What’s Your Preference?

A2J · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010, 09:51 PM

Hi! I am new here and have no idea how I have not come across this site before! I am looking for a little advice/help...

I currently own a Nikon D5000 and will be taking photographs of my friends birth. This will be a first for me... I was wondering what lens I should use? I have been researching and have found 3 different opinions on this... 50mm, 35mm or 85mm.

I do not plan on using any flash (that would have drove me nuts when I was labouring!) and want the best lens that will do the best job without the flash. I currently only have a 18-55mm lens and I do not think it will do.

Price is an issue at this point...

I saw a 50mm F/1.8 but it has no auto focus... Would this be a problem?

Thanks!

StillFocus · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010, 10:01 PM

Not having autofocus could be a huge problem or no problem at all depending on how good you are with manual focus. I personally suck at it because my eyesight is rather poor.

OsmosisStudios · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010, 10:08 PM

50mm might be a bit tight. 35mm should be better, and the AF-S 35mm f/1.8 will autofocus on your D5000

candleman · #4 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010, 10:37 PM

nikkor 17-55 F/2.8 AF-S would be my ideal
you could go for a used Sigma HSM or Tokina knock-off too for around the same price as the 35mm f/1.8

i'm not a fan of primes myself

DEPENDING ON HOW CLOSE YOU WANT TO GET

(edited)

kelvinc · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 06:57 AM

tokina 11-16? might be useful in a real tight spot.

OsmosisStudios · #6 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinc

tokina 11-16? might be useful in a real tight spot.

waaaay too wide.

#7 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 03:03 PM

I'll tell you in two weeks. My wife is having twins, and I will be bringing my 5D Mark II, 50mm f1.4, 24-70mm f2.8, and 100mm macro, as well as my 580exII.

I'm guessing the actual delivery room will be pretty bright, so a flash won't be necessary. If anything, I might just stick an omnibounce on it and dial it down to -3 exp to soften some of the shadows. My doctor already said that he doesn't mind flash.

Most likely I'll be using the 50mm. On the 5D, it's like a 30mm on a crop sensor. Wide enough that I don't have to be too far away to get everything in the frame, good in low light, and gotta love that creamy bokeh and small DOF

I'll probably pull out the 100mm macro for some of the detail shots later...little fingers, little noses...

Jayman11 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 05:54 PM

i recently purchased a 50mm 1.8 for my a550 thinking it would be great for indoors. It is as long as you have the distance which i didnt for most of my shots so personally I would say no. Not sure why I bought a prime lens now, really would rather have a 24-70 2.8.

RecurrentNerve · #9 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 06:04 PM

I'm with Os, 35mm 1.8 should do the job nicely.

kirbinster · #10 (**permalink**) 09-28-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

I'll tell you in two weeks. My wife is having twins, and I will be bringing my 5D Mark II, 50mm f1.4, 24-70mm f2.8, and 100mm macro, as well as my 580exII.

I'm guessing the actual delivery room will be pretty bright, so a flash won't be necessary. If anything, I might just stick an omnibounce on it and dial it down to -3 exp to soften some of the shadows. My doctor already said that he doesn't mind flash.

Most likely I'll be using the 50mm. On the 5D, it's like a 30mm on a crop sensor. Wide enough that I don't have to be too far away to get everything in the frame, good in low light, and gotta love that creamy bokeh and small DOF

I'll probably pull out the 100mm macro for some of the detail shots later...little fingers, little noses...

I think if you bring all that camera equipment into the delivery room your wife will kill you!