Buying a DSLR often means having various accessories to go with it, among that are lenses. But choosing your first zoom lens isn’ t easy – there are several choices available at so many different price factors, which can make it quite confusing to get a beginner to find a lens for a specific need. In this article, I will discuss various budget Nikon fast prime lens most suitable as a first step into the particular fixed focal length world. Which usually Nikon prime should you buy very first? Which one would make the most sense? You will need a lens to stay on your camera for a long time to come, you need it to be great for family portraits and some occasional photos. Or maybe even for your future photography company – who knows?
Well, read on when i highlight the strengths of each inexpensive fast prime Nikon has to offer. I really hope this article will help you with this tough option most of us had to make at 1 point or another.
1) Why Buy a New Lens?
So you bought yourself a brand name spanking new DSLR and now you desire better pictures. Where do you begin? When our images do not end up good, we usually blame the particular camera, without even having the tolerance and time to learn how to use it. Would you find yourself using the camera in Car mode all the time? If yes, then exactly why don’ t you first become knowledgeable and learn what those other “ PASM” modes are for? We now have plenty of beginner tutorials on this internet site and our photography tips for beginners page is a good place to start.
So before you start deciding on whether you will need a new lens or not, make sure to do a couple of quality reading. After a little while, you can realize what you are missing and you may then begin your quest for buying new lenses to complement your DIGITAL SLR camera.
Why would certainly one want to buy a new lens? In case you got your DSLR with a package lens, you might already know that the package lens is a good all-around lens, however it has some major weaknesses. One of those weak points is its maximum aperture. Package lenses like Nikon 18-55mm f/3. 5-5. 6 have a variable aperture , which usually changes as you zoom in to an extended focal length. The bad information is, they start at a pretty little aperture of f/3. 5, which may be already too slow for photographing topics in low light environments. All of us get plenty of requests from our visitors, asking us how they can get better images indoors without using flash. Aside from improving ISO to a high number (which can lead to a lot of noise) our answer is normally to get a faster prime lens. Precisely why? Because the difference between a fast excellent and a zoom kit lens when it comes to shutter speed can be substantial. Consider it this way – if you are having a picture of your child at 35mm, 1/8 of a second @ f/5. 6 using the 18-55mm lens, simply by using a lens like Nikon 35mm f/1. 8G, you can increase that will shutter speed to 1/80 of the second! If this does not make sense for you, read the knowing aperture , shutter speed plus ISO articles (and don’ to forget to read this article that summarizes them all). Hence, a zoom lens can make a huge difference in such environments. Plus that’ s not even all – there are plenty of other reasons. Read our prime vs move lenses article in order to find out more about the advantages of either lens kind.
The biggest flexibility DIGITAL SLR systems give us is the selection of lenses. Some work best within dark environments, others offer flexible zoom range. Certain lenses are usually valued for their lightness or reliability. Unfortunately, you can’ t get it all in a single package – such as life, a compromise is a give up. For this reason it is often a good idea to have various lenses to choose from depending on the situation.
2) Choosing a Fixed Central Length Lens
Towards expectations, prime lenses never obtained less popular or less appealing because of their inflexibility. We have some incredible zoom lenses today, some even competitor primes in quality, bokeh plus sharpness. Even so, you could find a fast set focal length lens in any photographer’ s bag. There are many of those who have strongly prefer them to zooms, with this problem. Why is it? Well, I believe a person trade convenience of a zoom lens in order to aesthetics of a good, fast excellent. Some of them are also very cheap and excellent as first lenses along your own kit zoom. And, with time, cruising with your feet can actually become a choice. It’ s only natural those new to photography world want to try all of them out so much – it’ t something different and exciting. Remember, nevertheless , that you should keep your kit zoom if you do buy one of these. While it is quite unlikely you might ever want to take your prime out of your camera, you might need a wider position someday. Having a zoom, whichever it really is, is often a lifesaving choice.
