A question about trades.

[lenslizard]

So I have the opportunity to make a trade here soon, and I would like any advice if possible.
Here's the dilemma: I have a nikon d3000 with a kit 18-55mm lens, non VR. I've been wanting a 50mm prime with a wide aperture since I started looking into them, and at a camera shop near me, they are willing to trade my 18-55mm + $40 for a Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens. I am well aware that the focal length is 75mm on DX format, and that it cannot autofocus with the d3000. Those things don't bother me much. My question is this: Can someone attest to the greatness of this lens on the d3000 here? I'd like some advice before I do the trade on how it works on that camera, and some samples if available. Thanks alot!

[Cola]

The 50 is a terrific lens but one thing to keep in mind is there is no magic lens. A lens is a tool and you use it when you need that specific tool. Really it is about what you need the most right now. The 18-55 is a surprisingly good lens for being a kit lens. You get good sharp photos with the 50mm and nice DOF but you, as you said, lose your autofocus ability, also consider you will be locked at that focal length for every photo.

Just keep in mind that the 50mm has been around a while and will be around later. If manual focus doesn't bother you, try to pick up an old film version of the lens for much cheaper with better build quality and just as sharp.

[IainM]

That seems like a pretty good deal to me (just checked the prices of both lenses here in japan, and that deal works in your favour.)

As for how good it would be on a D3000, well, the same as on any nikon camera - very good. (no experience with that particular lens or camera, but I do have the 35mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 (non AF) and they are great lenses).
Just hanging around.... | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

144.365 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Those are examples of using that exact set up. (not mine) Decide for yourself?

[danbaileyphoto]

I'm a big fan of fast fixed lenses. I just don't think what you gain in zoom in that 50mm range is worth what you lose in speed. Plus, you get used to the limitation and actually work it into your style. If 50 is not wide enough for you, then go 35mm fixed.

[zona5101]

spend some time manually focusing your lens and check how sharp your resulting images are. For some people that manual focus thing quickly wears thin especially on focusing screens that offer little to no focus assistance (no split prisim) and all you have to go by, other than your eyes, is a green led...

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Maybe look into the 35mm f/1.8? It'll give you the fast, wide aperture and it's a solid lens to boot.

Sure, it has a bit of barrel distortion, but so do the 50 1.8 and even the 50 1.4.

The 35mm is on my body maybe 98% of the time.

[inkista]

This is just me, but if you really can't afford $100 for a new lens, and you honestly don't give a rat's ass about autofocus, then maybe it's time to consider whether you really need metering and scene modes and go spelunking through old AI-S lenses (or hell even non-AI, since the D3000 can take 'em). That way you wouldn't have to trade in your 18-55. You could pick up an AI-S Series E 50/1.8 in Excellent condition for $60 on KEH.

You will be giving up metering, aperture control from the body, and autofocus and having aperture and focal length information in your EXIF. But old glass has its own charms. One of which is the low low price.

I'm just saying, you don't have to get a current lens.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by inkista

You could pick up an AI-S Series E 50/1.8 in Excellent condition for $60 on KEH.

Or like $30 on eBay (where I got mine; almost never used it and ended up giving it a friend)

[lenslizard]

I had been looking at that one for some time. The auto focus is a nice luxury as well. Only problem I have with it is that due to lack of funds (I care for two sick parents and am working on a job situation, also do music and photography to help with the money I need.) One of the things I do most is manually focus rather than auto anyways. If I can scrape it together I might do the 35mm. How bad is the distortion by the way?

[Almond.Butterscotch]

its not too bad, actually. If you have photoshop its really easy fix when it really matters, but out of all my 35mm shots that I've posted on flickr (plug: D40 + 35mm ?/1.8 - a set on Flickr), I've fixed distortion on maybe 2-3 of them. Its really only noticeable if you're getting REALLY close when you focus (say, within a foot or so)