Lens for beginner with D300 for Landscape and Candid/Street photography

Hi there.


I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.
I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Thank you.

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.
I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Learning on a low budget is a smart move and the D300 was at one time a workhorse camera for a lot of working professionals. The external controls are great, less menu-diving.

I would recommend something in the 18-55mm range for that format but I'm not sure you can quite make it for $70.

I believe Nikkor AF-I and AF-S lenses will be fully functional on your D300.

Check this chart to be sure.

Alex Ethridge said:

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.
I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Learning on a low budget is a smart move and the D300 was at one time a workhorse camera for a lot of working professionals. The external controls are great, less menu-diving.

I would recommend something in the 18-55mm range for that format but I'm not sure you can quite make it for $70.

I believe Nikkor AF-I and AF-S lenses will be fully functional on your D300.

Check this chart to be sure.

Click to expand...

It's all started when I saw digitalrev tv channel on YouTube for dslr under $100. Then I was on a journey looking for my first DSLR.

I can get a used one for under $70. One thing I want to ask, better go for Nikkor lens only or I can also get 3rd party lens? Like YongNuo?

Bliztor said:

Alex Ethridge said:

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.
I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Learning on a low budget is a smart move and the D300 was at one time a workhorse camera for a lot of working professionals. The external controls are great, less menu-diving.

I would recommend something in the 18-55mm range for that format but I'm not sure you can quite make it for $70.

I believe Nikkor AF-I and AF-S lenses will be fully functional on your D300.

Check this chart to be sure.

Click to expand...

It's all started when I saw digitalrev tv channel on YouTube for dslr under $100. Then I was on a journey looking for my first DSLR.

I can get a used one for under $70. One thing I want to ask, better go for Nikkor lens only or I can also get 3rd party lens? Like YongNuo?

Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with YongNuo. I know nothing of the brand. I would stick with Nikon, Tamron and Sigma. Personally, it seems like Sigma comes in behind Tamron in all the comparisons so I would not care much for that brand. There are a lot of Nikkors floating around and should, for that reason, be more readily available.

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.

Click to expand...

That's a really random partnering, a pro body with a pre-digital bargain basement lens. Perhaps the seller didn't appreciate what they had.

Bliztor said:

I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Click to expand...

$70 is really low. But there are some options, if you get lucky.

You could get a used Yongnuo 35mm f2, which is not bad. Won't give you a very wide angle though.

The 50mm f1.8 D might be found for that price but is too long for most applications.

Maybe you could snag the kit lens of the D300 era, the 18-70 f3.5-4.5 - that's definitely good.

It's rare now, but if you can find the Sigma 24mm f2.8 II (AF) that would be useful. The IQ is fairly good and it focuses very closely. A good 'street' focal length on a D300.

Alternatively you could find an 18-55 VR. It won't do much for moving subjects in low light but otherwise the prospects seem good.

Avoid all superzooms from before the D300 came out, the 18-200 or 28-300 type, they have a bad reputation for sharpness which is why they can be found under $100.

Alex Ethridge said:

I'm not familiar with YongNuo. I know nothing of the brand. I would stick with Nikon, Tamron and Sigma. Personally, it seems like Sigma comes in behind Tamron in all the comparisons so I would not care much for that brand. There are a lot of Nikkors floating around and should, for that reason, be more readily available.

Click to expand...

Noted for the brand suggestion. I guess Nikkors should be better than other 3rd party lens, don't they? Or not?

fishy wishy said:

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.

Click to expand...

That's a really random partnering, a pro body with a pre-digital bargain basement lens. Perhaps the seller didn't appreciate what they had.

Click to expand...

Well, I had more than just typical seller-buyer conversation with the seller. Turned out the seller is a lady who was a photojournalist for 9 years from 2 acclaimed local medias here(one of them is ANTARA, Indonesia government's media) . She quit her job after getting pregnant. D300 with that lens, bag, and memory, for less than $200. I almost bought D200 for the same price. So I guess it's a good deal for me

fishy wishy said:

fishy wishy said:

I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Click to expand...

$70 is really low. But there are some options, if you get lucky.

You could get a used Yongnuo 35mm f2, which is not bad. Won't give you a very wide angle though.

The 50mm f1.8 D might be found for that price but is too long for most applications.

Maybe you could snag the kit lens of the D300 era, the 18-70 f3.5-4.5 - that's definitely good.

It's rare now, but if you can find the Sigma 24mm f2.8 II (AF) that would be useful. The IQ is fairly good and it focuses very closely. A good 'street' focal length on a D300.

Alternatively you could find an 18-55 VR. It won't do much for moving subjects in low light but otherwise the prospects seem good.

