Photos with a Kit Lens
- Thread starter OldSoul
- Start date
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
The only lens that I have to use on my D3200 that is modern enough to take advantage of any of its automatic features is the 18-55mm “kit lens” that came with it; so most of the pictures that I take are with that lens.
Other than that, all my lenses are old, non-electronic, non-autofocusing lenses that only work on my D3200 in full manual mode. Of those, the one that I use the most is my 1972-vintage, non-AI 50mm ƒ/1.4, which probably can also be characterized as the closest thing to a “kit lens” for my equally-old F2.
Other than that, all my lenses are old, non-electronic, non-autofocusing lenses that only work on my D3200 in full manual mode. Of those, the one that I use the most is my 1972-vintage, non-AI 50mm ƒ/1.4, which probably can also be characterized as the closest thing to a “kit lens” for my equally-old F2.
Great Photo!
very nice, I see the 18-55 for sale in the local classified ads going to see if I can find one reasonably priced. If I remember correctly isn't the 18-55 also a good portrait lens?, could be wrong have, read a lot in the last month.
One of the reasons that stood out when I bought the 7200 was the fact it could take lens from the 70's since I am from the film side of things manual focusing doesn't bother me, that's all I know when it comes too SLR camera. Let me ask you something, when buying older lenses are there really good ones out there I should keep an eye out for?
I guess since all of my lenses are AI or AIS I really don't have anything that would qualify as a "kit" lens except the 50-55mm "normal" lens that often came with cameras in the 70's and early 80's. This is my 50mm f/1.4 AIS with an PK-13 extension tube on it. I focus stacked a total of 12 images of these tiny little toadstools (at most 1.25" high) and merged them in Photoshop.
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
Interestingly, unless I've been misinformed, non-AI lenses (those made before about 1978) cannot safely be used on the D7200; that there's a genuine risk of damaging a D7200 if you try, unless they've had the AI modification done to them.
Nikon claims that the DF is the only DSLR that can use non-AI lenses, but my D3200, my three old non-AI lenses, and I disagree with Nikon on this matter.
The issue has to do with a change in 1978 to the method of coupling the lens' aperture ring to the camera's meter. Before then, this one done using the shoe that is prominently-visible on nearly all older Nikon lenses, and a pin on the camera that engages that shoe. The newer Aperture Indexing (AI) method, involved a tab on the camera that engages a notch cut into the aperture ring. Non-AI lenses don't have this notch cut into the ring, to fit that tab, and there's a risk of damaging that tab if you try to mount a non-AI lens on an AI camera.
The D7x00 and higher models all have an AI tab, so that they can couple with older non-electronic AI lenses. So you have metering with these lenses, and even automatic exposure control, but you cannot safely use non-AI lenses.
The D3x00 and D5x00 models do not have an AI tab. This means that they cannot do exposure metering or automatic exposure with anything but fully-electronic lenses. But it also means, contrary to what Nikon claims, that you can safely mount and use old non-AI lenses, which work with exactly the same expected limitations as non-CPU AI lenses; you can only use them in M mode, and have to control everything manually.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
Moved to the correct section.
Please check to make sure when you post that it is in the correct place. Everything does not go in the "Photography Q&A |" section.
Please check to make sure when you post that it is in the correct place. Everything does not go in the "Photography Q&A |" section.
I haven't used mine for portraits but wouldn't say it is ideal. 55mm end will be long enough on crop bodies but at f5.6 it isn't really going to give you the shallow depth of field you might like to isolate the subject from the background. A 50mm f1.8 would do a better job, although still not the very best option.
If you do get a 18-55mm make sure you get a version with VR.
Personally I'll either replace mine with something like the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 or Nikkor 18-140mm. Before that though I'll probably get a Tokina 11-16mm or similar for landscapes and I already have 35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8 and 55mm 2.8 macro which cover the 18-55 mid to longer end well and do a better job.
So, what I have learned from your post is do not post questions about photos with a kit lens in Photography Q&A. What I didn't learn is where this thread sits now and what section I should post the question post your photos of pics with kit lens, thanks Don!
Look at the top of the page and you'll see where you are in the forum. This is now in the Lenses forum, under the sub-category of General Lenses.
The only kit lens I have is a very old non-VR 18-55. I very rarely use it any more. Here's a pic, though.
Look at the top of the page and you'll see where you are in the forum. This is now in the Lenses forum, under the sub-category of General Lenses.
The only kit lens I have is a very old non-VR 18-55. I very rarely use it any more. Here's a pic, though.
View attachment 214280[
Thank you Woody much appreciated, thanks for posting a photo!
thank you for the info, come September I am expected to take portrait photos (Government Contract). As of now, I know nothing.