nifty fifty

jordanogrady

jordanogrady

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Jordan
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Looking for a nifty that will auto focus on the D40.. but dont want to pay over £100 if possible... any suggestions please..

Thanks
 
don't know nikon kit, but I think your being a bit hopeful as you need a lens with AF motor which is a nikkor 1.4 or the sigma 1.4 both 300 quid ish

but someone with more nikon knowledge will be along to help shortly
 
new or used?

Nifty fifties that AF on the D40 would be:

Nikon AFS f/1.4 - retails abt £300
Sigma HSM f/1.4 - £360

Cheaper is the f/1.8 but the Nikon is AF-D only (wont AF on D40)

Cheapest autofocussing prime lens is 35mm f/1.8 AFS G Nikon which is about £200

I think that covers it.
 
I know this is down to personal choice, but will I largly benifit from the AF feature for the extra cash?
I'm a beginner and need to learn about manual fucus, but if i'll be able to get on with the cheaper version and get the same results.. then i'll go cheap... as i dont really have the dosh right now!

Jordan
 
AlexW said:
I had the 50mm on my D60 and have to say I didn't get on with it. It was good for shots of static subjects, where I could ensure I had good focus, but f1.8, a moving subject (even slightly) and manual focus just don't go together.
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Cheers for that mate, i'll probably hold out a bit then!

Maybe i should get 18-70mm first!

Jordan
 
I got a Sigma 30mm 1.4, which worked a treat, still have it for my D90.

I'm not saying don't get one, just understand the limitations. You can pick up the 50mm 1.8 on here for around £75 I think. Its good for learning to use shallow DoF effects, like this with the 50mm on my D60:

3244684099_ee6376fd97_o.jpg
 
Thats a cool picture! I'm just learning about lenses and what each one does! Will the 50mm be a good portrait lens too, what are its limitations?
Off out to buy a DVD on the D40 so I can stop asking you silly questions!

I would like a lens to take pictures like that, suppose as always depends what you are shooting! I love the close up shots of items ***!

Jordan
 
The 50mm would be a great portrait lens, its just the lack of autofocus that is the problem. A little light comes on in the corner of the view finder when you have focus lock, you just need to be able to see this out of the corner of your eye while you also maintain the composition.
 
Yes it would but its pretty much the same as the kit lens for the D40.

On Sigma lenses you are looking for the designation HSM and on Nikon AF-S.

You don't say what lens you already have though.

I would personally recomend the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. This will allow you to get some of the nice shallow depth of field effects, good for portraiture etc.. just a great all rounder. More expensive than the Sigma you just linked to though.
 
I have the basic kit lens that the D40 comes with, 18-55mm.

Is this basically a nifty???
 
is it cheaper to buy from USa and get them to ship over, where could I get a tamron 17-50 from?
 
No its not. It’s a zoom lens. The term nifty fifty refers to a 50mm (fixed focal length, or prime rather than a zoom) F1.8 lens that is relatively cheap. The important bit here if the F1.8. That means that is has a very wide maximum aperture, this lets in lots of light so you can shoot in low light conditions. At F1.8 the depth of field is also very shallow which allows you to take the kind of shot I posted above.

Normally lenses with a large maximum aperture like that would be much more expensive, that is why it is such a popular lens.
 
AlexW said:
No its not. It’s a zoom lens. The term nifty fifty refers to a 50mm (fixed focal length, or prime rather than a zoom) F1.8 lens that is relatively cheap. The important bit here if the F1.8. That means that is has a very wide maximum aperture, this lets in lots of light so you can shoot in low light conditions. At F1.8 the depth of field is also very shallow which allows you to take the kind of shot I posted above.

Normally lenses with a large maximum aperture like that would be much more expensive, that is why it is such a popular lens.
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Cheers mate your a star, makes sense! just need to find a resonably priced AF one now for my camera!

Jordan
 
jordanogrady said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000FZ3FY8/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

Is that the one??
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thats a canon fit one. it won't work on the d40 you need to get a Nikon fit version. Also you need to make sure you're getting the newer version with the built in motor not the older one that doesn't have the motor otherwise your back to manual focus only.