Lets see what Nikon has to offer for all those on a lookout for a first, spending budget prime lens.
a) Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1. 8G DX Lens
This particular little gem is a perfect match for every DX sensor body from D3100 to D300s. Light, cheap, fast to focus and very sharp, it has been within very high demand ever since introduction. As well as for a good reason, too. The secret lies in the focal length – on a crop-sensor body this lens behaves carefully to how a classic 50mm zoom lens would on a film or Complete Frame camera, such as the D800. Put simply, it is a very flexible focal duration that’ s quite good for pictures as well as wider shots, such as scenery, group and family pictures. Additionally it is good indoors, where a wide aperture of f/1. 8 helps collect enough light for low-noise pictures. This lens is a perfect choice just for DX users wanting a versatile prime lens good for everyday capturing, especially if you find yourself shooting more inside than out. Interestingly enough, functions reasonably well on a full-frame digital camera, too, although it is not supposed to. Merely a minor amount of corner shading exists, which can be cropped out without losing much field of view. In case you were ever to step up in order to full-frame cameras, this lens can stay in your bag for a while unless you get yourself a fully compatible alternative.
Nasim has a comparison article between AF-S 35mm f/1. 8G DX and AF-S 50mm f/1. 4G lens, you will find sharpness along with other tests there. If you like the zoom lens, you can also order it from B& H for $196. 95 – surely a bargain!
b) Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1. 8G Lens
A recent renew to a very popular, but aging AF-D 50mm f/1. 8, this is among the cheapest lenses Nikon currently markets. As it is in this case, cheap is very not even close to being bad quality. Quite the particular contrary – this wonderful little zoom lens has the best price/performance ratio associated with any current Nikkor. Coupled to some DX body, it makes a nice pictures lens and is especially good outside. It also makes a lot of sense in case you’ re planning to upgrade in order to Full Frame in the future, as you won’ t have to worry about compatibility issues. Functions on every modern Nikon DIGITAL SLR, including entry-level DSLRs like D3200 without a motor. It’ s sharpened center to corner and has excellent out of focus regions. Some, actually traded their more expensive f/1. 4G’ s for this lens favoring low cost and faster focus. Unless you actually need the aesthetics of f/1. four aperture, it does make a lot of feeling. Build quality is just the same, and the bodyweight is lower. You can read more in this review – you will find lots of details there.
If you think this is actually the right lens for you – plus I’ m sure you wouldn’ capital t want to take off your camera – you can order it here through B& L , it’ s a great deal just $216. 95. If you fancy conserving even more, the older generation AF-D 50mm f/1. 8 can be found by following this link – it’ s the perfectly fine lens with a somewhat harsh, more lively bokeh, but perform note that its amazingly fast car focus will not work with entry-level Nikon cameras.
c) Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1. 4G Zoom lens
This is the bigger sibling of the AF-S 50mm f/1. 8G. While the latter is an amazing artist worthy of any professional photographer, the particular older f/1. 4G has one particular advantage – two thirds of the stop larger aperture. You may think a positive change between f/1. 8 and f/1. 4 isn’ t all that large, but for some photographers it’ t very much worth the price, even if you think about the fact that this lens is not because sharp wide open as its sibling, neither does it focus as fast. Nevertheless, it was the first lens I bought right after owning a kit AF-S 18-135mm f/3. 5-5. 6G DX lens. I actually never had any regrets actually for a second. I used it just for both indoors photography, where I actually felt it was a little too narrow or even “ long”, as well as tighter pictures. The only thing that limited my photography had been me. While I kept the zoom for emergency use or even in case I needed a wide-angle to go with my D80 during that time, the 50mm rarely came away my camera, if ever at all. It had been great, and it was even better within the D300. But then, as good as it was upon any DX body I tried it with, the AF-S 50mm f/1. 4G is a completely different beast on the Full Frame body. A small, lighting, sharp beast, it just emerged alive.