Avoid all superzooms from before the D300 came out, the 18-200 or 28-300 type, they have a bad reputation for sharpness which is why they can be found under $100.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your insights. I'll look into it one by one for which I can get with the best condition and of course best price. I can push the budget a bit more though, like to $100.

I've been looking into lens reviews now as I've got my hand on DSLR. What do you think about prime lens vs zoom lens? Looking at how small and lightweight 50mm f1.8 and quite versatile for 'street'. Or 18-55mm VR as the default lens for beginner like me? I don't think I'll be needing superzoom lens for now at least, so we can skip on that.

Oh, one more thing, can you give me more insight about 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 vs 28-80mm? Like what kind of applications suit best for this kind of lens? If they are pretty close to each other, don't you think it's better to get 50mm f1.8 to accompany that 28-80mm?

Thank you.

To make sense of the reviews, you have to times the focal length by 1.5x to get the field of view on a D300. That makes a 50mm = 75mm - that's a portrait focal length, you get very little in the frame.

24mm x 1.5 = 36mm is more of a classic street focal length.

If you don't know what you're doing yet, the safest bets are the 18-70 and 18-55 zooms.

fishy wishy said:

To make sense of the reviews, you have to times the focal length by 1.5x to get the field of view on a D300. That makes a 50mm = 75mm - that's a portrait focal length, you get very little in the frame.

24mm x 1.5 = 36mm is more of a classic street focal length.

If you don't know what you're doing yet, the safest bets are the 18-70 and 18-55 zooms.

Click to expand...

Oh, ok. That's new knowledge for me. Thank you, I'll remember that.

And yeah, I don't have anything exact preferences for now, so I'll go with your suggestion to be easy. Better learn some more and then decide what to do next.

Between 18-70 and 18-55, which is better to get for D300? I'll be buying only one lens for now. So I'll be choosing only one of them.

Bliztor said:

Alex Ethridge said:

I'm not familiar with YongNuo. I know nothing of the brand. I would stick with Nikon, Tamron and Sigma. Personally, it seems like Sigma comes in behind Tamron in all the comparisons so I would not care much for that brand. There are a lot of Nikkors floating around and should, for that reason, be more readily available.

Click to expand...

Noted for the brand suggestion. I guess Nikkors should be better than other 3rd party lens, don't they? Or not?

Click to expand...

In older lenses, they would be; but, of late, some of the high-end Tamron lenses have been out-performing the Nikkors. But those are lenses in the thousand dollar and up range.

Bliztor said:

fishy wishy said:

Bliztor said:

Hi there.

I'm a beginner here who have just got my first DSLR in the form of a Nikon D300. I got it with a Nikkor 28 - 80mm lens with some scratches on the front lens.

Click to expand...

That's a really random partnering, a pro body with a pre-digital bargain basement lens. Perhaps the seller didn't appreciate what they had.

Click to expand...

Well, I had more than just typical seller-buyer conversation with the seller. Turned out the seller is a lady who was a photojournalist for 9 years from 2 acclaimed local medias here(one of them is ANTARA, Indonesia government's media) . She quit her job after getting pregnant. D300 with that lens, bag, and memory, for less than $200. I almost bought D200 for the same price. So I guess it's a good deal for me

Bliztor said:

Bliztor said:

I'm not really into any kind of specific photography yet, but I tend to shoot outdoor for landscape, urban, candid/street photography and such. What lens do you guys suggest for me? I don't need new lens, used one is fine with me. Learning on the budget is the goal here. My budget here is $70 max.

Click to expand...

$70 is really low. But there are some options, if you get lucky.

You could get a used Yongnuo 35mm f2, which is not bad. Won't give you a very wide angle though.

The 50mm f1.8 D might be found for that price but is too long for most applications.

Maybe you could snag the kit lens of the D300 era, the 18-70 f3.5-4.5 - that's definitely good.

It's rare now, but if you can find the Sigma 24mm f2.8 II (AF) that would be useful. The IQ is fairly good and it focuses very closely. A good 'street' focal length on a D300.

Alternatively you could find an 18-55 VR. It won't do much for moving subjects in low light but otherwise the prospects seem good.

Avoid all superzooms from before the D300 came out, the 18-200 or 28-300 type, they have a bad reputation for sharpness which is why they can be found under $100.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your insights. I'll look into it one by one for which I can get with the best condition and of course best price. I can push the budget a bit more though, like to $100.

I've been looking into lens reviews now as I've got my hand on DSLR. What do you think about prime lens vs zoom lens?

Click to expand...

I like zooms; but, I keep a 50mm fixed-focal-length for group family pictures on my full frame D800e. On DX, the 35mm would cover the same angle of view. My family is kinda' large when we get them all in one place. If I were shooting DX, I would want the 16-80mm; but, that is a $1000+ lens. The 18-55mm is a good zoom range for DX and would do 90% or more of the kinds of images I make. That zoom range on DX would also be good for event photography.

