Lens, Filters, Overwhelmed

I know the lens question has been asked 100 times but it's all so overwhelming. I bought a D5300 a few months ago. I bought the kit that came with the 18-55mm lens and the 55-200mm lens. I am just not happy all the time with those lenses but just don't know what else to get. So let me tell you a little about what I take pictures of. I have 4 kids so you can guess that's a lot of what I am taking pictures of. That includes - nice pictures (I dare to say portrait but yes portrait), parties and activities. Their activities give me the biggest challenge. Here are some of the activities they do - theatre (indoor and my biggest challenge), swimming (indoor a lot and another challenge), band concerts, soccer, tennis, etc... The theater is my biggest challenge because I need a zoom for it, sometimes 200 is not enough. I want to take clear pictures and just can't get that all the time. I did pictures of my daughter for senior pictures and just not as happy with them as I thought I would be. I love to take pictures of the kids for special occasions but want a better lens for that too.

So Suggetions? I thought about the 35mm one or the 70-300 mm?

The next question is filter or no filter and I have never owned a hood? Sorry so many questions.

Kristy

albrst said:

I know the lens question has been asked 100 times but it's all so overwhelming. I bought a D5300 a few months ago. I bought the kit that came with the 18-55mm lens and the 55-200mm lens. I am just not happy all the time with those lenses but just don't know what else to get. So let me tell you a little about what I take pictures of. I have 4 kids so you can guess that's a lot of what I am taking pictures of. That includes - nice pictures (I dare to say portrait but yes portrait), parties and activities. Their activities give me the biggest challenge. Here are some of the activities they do - theatre (indoor and my biggest challenge), swimming (indoor a lot and another challenge), band concerts, soccer, tennis, etc... The theater is my biggest challenge because I need a zoom for it, sometimes 200 is not enough. I want to take clear pictures and just can't get that all the time. I did pictures of my daughter for senior pictures and just not as happy with them as I thought I would be. I love to take pictures of the kids for special occasions but want a better lens for that too.

So Suggetions? I thought about the 35mm one or the 70-300 mm?

The next question is filter or no filter and I have never owned a hood? Sorry so many questions.

Kristy

Click to expand...

I think before I could give you any suggestions I'd need to know a few things...

You said a couple times you're not happy with your results you're getting; can you be more specific regarding what is it you're not happy with? Is it the exposure, the color are the photos not sharp... ?? How do you shoot generally speaking, meaning do you shoot in Aperture Priority, Program mode, full Manual... All of the above, none of the above... Do you shoot raw or .jpg? In general how familiar are you with the foundations of photography, things like the exposure triangle and reciprocity for instance? I ask these questions because much of the time it's not that the equipment isn't up to the task, it's the user that doesn't understand what's required to get a good shot under the prevailing conditions. I don't mean to sound harsh when I say that, but neither do I want to see you spend a ton of money on lenses when that's not the real solution. If it comes to that, though, rest assured we're all very good at helping people spend their money.

Lastly, regarding hoods and filters: Hoods, I would say, are essential and you should definitely have and use them on all your lenses. Filters are optional and run a distant second to having lens hood.
....

Hi Kristy. With 4 kids this may not be a great option for you but I think if you are going to spend some money in order to try and get better photos you might want to consider a class. I think this would better serve you than any lens or whatever at this point in your evolution. You really need to have a good solid foundation to build upon and that is exactly what you will learn in a class. Knowledge is power.

Sounds like you need a speedlight.

Howdy Kristy and welcome to Nikonites!

HF asked all the meaningful questions to help provide more specific recommendations, so I'll just say there's a world of difference between a 35mm prime and the 70-300mm zoom. Both are good options, but before I could recommend either, having the info HF asked for would help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you are hand-holding the zoom at low shutter speeds, that could be an issue as well.
Posting one of the images would help the Nikonites figure out where to get you started so you won't get so frustrated and miss important events.

Guidelines to adding a photo to your post.

1. Resize photo to 1000px on the long side.
2. Resolution set to 72ppi (Pixels Per Inch)

These guidelines will be good for viewing on a computer but will not be good for printing. This will help safeguard your copyright.

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.

The suggestion to take a class is a good one. Or, some good video tutorials or manuals on the internet may be of help. I would really recommend you get some basic training before spending money on new lenses. The lenses you have may not be the sharpest and best available, but they will produce decent shots if used correctly.

What Rocket Cowboy suggested and Scott on a speed light. I dont have the greatest 70-300mm, With a flash it is pretty sharp. I too started out with kit lenses. I also have a 50mm, it gets you a little closer. I use it during barrel racing here.

