|
Yes!
35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 135mm f/2.8. I <3 them.
They're usually cheaper, sharper, and faster.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Yes i do. right now i only have the 50mm 1.8 but i have frequently used my friends 135 2.8 and 85 1.4. They do tend to be more expensive but thats because they're a lot better. Most of the time they are faster and i like the fact that they make you move your body to get the shot. not just zoom back and forth. it helps you be a better photographer.
Edit: the ones that are more expensive is because of how good they are, but one of the cheapest new lenses you can get is the 50 1.8 and its my fav lens i own at the moment.
Originally posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
horizonlights edited this topic 45 months ago.
|
|
50mm 1.8 right now, but my next lens will be a Sigma 30mm and probably a 105 micro non-metering lens
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
They're also (usually) smaller and lighter. Most will be manual focus on your D40/x/60.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
very interesting. I may have to try those sometime. The idea of a lens that doesn't zoom sounds fascinating. Do you have any photos on flickr that you took with those types of lenses?
ok so are they cheaper or more expensive?
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
some are cheaper some more expensive. its really whatever. and if you go to my photostream just look at all the ones in the set under 50mm 1.8, but im sure david has some better ones.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
You folk are WAAAAAAY too nice!
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I use primes exclusively. Each one has its own best applications -- a 55mm f/3.5 Micro for close-up work, a 300mm f/4.5 for birding, etc. My best all-around lens at the moment is a 35mm f/1.4 AIS -- a lovely lens.
Of course, none of mine meter, let alone autofocus, but that doesn't bother me at all. YMMV.
As to the virtues of primes, basically it's this: A prime can be made some, although usually not all, of the following:
* Cheaper than a comparable zoom
* Faster (meaning wider aperture) than a comparable zoom
* Optically superior to a comparable zoom
* Smaller/lighter than a comparable zoom
Not every prime beats every zoom in each of these areas, but most primes beat most similar zooms (i.e., when comparing pro-grade lenses to each other, or consumer-grade lenses to each other) in two or three of these areas.
The image quality gap historically was quite high, which is why zooms didn't immediately become popular when they were first released, but the better zoom lenses being made today are optically very, very good. However, for those on a budget, you can typically get a lot more lens for your dollar by going with a prime.
However, zooms do give you more flexibility in terms of focal length, which helps not just with convenience, but also by making it easier to control change subject distance (and thus perspective) will still filling the frame with as much of the scene as you want.
Originally posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
kukkurovaca (a group admin) edited this topic 45 months ago.
|
|
|
minka6: My gallery is mostly shot with prime lenses. I rarely use my kit (my only zoom).
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I have the 50mm f/1.8 and even though it is manual focus on the D60, it is probably my favorite lens of the ones I own.
You can check out the 50 mm group here:
www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor50mm18/
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Most of the time I use the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Various reasons for why it suits me but, yes, I'm very fond of prime lenses.
Also, find a zoom lens that opens up to f/1.4...
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I have a 50mm F1.4 pre AI. so I have to manually meter and focus.
it is my favorite lens.
Originally posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
rodbotic edited this topic 45 months ago.
|
|
|
I think I'm completely sold on the primes now. Thanks so much Kukk. As usual you are very thorough in your responses.
Is the 35mm f/1.4 AIS a wide angle lens?
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
what would be a good prime lens to start with? not too expensive.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
minka6: The 35mm f/1.4 AIS will not meter nor autofocus on your D40/x/60. The field of view is similar to your 18-55 set to 35mm. The 35mm has a superlarge aperture of f/1.4, compared to the 18-55 which is f/4.5/8 at 35mm.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
A good prime to start with is the 50mm f/1.8D, which sells for about $110 USD. It will be manual focus with metering.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
As always I say get something wider unless you're into portraits :)
35mm is probably nice. In my opinion 28mm is nicer.
Not-at-all-unrelated: I put my kit lens on today (mostly for checking that it's not the camera that's the reason for my Sigma's front-focusing) and snapped of such a nice photo of my girlfriend that I got quite taken by the idea of looking for a 28mm lens for my film rangefinder :p
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
David's right. If you want autofocus as well, your best bet is something like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM ("normal" FOV, fast) or the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-S (macro work, portraits, etc.). Unfortunately, these aren't super-cheap, which is why some folks are frustrated at the lack of AF-S prime lenses. Nikon may release some later this month, though probably none of them will be as affordable as the 50mm f/1.8. : (
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
I don't need AF, I hardly ever use it. I may get something cheaper for now to get the feel for it and see how much I use it and like it.
David I love your work! thanks.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
minka6: I still recommend the 50mm f/1.8D over the 35mm f/1.4 AIS since you're just starting. It's less expensive and you still retain metering. Thanks :D.
Originally posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
.David Chu (a group admin) edited this topic 45 months ago.
|
|
50mm f1.8 E series, 100mm f2.8 E series, I think a 24 and a 28? None meter or auto focus, but they are great lenses!
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@minka6: check out Bjørn Rørslett to see what's worth checking out.
