What type of lense should I get for my Nikon D50?

Question

I have the traditional 28-80 lense right now. I have money to invest in another. I thought about a zoom lense. What are the benefits? I do all types of photography, so it's hard to say what I take the most of. However, I would like one that would help me with indoor photography. I need more light indoors. I could buy an off camera flash or what would you suggest?

Answer 1

hi april,

you can actually choose to sell your 28-80 and purchase an excellent all around lens, the 18-200VR. The VR will help you keep the photos sharp under slow speed settings.

But the ideal indoor lens would be f2.8 aperture lenses but they easily cost twice as much as your camera (which I find impractical). However, the 2.8 is a great investment and it will surely outlive your camera.

Answer 2

I'd suggest trying the Nikon 18-55mm that is a kit lens with some Nikon D50s. It isn't anywhere near as fast as the lens that Dr. Sam has mentioned but is a decent lens for most of us who aren't quite at the pro-glass level. The full name in AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED. You can stand up for this one, this lens sells for around $170. No, it isn't as fast as the f2.8 on the $1200 model so it might or might not meet your criteria.

I recommend this lens because you mentioned indoor photography. The wider angle on the low end (the 18mm) will give you lots more opportunities for indoor situtations where you don't have much room to move back from the subject. You might also use this lens in combination with a Nikon SB600 speedlight. You could buy the 18-55 and a SB600 and still have several hundred dollars left over for a longer zoom. The hot shoe mounted flash will be useful with all of your lenses in a whole variety of situations. I have used the 18-55mm and an SB600 on my Nikon D50 with good results. If you use a flash then the extra speed of the faster f2.8 lens will not be as much a factor.

Answer 3

Sit down before you read this. Oh. You are sitting. You're at a computer, right?

I have a Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 lens that you would love. It costs about $1,200, but it is a fantastic lens. It is perfect for indoor work, because of the range of the zoom. You don't really need 80 mm indoors (most of the time) and 17 gives you a little more freedom in tight spaces. Don't try any crazy angles, though, or your main subject will get stuck in a corner and look all distorted.

The f/2.8 lets in quite a bit of light and it is a CONSTANT f/2.8 as you zoom through the entire range. This is a real plus over your 28-80, assuming it is the "kit" lens with f/3.3-5.6. When you are zoomed all the way out, your maximum aperture is 5.6. This is 2 full stops smaller than f/2.8 and you WILL see a difference. This would let you shoot at ISO 200 instead of 800, for instance, at the same shutter speed.

Check out: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=300490&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

Of course, an additional flash, such as the SB-600 or SB-800 will transform your pictures with your current lens. They both put out so much more light than your pop-up flash, you would not believe it.

Answer 4

I have the following which I like a lot. Allows me all the room I need while not investing a ton of money.

28-200 mount w/ macro switch at 28 and 200mm
2x tele screw on
fish eye screw on
super macro screw on
close up lens screw on (set of 3)

The only problem that can occur is vignetting when stacking. I have not run into this problem very much but maybe a consideration. However if your camera also has a digital zoom along with a zoom lens this will come in handy with vignetting.

The link is for a d50 28-200mm lens but cost is 549.00 I would consider aftermarket or broken body with lens off ebay. You can buy a broken d50 with lens probably cheaper and still have extra parts.

Answer 5

I have to D50 and all of the lenses suggested are good. I have two lenses that I use the most for "general" photography and they are the Tamron 17-35mm and the Tamron 28-300mm. they are both good quality glass but they are not a "fast" lens like the 2.8's. however with the 28-300 and a hot shoe flash I can easily shoot across a high school gym and get great sharp images.

Answer 6

Which "worry-loose" flash? in case you prefer the terrific flash, I advise the SB-800 because of the fact the terrific Nikon flash, with the SB-six hundred slightly greater fee-effective non-obligatory selection. The 18-55mm is a ok lens for everyday taking photos. once you are going to apply the flash, getting a greater costly lens won't make lots distinction. terrific settings: properly, with out having too technical, right here is my innovations. one million) set the digital camera to "A" for aperture favourite. 2) opt for the aperture to be f/8. 3) opt for an ISO of four hundred. 4) use the flash in TTL mode. on the different hand, opt for AA for computerized aperture mode. do not use TTL-BL mode, until the heritage is incredibly, very bright. because of the fact which you're indoors, that is in all likelihood to be extremely dim. hence, taking photos with obtainable easy basically (no flash) won't be functional. Flash is a smart selection. If the flash looks too bright once you verify the pictures, use the "flash exposure repayment" buttons on the D50 to cut back the flash output. i'm unable to bear in mind, yet i think of you push the flash button and the +/- button at the same time and turn the knurled wheel to alter the output of the flash. i think of that is on website 38 of the D50 handbook. pass with a -0.3 or -0.7 if the flash is purely too bright. i don't advise yet another lens for what you're taking photos until you propose on doing a brilliant number of available easy taking photos, which you curiously are not.

Answer 7

Uh, your 28-80 IS a zoom. You might want a bit of a longer zoom if you plan to do any sport/wildlife shooting. As far as lighting goes, again, depends on what you want to shoot. People? Product photography? Look into soft boxes, strobe or hot light set-ups, umbrellas, reflectors, etc.