Okay, let me see if I answer some of your questions.

The pictures I am not happy with are usually ones that the color is not right (too light or too dark, except in the theater where they are using funky lights and I don't think that is fixable) and sharpness. Sharpness is probably my biggest complaint.

I will be honest, I shoot a lot in full auto BUT, funny you all said this, have been taking a photography class, and so I have been trying full manual mode. I did get some decent pictures are the last theater performance changing the settings. The pictures I would really like to see better are ones of just my kids being still (prom, senior pics, easter, birthday, etc...) when I can't do much about lighting, etc... and the ones in the theater. The issue with the theater is the lighting. I can't use a flash or use any additional light. So I had to set my ISO to a pretty big number and then I get grainy pics.

As far as reciprocity, I am learning about it and starting to grasp it and can get some better pics. I am hoping this class will make a difference in my pictures but it's only a few weeks long and is the only class in our area. Any suggestions of affordable, legit online classes?

The teacher in this class is helpful but has a Canon so isn't helping with picking Nikon lenses.

Suggestions on hoods?

Did I answer your questions? LOL.

Kristy

Okay, let me see if I answer some of your questions.

The pictures I am not happy with are usually ones that the color is not right (too light or too dark, except in the theater where they are using funky lights and I don't think that is fixable) and sharpness. Sharpness is probably my biggest complaint.

I will be honest, I shoot a lot in full auto BUT, funny you all said this, have been taking a photography class, and so I have been trying full manual mode. I did get some decent pictures are the last theater performance changing the settings. The pictures I would really like to see better are ones of just my kids being still (prom, senior pics, easter, birthday, etc...) when I can't do much about lighting, etc... and the ones in the theater. The issue with the theater is the lighting. I can't use a flash or use any additional light. So I had to set my ISO to a pretty big number and then I get grainy pics.

As far as reciprocity, I am learning about it and starting to grasp it and can get some better pics. I am hoping this class will make a difference in my pictures but it's only a few weeks long and is the only class in our area. Any suggestions of affordable, legit online classes?

Did I answer your questions? LOL.

Suggestions on hoods?

Kristy

albrst said:

Okay, let me see if I answer some of your questions.

The pictures I am not happy with are usually ones that the color is not right (too light or too dark, except in the theater where they are using funky lights and I don't think that is fixable) and sharpness. Sharpness is probably my biggest complaint.

I will be honest, I shoot a lot in full auto BUT, funny you all said this, have been taking a photography class, and so I have been trying full manual mode. I did get some decent pictures are the last theater performance changing the settings. The pictures I would really like to see better are ones of just my kids being still (prom, senior pics, easter, birthday, etc...) when I can't do much about lighting, etc... and the ones in the theater. The issue with the theater is the lighting. I can't use a flash or use any additional light. So I had to set my ISO to a pretty big number and then I get grainy pics.

As far as reciprocity, I am learning about it and starting to grasp it and can get some better pics. I am hoping this class will make a difference in my pictures but it's only a few weeks long and is the only class in our area. Any suggestions of affordable, legit online classes?

Did I answer your questions? LOL.

Suggestions on hoods?

Kristy

Click to expand...

Well taking things one at a time, lets address sharpness. Are you shooting JPG? If you are start by adjusting the in-camera sharpness setting.

To make the adjustment do the following:

1. Go into the Shooting Menu (Camera Icon).
2. From there drop down to "Set Picture Control".
3. Click right one time to enter the sub-menu.
4. Highlight the Picture Control you normally use, probably "Normal", and click right again.
5. In the Picture Control sub-menu drop down to the "Sharpness" setting and move the slider from the very low default setting of "2", to +7 instead. Be sure to press "OK" to save this adjustment.

If you shoot using the "Landscape", "Vivid" or any of the other Picture Controls you'll need to adjust the Sharpness setting there as well since each of the various Picture Controls have their own sub-menus and settings.

Lens hood for your 55-200mm: Knock-off HB-34. You can spend more a Nikon branded hood but there's no need.

Finding the correct lens hood for your 18-55mm is trickier. There are numerous versions of that lens, each with their own version of lens hood. Since you bought your D5300 recently I'm thinking you have the latest version of the 18-55mm and will suggest this $8 knock-off HB-69. The Nikon version, just so you know, goes for $27. Spend as much as you think you need to.