Even now, only at that very moment, after almost 4 years of owning this lens, it really is mounted on my D700, always looking forward to work. This is one piece of our gear that hasn’ t transformed since I got into photography and it’ s always with me whenever We bring a camera. I love the particular aesthetics of the images it generates, the size, the weight and build quality – everything. I’ ve learned to reside with slow-ish focusing which, actually has become an advantage. The only reason this focuses so slowly is because of the particular long focus throw – the particular ring rotates almost 180 levels. This makes manual focus a piece of cake. It also taught me to be in the perfect place at the right time – rarely do I miss a shot due to the focus. Mounted on my D700 can make it a killer combination – basically absolutely had to, I could go through an entire wedding with just that camera which lens. It’ s just that flexible. I use it for portraits, meals photography and group shots – whatever comes up. It’ s broad enough to be used indoors, and lengthy enough not to make me poke my digital camera into my client’ s encounter. Yes, I would like such exotics since the AF-S 35mm f/1. 4G or maybe the AF-S 24mm f/1. 4G – thanks to the 50mm, I grew to enjoy environmental portraits very much. I’ m likely use the two expensive professional primes at least as much as this inexpensive 50mm, but I would never venture out on a job without this zoom lens either as my main or perhaps a backup. If you absolutely need f/1. four and know how to shoot at that will aperture, it’ s just that great.
Nasim, luckily, reviewed this zoom lens a while ago – actually I believe both he and Lola love it as much as I do. Or at least almost as much: ) If you find that this is precisely what you need, you can easily purchase it through B& L . However , you should think very hard whether the advantages of this lens surpass the advantages offered by the twice less expensive f/1. 8G – for most people, they will don’ t.
d) Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1. 8G Lens
If you think you can use something a little bit more specialized than the AF-S 35mm f/1. 8G DX on the crop-sensor camera or those 50mm lenses, this lens might be what you need. Having a lot to live as much as replacing the older AF-D edition, this lens seems to be getting some crazy opinions throughout the web, and Nasim shares those thoughts – he or she finds it phenomenal! You can take a look at several image samples in his Nikkor 85mm f/1. 8G review . Spot the out-of-focus regions of the images offered – they look exceptionally easy. This lens, for many, is the a lot more rational choice than even the good AF-S 85mm f/1. 4G! Additionally it is quite cheap at $499. ninety five, but is not always in stock due to high demand.
If you think you will need an exceptional portrait lens to go together with your kit zoom, grab this one if you discover it in stock, it works perfectly on both DX and Full Body cameras, just do know it can be a small too long indoors for general digital photography.
e) Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1. 8G Lens
I’ ve included the greater specialized, longer focal length 85mm f/1. 8G lens in this spending budget Nikon lens guide, and so I believe it is only fitting to include the broader 28mm f/1. 8G, too. This particular lens may as well be the priciest of the bunch at $696. ninety five, but it’ s also specific. Most fast primes in this checklist are fairly easy to design, even the 85mm f/1. 8G. However , as we move wider than 35mm, it becomes much more challenging. At 28mm, this zoom lens is the widest of the budget quick primes Nikon has on offer, however with an aperture of f/1. 7 it is very much capable in low-light conditions. It is a great performer on the full-frame body offering truly wide-angle of view, but also works pretty well on a DX camera as being a general-purpose fast prime. Great for scenery, interior shots and street picture taking, it costs three times less than it’ s bigger brother, the 24mm f/1. 4G. You can read Nasim’ t review of this lens where he states “ Despite the optical flaws (which many other lens have as well), the Nikon 28mm f/1. 8G is a great conjunction with the f/1. 8 family. As soon as you understand its limitations and learn tips on how to work around them, the Nikon 28mm f/1. 8G could create beautiful images. ”
3) Final Words
In this article, I presented you along with several fast budget Nikon best lenses. All of these lenses are quite various, yet all can be great because all-round solutions. It all depends on exactly what your main subject is, of course. Would you prefer group shots of your buddies, or maybe fancy some street digital photography every now and then? Then 28mm f/1. 8G may be the most suitable choice for you. And exactly what if you do mostly portraits? Well, the particular 85mm f/1. 8G is likely to collection you best with it’ s i9000 flattering compression and soft from focus regions. Do you find yourself someplace in the middle? Either a 50mm or 35mm lens can save you here and become your preferred prime lens for the time being. Make your option based on your subject and you won’ t be disappointed by some of these great optics.
