Help me chose a new lens for my Nikon!

Madhouseof5

Madhouseof5

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Kerry
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I could really use some help! I shoot with a Nikon D300 and have a Nikkor 70-300 VR and an old Nikkor 35-80. I have been toying with the idea of getting a prime for portraits (I have 3 kids). I used to have a 50mm 1.7 on a Minolta 5D before I upgraded but found the 50 was slightly too long to use comfortably indoors. I was thinking that maybe I should look at the 24 or 28 2.8 (funds wouldn't stretch to 1.4) or a short wider zoom. Basically I have 2 shoots coming up, another band/duo who want full length shots (in my lounge that is about 18ft from patio door to backdrop) and then I have a company looking for shots of office interiors. Ideally I would like to purchase only 1 lens that will serve me well for both. I would love suggestions as what lens you would recommend (I do understand that everyone is different and it might depend on what look I want to achieve, but a starting point would be nice, I will probably rent something 1st to get an idea). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Is the wide end of your 35-80 too long? If not the Nikon 35mm f1.8G is an excellent lens (and excellent value)...around £160 new at the moment. There are plenty of glowing reviews on the net and on this very forum.
 
It was too long for the 4 piece band I shot a few months back (I ended up on a step ladder, in my garden shooting through the open patio door, lol! Good thing they were close friends of my hubby!). I probably could manage with 35mm this time as there are only 2 of them for my next shoot. Do you think it would be wide enough for building interiors as well? I am liking the sounds of the 1.8 though, I really had to push the iso up last time, which I would rather avoid.
 
Personally, I'd go for a fast zoom, something like a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 - constant aperture and fast, amazingly good optical quality and cheap prices (£200 used, £300 new) make this a brilliant buy. That zoom range will give you flexibility and will cover and of those focal lengths you're mentioning, and then some.

Compared to an f/1.8 you'll see a marked difference in attainable, useable exposures but whack the camera up to ISO 100 and you'll be fine ;) What ISOs were you reaching previously and did you have anything left in the tank?
 
Madhouseof5 said:
Do you think it would be wide enough for building interiors as well? I am liking the sounds of the 1.8 though, I really had to push the iso up last time, which I would rather avoid.
Click to expand...

I'd doubt it will be long enough for interior shots, although perhaps you could check with your zoom to see if it will suffice. As mentioned above a fast zoom such as the Tamron 17-50 2.8 would be an excellent choice - again excellent optics and bargain prices, especially if you're not shy of buying used.
 
The other band shots were at ISO 2000 (my lounge faces the wrong way for natural light), so not really any reserve (it goes up to 3600, but I obviously wanted them to be useable, lol!)

I am not shy about second hand at all, my D300 is second hand, all my minolta gear was second hand, my 35-80 is second hand too, lol! The only new thing I have had is my 70-300. I will certainly have a look at the Tamron 17-50.
 
the 35/1.8 is a great lens for the price. I find it is constantly fixed to my D90 and I only take it off when I need to go long or wide. It is a good length for people inside in social situations (1-4 people in shot, taking pictures from 4' - 12' away). It does full length portrait orientation at the distances you're talking.

I don't think you'll want it for office interiors if the companies are trying to 'show off' their offices. For that you want wide so that the places looks spacious in the pictures. If the company is trying to show details, then the 35 would be good as 1.8 can isolate details in crowded areas. For semi wide and fairly fast interiors, the tamron 17-50 2.8 would be my choice (and likely will be when I upgrade the kit lens). the 18-55 kit lens I have now does alright for interior shots aside from lighting.

I don't know what the 20/24 2.8 go for here used, but in the US you could basically get a 35 1.8 and Tamron 17-50 2.8 for the same price as a 20 2.8.

Thanks,
Rick
 
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