I think the very old 28mm f/3.5 lenses are going cheap on KEH.com but I, myself, am quite interested in getting a 24mm f/2.8 for myself. Mostly I'm forgiving of how "slow" it is because I already have a 30mm f/1.4 for when it gets dark :)
But, yeah, if you have no properly fast lens I'd understand if something f/2 or faster would be tempting. I'd find it hard to be without one.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Thanks Karl, I'm writing all this down. can you recommend something directly on the B&H site? I'm going there this weekend.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
The 35mm f/1.4 is a bit steep for a first manual lens. I'd start out with something like the 50mm f/1.4 or the 35mm f/2 among non-metering lenses, or the 50mm f/1.8 AF-D among metering ones, although I'm not a huge fan of that lens, because of its focus ring.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
If the 35 f/2 isn't much more expensive than the 50 f/1.8 AF-D then I'd second that. Proper normal prime and that third, or so, of a stop isn't a big deal. Properly fast normal prime.
And, yeah, a proper aperture ring is probably even better to have on a D40 where you have to press a button while turning the wheel to change aperture in manual mode.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
thanks everyone, I took some notes. a portable Karl or Kukk would be a food idea, but I may bring my friend to help me choose out of all these options. in any case, this has been great information. Thank you all!!!
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
a portable Karl or Kukk would be a food idea,
Hopefully that was a typo for "good." I don't like the idea of being portable food... ; )
kukkurovaca: dead, god, sentient webscript, or anytime snack?
Originally posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
kukkurovaca (a group admin) edited this topic 45 months ago.
|
|
|
I tend to look at dead gods as anytime snack. Portable mummy BBQ FTW.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
kukk jerky, anyone?
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
that's hilarious! a typo of course.... well I had a good laugh about that at least.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
105mm f/2.5!!
You'll be amazed how good it is after dark as well.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I use the 50mm 1.8D and 1.4 S, the sigma 30mm f/1.4 and the nikkor-q 135mm f/2.8, all great primes, and cheap too (cept the 30mm, but u can do what i did and offer to buy it off someone who has AF front focus problems with it, and use it as a manual focus lens :)
Primes force you to move your feet/body which also tends to make you pay attention more to position and perspective, which is why i like them, besides the obvious of being fast and sharp.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Yep - Sigma 30mm F1.4
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
 |
-_m_- [deleted] says:
and some people, like me, think primes are way overrated when considering what most of us do with our images. but than again what do i know :)
95% of the time though i seriously can't imagine not having the ability to zoom in and out, it's just impractical for me personally.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Minka - I use and love primes - please try this - use a piece of tape to hold your current zoom lens @ 50mm and shoot with it as you normally would. Inside, outside, etc... This will give you a feel for 'foot zooming' and what its like to have a fixed focal length.
Goodluck!!
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
35mm f/2
50mm f/1.8
and I just sold a 50mm f/1.2
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D, manual focus on D40, is cheap and very sharp. I don't know anyone who doesn't love it.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
d4n131m3j14: You SOLD a 50mm f/1.2? Are you crazy? :|
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
The Sigma 30mm f1.4 is a great 'first' prime lens, because it will auto focus and meter on the D40/x and D60. Prime lenses rock. It's so much more challenging and fun to zoom with your feet instead of the lens.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
fuzzy one,
" Prime lenses rock. It's so much more challenging and fun to zoom with your feet instead of the lens. "
I agree totally
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Ok, I saw this from work but couldn't post, and now I can't help but pile on! I use:
28mm/2.8 E
50mm/1.8 AF-D
55mm/3.5 micro pre-AI (new!)
135mm/2.8
300mm/4.5
I find them to be much more fun to use, and in most cases give me better image quality. Sometimes due to speed and sometimes just better image "character".
I started with the metering 50/1.8 AFD, and practiced manual focus. If you want to try non-metering off the bat, your options are almost unlimited. KEH.com is a good place to start, since their ratings are reliably conservative. Better prices on ebay sometimes, but lots of junk (and fungus) too.
Check out the no-metering group for lots of info on Pre-AI, AI, and AIS lenses: www.flickr.com/groups/365610@N21/
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
"55mm/3.5 micro pre-AI (new!)" You mean old? :)
So who can describe this "character"?
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I love the 50mm/f1.8. It's one of the cheapest lenses, but it's very sharp and has the largest aperture so I can get really great DOF. It doesn't auto-focus on my D40x, but I just upgraded to a D90, which does support AF and I love it even more now.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
i use 50mm 1.8AF D and 100mm E. Its good to start with a metering prime and get used to manual focus (50mm AF D dosent have a good focus ring though)........i love my 100mm E series a lot.........
i would suggest you go for a 50mm AFD and then move on to non metering primes.........good luck ...........sure you will enjoy the primes........
this one was taken with 100mm f/2.8E on a dark rainy day
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@David: If I had to describe the character, it's probably best described as the contrast and sharpness, as well as the "depth" of the image. It's hard to put in words, maybe it's (generally) fewer elements of glass between the light source and the sensor? Not sure really, maybe someone else can explain it better.
Posted 45 months ago.
(permalink)
|
Would you like to comment?
Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).
|
Nikon D40/x/50/60/5000/3000/3100 and Friends Club /
Discuss
Feed – Subscribe to Nikon D40/x/50/60/5000/3000/3100 and Friends Club discussion threads