50mm Decision - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/04/2006 11:14:51 PM · #27

as far as focal lengths go, the 50 and 60 are interchangable with a step forward or back. the 50 is way faster in terms of the AF speed and also goves you at least one full stop of light (or more with the F1.4). The 30mm and 50/60 aren't interchangeable for me...I'd use the 30 in entirely different situations than i would the 50 or 60. As I mentioned earlier, the 30mm isn't a great portrait lens, unless your subjects are REALLY comfortable with your being right in their face.

BTW that's Azrifel's photo of the pimp, below. (we were in Amsterdam and for some reason I failed to recognize that the glasses were completely ridiculous looking - though it didn't stop me from wearing them when I figured it out). Maybe I need to change my name to D.E.Lerious P.

09/04/2006 11:39:17 PM · #28

Originally posted by Pedro:

I still wear the rediculous T-Shirts I bought in Amsterdam, much worse than any glasses. At least you're allowed into family restaurants with your glasses on. :-P

The fact that the 30mm is a different application than the 50/60mm range is one reason I might look into getting it. If I did, however, I would sacrifice having a VG anytime soon.

/me makes "hmmmm" noise very audibly...

Pedro

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/04/2006 11:50:14 PM · #29

just to REALLY muddy the waters...what about something like the Tokina 28-70mm F2.8? It's sharp, pretty fast at F2.8, and gives you all the ranges you're looking for. you could dump all your lenses, get the tokina and the grip, and have a few pennies left over for a few more googliebytes of memory :)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/04/2006 11:55:19 PM · #30

Originally posted by Pedro:

You are putting evil thoughts in my head good friend!

Even if I had the will, it would be a logistical nightmare selling all my crap and buying this.

Plus I like 18mm wide angle. The difference between 18-28 is actually quite big.

Also note I am looking into getting a 30mm/50mm prime mainly so that I have a small lens for when I am on debate trips and cannot have a large lens on (literally, my coach won't let me carry it around if its a big lens).

fatLouie

Nikon D70s

09/05/2006 01:38:01 AM · #31

You know, you could sell everything. By my estimation, that comes out to around $600-900 depending on deals and such.

with that much, i'd say

BZEEEOOOOW, its 18-200VR time!!

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

09/05/2006 01:43:05 AM · #32

Originally posted by fatLouie:

The 60mm is sharp, but Pedros 30mm sigma shot really screams "wow!" as far as portraits go...

From a portrait photographer, I can say that a 30mm isn't really a very smart portrait lens choice.. except for the occasional special shot.. you just have to get too close and personal, and that isn't the best idea in many circumstances. Also, the distortion you get is usually not something a photographer wants to have to deal with a lot. (Artistically maybe, but when dealing with clients, the last thing you want is to have them distorted for formals or what-have-you.. and some people just plain don't like to look distorted).

It's a great lens to play with, don't get me wrong.. but for a pure portrait lens.. you definitely want something longer..

Pedro

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/05/2006 01:46:00 AM · #33

Originally posted by Artyste:

well said.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

09/05/2006 02:05:27 AM · #34

So I've thought and thought and thought, and figure that since I have an 18-70mm the 30mm range is well enough covered. I rarely find myself shooting wide shots in low light.

I often however find myself shooting sponteneous events and portraits in low light, making the 50mm f/1.8 very practical. I think I will get the 50mm f/1.8 and a VG with my money if it all materializes properly. This of course brings us back to the f/1.8 with grip versus f/1.4 without debate. And of course we can't forget the pant crapping.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

09/05/2006 02:08:37 AM · #35

No offense, but I think you would be better keeping what you have and making smaller changes. You are already used to using the 18-70 and the 60.

I would keep those lenses and add the 30mm f/1.4. then I would later add the 50mm f/1.8.

Once you have all three of those lenses, then you will be better able to decide if you will ditch your 60 or not. It's a really nice lens.

there are always extension tubes and things too...

For walk-around to portrait, I will be doing the Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 as soon as I have the cash. I've been drooling over that 30mm f/1.4 for a few months though... Photozone.de says that edge sharpness is pretty low, but that seems to be somewhat par for the course with 30mm lenses. it's only a few steps off of the roughly equivalent Canon L.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

09/05/2006 02:12:02 AM · #36

Originally posted by Vapor63:

That's a debate that can only be answered by you, yourself. Both lenses are so close in quality in mid-aperatures that it's not even a question. Having the extra stop(s) may be helpful in a small and rare amount of cases.. but you can never go wrong by *having* it. So it probably comes down to cost.. What do you want to spend? What are you going to use the grip for?

personally, it'd be the 1.8 and grip for me.. you're getting a portrait lens.. get something that'll allow you to shoot in portrait orientation more comfortably.. no? After all.. how often will you be shooting in light that deathly requires you to get one more stop and have one eyeball in complete focus with everything else OOF ;)

shalrath

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

09/05/2006 02:21:16 AM · #37

I have the f1.8, it's sharp and fast. I'm not too sure about the f1.4, but the 1.8 does the trick. You'll be happy with that and the battery grip.