First Lesson Learned!

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Flash Pot

Senior Member
I took the camera out yesterday for my first time other than taking a few shots inside the house. Being totally new to DSLR photography I just wanted to take some test shots.

Biggest mistake was not taking the 18mm-55mm lens. The 55mm-to200mm was WAY too much zoom for 75% of the pictures I wanted to capture.

Looks like I need to start with the basics!! :)
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
In the very old days, before zoom lens, or even before interchangeable lens on most cameras, there was the concept of a "normal" lens which was supplied and considered generally most useful, in most situations. This "normal" lens had a focal length approximately the same as the diagonal of the film frame. This was 45 to 50mm on 35 mm film cameras and FX. On DX today, it would be 28 to 30 mm.

The idea was that this lens view more nearly matched the human eye view that we thought we remembered there.

It will still be very useful today.

The downside is that beginners hear about how nifty the 50mm lens was (for FX full frame), and they think they need one, without understanding that DX is a different number now. :)
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
Yes - 18-55mm DX kit covers more than 3/4 of hobbyists' "everyday" needs. If you cannot afford to carry both of your lenses with you, restricting yourself to use only a 18-55mm (on that occasion) is a less painfull option. That is - unless you just know you are about to shoot some very distant objects (and, maybe, portraits too).
 
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Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
I used the 18-55mm lens almost exclusively for the first 12mnths. One reason being because I was scared of letting dust in when changing lenses :D
 
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Sandpatch

Senior Member
It's happened to me several times that I have a shot in mind and to save carry weight, I bring only the chosen lens. I hike to the location .... and realize that the lens I left in the truck is the better choice! :(
 
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Jonathan

Senior Member
I broke through it all and went from the double whammy of the 18-55 and the 55-300 and went straight to the 18-300 and am absolutely loving it. I don't feel it has compromised any of the ways I might shoot tight, loose, high, low. The extra weight might be something but I am still very much in my prime (pun intended).
 
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Flash Pot

Senior Member
HaHa.... Today I took off with the 15mm-55mm lens in place and took some great family pictures. As we drove near a levee my wife looked up and seen an Eagle. We followed it for about a mile and watched it land near her/his huge nest. Sure enough I didn't have my 55mm-200mm lens or I could have taken some hopefully nice shots.

I have a camera bag on the way.... Sheez! :D
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
I carry 3 (see sig) with me, usually, but try to mount the one that best matches my intended shooting for the day. Having said that, if I can find a fairly calm area to swap lenses, I'll do so, but I have found my feet work wonders. I've gotten some great photos with my 70-300 that would have been better suited for my 18-55, I just had to allow for some extra space. Some of my best photos (and learning) has occurred with my "nifty fifty" on my D3100. It really makes ya think about location, perspective, etc.
 
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