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Lens fro D50 - VR or 2.8

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krisnrg

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Hey guys I'm looking for a new lens for my D50. I shoot alot at my church with my 50mm 1.8 and I get great results. I want to add a lens that gives me more range.

Something like 200mm. So my first though was the 55-200 VR. But that lens is too slow for inside the Sanctuary and I would have to use high ISO's.

I tried to simulate the ISO's I would need by setting my 50mm to 5.6 and shooting some pitures. The results I got were:

1/40 Shutter, ISO 1600 @ 5.6

Now if I get his lens I would have to shoot at 1600 most of the time so I thought maybe save up and get a 80-200 2.8 (The Nikkor)

But then I thought even shooting at 2.8 @ 200mm I would need a faster shutter to keep a steady shot. I estimate I would need a 1/200 shuter to keep the shots steady where in VR I've read i can hand hold at 1/30 of a second even at 200mm

So my question is what do you guys recommend? I mean I want the Nikkor 2.8 but right now I can't really justify it. I have the opportunity to get a used 55-200 VR for around $150. I was thinking buying the VR lens for now and getting the 2.8 later.

But for now which is better. Considering I only need around 1/60 of a second to get clean shots since it's not fast motion or anything...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krisnrg/
http://www.myspace.com/krisnrg
 
krisnrg said:
Hey guys I'm looking for a new lens for my D50. I shoot alot at my
church with my 50mm 1.8 and I get great results. I want to add a lens
that gives me more range.

Something like 200mm. So my first though was the 55-200 VR. But that
lens is too slow for inside the Sanctuary and I would have to use
high ISO's.

I tried to simulate the ISO's I would need by setting my 50mm to 5.6
and shooting some pitures. The results I got were:

1/40 Shutter, ISO 1600 @ 5.6
Click to expand...
F2.8 gives you 2 stops, so 1/160, not going to give you an easy hand hold at 200, but doable, still at iso1600 though.

Other options, 85 f1.8, sigma 50-150 (similar issues to the 80-200 but a little easier at 150mm)
krisnrg said:
Now if I get his lens I would have to shoot at 1600 most of the time
so I thought maybe save up and get a 80-200 2.8 (The Nikkor)
Click to expand...
Could try auto iso and 1/125 or so, will keep the iso to say 1200 ish.
krisnrg said:
But then I thought even shooting at 2.8 @ 200mm I would need a faster
shutter to keep a steady shot. I estimate I would need a 1/200 shuter
to keep the shots steady where in VR I've read i can hand hold at
1/30 of a second even at 200mm

So my question is what do you guys recommend? I mean I want the
Nikkor 2.8 but right now I can't really justify it. I have the
opportunity to get a used 55-200 VR for around $150. I was thinking
buying the VR lens for now and getting the 2.8 later.

But for now which is better. Considering I only need around 1/60 of a
second to get clean shots since it's not fast motion or anything...
Click to expand...
These last three paragraphs kind of answer your own question though :)

--
Gerry,
http://gerryd.smugmug.com/ discount code on homepage

'There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.' - Steven Wright
 
You don't say, but I presume you're taking photos of the action rather than the building. If you just want lots of building photos, get a tripod or monopod.

In fact, so long as the action isn't too fast, you could get some good shots down to 1/30s or 1/15s at 200mm without VR with a monopod.

--
Mark.
 
I love my 80-200 but its not the greatest for what you are trying to do. In this type of situation, VR has an advantage over f/2.8. Given your options, I think the 55-200 would probably do a better job for you. It think the main advantage of the f/2.8 on the 80-200 is not in low-light but rather in creating creamy bokah and other depth of field issues. VR was specifically designed to reduce vibration at slower shutter speeds.
krisnrg said:
That's my point. Either way I think I would have to use ISO 1600.

With the 2.8 I can use a monopod and get away with 1/30 but yeah for
now I think I'll get the VR and sell it later when I can afford the
Nikkor 80-200 2.8

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krisnrg/
http://www.myspace.com/krisnrg
Click to expand...
--
OK, not so purely a hobby.
 
Some tips to help you get the most out of the lighting conditions:
-set ISO to Auto
-set metering to Spot
-make sure you use the metering points, to meter off the face of your subject.

I usually shoot live stage performances in Shutter priority.



70-300mm ED 4/5.6 Zoom, 240mm @ 1/60 f/5.3

(not sure why I didn't stop this down to f/4)
--
:-)
:-(
http://camera-ephemera.blogspot.com

 
Just remember that VR will not stop subject motion. Only a faster shutter speed will do that. If you plan to take pictures of people moving around, such as an event or party, only faster glass will give you what you need. If you can get people to stop and pose, you will do OK.

--
pschatz100
It's not how many pixels you have... but how you use them.
 
ChrisJahn said:
70-300mm ED 4/5.6 Zoom, 240mm @ 1/60 f/5.3

(not sure why I didn't stop this down to f/4)
Click to expand...
It was not f/4 because your lens cannot shoot f/4 @ 240mm:)
 
Nice to hear that you do enjoy your D50.. I keep a 17-55 Nikkor 2.8 on mine 90% of the time. Also use a 70-300vr Nikon which I like very much. And from time to time I use a Sigma 105 2.8 macro.. The 50 1.8 is used very little..

This is just my 2 cents worth, I wish you luck in your search..
--
Jon in Thailand

http://www.flickr.com/photos/af2899/
.
 
I have very good luck using high ISO with my D50, believe it or not...
--
Terry Gelgen
D50
18-55ED
Nikkor 70-300VR ED
Nikkor 105mm Macro VR ED

 
Something I forgot to mention is for the most part I am at 200 iso, aperture priority and center spot metering.
--
Jon in Thailand

http://www.A.com/photos/af2899/
 
The latest generation Sigma zooms are very good, so you should take a look into them also. The Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM is quite good, and costs less than have the price of the Nikon 70-200 f2.8

Both of those lenses are rather large and heavy, however. If you would like something much smaller and lighter to be easy to take places, consider the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM It easily fits in smaller camera bags. And is much lighter to carry on vacation.

-
 
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