nikon lenses for newbie

P

Peter Mc

Suspended / Banned
Messages
25
Edit My Images
Yes
I've just got a nikon D5100 and i've been told to get a 35mm afs 1.8g to start with, as it's a good lens to learn with.
What other lenses would you recommend i add to the bag?
I'm interested in outdoor portrait,landscape, wildlife and i want to get action shot's of the dog running.
I was thinking on getting a 70-200 2.8?

I also breed reptile's but i'm thinking the 35mm will be adequate for those shot's?

Thank's in advance for any help
 
Last edited:
Peter,

Did you get the kit lens with your D5100? If so, take some time playing with that. Both lenses you mention are excellent but you can quickly get onto a very slippery slope spending far more than you need to. When you know what you want to buy and why you want to buy, that is a pretty good time to splash the cash.
 
Good advice from gad-westy, decide what you want to shoot and why, but then buy what you need, splashing cash Willie nillie costs do much, I am talking from experience, get what you need when you know you need it, and don't buy because you think you need it.
 
Thank's for the advice guy's.
I got the body only. So would it be best to just use the 35mm for a while?
 
Peter Mc said:
Thank's for the advice guy's.
I got the body only. So would it be best to just use the 35mm for a while?
Click to expand...

The 35mm f1.8 hardly comes off my D5000, I would get one and see how you get on. The only time it comes off is when I need a wider view so swap it for the 18-55.
 
Peter Mc said:
Thank's for the advice guy's.
I got the body only. So would it be best to just use the 35mm for a while?
Click to expand...

The 35mm is a great lens and offers exceptional image quality but I'm not sure it ticks many of the boxes for what you say you want to photograph.

Generally speaking for what you've identified I think you'd normally go for the following:

outdoor portrait - Longish Telephoto (or a fast prime but ideally longer than 35mm. 35mm works great indoors though)

landscape - Something fairly wide angle though does depend on style. About 18mm would be a good starting point on a crop camera.

wildlife - Long Telephoto

action shot's of the dog running - Longish telephoto

So going off that, it may be worth looking at a 55-200 VR which is a decent little lens and ticks 75% of the boxes for what you're doing. They can be had for not much more than £100 used. An 18-55 VR can be bought for another £50 which would cover you for most other scenarios until you hone in on what you really want.
 
I have the 5100 with kit lens, 35mm, 55 - 200 and Tamron 17-50 f2.8. To be honest I find the Tamron gets 95% more use than any of the others. The 35mm is a beautifully sharp lens but has limitations and the 55-200 is incredibly sharp for the price. But the one I enjoy using the most is the Tamron.
 
When i bought my d3000 i was certain my next purchase would be a telephoto lens. However I found when I actually started using the camera that the type of photos I were taking were different to those I initially envisaged.

In fact my first significant purchase was an external flash. Ive now just bought my first lens and it's a 50 mm prime lens. These purchases occurred over a 2 year period.

Point being I don't photograph what I thought I would before I bought the camera. Why not pick up a 2nd hand 18-55mm kit lens and see how you get on for a few months? The limits you find you're hitting with that lens will point you in the right direction for your bigger purchase.
 
gad-westy said:
The 35mm is a great lens and offers exceptional image quality but I'm not sure it ticks many of the boxes for what you say you want to photograph.

Generally speaking for what you've identified I think you'd normally go for the following:

outdoor portrait - Longish Telephoto (or a fast prime but ideally longer than 35mm. 35mm works great indoors though)

landscape - Something fairly wide angle though does depend on style. About 18mm would be a good starting point on a crop camera.

wildlife - Long Telephoto

action shot's of the dog running - Longish telephoto

So going off that, it may be worth looking at a 55-200 VR which is a decent little lens and ticks 75% of the boxes for what you're doing. They can be had for not much more than £100 used. An 18-55 VR can be bought for another £50 which would cover you for most other scenarios until you hone in on what you really want.
Click to expand...


Thanks for taking the time to make that post Graham it's helped me alot :thumbs:
I think i'll stick to second hand lenses for now as well.
 
Speedy136 said:
I have the 5100 with kit lens, 35mm, 55 - 200 and Tamron 17-50 f2.8. To be honest I find the Tamron gets 95% more use than any of the others. The 35mm is a beautifully sharp lens but has limitations and the 55-200 is incredibly sharp for the price. But the one I enjoy using the most is the Tamron.
Click to expand...

