Will this lens work with my Nikon D3100?

good prime lens with a wide f1.8 aperture and it will auto focus on your camera irrespective of the mode you choose

M - setting is for full MANUAL control of shutter speed- ISO and Aperture etc

Most people on here will use the M setting

Les :thumbs:
 
Lez325 said:
good prime lens with a wide f1.8 aperture and it will auto focus on your camera irrespective of the mode you choose

M - setting is for full MANUAL control of shutter speed- ISO and Aperture etc

Most people on here will use the M setting

Les :thumbs:
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Thanks Les, as you can tell, I am a 'noob'. The few weeks have seen my head buried in my laptop reading up on tutorials or reading my D3100 book 'from snapshots to great shots' but I really need to get some practice in. I'm just not yielding the results I hoped for. I know the best kit in the world won't help overcome this until I understand the relationship between shutter speed, ISO, aperture, composition etc etc :bang:
 
you'll get there- plenty of advice to be had on this forum- Just remember- we were all NEW at some point :D No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers

Les :thumbs:

Ps what area do you live in?? Maybe a local Photographer on here could help you out with all this technical garbage
 
Lez325 said:
good prime lens with a wide f1.8 aperture and it will auto focus on your camera irrespective of the mode you choose

M - setting is for full MANUAL control of shutter speed- ISO and Aperture etc

Most people on here will use the M setting

Les :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Not quite! It will fit the D3100 yes but it will not autofocus due to the D3100 not having an AF motor in the body unlike the higher-end/older Nikon bodies.
OP, this means youll be able to use it but only with manual focus!

As shown above there is a model with the AF-motor built into the lens but is a lot more expensive, I also prefer the 35mm focal length which is cheaper than the 50mm AF-S lens but thats just me.
 
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sorry OP- I didn't know the camera was lacking in that facility- still the 50mm f1.8 is a cracker of a lens ;) I have the f1.4 version made by Sony

Les
 
Thrash said:
Not quite! It will fit the D3100 yes but it will not autofocus due to the D3100 not having an AF motor in the body unlike the higher-end/older Nikon bodies.
OP, this means youll be able to use it but only with manual focus!

As shown above there is a model with the AF-motor built into the lens but is a lot more expensive, I also prefer the 35mm focal length which is cheaper than the 50mm AF-S lens but thats just me.
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Yup, have to agree there - 35mm is more usable focal length. It's around the same price too.
 
Lez325 said:
you'll get there- plenty of advice to be had on this forum- Just remember- we were all NEW at some point :D No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers

Les :thumbs:

Ps what area do you live in?? Maybe a local Photographer on here could help you out with all this technical garbage
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I'm in Norwich and have looked at Photography clubs. There's three reputable ones that I have seen that look appealing. One of them is only a £1 which is for tea and biscuits.

Would a 35mm focal length be better than a 50mm for landscape shots? I will be hoping to take some good landscape shots in bright (Santorini) sunshine. I'm especially looking forward to taking photos from the 300m high cliff tops of the famous sunsets which is a magnet for photographers.
 
Zorba_8 said:
Hi All,

thinking about getting this prime lens to take on holiday. Given the price and the very good reviews, it seems like a good first addition.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-NIKKOR-50mm-1-8D-Lens/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I understand that auto focus will not work and it will only work on the manual (professional setting) on my camera.

Many thanks!
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Zorba 8 I wouldn't bother unless you like manually adjusting everything!!! Have a look at the current :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-...qid=1369828375&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+50mm+1.8

Personally holiday shots really lend themselves to a shot zoom like:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-17-70...=1369828552&sr=1-1&keywords=sigma+17-70+nikon

Prime is good as long as you understand you may have to change a lens now and again...
 
I have that ^ 17-70, nice lens, but I'm going to switch it for a Tamron 17-50 2.8.
 
Paul Deavall said:
Zorba 8 I wouldn't bother unless you like manually adjusting everything!!! Have a look at the current :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-...qid=1369828375&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+50mm+1.8

Personally holiday shots really lend themselves to a shot zoom like:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-17-70...=1369828552&sr=1-1&keywords=sigma+17-70+nikon

Prime is good as long as you understand you may have to change a lens now and again...
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There's a great deal of options aren't there? :eek:

I wish I had the money for the sigma but that's just not something I could afford at this juncture.

I thought that this does have autofocus?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-N...ref=pd_cp_ph_0

"Combining ease-of-use and maximum precision the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens has two focus modes. In addition to Manual focus, Manual-priority autofocus (M/A) allows you to switch from autofocus to manual operation with virtually no time lag, even during AF servo operation and regardless of the AF mode in use. This gives all the benefits of fast, automatic focusing while still retaining the ability to make fine focus adjustments before taking the shot."
 
The 35mm f1.8g will work as it should with D3100, auto focus plus option for manual focus.

TBH if you want it for landscapes I wouldn't bother with the 35mm, if you have the 18-55mm kit lens I'd use that as it has a much wider end to it.

The 35mm is a great light weight carry around lens and some nice blurry backgrounds of close up stuff can be made in smaller spaces.
 
Zorba_8 said:
There's a great deal of options aren't there? :eek:

I wish I had the money for the sigma but that's just not something I could afford at this juncture.

I thought that this does have autofocus?
Click to expand...

Yes. It's the 'D' lens in your first post that doesn't have auto-focus.

The 35mm f1.8 is a great buy, you won't get a better lens for that money.
 
