 Jay A. Grantham |
First Lens: Prime vs. Zoom I am (finally) about to purchase my first DSLR (Nikon D70s). I thought I was settled on purchasing the Nikon 35-70 2.8. I like that it has a macro option (though not one of Nikon's "Macro" lenses), but then one critic mentioned that it was "lazy" when you could just move closer or farther away and get the 50 1.4 or 35 2.0, so it got me thinking. Is the "faster" glass and prime lens worth the "chore" of positioning? Or are "you" happier with the ability to zoom? My second lens, if I purchased the 35 or 50, would probably be the 60 or 105 macro a few months later. I know I'm going to want the ability to shoot Macro. Look forward to your opinions!
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Peter M. Wilcox |
You would almost certainly be happier with the zoom, especially if you will only have the one lens. You can't always get closer, or move far enough away, and going from wide to telephoto with a zoom changes perspective as well as field of view. For example, if your composition has objects at different distances from you, or an object has visible depth, you can't take the same picture with two different focal lengths by changing your position. Use the more versatile zoom lens to find out what kind of photography you like to do, then if appropriate get a fast prime suitable for your style.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Well said, Peter. I agree.
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Jay A. Grantham |
Thanks for your responses.. your points and the fact that I have only used zooms on my current SLR you are probably right on the money!
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Scott H. |
You might want to look at the Nikon 18-70mm. It's not as expensive as an f2.8 lens, is pretty sharp, and has a much wider angle than something like the 35-70mm f2.8, which is only about 50mm at the wide end. Then again, the Nikon 35-70mm is supposed to be a great lens. Guess it depends on what you want to do and your pocketbook.
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Mary N C. Taitt |
I just wanted to add the comment that there are many times when you cannot use the bipedal zoom (non -lazy man's zoom) or may not want to--for example--a bird in a tree, a frog in a pond, a view of something behind a fence. And wide angle zooms allow you to take normal sjhots and group shots with a single lens when you might not be able to back up enough in the available space otherwise. while dedicated one-length lenses often have better optics, if you only have one lese, I recommend a good zoom.
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Devon McCarroll |
I have a Nikkor 28-105 zoom lens for my D70, and it's on my camera more than any other lens I own. The "macro" feature on it works really well (not a dedicated macro), and it works great for portraits, as well as pretty much everything else I've shot with it. Keep in mind, however, that on the D70 the focal length is about 1.5x what it would be on a film camera, so no wide angle here.
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Kathy F. Nash |
Hello! I have a D70 as well, but got it because I can still use the lenses from my 35mm N70. It came with a 18-70 Nikor DX lens that I use for most day to day stuff. I did a photo shoot yesterday of close-ups, and oddly enough the depth of field was so fantastic that it caught everything within at least 100 feet! If I want to get in close and personal, and avoid background "noise" I use my 100-400 from a distance. As for lighting, especially in flourescent indoor situations, I still don't own any umbrellas or external flashes (I do have a speed light but not external extensions.) I adjust shutter speed and aperture then play with it in PS (shoot in RAW) later. As for macro, I bit the bullet and got a used one for 1/2 off - a Tamron for about $500. I'm still learning how to use it. I think I need to get a bellows, extension tube, and circular light but now it looks like another thousand bucks! The 18-70 is a wide angle focal as well, and deserves praise!
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Rachel L. Fisher |
I agree that the for the first lens a zoom is the best way to go. It gives you the versitility to play and always have that lens to fall back on when you need it. You may not want to spend a huge ammount on your first lens simply because its your first lens and its going to help you figure out what you like. Whether you end up switching to mostly prime lenses or going a better zoom lens later you'll know that the next one is the right one for you and you won't mind spending a little more on it. Prime lenses tend to be my favorite. You look at the world in a different way. I normally have the Sigma 105mm macro and the Nikon 50mm 1.4 on me at all times. I love those lenses, I like to get as close to something as possible. But a large zoom and wide angle are super fun too!
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Jay A. Grantham |
Thanks for the input.. I really appreciate it. I'm not going with the "kit lens" because I often shoot in low light situations and would like to have the best chance at getting a shot.. I currently have 35-70mm and 70-210mm on my film SLR (both 4.5-5.6), so it's not "really" my first lens.. just the first lens for my DSLR (film is Minolta). I'll sock away my pennies for and probably go with a 70 or 80-200 2.8 in a year or more.
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