I've just watched a review of the tamron and it looks good. I like the look of the pictures it gets, so it could be an option. Thanks
 
tnpn said:
When i bought my d3000 i was certain my next purchase would be a telephoto lens. However I found when I actually started using the camera that the type of photos I were taking were different to those I initially envisaged.

In fact my first significant purchase was an external flash. Ive now just bought my first lens and it's a 50 mm prime lens. These purchases occurred over a 2 year period.

Point being I don't photograph what I thought I would before I bought the camera. Why not pick up a 2nd hand 18-55mm kit lens and see how you get on for a few months? The limits you find you're hitting with that lens will point you in the right direction for your bigger purchase.
Click to expand...

That would be the smart thing to do but money burn's a hole in my pocket :lol:
 
As a starter lens, you could do a lot worse than seek out a second hand 18-70, as packed in many kits a few years ago. Optically better than the later 18-55 but lacks the VR of the latest incarnation of that lens (not a huge deal at these shorter focal lengths). After a while, chances are that you'll want something either wider or longer (or both!) - then is the time to start splashing cash.

For wider (if you're planning on sticking with Dx for a while), try to find a Sigma 10-20 2nd hand. Be a little wary - some people have reported QC issues with Sigma lenses so test the actual lens you'll be buying before parting with any cash/card. A reputable dealer should take back anything you're not happy with - e-bay sellers are less likely to play ball.

For longer, I would go for the Nikkor 70-300 VR. There are cheaper offerings from Sigma and Tamron but the Nikkor beats them hands down.

IMO, as a beginner, you might find a single prime too limiting. 35mm is a good choice on a crop body but as an only lens, maybe not ideal.

Do you want extreme close ups of your scaly pals? Some sort of Macro capability might be useful - probably a set of auto tubes as a budget option - if money's really burning a hole, a dedicated Macro lens might be (in) your bag. Plenty of options from most of the 3rd party manufacturers as well as a few from Nikkor.
 
Nod said:
As a starter lens, you could do a lot worse than seek out a second hand 18-70, as packed in many kits a few years ago. Optically better than the later 18-55 but lacks the VR of the latest incarnation of that lens (not a huge deal at these shorter focal lengths). After a while, chances are that you'll want something either wider or longer (or both!) - then is the time to start splashing cash.

For wider (if you're planning on sticking with Dx for a while), try to find a Sigma 10-20 2nd hand. Be a little wary - some people have reported QC issues with Sigma lenses so test the actual lens you'll be buying before parting with any cash/card. A reputable dealer should take back anything you're not happy with - e-bay sellers are less likely to play ball.

For longer, I would go for the Nikkor 70-300 VR. There are cheaper offerings from Sigma and Tamron but the Nikkor beats them hands down.

IMO, as a beginner, you might find a single prime too limiting. 35mm is a good choice on a crop body but as an only lens, maybe not ideal.

Do you want extreme close ups of your scaly pals? Some sort of Macro capability might be useful - probably a set of auto tubes as a budget option - if money's really burning a hole, a dedicated Macro lens might be (in) your bag. Plenty of options from most of the 3rd party manufacturers as well as a few from Nikkor.
Click to expand...

I'm not after extreme close up's of the snake's, i need to fit all of the snake in the picture. They're from cricket ball size to football size ( coiled up )
 
That'll save you a penny or two! Although a set of tubes is relatively cheap, if the macro bug bit, macro lenses are less so...

One thing to consider is whether you have any plans to go FF in the foreseeable future. If so, I would suggest steering clear of any Dx (or similar) lenses since they'll need to be replaced with FF compatible ones when the body's upgraded, adding expense to the process. Buying FF lenses as you expand your kit will at least spread the expenditure! FWIW, the "trinity" of FF lenses for Nikons is reckonned to be the set of f/2.8 zooms; 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200. Not a cheap option but covers most "normal" lengths. With careful selection, the trinity can be approximated in Sigma's EX range, although their UWA (the 12-24) isn't f/2.8.
Of course, if no move to FF is anticipated, costs can be kept down a little by seeking out second hand Dx lenses which seem to be growing in number on dealers' shelves as people are upgrading from Dx to FF and selling their Dx only lenses to help fund the move. With your D5100, don't forget you need lenses with AF motors in the lens - AF-S from Nikon, HSM from Sigma and I'm unsure as to Tamron and other's designations.
 
