Lenses..

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nicolala

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Nicola
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Okay so on my Nikon D60 I have the standard lens on there at the moment...

I'm looking to get a better lens..
one that's 100% clearer..

and can zoom alot further, cause understandable to zoom levels on the standard one is aweful.

I also wouldn't mind a macro lens..
But advice and info on where you lot get the best deals would be great as 'm fairly new to all this!
 
Lens.

Do you know how to use the kit you currently have? Do you have a specific reason for wanting more reach?

Based on your wishes* it sounds like you should look at the Nikon equivalent of 70-200 f/2.8.

* I might be misinterpreting "100% clearer" though.
 
gnom said:
Lens.

Do you know how to use the kit you currently have? Do you have a specific reason for wanting more reach?

Based on your wishes* it sounds like you should look at the Nikon equivalent of 70-200 f/2.8.

* I might be misinterpreting "100% clearer" though.
Click to expand...

well you see all these lovely photos that people have taken, and everything is so clear..

crystal clear.
My lens can take nice photos don't get me wrong but not fantastically amazing ones?
 
Ah, I think you mean 'sharp'? Or do you have an example image that you refer to as "crystal clear"?

The kit lens can produce some amazing images, any camera/lens can. My guess is that you don't need new equipment, rather just more practice.
 
gnom said:
The kit lens can produce some amazing images, any camera/lens can.
Click to expand...

:agree:

I've seen stunning results from kit lenses, and mediocre results from £xxxx primes. What have you been taking photos of in what mode and what speed, aperture and iso? If you're in auto then your images won't be great. Post up a couple of pics preferably with the EXIF intact and we'll let you know how you could have shot better - or sharper which seems to be what your looking for.
 
The kit lens is definitely quite soft at the wide end, but it's really good and sharp once you get to longer focal lengths
 
Remember that a lot of those clear pictures that you seek have also had a fair bit of post processing. Have you started to learn this too, it can make all the difference to an average shot?
 
See...
I don't mean to sound like a right old amature here...

But I am.

So therefore, I really have no clue what you're saying ie; "iso" , speed and aperture.

Could you explain what they are and how to change them that'd be great, I'll go out and have a play with it tomorrow and post up some images...

I've just been doing it on auto..
 
nicolala said:
See...
I don't mean to sound like a right old amature here...

But I am.

So therefore, I really have no clue what you're saying ie; "iso" , speed and aperture.

Could you explain what they are and how to change them that'd be great, I'll go out and have a play with it tomorrow and post up some images...

I've just been doing it on auto..
Click to expand...

Your best bet is to read through a few of these threads that give an introduction to these things:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185536

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=154225

and further tutorials are listed:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=187606
 
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Thankyou! I'll take a read of those!

I had a look on my camera and played around a bit, found the ISO settings and changed that around too..
Took numerous shots of the same thing but changing little bits about..

and with obviously the kit lens I got this result;
and quite happy with it...

What do you all think?
:)

 
good effort, but to be uber critical its v noisy, looking at the exif you shot at ISO1600. That said putting it through a noise reduction filter PP would clean it up. Don't know what lens you were using but if you could have widened up a stop and gone to f3.5 it would have got the speed up from 1/10 and given a shallower depth of field so a bit more blur to the background.

Also you managed to clip a wing and a foot.

Someone posted a SLR camera simulator earlier, its great fun and definately worth a quick play with.
 
The equipment you have is very capable.

It is easy to take crisp images in good bright light, with a mid-range lens aperture like f/5.6-8, a decently high shutter speed of 1/125sec or higher, low ISO of 200-ish, careful focusing, and good attention to post processing (or at least appropriate selection of the in-camera pre-sets). The skill is being able to do it when conditions are far less benign.

The image you have posted was taken at f/5, 1/10sec at ISO1600. That's making things very much harder!
 
For me, one of the key things about photography is knowing the limitations of your kit, trying to shoot within that capability and not being disappointed when you get duffers shooting beyond the kit (and user's) capability.
 
I'm no expert who can tell you what to do. But I am quite adept at getting my sensor dirty, and I reckon you too might have done so looking at the top right of your shot.
Either that or you need to redecorate;)
 
Its the 'classic' belief; . . . better kit will produce better pictures :|

The truth is; . . . better understanding of existing kit and improved technique produces better pictures . . . equals; study, time and practice :thumbs:

A 'Big step forward' for me, was when I started to understood 'Levels and Curves', that I applied to pictures taken on 'auto' settings! . . . which I got from here in its simplest form:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/0...ital-photos-with-the-levels-and-curves-tools/

It got even better as I began to use and understand the camera setting outside basic 'auto', like 'aperture priority' and 'exposure compensation' . . .

CJS
 
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Doog said:
Remember that a lot of those clear pictures that you seek have also had a fair bit of post processing. Have you started to learn this too, it can make all the difference to an average shot?
Click to expand...

I don't think pictures need a "fair bit" of post processing to look clear.

My only post processing normally is to open the raw file in Capture NX2, resize for web use and save as a jpg file, and I don't find I'm getting unclear pictures as a result.

If a picture is not good I'd rather delete it than waste time messing about with it.
 
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