What to get next?

plasmak · Jan 19, 2007

Hi I have a D50, 50 1.8D, 18-70mm kit right now. I added get the low/mid-end Bogen 3011/3126 head tripod for some better nightshots.

I am looking to add some more equipment to the mix. I usually do people photography and love candid portraits (since I am still in college here in Cornell, I have plenty of subjects).

I also do a lot of indoor shooting because Cornell is just too cold to stay out in the cold for too long.

My current shot want list is basically, not in particular order:

SB800/600 - People have said SB800 is worth it. I am convinced that that's true as well, since it comes with all the goodies and the wireless mode, more power.. etc. More creativity for my young college mind haha.

35mm f2 - I would like a walk-around prime. The 50mm kinda gave me a taste of what primes can do, 18-70 kit just can't satisfy me anymore.

85mm f1.8/1.4 - I find 50mm to be a little too short for sneaking up on people sometimes since I am well within their distance. But I would like to get the 1.4 and not waste 1.8, but that'll be a while since I am a student and I have almost no $. I am almost hoping that you guys convince me that 1.8 is good enough.

Hope you guys can help

mmasiewicz · Jan 19, 2007

85mm isn't going to give you a whole lot of reach for candids, if that's what you're wanting, but it will give you some. Based on your stated needs the 85 1.8 is probably your best option given your budget constraints, as the 85 1.4 retails for about $1000. For about $800 you can get a Nikon 80-200 2.8 or a Sigma 70-200 2.8 for a little less (would give you more reach for candids, if you don't mind carrying a larger lens).

As a note, I've owned my 85 1.8 for about a year, and tend to use it more than my 50 1.8 when I'm out and about. I suspect you'll enjoy it, and it's not gonna cost you a terrible fortune, either. Good luck.

85 1.8
1/320 @ f/1.8

85 1.8
1/4000 @ f/2.5

85 1.8
1/500 @ f5.6

Here's a candid for ya.
1/200 @ f/8

plasmak said:
Hi I have a D50, 50 1.8D, 18-70mm kit right now. I added get the
low/mid-end Bogen 3011/3126 head tripod for some better nightshots.

I am looking to add some more equipment to the mix. I usually do
people photography and love candid portraits (since I am still in
college here in Cornell, I have plenty of subjects).

I also do a lot of indoor shooting because Cornell is just too cold
to stay out in the cold for too long.

My current shot want list is basically, not in particular order:

SB800/600 - People have said SB800 is worth it. I am convinced that
that's true as well, since it comes with all the goodies and the
wireless mode, more power.. etc. More creativity for my young
college mind haha.

35mm f2 - I would like a walk-around prime. The 50mm kinda gave me
a taste of what primes can do, 18-70 kit just can't satisfy me
anymore.

85mm f1.8/1.4 - I find 50mm to be a little too short for sneaking
up on people sometimes since I am well within their distance. But I
would like to get the 1.4 and not waste 1.8, but that'll be a while
since I am a student and I have almost no $. I am almost hoping
that you guys convince me that 1.8 is good enough.

Hope you guys can help

--
http://www.pbase.com/mmasiewicz

plasmak · Jan 20, 2007

wow. your post is temping me to get a 85 1.8 haha. thanks for the input

Logge · Jan 20, 2007

plasmak said:
Hi I have a D50, 50 1.8D, 18-70mm kit right now. I added get the
low/mid-end Bogen 3011/3126 head tripod for some better nightshots.

I am looking to add some more equipment to the mix. I usually do
people photography and love candid portraits (since I am still in
college here in Cornell, I have plenty of subjects).

I also do a lot of indoor shooting because Cornell is just too cold
to stay out in the cold for too long.

My current shot want list is basically, not in particular order:

SB800/600 - People have said SB800 is worth it. I am convinced that
that's true as well, since it comes with all the goodies and the
wireless mode, more power.. etc. More creativity for my young
college mind haha.

yes the 800 might be better for you as you can use it wireless with the D50. i have a 600 but a D70 so i have commander mode with it, i rarly use it though. but if you don't plan to use it off camera, start with the 600, make yourself a bounce card and your fine

plasmak said:
35mm f2 - I would like a walk-around prime. The 50mm kinda gave me
a taste of what primes can do, 18-70 kit just can't satisfy me
anymore.

85mm f1.8/1.4 - I find 50mm to be a little too short for sneaking
up on people sometimes since I am well within their distance. But I
would like to get the 1.4 and not waste 1.8, but that'll be a while
since I am a student and I have almost no $. I am almost hoping
that you guys convince me that 1.8 is good enough.

wheter you need more or less reach than the 50 you have to decide, but if you go for more the 85 isn't that much more (i'd go for the 1.8 here unless you really need the wide open performance of the 1.4, but at f2.8 or f4 the difference between the two is quite small)

but if you really want more reach, how about a 180 2.8? good prices in the used market and great performance

plasmak said:
Hope you guys can help

hope it helps a little, being a student myself i know it's though to decide with a rather thight budget
--
Mario

My Gallery
http://mariogrolimund.ma.funpic.de

luxun54 · Jan 20, 2007

Logge said:
yes the 800 might be better for you as you can use it wireless with
the D50. i have a 600 but a D70 so i have commander mode with it, i
rarly use it though. but if you don't plan to use it off camera,
start with the 600, make yourself a bounce card and your fine

I believe that D50 lacks commander mode, and cannot use SB800 or 600 off camera. [SB800 on a D50 can control a 2nd flash off-camera.] You may be better off with an SB600 initially to save a few $, since you have to use it on camera anyway.

-- http://www.pbase.com/luxun54/galleries

wantabe · Jan 20, 2007

My second purchase was a sb800, hehe now thousands on studio gear, be carefull it is addicting.
--
Oh ya,oops forgot, ya its gone.

Logge · Jan 20, 2007

the D50 can fire an SB800 wireless but not with iTTL metering. afaik you have to set the SB800 to SU-4 mode and it will fire in Auto mode.

it doesn't as wireless iTTL like a commander flash could do. That's why i would start with a 600 because you need an 800 on the D50 to really use wireless flash
--
Mario

My Gallery
http://mariogrolimund.ma.funpic.de

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What to get next?

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