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Which lens to buy for general usage

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Xooley

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Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.

My question is which lens to buy now. So as I said I'm really a newbie in this, I'll be taking photos in my city trips and some landscape photos. I'm looking for a lens which isnt too expensive. It should be for general usage, I only want to buy one lens.

I've been looking into following lenses:

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm 1:1,8G

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm 1:1,8G

Sigma 17-50 mm F2,8 EX DC OS HSM

Or maybe a complete different one?

Which one would you guys recommend me? Obviously the last one has the advantage of variable focal length but has less aperture so I'm not quite sure which one I should go for.

thanks for any help.
 
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens
Click to expand...
Why?
Xooley said:
since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is for general usage.
Xooley said:
My question is which lens to buy now.
Click to expand...
My advice is to not buy another lens until you know why you want or need one.
Xooley said:
So as I said I'm really a newbie in this, I'll be taking photos in my city trips and some landscape photos.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is fine for those uses.
Xooley said:
I'm looking for a lens which isnt too expensive.
Click to expand...
The kit lens wasn't too expensive, and you already own it.
Xooley said:
It should be for general usage
Click to expand...
That's the kit lens.
Xooley said:
, I only want to buy one lens.
Click to expand...
You already bought one lens.
Xooley said:
I've been looking into following lenses:

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm 1:1,8G

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm 1:1,8G

Sigma 17-50 mm F2,8 EX DC OS HSM

Or maybe a complete different one?

Which one would you guys recommend me?
Click to expand...
Since you don't know which one you should buy, I'll say it one last time but louder: DON'T BUY ANOTHER LENS.
Xooley said:
Obviously the last one has the advantage of variable focal length but has less aperture
Click to expand...
Actually, it has more aperture. That you did not know that is one reason why you shouldn't just blindly buy another lens. Use the kit lens and learn about features and controls of your new D3300 first. After you become more acquainted with using your DSLR you will know when and which lens you should get.
 
My recommendation is to use the kit lens a bit at preset focal lengths. Study which ones you like. Do you like to use the lens at 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm? Do you like the image quality you get at that setting? If yes, then you don't need another lens, if not, then look for a good lens that covers that focal range. If you need a fast aperture, you may want to get a prime lens, otherwise you may go for the flexibility of a zoom.

There is no right answer here, what every one prefers to use is different, so you'll just have to find out what you like on your own.
 
trekkeruss said:
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens
Click to expand...
Why?
trekkeruss said:
since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is for general usage.
trekkeruss said:
My question is which lens to buy now.
Click to expand...
My advice is to not buy another lens until you know why you want or need one.
trekkeruss said:
So as I said I'm really a newbie in this, I'll be taking photos in my city trips and some landscape photos.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is fine for those uses.
trekkeruss said:
I'm looking for a lens which isnt too expensive.
Click to expand...
The kit lens wasn't too expensive, and you already own it.
trekkeruss said:
It should be for general usage
Click to expand...
That's the kit lens.
trekkeruss said:
, I only want to buy one lens.
Click to expand...
You already bought one lens.
trekkeruss said:
I've been looking into following lenses:

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm 1:1,8G

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm 1:1,8G

Sigma 17-50 mm F2,8 EX DC OS HSM

Or maybe a complete different one?

Which one would you guys recommend me?
Click to expand...
Since you don't know which one you should buy, I'll say it one last time but louder: DON'T BUY ANOTHER LENS.
trekkeruss said:
Obviously the last one has the advantage of variable focal length but has less aperture
Click to expand...
Actually, it has more aperture. That you did not know that is one reason why you shouldn't just blindly buy another lens. Use the kit lens and learn about features and controls of your new D3300 first. After you become more acquainted with using your DSLR you will know when and which lens you should get.
Click to expand...
I agree with this advice. If you are burning to spend money, a good tripod (not a toy) would be the next thing.

After a while, you will find out which other lens is best for you, but until you have taken a good number of photos, you cannot know and nor can anyone else.

Have fun.
 
D Cox said:
trekkeruss said:
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens
Click to expand...
Why?
D Cox said:
since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is for general usage.
D Cox said:
My question is which lens to buy now.
Click to expand...
My advice is to not buy another lens until you know why you want or need one.

...
Click to expand...
I agree with this advice. If you are burning to spend money, a good tripod (not a toy) would be the next thing.

After a while, you will find out which other lens is best for you, but until you have taken a good number of photos, you cannot know and nor can anyone else.
Click to expand...
Absolutely right.

Another vote for wait until YOU know what YOU need to get the pictures YOU want.

Personally I do most of my shooting with long lenses. I know people who never use anything but wide angles. If you don't know what your tastes will be once you have some experience then how is anyone else to know?

