Lens recommendation for new DSLR (Nikon, Sony, d70, 50mm)
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I will be getting a new DSLR here shortly and am looking for general lens recommendations. I *probably* will be getting a Nikon D5200 but that is not set in stone as I have not bought the camera yet. I currently have a 10-year-old point-and-shoot with a decent enough for what it is 10x zoom lens. Most of what I take pictures of is indoor portrait type pictures and outdoor sky/landscapes. (I do love to make a nice panorama if I have a suitable landscape.) I also take longer telephoto pictures outside of things like buildings and wildlife where it's harder to sneak right up on them. I'm not rich and the budget is somewhere in the $500 and $750 neighborhood for the lenses.
Here's what I am thinking initially- feel free to make recommendations:
1. 35 mm f/1.8 prime for indoor photography and outdoor landscape pictures
2. 55-250 or 55-300 mm telephoto zoom for the outdoor pictures
I will be getting a new DSLR here shortly and am looking for general lens recommendations. I *probably* will be getting a Nikon D5200 but that is not set in stone as I have not bought the camera yet. I currently have a 10-year-old point-and-shoot with a decent enough for what it is 10x zoom lens. Most of what I take pictures of is indoor portrait type pictures and outdoor sky/landscapes. (I do love to make a nice panorama if I have a suitable landscape.) I also take longer telephoto pictures outside of things like buildings and wildlife where it's harder to sneak right up on them. I'm not rich and the budget is somewhere in the $500 and $750 neighborhood for the lenses.
Here's what I am thinking initially- feel free to make recommendations:
1. 35 mm f/1.8 prime for indoor photography and outdoor landscape pictures
2. 55-250 or 55-300 mm telephoto zoom for the outdoor pictures
I have the Nikon 5100. I use my 17-55mm f/2.8 for 95% of my photography. For the rest, I use the 55-300mm kit lens.
A lens collection is like a wardrobe, it's built over time so don't rush.
I think those lenses will serve you just fine, the kit lens, the 18-55 that comes with the camera body, will serve you well for most shooting.
I have the 35mm 1.8 and it's a fine lens but I use my 50mm 1.8 much more. Remember with the DX format that you'll multiply the mm by 1.5 for Nikon. The 50mm 1.8 is about $110-120 and IMO possibly the best lens dollar for dollar.
Don't be afraid to go to Adorama or B&H to buy used lenses, I've bought from both vendors and both are very honest with the condition of their used lenses.
Does your budget include the camera body? Or, does it include the camera with the kit lens? Or, is this budget for additional lenses only?
IMO, kit lenses will generally suffice when just getting into interchangeable system, typically 18-55 f/3.5-5.6. But, if you're getting camera body only, I would say, consider 18-105 or 18-140, or a travel zoom lens like Sigma 18-250 HSM OS Macro. The last one will cover practically all useful range in one lens and will be well within your budget, with money to spare for a fast prime lens or two. The issue with any of these zoom lenses will be that they are slow, so good in good light, challenging in low light but as a one-lens solution, they cover a very useful range. But, if you have already included 18-55 with the camera, go for 55-300 and you have the range covered with two lenses.
For prime lens, my recommendation would be 35mm f/1.8 for general purpose photography, low light and for an occasional portrait. IMO, 50mm would be more suited for portraits, and less for general purpose, considering that we're looking at APS-C format.
Go with minimalistic set up first (like kit zoom, or with mid-range or travel zoom) and allow self some time to explore your camera and how you can take advantage of its features, and especially without resorting to automatic modes (in many cases, IMO, defeats the point of investing in interchangeable lens cameras). Then add lens(es) as you feel appropriate per your needs. Here is my basic set up:
Sony A55 + Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM (this is my kit lens)
Additional Lenses:
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 HSM OS (this is my travel zoom lens... also my telephoto zoom solution)
Sony 35mm f/1.8 SAM (this is my economical but very good light and bright solution)
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 (Macro, also used for portraits)
Sony 135mm f/2.8 STF (Short Telephoto, I use it for portraits and as a pseudo macro lens)
Minolta 200mm f/2.8 G APO HS (Telephoto prime, for low light action/sports)
I do have a lot more in my collection built over time (about a dozen more lenses, including a second camera body) but the above is a basic set up that covers a variety of situations that I go into. The above collection also takes portability into consideration.
Sometimes, looking into old and used lenses can also be a very good solution, although I think Nikon no longer supports AF on lenses that do not have in-lens AF motor on crop bodies so that may limit your options if AF is a must have. In other words, try to work with one zoom lens starting at 18mm or so, and see what you need next.
A great do it all lens is the nikon 18-300mm.
My wife uses that on her d7000.
I am so jealous at times. I am lugging my d800 and the 16-35mm, the 24-120mm and the 70-200 f2.8. I spend the day swapping lenses while she keeps shooting.
The budget is just for lenses, I will buy the camera body by itself. The kit lens with most cameras is generally a 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, which costs ~$100 by itself but also bumps up the price of the kit $100 over a body alone. So there's really not a bargain to be had with the kit lens.
After reading your replies, how about starting with something like the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 (~$500) and then going from there?
The budget is just for lenses, I will buy the camera body by itself. The kit lens with most cameras is generally a 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, which costs ~$100 by itself but also bumps up the price of the kit $100 over a body alone. So there's really not a bargain to be had with the kit lens.
After reading your replies, how about starting with something like the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 (~$500) and then going from there?
28mm isn't wide enough on a crop sensor. You're better off going with a 16-50 lens or something like that.
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