While you are getting some great advice on here, I often say it half joking, but every camera comes preloaded with a couple 1000 bad photos before you get any good stuff. What I mean is that there is a learning curve and between getting help, education, and time behind the camera in manual mode, it just takes time. One of the BEST ways you can develop you skills is to do a Project 365. And while this is not the beginning of the year, you could still start right now. By picking up the camera everyday and forcing yourself to shoot you will get better, promise. Welcome and don't give up. There is a lot of frustration with any new skill.

albrst said:

The pictures I am not happy with are usually ones that the color is not right (too light or too dark, except in the theater where they are using funky lights and I don't think that is fixable) and sharpness.

Click to expand...

Paul has your best advise on sharpness. There are things you can do in camera with the picture control profiles. You could also be having problems related to running high ISO, and like also a wide open aperture to get in as much light as possible, which is also not usually the sharpest setting for the kit lenses.

White balance can be corrected by using a custom white balance. Either in camera, or if you are shooting raw, can be corrected in post via your editing software. You would want to shoot a calibration target or a white/grey card to get your white balance dialed in, but could help with the funky lights.

Moab Man said:

While you are getting some great advice on here, I often say it half joking, but every camera comes preloaded with a couple 1000 bad photos before you get any good stuff. What I mean is that there is a learning curve and between getting help, education, and time behind the camera in manual mode, it just takes time. One of the BEST ways you can develop you skills is to do a Project 365. And while this is not the beginning of the year, you could still start right now. By picking up the camera everyday and forcing yourself to shoot you will get better, promise. Welcome and don't give up. There is a lot of frustration with any new skill.

Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

My camera is/was loaded with a lot more than 1000 duds. I would send it back but I'm to busy using it.

Moab Man said:

While you are getting some great advice on here, I often say it half joking, but every camera comes preloaded with a couple 1000 bad photos before you get any good stuff. What I mean is that there is a learning curve and between getting help, education, and time behind the camera in manual mode, it just takes time. One of the BEST ways you can develop you skills is to do a Project 365. And while this is not the beginning of the year, you could still start right now. By picking up the camera everyday and forcing yourself to shoot you will get better, promise. Welcome and don't give up. There is a lot of frustration with any new skill.

Click to expand...

I haven't done a 365 but my pictures have gotten better over time. It comes from learning more about a camera (settings, lighting, subjects, etc.). You will also learn a lot from this site. I use a lens hood and I have clear filters on my lenses for protection. I haven't added a flash yet because it wouldn't be used on most of the pictures I take (ex; outside, inside church services/events; inside school events). I started with Auto & jpeg initially but have progressed to Aperture priority and raw+jpeg. Now I'm looking at trying more full manual. Just keep shooting and don't be afraid to try different settings. I took about 40 photos at a church event recently and ended up keeping about 15 or so that I was happy with.

Samo said:

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

My camera is/was loaded with a lot more than 1000 duds. I would send it back but I'm to busy using it.

Click to expand...

And they keep popping up when ever they feel like it.

Camera Fun said:

I haven't done a 365 but my pictures have gotten better over time.

Click to expand...

I know that is true, just saying that a 365 is the fastest way. Welcome to Nikonites.

albrst said:

I know the lens question has been asked 100 times but it's all so overwhelming. I bought a D5300 a few months ago. I bought the kit that came with the 18-55mm lens and the 55-200mm lens. I am just not happy all the time with those lenses but just don't know what else to get. So let me tell you a little about what I take pictures of. I have 4 kids so you can guess that's a lot of what I am taking pictures of. That includes - nice pictures (I dare to say portrait but yes portrait), parties and activities. Their activities give me the biggest challenge. Here are some of the activities they do - theatre (indoor and my biggest challenge), swimming (indoor a lot and another challenge), band concerts, soccer, tennis, etc... The theater is my biggest challenge because I need a zoom for it, sometimes 200 is not enough. I want to take clear pictures and just can't get that all the time. I did pictures of my daughter for senior pictures and just not as happy with them as I thought I would be. I love to take pictures of the kids for special occasions but want a better lens for that too.

So Suggetions? I thought about the 35mm one or the 70-300 mm?

The next question is filter or no filter and I have never owned a hood? Sorry so many questions.

Kristy

Click to expand...

You will be faced with tough choices. I have only one kid, but just looking back a few of the latest shots of her I see that I have used at least 85mm f/1.4, 135mm f/2, 24mm f/1.4, 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8. There's no right or wrong, I guess, but different situations beg for different lenses. I prefer single focal length lenses over zoom lenses, but that is just a personal preference. Of your specific question, my vote goes to the 35mm.

Hover your mouse over the images below to deduct which lens was used. Click on the images to see a bit bigger version. Perhaps the images give you ideas of what kind of view/perspective different lenses provide.

@pforsell You have a beautiful little model and that second composition is spectacular.