Confused about Lenses

Hello All,

Well as the title says, I currently use a D3200 with it's kit lens. So far pictures are superb and I'm not sure I could get any better, but I like the idea of additional lenses. My problem is, whenever I read a review about some lens I like there is always some negative stuff, like high distortions and each end, or IQ not so good, or heavy bulky or not weather proof.

Basically it has put me off even to look. Do you guys feel like this or could it be me being too picky. After all spending €500+ and getting it wrong would really upset me!

In Addition I notice people shoot with 50 - 300 or 70 - 300 lenses, with these focal lengths you need to be a fair way away to take a shot, and it you wanted to come close would need to swap the lends for something like 18-55.

Why not just have an 18-300 all the time??? Am I missing something here? Apologise for being naive on this but with so many lenses about I never know what I might need.

What do I shoot, mainly real estate (so I am guessing a 10-xx or a 14-xx but I also shoot general purpose, my grandchildren or events, and really who wants to be lugging around all this gear when it is supposed to be just for fun???

Any suggestions, pointers, advice welcome as I am going mad on this.

I shoot 16-85 as my walk around lens. It works well for real estate and is long enough to use as a portrait lens. Refurbished ones are not too dear. 85 per cent of what I shoot can be covered with that lens.

All lenses must conform to one fact: They're an exercise in compromise. All-in-one lenses (aka 'superzooms') will not have the image quality that a zoom with a smaller ratio has. The more a lens tries to do, the less it does any of it well.

As a general rule, a pair of lenses (say, 18-55 and 55-200) will provide better images than one single 18-200 zoom. That's the compromise. You only have to carry one lens with the 18-200, but you give up IQ.

Think you are over thinking this

I would suggest you sort a lens for your real estate,one you think would do the job,then a super zoom like the 18-300 for the pure fun photography family ect,for these subjects its highly unlikely you will notice the so called shortcomings we have a member who uses i think a tamron superzoom and gets great results from it,this should put a call out for him @wev

At 10-14mm, you're gonna have distortion no matter what. Not a big deal as it is correctable to some extent.

Big zoom ranges usually offer up more compromises than shorter zoom ranges.

Most folks are going to want one or more fast primes. The wide apertures not only let in more light, they allow for some pleasing background effects (especially in portraiture) not possible with f3.5-5.6 zooms. Off course you can apply these kind of effects in post, but doing a good job can be time consuming.

But to address your frustration, most lenses are compromises (unless you want to spend many thousands on one). And you know what... none of them are going to resolve the pixel resolution of your d3200 at 6500 ppi. The good news is that if you're happy with your kit lens, there are lenses out there that will provide noticeable improvement.

If you're looking to go wider, the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 is very good, and a pretty good value right now. Beware of older f4-5.6 models as they will need to have their firmware upgraded to work properly with the d3200. The 8-16 is also good albeit a bit pricier.

If you're looking to go longer, it gets more complicated (budget, use).

If you're simply looking to go better, you'll have to really break out the wallet. The Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 is marvelous. The Nikon 35mm and 50mm f/1.8 are very good values, but not sure how useful you'll find them given what you say you shoot. The 50 could do great portraits if you work reasonably close.

HTH

Thank you all so far for your useful comments. I think about all this.
Cheers

fsbcyp said:

Thank you all so far for your useful comments. I think about all this.
Cheers

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Don't rush out and buy a lens, enjoy your camera, the D3200 is a nice camera and with the kit lens will give you very good pictures.

When I got my D3200, I bought a 55-200mm lens, a 50mm prime lens because I thought that what I needed, now sold them both, because I never used them.

Is there any particular need that your current lens doesn't satisfy? Or a planned one? For instance, do you need a longer telephoto for nature/bird shots? Or a shorter focal length lens for interior building shots? Do you need a faster lens (with a wider aperture) to shoot in lower light conditions?

After those, if there are any, are satisfied, then look into what you want to do with your photography, and then look for lenses which will satisfy these needs and wants. Don't buy a lens to drive where you go photographically. Decide where you want to go as a photographer, and buy the equipment which will help you get there.

WM

Whiskeyman said:

Is there any particular need that your current lens doesn't satisfy? Or a planned one? For instance, do you need a longer telephoto for nature/bird shots? Or a shorter focal length lens for interior building shots? Do you need a faster lens (with a wider aperture) to shoot in lower light conditions?

After those, if there are any, are satisfied, then look into what you want to do with your photography, and then look for lenses which will satisfy these needs and wants. Don't buy a lens to drive where you go photographically. Decide where you want to go as a photographer, and buy the equipment which will help you get there.

WM

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Hi,

Well I find the 18-55 not wide enough for my real estate shots especially when in a small room and cannot move back any more. Don't get me wrong, the pictures are fantastic, but I need to be able to go wider.

Also, the 55 is not long enough as an example, at the grand children's school plays, unless I can sit right in front, I cannot get any close up and they all look distant.

Perhaps I could get a wider lens for my D3200 just for the real estate use and get another body with a long lens. Would that make more sense??

fsbcyp said:

Perhaps I could get a wider lens for my D3200 just for the real estate use and get another body with a long lens. Would that make more sense??

