just been shooting in manual and find my photos are a touch better but I want them to be really clear and sharp
 
In the main, that should happen with your 18-55 Ruth. (clear and sharp)

I would certainly post those pics up that you think have issues (ones not taken in auto) and we can see if it's lens or technique before you spend any cash.

I won't bug you anymore on the subject. :-)
 
Ruth look up a channel on youtube called photoexposed and another called GreatPhotographyTips which is Karl Taylors channel who also do a free micro course in photography.

They are both channels full of videos covering every aspect of starting to learn about photography and helped me no end hope they help

(no affiliation to above mentioned just used by me and found helpful)
 
I was told go put a few images on this thread that i had taken on manual mode. My first ones in manual mode.
758684CA-885D-4000-9605-4DAB152BE9E5-763-000000927F97739D_zpsb406767a.jpg


A434B776-7761-4FDA-B076-C4A7008B9E21-763-000000927661A5CB_zps5d7f880a.jpg
 
Ruth,

What's the focal length, shutter speed, ISO and aperture for each one? As it looks like Photobucket has stripped that good stuff out of the EXIF data. :(

And what do you think is wrong with each photo?
 
ruthwebb said:
I used f6.3 Iso 3200 white balance auto
Click to expand...

For all 5 snaps?

And what about shutter speed and focal length (ie, what you were zoomed in at on your 18-55?)
 
I can't remember the shutter speed but I was zoomed in between 24-35mm
 
Ruth, ISO 3200 is very high for your camera, it introduces a lot of noise, which is why you may think your images are not sharp enough.
You really need to understand the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings before you can take your photography onto the next level. Also if you are shooting indoors you need to know how to set up the camera to use flash correctly, there are many on-line resources for all this (strobist is good for flash).

This is a good site

http://www.pbase.com/image/41450051

hope this helps

Andy
 
Hi andy. Thanks for your help. I totally forgot about my iso and I am gutted as they look too bright.
I will have a look at that website. I understand aperture but its just putting the 3 together.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top