Lens advice wanted! - DPChallenge Forums

09/13/2007 03:08:38 AM · #1

Ok, I want a new lens for my d50 (upgrading to a D300).
Needs to be something under $400 AF-S and internal focusing. It'll will be mostly for action photos. Indoor and outdoor.

thanks

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

09/13/2007 04:24:45 PM · #2

*bump

WOW, almost every thread I make here... I have to at least bump once. :(

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/13/2007 04:29:00 PM · #3

This is a good resource for info on lenses...

//www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

-dave

09/13/2007 05:04:03 PM · #4

I think the reason people aren't answering is that I don't think there's an AF-S lens in your price range that's going to give you anything you don't already have with your current set of lenses. Is there a reason you need the internal focusing?

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

09/13/2007 05:14:04 PM · #5

Originally posted by annpatt:

one word "polarizer", and I keep reading that other af-s lenses are a tad faster and more accurate than the 18-55mm dx version 1 lens that I have.. is this true?

ShaneBlake

Nikon D7100

09/13/2007 05:29:18 PM · #6

you could get an 18-70mm lens for less than $400 on ebay... it would be nicer than what you have now and give you a little more flexability...

though, still not really what you need for indoor action (it's fine for a sunny day, of course...)

look into the tamron 28-70 2.8 lens. lot of wedding photogs around here rave about it and it would allow for faster shooting...

a good 50mm 1.8 or the sigma 30mm 1.4 are also good bets for doing "action" indoors

though i'd suggest a sb-600 (or 800) for indoor work...

might could sqeeze an 18-70mm and a sb-600 for around your price range...

s

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

09/13/2007 05:48:47 PM · #7

the events I do are mostly LE/military reenactments/simulation.

Examples can be seen here: //media.airsoftpacific.com/main.php?g2_itemId=21911

the site does not allow direct hot linking so just copy and paste the url.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/13/2007 05:58:38 PM · #8

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by annpatt:
I think the reason people aren't answering is that I don't think there's an AF-S lens in your price range that's going to give you anything you don't already have with your current set of lenses. Is there a reason you need the internal focusing?

one word "polarizer", and I keep reading that other af-s lenses are a tad faster and more accurate than the 18-55mm dx version 1 lens that I have.. is this true?

If you are running around out doors shooting with a polarizer you are going to be adjusting it anyway to compensate for changing positions... and IMO a polarizer is pretty much useless in doors for those "military" type of shots...

-dave

09/13/2007 06:07:07 PM · #9

Originally posted by dknourek:

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by annpatt:
I think the reason people aren't answering is that I don't think there's an AF-S lens in your price range that's going to give you anything you don't already have with your current set of lenses. Is there a reason you need the internal focusing?

one word "polarizer", and I keep reading that other af-s lenses are a tad faster and more accurate than the 18-55mm dx version 1 lens that I have.. is this true?

If you are running around out doors shooting with a polarizer you are going to be adjusting it anyway to compensate for changing positions... and IMO a polarizer is pretty much useless in doors for those "military" type of shots...

-dave

not using a polarizer ALL the time.. but the convenience when I do want to use it. It will be a lot easier with the internal focusing.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/13/2007 07:07:07 PM · #10

I guess I'm not understanding what the internal focusing and the polarizer have to do with each other. My non AF-S lenses don't rotate when they focus. AF-S has to do with whether or not the lens has a focusing motor inside it.

kudzu's recommendations look pretty good to me.

Apple iPhone 5

09/13/2007 07:18:14 PM · #11

Originally posted by annpatt:

My 18-55 AF-S has an internal focusing motor, and the lens *does* rotate when it focuses!

I've also been using a polarizer on it, but it's not a problem rotating the polarizer a bit once it's finished focusing. In fact, I found I was rotating the polarizer quite a lot anyway when the light was changing.

LanndonKane

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

09/13/2007 07:20:27 PM · #12

Originally posted by jhonan:

Originally posted by annpatt:
I guess I'm not understanding what the internal focusing and the polarizer have to do with each other. My non AF-S lenses don't rotate when they focus. AF-S has to do with whether or not the lens has a focusing motor inside it.

My 18-55 AF-S has an internal focusing motor, and the lens *does* rotate when it focuses!

I've also been using a polarizer on it, but it's not a problem rotating the polarizer a bit once it's finished focusing. In fact, I found I was rotating the polarizer quite a lot anyway when the light was changing.

I think an internal focusing motor is different from an internal focusing system.

My lens has an internal focusing system, and the the lens does not move an inch.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

09/13/2007 07:57:14 PM · #13

Originally posted by LanndonKane:

Originally posted by jhonan:

Originally posted by annpatt:
I guess I'm not understanding what the internal focusing and the polarizer have to do with each other. My non AF-S lenses don't rotate when they focus. AF-S has to do with whether or not the lens has a focusing motor inside it.

My 18-55 AF-S has an internal focusing motor, and the lens *does* rotate when it focuses!

I've also been using a polarizer on it, but it's not a problem rotating the polarizer a bit once it's finished focusing. In fact, I found I was rotating the polarizer quite a lot anyway when the light was changing.

I think an internal focusing motor is different from an internal focusing system.

My lens has an internal focusing system, and the the lens does not move an inch.

Ahhh...I stand corrected. I don't have an 18-55, and all of my lenses must have internal focusing systems. I got confused by Ben's desire for AF-S, which *is* an internal focusing motor.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/13/2007 08:39:45 PM · #14

well I realize I'm a Canon guy commenting in a Nikon dominated thread but just for S**** and giggles, I have a 17-40F4L which has internal focus and zoom and have a good polarizer for it and still find my self turning it a lot to adjust it for what ever direction I'm facing...

-dave

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

09/13/2007 08:39:54 PM · #15

looks like my only real choices are the Nikon 18-135mm and the Nikon 18-70mm....... I want to get the 18-135mm but it seems to get the fragile reviews...

jdannels

Nikon D300s

09/13/2007 08:46:38 PM · #16

Tamron 28-75 2.8 all the way through out, not to wide but a little more reach.

Tamron 17-50 2.8, same coverage as what you have, but faster and sharper than your kit lens. Both lenses are in your budget.

You could upgrade to the D200(instead of D300) and have more money for better glass. Although quality will probably be a little better with the D300, you will only get the best results with better glass IMO.

09/13/2007 09:02:35 PM · #17

Originally posted by jdannels:

I don't need "fast" f/2.8 I need fast focusing, money isn't too much of an issue (still going to get a d300) I just don't want to spend more than $400.. Just takes one shot to the lens at close range and the lens is ruined.

though the tamron 17-50 seems nice does it have issues with flash?

Message edited by author 2007-09-13 21:03:46.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

09/13/2007 09:11:36 PM · #18

With the auto focus, in low light, the 18/70 AF S G ED with a polarizer may have a bit of trouble focusing. The polarizer reduces the light a lot.
I use that lens a lot, and am very happy with it. A faster lens would be nice though for shooting action in lower light. It does not rotate at the objective end when if focuses.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

09/13/2007 09:16:05 PM · #19

Originally posted by jdannels:

Or you could keep the D50. With the consumer grade glass you're talking about, you won't see much difference between the D50 and D300 anyway.

You *will* see a difference with better glass, however, even on a D50.

Separate topic...fast glass will focus faster in low light, so the people pushing you towards the 1.8 and 2.8 lenses do have a point.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

09/13/2007 09:20:52 PM · #20

Originally posted by ben4345:

though the tamron 17-50 seems nice does it have issues with flash?

no issues with flash when I use it.