Looking for my first prime, not sure which

[gqtuazon]

I want to get a prime lenses. But I'm not sure which to get. I want something that can do portrait, urban shooting (buildings and such), museums, and some landscape. I'm thinking the 85mm Nikon might do the trick. Thoughts?

I have the 28 mm f1.8g, 50mm and 85mm lenses. Primes are more of a specialty lenses.

Although I have not tried the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DX Zoom lens, that is what I would suggest instead. 85mm is more for an outdoor lens unless you have a larger space in your house to use as a portrait lens.

 

[donaldjledet]

Yes the 28mm 1.8g gets my vote. Even thought i have the 35mm 1.8g

 

[mauckcg]

I have the 28 mm f1.8g, 50mm and 85mm lenses. Primes are more of a specialty lenses.

Although I have not tried the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DX Zoom lens, that is what I would suggest instead. 85mm is more for an outdoor lens unless you have a larger space in your house to use as a portrait lens.

18-35 is fantastic. You eventually get used to the short focal range, but the image quality is is nigh impossible to beat.

 

[weebee]

Wow, a lot of choices. I was hoping to keep her under 300.00. Guess I better think again!

 

[Woodyg3]

It's a cost/benefit kinda' thing. How often have you found your 18-140mm lacking? That is, by what I have read, a pretty darn good lens.

 

[weebee]

I've had the 18-140 for a few days. So I'm not sure on that yet. So far it's a great lenses. I'll probably just get both, the 35mm and 50mm. And see how it goes. I wish there was a place local where I could rent a lenses first. Oh well, If I don't like them I can sell for a slight loss and call it a rental fee.

 

[ShootRaw]

My 28mm 1.8G I used to own allowed me to pull off this indoor shot with the D7100...

 

[Horoscope Fish]

I've had the 18-140 for a few days. So I'm not sure on that yet. So far it's a great lenses. I'll probably just get both, the 35mm and 50mm. And see how it goes. I wish there was a place local where I could rent a lenses first. Oh well, If I don't like them I can sell for a slight loss and call it a rental fee.

I've had the Nikon 18-140mm for months now and have shot with it a lot. It's a very good lens; not great but very good, very capable. If you get your 35mm and 50mm Primes from some place like Amazon (especially if you have Prime) or B&H you should have a pretty generous return policy, on the order of 30-days. Buy both both lenses, try both lenses for a week or two and then send back the one you don't want to keep. Easy peasy.

...

 

[SteveL54]

So, are you totally confused now????

I went with the 35mm 1.8 a few months ago. No regrets.

 

[gqtuazon]

Wow, a lot of choices. I was hoping to keep her under 300.00. Guess I better think again!

"Budget" is often the determining factor regardless of the other lenses lenses that were recommended.

 

[Blacktop]

So, are you totally confused now????

I went with the 35mm 1.8 a few months ago. No regrets.

What do you mainly shoot with it @SteveL54?

 

[Marcel]

Get a 35 1.8 DX AND a 50 1.8 D. You could probable get both for under 350.00$

 

[SteveL54]

What do you mainly shoot with it @SteveL54?

It quickly became my everyday lens. I've learned that I'd rather set up a shot by using my feet. It's perfect for walking around doing street shots, or something quick out the truck or car window. I really like the sharpness and quick focus. I still use my 18-55 occasionally, but less and less, and my 55-200 if I just want some reach. It's just a good all around lens, and it suits me just fine.

 

[weebee]

Get a 35 1.8 DX AND a 50 1.8 D. You could probable get both for under 350.00$

That's what I'm thinking of doing too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[weebee]

So, are you totally confused now????

I went with the 35mm 1.8 a few months ago. No regrets.

LOL!!! A bit confused. But I think I have a direction I want to go now.

 

[Marcel]

I don't think that 28mm is wide enough for DX and landscape. The Sigma 10-20 3.5-5.6 is a very good value lens for the DX for landscape.

Oops, I answered the wrong post because the forum redirected me to the wrong post...

 

[SkvLTD]

I'll ask this - why do you feel the need to get a prime? Do you shoot in low-light a lot? Do you really like heavy bokeh? Like to run micro-laps around to find that perfect spot?

I shot almost exclusively with primes for over a year and after going back to zooms, I hardly look back unless I need to shoot something very specific. Macro, you kinda need a macro prime. Extreme low-light, you kinda need that 1.8 or 1.4 over 2.8 and up. In most daily situations though, zooms will do the job easier. When its sunny out, you'll be shooting at 1/2-600 shutter and at least f/7.1-8, so having that 1.8 or 1.4 prime becomes trivial as even good kit zooms will be plenty sharp at those apertures as well and focus plenty fast.

If you want to shoot a full-course dinner of things, your 18-140 should be your workhorse lens until you can afford a 17-50 2.8 or something similar.

All that said, I'd get a 35/1.8G DX prime just to get a feel for a prime, but don't dwell too much on it unless it really speaks to you.

The shot you want to get never waits for you to get it, so the quicker and more convenient your tools, the greater your chances to succeed.

 

[aroy]

I also got the 35mm F1.8 DX. I use my kit 18-55 in good light and the 35mm in bad light and indoors.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

I can do a minimal zoom/crop on a 35mm image and easily simulate the 50mm field of view, but I can't "widen" a 50mm shot to simulate the 35mm focal length.

Just something to consider, perhaps.

...

 

[oldhippy]

Remember, with prime lenses you zoom with your feet. So this or that lens can work for many applications. Biggest thing is how wide you want. With a 28mm. You can do landscape and portrait. You have to be closer to you subject or crop some. Ed