Hi Peter, no connection at all to this but just noticed this ad and remembered your thread so thought it may be of interest to you.

Oops forgot the link and now on phone. There is somebody selling an 18-55 vr and 55-200 vr on av forums classified section.
 
Last edited:
Nod said:
That'll save you a penny or two! Although a set of tubes is relatively cheap, if the macro bug bit, macro lenses are less so...

One thing to consider is whether you have any plans to go FF in the foreseeable future. If so, I would suggest steering clear of any Dx (or similar) lenses since they'll need to be replaced with FF compatible ones when the body's upgraded, adding expense to the process. Buying FF lenses as you expand your kit will at least spread the expenditure! FWIW, the "trinity" of FF lenses for Nikons is reckonned to be the set of f/2.8 zooms; 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200. Not a cheap option but covers most "normal" lengths. With careful selection, the trinity can be approximated in Sigma's EX range, although their UWA (the 12-24) isn't f/2.8.
Of course, if no move to FF is anticipated, costs can be kept down a little by seeking out second hand Dx lenses which seem to be growing in number on dealers' shelves as people are upgrading from Dx to FF and selling their Dx only lenses to help fund the move. With your D5100, don't forget you need lenses with AF motors in the lens - AF-S from Nikon, HSM from Sigma and I'm unsure as to Tamron and other's designations.
Click to expand...

Thank's this is extremely helpful . . . and something i hadn't thought about.
I think i'll be sticking to dx for a good while as i'm expecting to use the d5100 for a long time. Unless i find limitations with that set up.
I like the thought of maybe getting a few bargain's on second hand dx lenses as well :thumbs:
 
Hi Peter,I shoot a lot of reptiles and use to use a combination of the 35mm prime and a 60mm macro..also a general zoom like the tamron 17-50mm is handy for the larger snakes..;)
(are you from CB Forum?)
 
I have the 35mm and love it...great in low light and for portraits. Would also suggest the 18-55 kit lens second-hand
 
gad-westy said:
Hi Peter, no connection at all to this but just noticed this ad and remembered your thread so thought it may be of interest to you.

Oops forgot the link and now on phone. There is somebody selling an 18-55 vr and 55-200 vr on av forums classified section.
Click to expand...

Thank's Graham i'll have a look now :thumbs:
 
StuartH said:
Hi Peter,I shoot a lot of reptiles and use to use a combination of the 35mm prime and a 60mm macro..also a general zoom like the tamron 17-50mm is handy for the larger snakes..;)
(are you from CB Forum?)
Click to expand...

I am Stuart, i have the same forum name. I'm mainly in the ball python section but don't bother with it much any more since it's gone like a war zone. A shame really as it used to be a good forum.

I've alway's admired the pictures you do for Dave and your dogue de bordeaux.

The tamron 17-50mm has been mentioned a few times now. I got the 35mm 1.8g yesterday and love it!
 
optimist5 said:
I have the 35mm and love it...great in low light and for portraits. Would also suggest the 18-55 kit lens second-hand
Click to expand...

I picked up the 35mm yesterday and love it . . . my dog and 2 year old nephew don't! :lol:
 
Peter Mc said:
I am Stuart, i have the same forum name. I'm mainly in the ball python section but don't bother with it much any more since it's gone like a war zone. A shame really as it used to be a good forum.

I've alway's admired the pictures you do for Dave and your dogue de bordeaux.

The tamron 17-50mm has been mentioned a few times now. I got the 35mm 1.8g yesterday and love it!
Click to expand...
Thanks mate thought I recognised the name:thumbs: Think I must have taken over 10,000 ball python pics for some of the breeders over the years lol:lol: Not done many lately though. You will love the lens,enjoy it and happy new year.
 
StuartH said:
Thanks mate thought I recognised the name:thumbs: Think I must have taken over 10,000 ball python pics for some of the breeders over the years lol:lol: Not done many lately though. You will love the lens,enjoy it and happy new year.
Click to expand...

Thanks Stuart and happy new year to you :thumbs:
 
I also have the 35mm 1.8 and I love it. It's great as you can take it pretty much anywhere and is unintrusive. Ideal for taking photos at parties and get togethers.

I recently bought the 10-24mm DX UWA but have yet to take full advantage of it.
 
chris2jz said:
First lens i purchased , very happy with it :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Good lens. I have it on my old D40 which is on loan to a friend at the moment. When I bought my D5100 I went for the 55-300 for a bit of extra reach.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top