--
Albert
Every photograph is an abstraction from reality.
Most people are more interested in the picture than the image.
 
Last edited:
As several others have indicated, if you need to ask the question then the answer is buy nothing. You will know when you need something different and you will know what it is. Or at least you will know what you can't do with your current lens. After you identify a need that can't be accomplished then you can formulate a strategy to achieve your goal.
 
i, too, suggest you don't buy more lenses till you're clear what you need. you have the kit lens. spend a few days shooting ONLY at 50mm, another shooting ONLY at 35mm. pay special attention to whether you find there are shots you can't get at each focal range.

as far as deciding between a fast zoom and an f/2.8 lens, do you shoot in low light a great deal?
 
A 35mm prime with a crop sensor camera would be considered relatively "normal" and could be used as a substitute for your kit lens.

That would be comparable to a 35mm film camera with a 50mm lens. That would have been the "kit" lens for 35mm film. You just used that combination for everything. For most people, it would just seem "normal" and natural, but it isn't "special".

If you wanted a sort of "old school" approach to photography, it would be a 35mm prime that creates it with the body you have.

Just zoom your kit lens to the 35mm point and look. That's what it will be with less depth of field wide open and brighter. It doesn't "zoom". It's only that angle of view all the time.

Nobody is going to talk you out of getting a lens if you want one, so a fast prime is the lesser of the evils. With a kit lens and a prime for reference, you should know exactly what you need from that point on.
 
I would sugest you buy the least expensive lens you can at this stage. Buying fast lenses will be expensive and you wont learn anything from them. Its always better to get to a pint where you KNOW what you need, and that comeswith time and practice. Get a variable aperture 70-300 and play wth it. It shouldnt cost that much. Look for Tamron or Sigma. When the time comes, you can pay for the big boys.
 
You could just send me the money. :-) I'll even send you a lens...

I like the blunt advice you got. My only contrary thought about your situation is that w/ only 18-55mm you will never find out if you like a longer FL. As one poster said, many people almost never use anything below 55mm.

Thus, I would suggest that you get a cheap companion lens that has longer FLs; something like the Nikkor 70-300. Then you can try a much wider range.
 
You already have a "general use" lens. Thus there is no need to buy anything further until you have a specific need which your current lens does not address.

TEdolph
 
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.

I've been looking into following lenses:
  • Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
  • Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm f/1.8G
  • Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Or maybe a complete different one?

Which one would you guys recommend me? Obviously the last one has the advantage of variable focal length but has less aperture so I'm not quite sure which one I should go for.
Click to expand...
I've found that people new to photography place too much emphasis on large apertures. In reality they are less useful than you imagine. I have several lenses with f/1.8 or f/1.4, but I rarely use them below f/2.8, mainly because I don't shoot in dull light, and I appreciate the better overall performance of most lenses when they are stopped down a little.

I have the two Nikon lenses that you mention...

The 35mm f/1.8 is quite cheap, and is a nice sharp lens, perhaps with a little field curvature (if the centre is in focus, the edges may be a little soft, but this is not a major issue).

The 50mm f/1.8 is also cheap, and intended for a full-frame (FX) Nikons, where it provides a "standard" view. On a DX Nikon such as the D3300, it is a mild telephoto or portrait lens. Because it is engineered for FX Nikons, the performance is particularly good on DX; sharp to the edges and with very little distortion. I find that I have very little use for the 50mm, now that I have a better portrait lens.

I replaced the 18-55mm lens with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, which is very similar to the 17-50mm f/2.8. I would say that this is the most versatile lens that I have, as it does close-up work as well as providing a useful focal range. My copy is particularly sharp and I hardly ever take it off my D3200. Again, the slightly smaller aperture is of no consequence particularly as the performance wide open is very good.

I sometimes use a Sigma 10-20mm "Ultra Wide Angle" lens, and this is a focal-length region that may interest you. I'd say that you might find this more rewarding than going for the suggested 70-300mm telephoto lens. I have a Tamron 70-300mm and it's a very good buy at ~$500, but it's perhaps a bit specialised for a beginner.



Sigma 10-20mm. This tree was almost within arms reach, yet the far bank of the river is in focus.
Sigma 10-20mm. This tree was almost within arms reach, yet the far bank of the river is in focus.



Tamron 70-300mm. Comb-crested Jacana with young. Image has been cropped.
Tamron 70-300mm. Comb-crested Jacana with young. Image has been cropped.
 
AlbertInFrance said:
D Cox said:
trekkeruss said:
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens
Click to expand...
Why?
AlbertTheLazy said:
since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is for general usage.
AlbertTheLazy said:
My question is which lens to buy now.
Click to expand...
My advice is to not buy another lens until you know why you want or need one.

