Advice on walkaround/portrait lenses

[zw1989]

Hi,

I'm looking for a good walk around & portrait lens for my D3100. Currently, the lenses that are in my mind now are the:

Nikon 50mm f1.8D
or
Nikon 50mm f1.4D
or
Nikon 85mm f1.8D

I'm aware that it does not auto focus but it's not a problem for me but I'm just stuck with not knowing what to get plus i'm tight on budget, can any kind souls help me out with some tips?

 

[Irvine]

Hi,

I'm looking for a good walk around & portrait lens for my D3100. Currently, the lenses that are in my mind now are the:

Nikon 50mm f1.8D
or
Nikon 50mm f1.4D
or
Nikon 85mm f1.8D

I'm aware that it does not auto focus but it's not a problem for me but I'm just stuck with not knowing what to get, can any kind souls help me out with some tips?

i suggest tat u shld wait for the AF-S 50 f/1.8G to hit the local stores. it had been announced recently. u can get to do AF with it too.

http://www.nikon.com.sg/productitem.php?pid=1425-888e7f3a61

alternatively u can consider sigma's 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4 if u r willing to stretch the budget a little further.

 

[zw1989]

i suggest tat u shld wait for the AF-S 50 f/1.8G to hit the local stores. it had been announced recently. u can get to do AF with it too.

http://www.nikon.com.sg/productitem.php?pid=1425-888e7f3a61

alternatively u can consider sigma's 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4 if u r willing to stretch the budget a little further.

Thanks for the reply. Ya I heard about the 50mm f1.8G but if lets say between the above 3 choices I have mention, which will you pick? For the sigma f.14 and the nikon f1.4 I'm tight on budget.

 

[Clarenze]

Hi,

I'm looking for a good walk around & portrait lens for my D3100. Currently, the lenses that are in my mind now are the:

Nikon 50mm f1.8D
or
Nikon 50mm f1.4D
or
Nikon 85mm f1.8D

I'm aware that it does not auto focus but it's not a problem for me but I'm just stuck with not knowing what to get plus i'm tight on budget, can any kind souls help me out with some tips?

I'd advice Nikon 50mm f1.4D if you don't mind paying a couple of hundred more for a stop. If not, the f1.8D should suffice. I don't recommend the 85mm as it would be too tight for a walkabout.

 

[pinholecam]

Do you really have these choices?
The f1.8 lenses are not AF-S (ie. no drive motor) and will not be AF on a D3100.

Focal length wise, personally, I'd get the 50mm (either one depending on budget)

 

[Cowseye]

Do you really have these choices?
The f1.8 lenses are not AF-S (ie. no drive motor) and will not be AF on a D3100.

Focal length wise, personally, I'd get the 50mm (either one depending on budget)

TS said he dun mind the loss of AF. How abt 35mm 1.8G?

 

[luckyorange]

haha.. yup why not af-s 35mm? it will af on your d3100 nicely. its a nice and budget lens. although i use 50mm most of the time haha

 

[Irvine]

Thanks for the reply. Ya I heard about the 50mm f1.8G but if lets say between the above 3 choices I have mention, which will you pick? For the sigma f.14 and the nikon f1.4 I'm tight on budget.

i'll take AF-D 85 f/1.8. it's one of my fav focal lengths for portraiture and streets. if i wanna do landscape while walking around i will grab my uwa with me. but tat's just me.

it'd be better if u discover which focal length u prefer shooting at otherwise u will regret ur choice if u buy blindly.

 

[Irvine]

I'd advice Nikon 50mm f1.4D if you don't mind paying a couple of hundred more for a stop. If not, the f1.8D should suffice. I don't recommend the 85mm as it would be too tight for a walkabout.

i use my 80-200 for walkabout n i dun find it tight at all :dunno: it's all based on ppl's preferences. TS may not mind shooting at 85mm for walkabout.