Bliztor said:

Looking at how small and lightweight 50mm f1.8 and quite versatile for 'street'. Or 18-55mm VR as the default lens for beginner like me? I don't think I'll be needing superzoom lens for now at least, so we can skip on that.

Click to expand...

The 50mm on DX might be a little tight. On DX, it would make a good portrait focal length.

Bliztor said:

Oh, one more thing, can you give me more insight about 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 vs 28-80mm? Like what kind of applications suit best for this kind of lens? If they are pretty close to each other, don't you think it's better to get 50mm f1.8 to accompany that 28-80mm?

Click to expand...

I have no experience with the 18-70mm. You might Google Nikkor "18-70mm" vs "18-55mm" (with the quotes) and see what you can find. I like the zoom range better than the 18-55, though.

Bliztor said:

Thank you.

Click to expand...

In case you don't know, the DX has a crop factor of 1.5 and here is how you figure it:
FX - 50mm divide 50 by 1.5 = 33mm
DX - 35mm is about the same angle of view.

I just take a third (in my head) off whatever full frame is so a third off 100mm on full frame is 67mm on DX. Closest lens available is a 70mm.

200mm on DX gives you the same angle of view as 300mm on full frame.

Most of what I know about lenses is a carry-over from my professional days in 35mm film so I don't know a lot of detail about digital lenses, how well a particular lens performs or whether a particular lens will be fully functional on a particular body. But, I do know about focal lengths and which focal lengths are best for which types of shots because the necessary angles of view have not changed.

I think the best choice for you would be a 18-55 VR if you can find one within your budget.

Important to note: The 18-70mm, although a more desirable zoom range, does not have image stabilization (Nikon's term for Image Stabilization or (IS) is VR, short for Vibration Reduction).

The 18-55mm does have VR.

For me, that would be a hard choice if I were going to be limited to only one lens for a while. But, that is a personal preference. I would probably go for the lens that has VR.

for your budget I would get a manual 28mm lens if you want to buy a lens, make sure you can use those on your cam.

the 28-80 is fine for street. landscape you want something under 30mm.

Tim Reidy Productions said:

for your budget I would get a manual 28mm lens if you want to buy a lens, make sure you can use those on your cam.

the 28-80 is fine for street. landscape you want something under 30mm.

Click to expand...

It's a DX. Wouldn't the short end of that focal length be kinda' not wide enough, EFL 42mm?

my recommendations were for his cam. I knew what he had. his budget is not big enough to know if there is something wider that 24mm used on a prime.

It is tough when you are limited in budget and have to compromise.

cheap lens landscape 28 mm yesterday.

18-55 mm VR. Take care to be AF-S not AF-P.

18-70 mm was a good lens in its days (12 years ago) but it has no image stabilization and Nikon D300 is not a high ISO performer (although when it was launched it was a game changer for high ISO shooting).

Your lens you have is 42-120 mm lens (equivalent focal length for 135 film) so hardly any wide angle.

There are several types of lenses depending on focal lengths (equivalent focal length for 135 film, you should multiply the actual focal lengths with 1.5 for Nikon D300):

1. Ultra Wide Angle 12-28 mm
2. Wide Angle 28-45 mm
3. Normal 45-60 mm
4. Short Telephoto 60-135 mm
5. Telephoto 135-300 mm
6. Long telephoto > 300 mm

For street photos you need wide angle, for some architecture in narrow streets or some landscape you need Ultra Wide Angle, for portraits you need short telephoto. Long telephoto is for small animals and birds. Telephoto is for distant large objects. Normal is as you eyes can see so I would use for architecture if the use is feasible (you have enough distance without some nasty obstacles between you and the subject).

Here are some samples (EFL is equivalent focal length for 135 film):

1. 16 mm (24 mm)



2. 18 mm (27 mm EFL)



3. 35 mm (52 mm EFL)



4. 85 mm (127 mm)



5. 140 mm (210 mm EFL)



5. 200 mm (300 mm EFL)





For more than 300 mm look in the Internet.

--
Victor
Bucuresti, Romania

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Alex Ethridge said:

I like zooms; but, I keep a 50mm fixed-focal-length for group family pictures on my full frame D800e. On DX, the 35mm would cover the same angle of view. My family is kinda' large when we get them all in one place. If I were shooting DX, I would want the 16-80mm; but, that is a $1000+ lens. The 18-55mm is a good zoom range for DX and would do 90% or more of the kinds of images I make. That zoom range on DX would also be good for event photography.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Noted

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Looking at how small and lightweight 50mm f1.8 and quite versatile for 'street'. Or 18-55mm VR as the default lens for beginner like me? I don't think I'll be needing superzoom lens for now at least, so we can skip on that.

