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December, 2024

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Picking lens help

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Lwaghorn
Posts: 143 - Karma: 14
First, start with your budget. How much money do you have to spend?
300-400$

Second, what kind of lens do you need? What will you be using it for?
Will be using it mostly as a walk around lens, portraits maybe small landscapes. Little bit of filming not action sport though.

Do you want something that is fast (good in low light)?
Good in low light, something that can go down to around 1.8  1.4

Do you want a prime or a zoom?
prime

What lenses do you already have?
Im getting the D3100 soon and debating on to purchase just the body saving money and run the lens that I purchase full time. Or to buy it with kit lens of 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 and also have whatever lens I go with.


Do you mind using a full manual lens?
Must have auto focus option


I've been looking around and so far I'm between nikon 35mm 1.8    or nikon 50mm 1.4. Just wondering if any of you have had experience with either or both of these lenses. Or if have any other suggestions for lenses in the range that I'm looking for. Much appreciation to answers
Dec 9 2012 10:55AM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
This is not threadworthy. But if you can only afford one of those lenses get the 35mm. On a crop sensor it is a normal equivalent focal length, which is going to be much more versatile than a 50mm which is more of a shortish portait lens on a crop. Pretty sure they are less than $200 each though, so why not just get both? You could also take a look at the sigma 30mm f1.4
Dec 9 2012 11:39AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I know nikon's crop 35mm is a great lens, and it's dirt cheap. I'd just get that to start, my most used lens is my 50mm and my lenses go from 17 to 200mm's.
Dec 9 2012 11:48AM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Definitely go for the 35mm 1.8. If only canon made one, and not their over priced f2 one ($300)
Dec 9 2012 5:33PM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 760
I own both the 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4. I most definitely prefer the 35mm. It's a no-brainer on Nikon at the price... Image quality between the 35mm and 50mm is about the same.

The 35mm focal length on DX is right in the middle, works great as your only prime lens. Then if later on you want a longer prime I would skip the 50mm and get the 85mm f/1.8. Such a good lens...
Dec 10 2012 3:59AM
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