I have a f1.8 50mm prime on my d40.Yes I have to manual focus but its fine for photographing things that don't move. I'd not bother looking to replace your kit lens until your more savvy with your camera. You'l find it is a perfectly good lens when in good light/daylight it will achieve results as good as any lens really.

Learn your camera and the limits of your kit lens first then see what you need to take your photo's to the next level.

When replacing the kit lens, if you find you take a lot of low light photos and the lens is too slow you can then look at any of the constant f/2.8 zooms such as the tamron mentioned or equivalent sigma (18-50 hsm f/2.8 - not the one in your ebay link above!). But if you don't want to stretch to those budgets cheaper alternative zooms that will AF and give better results over the kit include the NIkon AFS 18-70 (goes for around £100-120 on ebay) or the Sigma HSM 17-70 f.2.8-4.5 which will be a bit more.

If you want the best IQ without paying 1000's for a lens then forego having a zoom and get one of the primes I mentioned.
 
kman said:
thats a canon fit one. it won't work on the d40 you need to get a Nikon fit version. Also you need to make sure you're getting the newer version with the built in motor not the older one that doesn't have the motor otherwise your back to manual focus only.

I have a f1.8 50mm prime on my d40.Yes I have to manual focus but its fine for photographing things that don't move. I'd not bother looking to replace your kit lens until your more savvy with your camera. You'l find it is a perfectly good lens when in good light/daylight it will achieve results as good as any lens really.

Learn your camera and the limits of your kit lens first then see what you need to take your photo's to the next level.

When replacing the kit lens, if you find you take a lot of low light photos and the lens is too slow you can then look at any of the constant f/2.8 zooms such as the tamron mentioned or equivalent sigma (18-50 hsm f/2.8 - not the one in your ebay link above!). But if you don't want to stretch to those budgets cheaper alternative zooms that will AF and give better results over the kit include the NIkon AFS 18-70 (goes for around £100-120 on ebay) or the Sigma HSM 17-70 f.2.8-4.5 which will be a bit more.

If you want the best IQ without paying 1000's for a lens then forego having a zoom and get one of the primes I mentioned.
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Cheers mate, top advice, yep I realised that it was a canon lens haha

Probably going to mess about with the kit lens for a while first, and learn what all the functions of the camera actually do before I start to spend...........

My problem is..... I love to spend money that I dont have :bonk:
 
mustanir said:
Surely that depends on your budget :p

This is the newest and latest Nikon 50mm lens. 50mm f1.4, with AFS. It'll AF on your camera and you can say you have the latest version of this lens!
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Sold for £235 +£13 post. How much are these new?
 
jordanogrady said:
Cheers mate found here
http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Nikon_AF-S_50mm_f1.4G_Lens

So a little cheaper!
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You should consider the 35mm. With the crop factor taken into account on your D40 this would give you roughly the equivalent of a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. In other words the equivalent of a nifty fifty. The 50mm lens on a cropped sensor will give you roughly the equivalent of a 70mm lens which is good for portraits but a bit long for walkabout.
 
aberal said:
You should consider the 35mm. With the crop factor taken into account on your D40 this would give you roughly the equivalent of a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. In other words the equivalent of a nifty fifty. The 50mm lens on a cropped sensor will give you roughly the equivalent of a 70mm lens which is good for portraits but a bit long for walkabout.
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Never knew that! Thanks! I suppose the 35mm are cheaper too?
 
jordanogrady said:
do the 35mm only come in 1.8f ??

Something like this.................... http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Nikon_35mm_f1.8G_AF-S_DX

Why are the 50mm so much more?

Am I better with a 50mm then or 35mm? Basically for dog pics, and portrat holiday stuff!
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I reckon that for what you will be using it for, that looks like the right lens for you. It's a DX lens so will work with the D40 and f/1.8-f/22 is a good range of apertures and 1.8 is plenty wide for narrow dof. And a reasonable price to boot.
 
Another Vote for the 35mm F1.8G i use it with my D300 & it's a belter.

Here a picture of my Sister with Little Josh taken with the 35mm F1.8G

ffgdg001.jpg
 
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