Okeh.. as for now I only have my 18-55 kit lens.. Im using a d3100.. now I want something that I can use for portraits of my friends.. mainly just when we sit around doing nothing-..

Since im a student im on a rather tight budget.. so far I thought about the new 50mm 1.8g or the 50mm 1.4g .. also considered the 35mm 1.8 due to the low costs.. any opinions?


oh I also need a wideangle lens.. not too expensive tho :/..

This post was edited by Mag1z on May 22 2011 04:50pm

for crop you need the 35/1.8 as 50mm on an 1.6x sensor is like 80mm and that is already too long. Btw dunno about IQ.

yea but ive read that like 70mm+ is great range for portraits.. if we dont talk about full body... but again.. i dont know anything about this really.. thats why i cant decide what to buy :/

I'm in the exact same boat

im in the exact same position camera and all.

Honestly... I wouldn't get any of those. Don't get me wrong they are great lenses, particularly the 1.4G. BUT... You have a lens that is plenty wide. You won't get much of a better wide angle option without spending a bit of money. You want something that is bang for your buck... Look up the older Nikkor 80-200 2.8 (ED?). You can get a used one for around 800 dollars. That would be PERFECT for portraits plus it is a great all around lens. 70-200's are awesome for shooting portraits, ask just about anyone and I am sure they'll agree. Not to mention it will give you a lens with a different focal length than what you currently have. Once you have your ranges covered after this lens, then I would consider getting primes.

Jas'n is correct. 18 (or 24 in FF)-70, 70-200, after that primes. It's the best way to fulfill all of your photographic endeavors.

[QUOTEQuote (onepagememory @ May ]Jas'n is correct. 18 (or 24 in FF)-70, 70-200, after that primes. It's the best way to fulfill all of your photographic endeavors.[/QUOTE]

nikons 70-200 is just sooo expensive..even third party products in that range is too expensive :S I can wait with a wideangle ... just need something fast coz i mostly shoot indoor during evening/night for "portraits"..

This post was edited by Mag1z on May 23 2011 03:04am

I didn't say get the 70-200 VR II. I know that is expensive. I suggested getting the older 80-200 f/2.8 ED. It runs brand new for just under $1,200. You can find a used one for around $800. It is your BEST option for a fast lens you can use for portraits in those conditions. It is also the best option to consider with photography in general as its such an all purpose lens.

When it comes to the wide angle, how is 18 not wide enough? Especially on a cropper... You buy any FF lens around that length and put it on a cropper body you won't really get that length. Why do you need such a wide lens anyway? Are you using a wide angle to jam more into your photo? If you are, you're using the wide angle wrong. Wide angles aren't meant to be used to jam everything you can into a photo. They are for getting closer to your subject. 18 is plenty wide for anything unless you want to go fisheye.

I want a wideangle later on for cityscapes etc.. the problem is that even tho i would like a 80-200 2.8 its still way over mybudget as a student S: and isnt the range a bit too much when i only take pictures in rather crammed places ? never used anything close to 200 so i dno :/

18 is plenty wide for that. 80-200 is perfect for 1/2 body, 1/4 body, and face only type shots in smaller areas. It's also perfect for shooting outdoor portraits as you can be much further away and get much more natural posing. I HIGHLY suggest saving up and getting this lens. You won't regret it.