what lenses?

[Johnmadd]

My only lens is 18-55 lens but I am looking for the most universal set of lenses to range from close up to seeing craters in the moon and wide shots of scenery but am new to this and would just like to have options. Suggestions? Camera is d5100

[M0nk3y]

My only lens is 18-55 lens but I am looking for the most universal set of lenses to range from close up to seeing craters in the moon and wide shots of scenery but am new to this and would just like to have options. Suggestions? Camera is d5100

When you talk about zoom lens, you loose the ability to maintain crisp, clear photos (unless you're talking of $1k+ lens

Prime lens are the most economical, but are a fixed zoom. They are super crisp though and are by far the best bang for the buck, IMO.

Considering you're a cropped lens, you're going to have to buy a wide angle lens in order to achieve a wide-angle shot (which means $$$). 18mm should be plenty though.

I personally have a 35mm and a 55-200mm in addition to my kit lens. YMMV. I'll let the pros talk though.

How do you like the 5100?

[UdubBadger]

depending on the coin you want to drop I'd suggest keep the 18-55 and maybe get something that goes up to 200mm. Anything more than that is just gonna be overkill on your wallet until you start making money shooting to justify it.

55-250mm (or the older 55-200mm) is a great value choice
or there is the 75-300mm also a value lens.

if you're damn serious - 70-200 f/4 L IS is a baller lens and can be had for about $800 or so used. Might be a little ahead of yourself but thats your call not mine.

Keep in mind zooming in to get a shot won't make your photos better - lots of time it's worse and people rely on zooming in to compensate for just moving closer to the subject. Keep in mind zooming in at a far away object will not only compress the background but also kill any depth of field you'd have just moving closer to the action.

[Johnmadd]

When you talk about zoom lens, you loose the ability to maintain crisp, clear photos (unless you're talking of $1k+ lens

Prime lens are the most economical, but are a fixed zoom. They are super crisp though and are by far the best bang for the buck, IMO.

Considering you're a cropped lens, you're going to have to buy a wide angle lens in order to achieve a wide-angle shot (which means $$$). 18mm should be plenty though.

I personally have a 35mm and a 55-200mm in addition to my kit lens. YMMV. I'll let the pros talk though.

How do you like the 5100?

Thanks for your knowledge Kyle, I need everything you know for me to make good decisions man!

Fyi, I love the d5100 bro.

[Johnmadd]

depending on the coin you want to drop I'd suggest keep the 18-55 and maybe get something that goes up to 200mm. Anything more than that is just gonna be overkill on your wallet until you start making money shooting to justify it.

55-250mm (or the older 55-200mm) is a great value choice
or there is the 75-300mm also a value lens.

if you're damn serious - 70-200 f/4 L IS is a baller lens and can be had for about $800 or so used. Might be a little ahead of yourself but thats your call not mine.

Keep in mind zooming in to get a shot won't make your photos better - lots of time it's worse and people rely on zooming in to compensate for just moving closer to the subject. Keep in mind zooming in at a far away object will not only compress the background but also kill any depth of field you'd have just moving closer to the action.

Thanks dude, I LOVE the help!

[danewilson77]

Why not a 50mm f/1.8?

[UdubBadger]

if he has an 18-55 he doesn't need it from a focal length standpoint.

1.8 is nice though.

[pleasecorrupt]

no love for 18-200mm ? most versatile all around imo.

[UdubBadger]

more zoom = more distortion and lower I.Q.

[Smilez]

just purchased nikon 35mm 1.8 lens last night.
i have a 50mm 1.8 but it's not auto focus with my DX body. Really hard to focus at 1.8.

[Johnmadd]

I was looking at this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005Y3OM?sp=1

Good for distant shooting I assume, but will it give me a nice scenic picture or just a close up from far away?

That 18-200 is way more money than I can verify at this point.

[M0nk3y]

Why not a 50mm f/1.8?

With a crop body IMO 50mm is too much for an everyday lens. I'm actually going to pick one up soon...

If you take a 35mm lens times 1.5 (crop lens) you're already at 52.5mm focal length

[UdubBadger]

crop factor is 1.6x

however don't dismiss the nifty 50 as being one of the best walk around lenses.

below 50mm you get edge distortion in the frame (bending). now even though on a crop sensor 50mm turns into an 85mm (basically) that isn't always a bad thing. Like I said before - don't let the ability to zoom in or out dictate where you stand to take a shot. The large majority of professional photography you see is shot above 70mm. Wide angle lenses are for a perspective purpose, not for laziness to move back a few feet.


i dunno maybe this is too much for ya right now but I'm basing this all on the fact that you said you want to get deep into photography.

Also I apologize for my earlier recommendations - I forgot you used Nikon and not Canon.

[UdubBadger]

If you want a good 50mm my buddy John Zhang is selling one for Nikon.
50mm f/1.4
$250

http://www.facebook.com/jzhang1013
john@1013mm.com

Just tell him I sent you.

[danewilson77]

If you want a good 50mm my buddy John Zhang is selling one for Nikon.
50mm f/1.4
$250

http://www.facebook.com/jzhang1013
john@1013mm.com

Just tell him I sent you.

Great price.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[M0nk3y]

If you want a good 50mm my buddy John Zhang is selling one for Nikon.
50mm f/1.4
$250

http://www.facebook.com/jzhang1013
john@1013mm.com

Just tell him I sent you.

Wat...that's cheap.

I wish i had the coin

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[danewilson77]

Wat...that's cheap.

I wish i had the coin

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah...for f/1.4 that's killer. f/1.8 new can be had for a tad over $200.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Johnmadd]

Yeah...for f/1.4 that's killer. f/1.8 new can be had for a tad over $200.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
Latter for 110$ at bestbuy