What lens should I buy to go along with my d5000? (newbie)

[Tempress]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a Nikon d5000, and love it, but would like to get a lens to go along with it. I'm really just starting out so I don't know a whole lot about lens'.

So, the majority of the photos I take are of people (like portraits or family shots) and I also have a 4 year old daughter who is always on the go.

If anyone could provide me with some recommendations that would be great! Oh, and I'd really like to stay within a $500.00 or less budget.

Thanks

[candleman]

50mm f/1.4 AF-S
35mm f/1.8 AF-S

you could also go for a used Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM which will give you some zoom

be sure you buy AF-S lenses, or lenses with built in focus motors.. or they wont autofocus on your D5000

if you havn't already bought the D5000... i'd suggest you get a D90 instead.. which has a built in focus motor... then, you never have to worry about AF issues again, and it will mean you can buy the cheaper 50mm f/1.8D, an 85mm f/1.8D

not to mention all the older Nikon glass.. high quality optics.. low prices.

[Shokinen]

You could also stay with the kit lens (18-55mm) and use that 500$ for accessories. If you don't know about lenses and your not sure what to get, just enjoy your new camera and the answer will come by themselves. You will discover what you like and what you don't. And also what kind of photography you like to do.

In my opinion, you would appreciate more the hobby by having:
- Extra batterie
- Good carrying bag
- Good flash such as SB600
- Polarized / ND filters for your 18-55mm
- Tripod
- ...

... instead of only 1 more lens.

If you already have all this, the 70-300 could be a nice addition too. You get more reach and will give you access to wildlife / sport. Some people will recommend the 35mm f/1.8 for low light and more control of depth of field. I tend to use more my tripod/flash for low light and depth can be tweek by working carefully with your back ground. I have both and if I had to choose between, it would be the 70-300.

My 2 cent

[dave.turley]

50mm no question. I'm just blown away by mine. Make sue you get the one that auto focusses on your D5000 mine doesn't although I love the manual aspect of it after using it for a while.

[neubauer6]

I purchased the same camera kit a few months ago and here's what I've bought:

Nikon 50mm/ F1.8
Sigma 70-300mm
Nikon SB 600 Flash
Extra Battery
UV Filters for all lenses
Nikon ML-L3 shutter release
Gary Fong style Diffuser from Amazon.com
Camera Bag

Next on my list are:
A battery grip
A decent ball-head tripod (already have a cheap one)
Polarizing and Neutral Density Filters
Strobes and Umbrellas
Studio backgrounds
If I win the lottery I will buy an auto-focusing F1.8 lens!

Hope this helps!

[ravncat]

since you are just starting out - I think a prime lens is a wonderful way to learn about photography, composition and the universe.

I would recommend either a 35 1.8 or a 50 1.8 (1.4 even) - Though, I suspect the 35 may be the better starting choice for you.

However - you can indeed get great quality and images from the kit lens - which may be worth exploring fully first. If you do get a small prime for your camera - you might find yourself asking the question - why did I get this - and I can guarantee there are very good answers - and it will be worth finding them =D

[Almond.Butterscotch]

I'll second the 35mm f/1.8. Since getting it, it's almost never left my camera. The AF-S 50mm f/1.4 will autofocus on your camera, but it's been known to be a bit slow on autofocus because it autofocusses very accurately. My 35mm images can be seen at the next link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/almondb...7625427476117/

[lemonjenny]

I highly recommend the Sigma 18-50 HSM f2.8 lens to replace your kit lens! It's around $450 and absolutely wonderful. With that kind of aperture ability, the lens will basically live on your camera 99% of the time.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by candleman

35mm f/1.8 AF-S

I still maintain that all dSLRs should come body-only or with a 35 or 50mm lens attached.

[chratkins]

Originally Posted by dave.turley

50mm no question. I'm just blown away by mine. Make sue you get the one that auto focusses on your D5000 mine doesn't although I love the manual aspect of it after using it for a while.

Would you recommend only Nikon brand 50mm or would you also recommend the Tamron 50mm? Thank you!