high aperature lense for nikon d3000

[chrissyb2411]

Hi, I am a total newbie with sooooooo many questions. I am just starting to understand aperature, and really like the blury back ground look. I got a Nikon d3000 last friday and loving it. I have been looking at lenses (currently have the kit lense wich is ok, but not great) and I think the 50mm f1.8 would be perfect, except if I am understanding right, it will not autofocus with the d3000. I need autofocus at this point. I am photographing mostly my kids, and nephews. Is there any lense out there that might work and not break the budget (about $200). I see the nikon 50mm 1.4g, but the price is unreachable for me at this point. Or any other "standard" type lense you would reccomend to a newbie photographing kids? Thanks for any input!
Chrissy

[Nicole]

What about the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S lens that Nikon has? It would auto focus on your camera and the price is just about right (right around $200 on Amazon.com)

[WVCoalMiner]

Sometimes I wish I had a 35mm f1.8 instead of the 50mm for alot of shots.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by WVCoalMiner

Sometimes I wish I had a 35mm f1.8 instead of the 50mm for alot of shots.

If we're really lucky, Canon will eventually come out with a $200 EF-S 35mm f/1.8... (sigh). The EF 28mm f/1.8 USM is waaaay too expensive these days. But in the meantime, the EF 35mm f/2 is kinda/sorta affordable ($350).

[chrissyb2411]

Originally Posted by Nicole

What about the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S lens that Nikon has? It would auto focus on your camera and the price is just about right (right around $200 on Amazon.com)

35mm would be good for pictures/ portraits of kids? Sorry so many questions, I don't quite get lense sizes yet, still reading! thanks!

[vandergus]

The 35mm f1.8 will be a great all around lens for you that will give you the "blurry background look" and allow you to shoot in just about any type of light. As far as portraits of kids goes, there are lenses that will do it better, but the 35mm will still serve you fine.

If you want to get a feel for what 35mm looks like, set the zoom on your kit lens to 35mm and shoot around a little bit. That'll give you an idea of how close you need to get for head and shoulders shots and how far you have to back up to get everyone in the frame.

[Ray Dockrey]

I just got my 35mm 1.8 and I was playing around with it last night. What a great lens. Focus is fast and silent. I have the 50mm 1.8 but I do the baptism photos at our church and the 50mm was just a little to much to where I had to crouch down. My pastor doesn't allow flash so I have to have something for low light and this fits the bill.