Nikon d3000 prime lens

[pentahedron]

So I'm considering buying a prime lens and having looked around this forum at other threads I found Inkista's questionnaire helpful for trying to decide why I would want one:

1) How much do you want to spend?

This is variable. I probably won't get it for a while so my range could go up or down depending on how much money I have at that period

2) What is it about my current lens that frustrates me THE MOST?

Typically I've been shooting around evening time when I get the chance on the weekends. So my biggest obstacle is light the longer I stay out. My current lens only has a max aperture of 3.5 and that's only at 35 mm I believe, at other distances it's higher so I'm constantly fighting with light. To compensate I have to increase the ISO around 800 and my shutter speed.

I've been experimenting with street photography since I find that really interesting and even though I have a tripod, I would rather not carry that around with me, plus I can't really get moving subjects using one anyway when I want a still shot

3) What is it I cannot shoot with my current lens that I want to be able to with the new one?

The higher aperture means I can stay out and shoot longer, maybe even when it's dark out if I'm in a brightly lit area.

4) Under what circumstances will I likely be using this new lens?

Street photography

I'm thinking the Nikon AF-S 35 mm 1.8. Having the ability to auto-focus seems like it's very important for this genre, unfortunately they don't make any wide angle prime lens in this series. As a rule of thumb I don't think I'll be it if I do until spring at least and if I can overcome my shyness when photographing strangers.

What do you guys think?

[dbevisjr]

Just so you know, there is also an AF-S 50mm f/1.4 available too. It is a pricey lens and not a wide angle but f1.4 means a lot more light. The 35 is probably still your best bet if you want AF and wide angle on a D3000 and the price is a big chunk smaller.

[pentahedron]

Originally Posted by dbevisjr

Just so you know, there is also an AF-S 50mm f/1.4 available too. It is a pricey lens and not a wide angle but f1.4 means a lot more light. The 35 is probably still your best bet if you want AF and wide angle on a D3000 and the price is a big chunk smaller.

Thanks! I was looking at a 50mm, but figured that probably be too tight.

[firebox40dash5]

Originally Posted by pentahedron

Thanks! I was looking at a 50mm, but figured that probably be too tight.

If you need a reference for which focal length is for you, try walking around with your 18-55mm set to 35mm or 50mm. Price or a larger aperture don't help much if the focal length is too long or too wide for you.

I own both, and I prefer the 50mm 90% of the time outside. Inside, it's definitely a little long on DX for people shots inside a normal (say, 12x14') room, but it's ok if you have more room to back up. But, it is also twice as much as the 35mm.

There's also the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4, but they're both more expensive than either Nikon. I'd consider trading my 35mm for the Sigma 30mm, if it wasn't a DX lens too.

[danbaileyphoto]

First of all, decide what focal length you want. Do you like the view of the 35mm or would you rather have something a bit wider? If so, I'd look at the Nikon 24mm f2.8 or the 20mm f2.8. Those are both great lenses and the wider you go, the lower your shutter speed can effectively go when handholding. f2.8 is plenty fast for a wide angle. Personally, 35mm is just not wide enough for my liking, but that's just me. It may be great for you.

If you're looking for something a bit tighter, then definitely look at the 50mm f1.4. or even the 85mm f1.8. I have both of those and they're awesome. I use the 85mm all the time for portraits and isolating elements of the landscape.

[vandergus]

Also check out the Sigma 30mm f1.4. It's a little bit wider, which I think a lot of people prefer for street photography. It also has a distance scale on the lens (Nikon's 35mm f1.8 doesn't), which will allow you to preset the focus distance, a technique that a lot of street shooters like to use. Downsides are that it's bigger, heavier and more expensive.

[pentahedron]

Thanks guys for the help so far. I looked back over my images that I've taken so far and a lot of them are around the 30 mm range. The next time I go out I'll preset my lens to 35mm and 55mm and see which are I like better based on what I get in the frame and how close I get to my subjects.And I saw the ones with the meters which I think would be helpful, if I'm not mistaken those are commonly found on rangefinders?

Also how does the manual focus work on the 35mm? A review I read said it does not have a focus ring on the lens.

[vandergus]

Not sure what the review meant by that. It definitely has a focus ring. If all you've used is the kit lens then the 35mm will feel much easier to focus. No need to switch to MF mode, just grab the ring at any time to adjust the focus.

[pentahedron]

Originally Posted by vandergus

Not sure what the review meant by that. It definitely has a focus ring. If all you've used is the kit lens then the 35mm will feel much easier to focus. No need to switch to MF mode, just grab the ring at any time to adjust the focus.

I see, this is where I read it at:

2. Being a G lens (no aperture ring available), this lens will not work on manual focus camera where you need to set the aperture from the lens)

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo: Reviews, Prices & more

[vandergus]

A "G" lens means it doesn't have an aperture ring. On older cameras, the aperture was set on the lens rather than on the camera body. Since aperture rings are no longer needed with modern cameras, Nikon just got rid of them to save cost. Unfortunately, that means that the newer G lenses won't be fully functional on some older cameras because they have no way to control the aperture.

But the focus ring is still there, alive and kicking. Hopefully they won't deem that unnecessary as well .