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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon 50mm f/1.8 VS Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5
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10/21/2005 05:53:52 AM · #1
I just recently purchased a Nikon D70 along with the Nikon 28-105mm lens. I thought, as a relative begginer, it would be a good idea to have a nice lens with a good range of distance to have on me for all occasions. Now that I have some more experience, I'm looking into doing some Intentional photography, so to speak.

I've noticed there've been a lot of Beautiful pictures on here taken with the Nikon 50mm f1.8d. I'm pretty happy about the picture quality on my current lens, but I wanted to ask:

Will the Nikon 50mm f1.8 give a "significantly" improved image over the Nikon 28-105 at 50mm?

I realize the "f" difference is fairly good, but this difference aside, is the image quality of the 50 better enough to justify purchase over just using my zoom lens? What differences will I see?

I've heard that prime lenses have better image quality, so now that I'm doing more portrait and other "intentional" (rather than incidental) photography, I'd like to know my options.

Thanks!
10/21/2005 06:05:35 AM · #2
I did some research; seems like the 28-105 is a very devent lens, optically, for the price. The 50mm f/1.8 is also one of Nikon's inexpensive lenses, and as far as i can see there's no reason for you to get it unless the 28-105 is giving you problems in low light and you do a lot of that sort of shooting. The 28-105 apparently is a little soft when opened wider than f/8, and quite sharp from f/8 on up.

But I'm not a Nikon guy, so I have no hands-on experience.

R.
10/21/2005 07:04:09 AM · #3
I have the Nikon 18-70mm kit lens, and in addition to that I also bought the Nikon 50mm f/1.8. For me the really big advantage of the 50mm is the f/1.8, I can use it without flash in low-light situations, even more so when setting the ISO to 800 or even 1600 (still pretty decent with the D70s). Image quality is also much better than the 18-70mm, it's very sharp and the contrast is very nice. See here for an example
10/21/2005 08:44:02 AM · #4
I also have the 50mm F1.8, and it very fast/luminous, sharp... I like a lot not using flash, and it is perfect for this. Also colors are very bright, more than any other lens I have.

The other strong point in a F1.8 is that it is very fast focusing. Also the narrow deep of field at F1.8 is very creative, you can't get those effects with a F3 for instance.

All this together, and the low price, makes it a bargain for me.
10/21/2005 08:52:52 AM · #5
A prime lens (or a lens with one focal length) will generally always be sharper than a zoom lens.

With that said, the 50mm f1.8 is a nice little gem of a lens that makes a good addition to any SLR bag. It's cheap enough that you can add it to your kit without breaking the bank. I also am a firm believer in learning how to shoot using a prime lens. Being forced to walk around to get a shot that works helps you imporove your composition skills.

It's also small, unobtrusive, and great for street photography.

Clara
10/21/2005 09:10:06 AM · #6
The 50mm f1.8 is a very usefull lens. I've just shoot some photos for a friend of it's new born child, inside home, very clowdy day. and I've achieved it withought flash with this lens. I also use it a lot in weddings inside home/church with no flash. The ambiance of this kind of natural ilumination is just a must. I've heard some mixed things about the lens you use. I think that you will be very surprised by the sharpness of the 50mm.
10/21/2005 09:12:47 AM · #7
For those of you who are using the 50mm f1.8 for low light shooting, how limiting is the DOF wide open? I've read elsewhere in these forums that when taking a portrait, its possible to have the nose in focus and the eyes out-of-focus. How well does f1.8 work for shooting things like interior candids? Will you end up with the subject only half in focus and half out?
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