Click to expand...

The 50mm on DX might be a little tight. On DX, it would make a good portrait focal length.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I just blindly based my assumption on review without considering the differentiation of DX and FX format. I will also skip on 50mm for now then.

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Tim Reidy Productions said:

Oh, one more thing, can you give me more insight about 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 vs 28-80mm? Like what kind of applications suit best for this kind of lens? If they are pretty close to each other, don't you think it's better to get 50mm f1.8 to accompany that 28-80mm?

Click to expand...

I have no experience with the 18-70mm. You might Google Nikkor "18-70mm" vs "18-55mm" (with the quotes) and see what you can find. I like the zoom range better than the 18-55, though.

Thank you.[/QUOTE] In case you don't know said:

Doux Vide, post: 60996779, member: 1481133"]
I think the best choice for you would be a 18-55 VR if you can find one within your budget.

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Click to expand...

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baloo_buc said:

18-55 mm VR. Take care to be AF-S not AF-P.

18-70 mm was a good lens in its days (12 years ago) but it has no image stabilization and Nikon D300 is not a high ISO performer (although when it was launched it was a game changer for high ISO shooting).

Your lens you have is 42-120 mm lens (equivalent focal length for 135 film) so hardly any wide angle.

There are several types of lenses depending on focal lengths (equivalent focal length for 135 film, you should multiply the actual focal lengths with 1.5 for Nikon D300):

1. Ultra Wide Angle 12-28 mm
2. Wide Angle 28-45 mm
3. Normal 45-60 mm
4. Short Telephoto 60-135 mm
5. Telephoto 135-300 mm
6. Long telephoto > 300 mm

For street photos you need wide angle, for some architecture in narrow streets or some landscape you need Ultra Wide Angle, for portraits you need short telephoto. Long telephoto is for small animals and birds. Telephoto is for distant large objects. Normal is as you eyes can see so I would use for architecture if the use is feasible (you have enough distance without some nasty obstacles between you and the subject).

Here are some samples (EFL is equivalent focal length for 135 film):

1. 16 mm (24 mm)

2. 18 mm (27 mm EFL)

3. 35 mm (52 mm EFL)

4. 85 mm (127 mm)

5. 140 mm (210 mm EFL)



5. 200 mm (300 mm EFL)



For more than 300 mm look in the Internet.

--
Victor
Bucuresti, Romania

Click to expand...

My gratitude for your detailed explanation. I'll remember this to assist me in looking for best lens for my needs. Thank you


I'll see if the 18-55mm lens I saw yesterday is AF-S or AF-P.

I'll take the opposite tack to everyone else.

Scratches on the front element of a lens make no worthwhile difference to the image quality. What do you need that your current lens fails to provide?

That focal length range is actually a nice range for general photography and for "learning". For many years I shot a wide range of subjects with just about that range of focal lengths (well the 35mm equivalent and a little bit wider) and in truth it is only latterly I've really exploited wider lenses well. A lens that isn't wide enough is a very good discipline for composition and you can always stitch frames together for wider views, especially if the subject is distant. A lot of beginners use a wide angle lens to picture a tiny subject with extensive dull surroundings. If you want one tip it is fill the the frame with the subject which often won't mean wide.

IF you have got some money to spend use it for knowledge with books and club membership and training. That will make much better pictures than another lens. It is in any case a bad time to spend more on Nikon. There is a wide assumption their product line will be shaken up this year which will give more choice and may make the used market cheaper.

--
Andrew Skinner

a_c_skinner said:

I'll take the opposite tack to everyone else.

Scratches on the front element of a lens make no worthwhile difference to the image quality. What do you need that your current lens fails to provide?

That focal length range is actually a nice range for general photography and for "learning". For many years I shot a wide range of subjects with just about that range of focal lengths (well the 35mm equivalent and a little bit wider) and in truth it is only latterly I've really exploited wider lenses well. A lens that isn't wide enough is a very good discipline for composition and you can always stitch frames together for wider views, especially if the subject is distant. A lot of beginners use a wide angle lens to picture a tiny subject with extensive dull surroundings. If you want one tip it is fill the the frame with the subject which often won't mean wide.

IF you have got some money to spend use it for knowledge with books and club membership and training. That will make much better pictures than another lens. It is in any case a bad time to spend more on Nikon. There is a wide assumption their product line will be shaken up this year which will give more choice and may make the used market cheaper.

--
Andrew Skinner

Click to expand...

Tbh with all you guys here, I don't even really know if I would need a new lens apart from the lens I've already had. I'm just assuming perhaps some scratches on the front lens could affect the IQ.


As of now, let's just say I'm totally blind of how to use a DSLR properly and learning everything by myself could be challenging, so perhaps buying books or entering for some classes would be better. I've never really thought of that before until you said that.