I get the 35mm f1.8 AFS if you want a prime lens. I have both 35mm and 50mm and i only use the 35mm most of the time if i want to use prime. I use the 50mm more on video work.
 
So now I just need to decide on the 35mm or the 50mm.

There consensus appears to be split - I know it ultimately depends on usage.

I have a the 18mm to 55mm kit lens which covers both prime focal lengths by the way. If I'm going to part with £150 I want to be sure I'm going for the right camera. Not to mention my gf will throttle me if I say I want something else in a few weeks.
 
I would opt for the 35mm personally :thumbs: I have a 50mm f1.4 that I hardly use, I prefer my 24-70mm f2.8

Les :D
 
The 50mm will be great for portraits and headshots, particularly in low light. The 35mm can still do that, but is also capable of getting more in the picture for normal shots (the 50mm will be tight, you'll need to stand back from your subject).

Try your kit lens and see what focal length you prefer. Personally I'd go for the 35mm.
 
Ha! Two replies; 1 for the 50mm and another for the 35mm :D

I'll take a look at the shots on my flickr to see what the majority of the focal lengths are.
 
i had a 35mm didnt like it so got the 50mm

but as everyone says one is a good lens for portraits and people (50mm)

the other is an all round lens with a low f number (35mm)

but dont get the manual focus one. you will sell it within a couple of months
 
With the 35mm you can just go closer to get the 50mm FOV in a small area, with a 50mm you may struggle to walk back a bit, think I read it's about a 4 foot difference.

I have the 35mm, trouble is you wonder what the 50mm is like once you have the 35mm one, then you will want the other:)

One more bonus with the 50mm is that it is a FX lens, so if you ever go full frame it is compatible, 35mm is DX lens.
 
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Zorba_8 said:
Ha! Two replies; 1 for the 50mm and another for the 35mm :D

I'll take a look at the shots on my flickr to see what the majority of the focal lengths are.
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I would go for the 35mm as well, 50mm on crop is just too long for a lot of things.
 
Both the 35mm and 50mm are in stock at John Lewis in Norwich for £10 more that the new price on amazon, so it may serve me well to see if they will let me try both on my body (in store) at least that way I can see both in action.

Plus you can't beat John Lewis for service.
 
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Good idea to TRY before you buy fella :thumbs:

Then go to Amazon for a better price :D


Les :thumbs:
 
Zorba_8 said:
Both the 35mm and 50mm are in stock at John Lewis in Norwich for £10 more that the new price on amazon,

Plus you can't beat John Lewis for service.
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Lez325 said:
Good idea to TRY before you buy fella :thumbs:

Then go to Amazon for a better price :D
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For the sake of £10 I'd rather buy it from a B&M store with decent morals (and pays its tax in the UK), and better service (not to mention the JL additional warranty).
 
Lez325 said:
Good idea to TRY before you buy fella :thumbs:

Then go to Amazon for a better price :D

Les :thumbs:
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I'm sure they stuck a prime lens when I bought the camera back in late April and remember how quick the AF did its work. For £10 and not having to go to the PO to sign for the parcel I'd prefer to head to JL in this instance! But for other accessories I can see Amazon being useful.
 
Dave1 said:
For the sake of £10 I'd rather buy it from a B&M store with decent morals (and pays its tax in the UK), and better service (not to mention the JL additional warranty).
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Agreed! You cannot put a price on service when things go wrong. Even though I understand the lenses are covered by an international warranty
 
The 35mm DX is an incredible first prime lens. Even with more exotic glass to hand, I can't bear to get rid of mine - it taught me more photography than just about anything subsequently.

The 50mm is a nice portrait focal length on DX, but it's not a lens I would use regularly.
 
freecom2 said:
The 35mm DX is an incredible first prime lens. Even with more exotic glass to hand, I can't bear to get rid of mine - it taught me more photography than just about anything subsequently.

The 50mm is a nice portrait focal length on DX, but it's not a lens I would use regularly.
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I think I would be foolish not to at least as the guys in John Lewis if I can try before I buy.

I bought my 3100 from there and they were excellent. I spent over 2 hours with the assistant. He let me look at both Canon 1100 and a couple of bridge cameras, explaining the benefits in layman terms. The prime lens he demoed as an example of quality was about £300 so don't think it's the 35mm or 50mm DX lens we're talking about but nevertheless it was great to see a quality lens for my own eyes.
 
Go to WEx and have a play, chat to the guys there. Better advice than john lewis, and a candy store for toggers everywhere....

My vote is for the 35/1.8. Don't believe that all landscapes need an ultrawide.
 
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danbroad said:
Go to WEx and have a play, chat to the guys there. Better advice than john lewis, and a candy store for toggers everywhere....

My vote is for the 35/1.8. Don't believe that all landscapes need an ultrawide.
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I've not heard of WEx, I'll have a look online to see if there is one near me here in Norwich.
 
danbroad said:
Go to WEx and have a play, chat to the guys there. Better advice than john lewis, and a candy store for toggers everywhere....

My vote is for the 35/1.8. Don't believe that all landscapes need an ultrawide.
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Oh my goodness! It is only 10 mins away from me! I never even knew the place existed!

My wallet is trembling!

Thank you Dan! :thumbs:
 
Warehouse express is probably the largest independent photo retailer left in the country, certainly one of the biggest. The showroom is opposite ASDA on the ring road out toward fakenham. Certainly, it's a great benefit to us toggers living around Norwich!
 
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