...
Click to expand...
I agree with this advice. If you are burning to spend money, a good tripod (not a toy) would be the next thing.

After a while, you will find out which other lens is best for you, but until you have taken a good number of photos, you cannot know and nor can anyone else.
Click to expand...
Absolutely right.

Another vote for wait until YOU know what YOU need to get the pictures YOU want.

Personally I do most of my shooting with long lenses. I know people who never use anything but wide angles. If you don't know what your tastes will be once you have some experience then how is anyone else to know?
Click to expand...
 
trekkeruss said:
Xooley said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought myself an Nikon D3300, so I'm really new into photographing. Now I want to buy a new lens
Click to expand...
Why?
trekkeruss said:
since I only have the kit lens 18-55 at the moment.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is for general usage.
trekkeruss said:
My question is which lens to buy now.
Click to expand...
My advice is to not buy another lens until you know why you want or need one.
trekkeruss said:
So as I said I'm really a newbie in this, I'll be taking photos in my city trips and some landscape photos.
Click to expand...
The kit lens is fine for those uses.
trekkeruss said:
I'm looking for a lens which isnt too expensive.
Click to expand...
The kit lens wasn't too expensive, and you already own it.
trekkeruss said:
It should be for general usage
Click to expand...
That's the kit lens.
trekkeruss said:
, I only want to buy one lens.
Click to expand...
You already bought one lens.
trekkeruss said:
I've been looking into following lenses:

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm 1:1,8G

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm 1:1,8G

Sigma 17-50 mm F2,8 EX DC OS HSM

Or maybe a complete different one?

Which one would you guys recommend me?
Click to expand...
Since you don't know which one you should buy, I'll say it one last time but louder: DON'T BUY ANOTHER LENS.
trekkeruss said:
Obviously the last one has the advantage of variable focal length but has less aperture
Click to expand...
Actually, it has more aperture. That you did not know that is one reason why you shouldn't just blindly buy another lens. Use the kit lens and learn about features and controls of your new D3300 first. After you become more acquainted with using your DSLR you will know when and which lens you should get.
Click to expand...
I agreed with that. Based on your question, you are totally do not understand about photographic equipment. As this is an expensive equipment, I would advise you not to invest in any lenses until u really familiarize with photography. First and foremost, you have to understand technically how photography equipment works. (E.g aperture, shutter & ISO). Master these three basic, shoot more and play with it with your current equipment. Explore what you need and your limitation. Once you get this in place, then you will know what you lack of which your current combination unable to achieve.

If I throw you a professional D800 bodies with pro lense, I doubt that you know how to make full use of it.

In a nutshell, get your three basic mastered. The aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Each one yield different effects in your composition.

Here is my recommendation you can read up:
www.photographylife.com
 
Everyone seems to be in consensus on this thread and a lot of the posters whose opinions I respect have posted but I think I can understand maybe why the o/p wants another prime lens and why I would say go for it.

I have found this site amazing in helping me start to climb a steep learning curve in a short space of time. I have had valuable advice about so many things which has been great as I am not a member of any clubs or anything and being a bit older do not socialise as much with fellow camera owners so these people on here are my advisors. However, there is one problem with this site.

That is the Nikon SLR lens forum ! I defy any newbie to spend a few hours on there and not get lens lust. The majority of posters have all sorts of gorgeous glass and you see some spectacular images. After a few hours/days reading about different lenses you realise that your kit lens whilst great to learn with has certain compromises. The difference with a prime lens is that there are no compromises. If it is a good one it will deliver what it says on the tin. I agree that you do need expensive large apertures but if you are prepared to use it in good light you can get one for a very cheap price second hand. I did this with a 50mm 1.8 and I think of it as my 'reference' lens. If I have good light, with this lens and my oldish camera and modest sized sensor I 'know' I should be able to get first-class images. I have nothing to blame, only myself and my ability. My lens cost less that the price of a modest meal out for two and knowing I have something that is capable of sharp images helps keep the lens lust at bay :) OK maybe the bokeh may not be the best but the images can be sharp. I know sharpness is only a small part of it but it is nice to be able to get it when you want to.

As a footnote and relevant to the learning process I have found a fixed focal length makes me consider composition a lot more. A zoom can make you lazy as it is so easy to just use it to frame your shot from where you are positioned rather than moving to get into a better position or include or remove elements from your image. The first time I used it I realised just how dramatically different it is not being able to zoom.

I say do a lot of reading - set yourself a low fixed budget and go for it !

Edit: I think I paid around £50/$75 for mine. That is a dammed cheap cure for lens lust :)

--
My permanently unfinished web site
http://www.8thday.co.uk
 
Last edited:
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