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You can get the Tokina 2.8 11-16 wide angle lens, and some versions have the built-in focus motor so your body will focus it. I love ours. The 2.8 aperture means that you won't need the flash as often, but if you do use the built-in flash, the lens will block part of it, so keep that in mind.

For the second part of your question - you can swap lenses at will. I'm not sure why you'd want a second body for a long lens unless the D3200 isn't working for you in some way.

fsbcyp said:

Hi,

Well I find the 18-55 not wide enough for my real estate shots especially when in a small room and cannot move back any more. Don't get me wrong, the pictures are fantastic, but I need to be able to go wider.

Also, the 55 is not long enough as an example, at the grand children's school plays, unless I can sit right in front, I cannot get any close up and they all look distant.

Perhaps I could get a wider lens for my D3200 just for the real estate use and get another body with a long lens. Would that make more sense??

Click to expand...

Well the D3200 is an entirely capable camera body so I'd tell you to sell the 18-55mm if you can, and get the Tokina AT-X 12-24mm f/4 IF DX II (you'll probably want the more expensive "II" version since the D3200 does not have a built in auto-focus motor) for real-estate shooting and the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G to replace the 18-55mm and give you the extra reach you need for school plays and as your general-purpose, walk-about lens.

Shooting at focal lengths like 12mm is going to require you learn to handle distortion in whatever software you use to post process because you WILL have distortion; it will only be a matter of how much and what type. Typically it's easily handled, but not always.
.....

skater said:

For the second part of your question - you can swap lenses at will. I'm not sure why you'd want a second body for a long lens unless the D3200 isn't working for you in some way.

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I was thinking more along the lines of keeping the work camera for just that and get another for the hobby side of things.

But yes I could swap lenses but then I need to have them at the office and then take them home and back and forth that's all.

OK, apologies maybe I didn't make my self clear the first time. The RE photos are for putting on the website not much else so I don't need any sort of PP. So far I have managed great shots, I just wanted to go wider.

Could you please explain this distortion a little. I understand that barrel distortions bends the image and the ends, but I can never see what a pin cushion distortion is. Are they really that bad for an average photo, I mean does it spoil the image that much??? I guess if I was pro then perhaps it would be a yes, but not everyone is!

fsbcyp said:

I was thinking more along the lines of keeping the work camera for just that and get another for the hobby side of things.

Click to expand...

Well that's another option.

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fsbcyp said:

But yes I could swap lenses but then I need to have them at the office and then take them home and back and forth that's all.

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Well, yes... Many of us carry a body with us all the time and keep spare lenses, filters, a flash and what not in a camera bag.
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Well, yes, some of us are not that addicted to let it run our lives. Judging by the kit you have then looks like you are bitten. I have taken an interest in photography and a hobby to enjoy, not let it run my life. But good for you if you carry a body around everywhere, are you also a train spotter???

fsbcyp said:

Well, yes, some of us are not that addicted to let it run our lives. Judging by the kit you have then looks like you are bitten. I have taken an interest in photography and a hobby to enjoy, not let it run my life. But good for you if you carry a body around everywhere, are you also a train spotter???

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Wow... Presumptuous much? Good luck with whatever you decide.

....

For WEB display you do not need many megapixels.

. Try out cell phones with a wide lens. I have shot tens of thousands of images when I was supervising building construction, and cell phone camera was ideal.
. The 18-55 is a very good lens for its price. If you want the shots wider, why don't you stitch three or more hand held shots. You can shoot only one ROW if you just want it wide. or two or more ROWS if you want the image to cover more area. I used Microsoft ICE extensively to stitch cell phone shots.

Enjoy your DX camera.

The Nikkor 18-55 VR is a great lens. Many around these parts say the Nikon 55-200 VR is junk maybe I got lucky, my copy is great. Does it produce the results of my pro glass? No. Do I often grab my D300, 18-55VR and 55-200 VR quick for a walkaround town or the beach or whatever? You bet....they do about 75% of what I visualize and weigh nothing which results in a better walkaround.

Plus if I drop one of those lenses in the drink oh well.......and I often just leave them in the car (not in direct sunlight of course!)

Get a nice copy of the Nikon 55-200 VR and shoot pictures.

(tho the 18-300 is sweet too ha ha)

Eventually you will want a prime "standard" lens like the Nikkor DX 35 1.8 or a bit longer 50 F1.4 D which I love. That is a topic for down the road when you get "GAS" or "NAS"

hrstrat57 said:

Enjoy your DX camera.


The Nikkor 18-55 VR is a great lens. Many around these parts say the Nikon 55-200 VR is junk maybe I got lucky, my copy is great.

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And note that the VRII versions of these lenses have been vastly improved.

fsbcyp said:

Could you please explain this distortion a little. I understand that barrel distortions bends the image and the ends, but I can never see what a pin cushion distortion is. Are they really that bad for an average photo, I mean does it spoil the image that much??? I guess if I was pro then perhaps it would be a yes, but not everyone is!

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When I correct my images, they look better, but if I hadn't corrected them most people wouldn't notice. I wouldn't worry about it for real estate pictures posted online. I do worry about it (to some extent) for my personal pictures, though.

One tip for shooting: If you do end up getting a super-wide, shoot parallel to the floor (ie aim horizontally) will minimize distortion.


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