DSLR Lenses for Beginners

[wulf]

There are all sorts of reasons. One is that a 50mm lens will typically allow a very wide aperture - I can shoot at f/1.8 on mine as opposed to f/5.6 when taking in the same field of view on my kit lens. That is often enough extra light to make the difference between whether or not I can get the shot (as well as the options that come from narrow depth of field).

Others include the sharpness and other good qualities of a 50mm lens (because they don't have to work across a focal range, the internal components are much easier to optimise) and their relative lack of cost (well, certainly if you go the old, second-hand route I did!).

Perhaps most important of all is the fact you can't zoom in and out. If you want to change the composition you've got to move around and look for opportunities. That in turn helps get the creative juices flowing and so a simple lens can help you improve as a photographer.

Wulf

[Hubble]

Wulf - Wow that was a quick, factful and almost instantaneous response... after posting my question I scanned Wikipedia and got an answer "almost" as good as yours. I then realized that my question would probably "bore" most viewers so I deleted it (it couldn't have been on there for more than a few minutes). Thanks - Hubb

[Cegonha]

Hi everybody, just an oppinion from you experts to help me understand a few concepts and a few compatibility issues...
I just bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D5000, and now I´m looking to buy a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and a Tamron 70-200 f2.8. I got recommendations about Tamron lens, so that´s why I choose these two.

But, the 17-50 is a Di II type lens, meaning that it is made for APC/DX sensors, and the 70-200 is a Di, meaning that is made for FX (full-frame if I understood correctly) but would work on APC/DX cameras.

My doubts:
1) is it true, both would work fine in my DX D5000, or the 70-200 will not?
2) I plan to buy a full frame camera in the future (say, in 2-3 years, after learning well with the D5000). Will these 2 lens work with my future camera (now, I understand that the 70-200 will, but the 17-50 not)?
3) Would you recommend me to post-pone buying the 70-200 or try a different fast lens that work with Nikon D5000 DX system?

Thank you very much!!

[blurryimage]

Hello all, I am another newb who has discovered the fountain of knowledge here. Wow, I feel like I learn something everytime I am here. Something that I keep seeing, and I must confess, I am completely ignorant about, is people have repeatedly mentioned using "fast lenses", Last year I moved from a P&S to a Nikon D5000, I have 2 kit lenses- 18-55 and 55-200, and I also bought a Sigma 70-300 lens. I dont know which one if any of them are fast or not- I am really trying not to shoot anything in auto mode and I am trying to shoot everything in Aperture or Shutter mode, although when I read something here that fits my situation, I am also shooting some in Manual mode. I have been shooting in RAW and am amazed at the quality, depth, richness, and flexibility that I now have with my images, and I am getting some real good shots of my kids.

Back to my question- How do I know if I have a fast lens, and the next time I am shopping for a lens, how would I know a fast one from a slow one.

thanks

And Wulf- I was in Oxford in early 2008, (Nielsen company meeting)- what a beautiful place. I enjoyed myself immensely in your city, and had a pint or two, at most of the pubs, (Eagle & Claw, the Bear, Goats Head,etc) you live in a wonderful city.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by blurryimage

... I have 2 kit lenses- 18-55 and 55-200, and I also bought a Sigma 70-300 lens. I dont know which one if any of them are fast or not-

They're not.

How do I know if I have a fast lens, and the next time I am shopping for a lens, how would I know a fast one from a slow one.

It's about the number(s) after the focal length. For example, your 18-55 kit lens is probably described as: Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR

The f/3.5-5.6 bit is the maximum aperture of your lens--NOT the aperture range of the lens. This is the widest possible aperture setting you can use with this lens. Because your 18-55 is a zoom lens, it can have two maximum aperture numbers: one for the wide end of the zoom range, and one for the tele end. At 18mm, your max. aperture is f/3.5, at 55mm, your max. aperture is f/5.6.

With max. apertures, f/1.0-f/2.8 is considered "fast", f/4 is "medium" and f/5.6 and greater is "slow". The speed of the lens refers to how fast a shutter speed you can get with the lens, because of the size of the maximum aperture.

With aperture, the smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture is. This is because it's a ratio. Just remember that the f stands for "focal length", and that it's written as f/# for a reason. So, just as 1/2 is larger than 1/8, f/2 is larger than f/8.

All lenses can be stopped down to smaller apertures, but not all lenses can be opened up to wider ones.

[blurryimage]

Originally Posted by inkista

They're not.



It's about the number(s) after the focal length. For example, your 18-55 kit lens is probably described as: Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR

The f/3.5-5.6 bit is the maximum aperture of your lens--NOT the aperture range of the lens. This is the widest possible aperture setting you can use with this lens. Because your 18-55 is a zoom lens, it can have two maximum aperture numbers: one for the wide end of the zoom range, and one for the tele end. At 18mm, your max. aperture is f/3.5, at 55mm, your max. aperture is f/5.6.

With max. apertures, f/1.0-f/2.8 is considered "fast", f/4 is "medium" and f/5.6 and greater is "slow". The speed of the lens refers to how fast a shutter speed you can get with the lens, because of the size of the maximum aperture.

With aperture, the smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture is. This is because it's a ratio. Just remember that the f stands for "focal length", and that it's written as f/# for a reason. So, just as 1/2 is larger than 1/8, f/2 is larger than f/8.

All lenses can be stopped down to smaller apertures, but not all lenses can be opened up to wider ones.

Thank you so much for your answer. I have a basic but growing understanding of Aperture range, but now feel much better equipped knowledgewise at least.

I love San Diego, by the way, I am certain you have some wonderful pictures as it is such a gorgeous place.

best regards.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by blurryimage

Thank you so much for your answer. I have a basic but growing understanding of Aperture range, but now feel much better equipped knowledgewise at least.

Now worries. Aperture is a little harder to figure out early on than iso or shutter speed, because it involves wrapping your head around a lot of confusing terminology and the completely non-intuitive f-number scale. I highly recommend the page I linked to for maximum aperture, it's got a really good description of what it means in practical shooting terms, and the visual examples are pretty good. That page is also part of a basic lens primer that runs through most of the features lenses offer and why you might want them.

I love San Diego, by the way, I am certain you have some wonderful pictures as it is such a gorgeous place.

Yeah, we do have an embarrassment of riches, here. I got no excuses for screwing it up as much as I do--I can't blame the landscape for being boring, or having nothing to shoot at.

[blurryimage]

thanks. Page bookmarked.

and my current company is based in San Diego. I got to go three times last year and hopefully a couple more times again this year. I caught a Chargers game a few years ago and got some good pics that day (albeit with a P&S)

best regards

[zybernite_blue]

are there any contests online for DSLR's? I want to have my own dslr im only borrowing the one im using now..

[Images Indeed]

im in the process of upgrading lenses. i shoot with a nikon d40. its my first DSLR camera,. has anyone ever brought gear from camelot cameras ' i think i got the name right'
prices are low . are they as good a deal as they seem. im wanting to get a 55/300....any sugestions