Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography??

lamergod · 29th March 2009

Hi I am using a D40 right now and would like to know is this lens good for street photography.I know that it cant AF on D40 and I dont really mind manual focusing.If this is not a lens for photography,please suggest some lens.Zoom or prime ,im fine.My budget is around 530

STTNP · 29th March 2009

Manual focusing in street photography is difficult unless you are very very good in that.

hacknet · 29th March 2009

55mm? 55mm 2.8 micro? or the 55mm f/1.2? or are you refering to the 50mm f/1.8 afd?

saintleo · 30th March 2009

Before my D300 I was using a D40 and manual focusing was hell trying to capture moving targets on street, with that kinda budget I'd honestly eithe rget a simple 18-55 VR, its idiot proof and with a nice range, it does the job for me. Or the 18-105 VR, Nice zoom with the ability to compose pictures easily with a 105mm focal length, It cost like 350 SGD first hand? I think. It's a really easy lens to use and to me I've used it and I think its an all purpose lens. But truth be told, 18-55 VR does the job all the time. at 3.5 the bokeh is decent so ts just nice. Dont need to splurge on the 50 mm F/1.5 which cost like 500+++ SGD first hand.

Simon_84 · 31st March 2009

take the new AF-S 35mm f1.8, confirm can AF and is within your budget.

nofocus · 31st March 2009

Yes, the new 35/1.8 would be an excellent choice today. Or, if low light is your thing, the Sigma 30mm/1.4 HSM might be just what you need (around your budget, or a tad above only).

If you're into the true "manual experience", as MANY D40 users are, there's the Nikon 50mm/1.8D (real cheap, but GREAT). The "difficulty" experienced by some in manual focusing this and other manual-focus lenses is somewhat removed by constant practice, understanding DOF and aperture, and forking out a little money for a better focusing screen (see focusingscreen.com, for example).

And yes, I do love a range of cameras I've owned over a few decades, up to the D300 with various lenses, but ... when I need to just grab a digital body and lense when stepping out for a stroll or wandering about the city, I find myself thoroughly happy with the D40+50mm/1.8D (day) or D40+30/1.4 (night) - because either combo is small, inconspicuous, and delivers all I need, even in rather poor light.

Caution with the Sigma 30/1.4 - check that the unit you buy is free of front/rear focus issues. Don't be shy to ask for help, and make sure the shop'll swap a poorly performing unit for a perfect one should you have any problem with it. Some pick the 50mm for street shooting over the 30mm because it gives just a little more "distance" - much depends on what YOU feel comfortable with! As for me, I'm Ok with either, but feel a little like a voyeur if I move to a 200mm a try to stay across the street, but that's a complete personal opinion!

Good Luck!

29th March 2009	#1
lamergod Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Shunfu Posts: 1,034	Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? Hi I am using a D40 right now and would like to know is this lens good for street photography.I know that it cant AF on D40 and I dont really mind manual focusing.If this is not a lens for photography,please suggest some lens.Zoom or prime ,im fine.My budget is around 530

29th March 2009	#2
STTNP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 269	Re: Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? Manual focusing in street photography is difficult unless you are very very good in that. __________________ Nikon F2/F60/D200 24f2.8 35f2 50f1.4 AIS85f1.8 18-200VRII Tokina 20-35f2.8 SB900, CanonF1 50f1.4

29th March 2009	#3
hacknet Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,090	Re: Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? 55mm? 55mm 2.8 micro? or the 55mm f/1.2? or are you refering to the 50mm f/1.8 afd?

30th March 2009	#4
saintleo New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48	Re: Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? Before my D300 I was using a D40 and manual focusing was hell trying to capture moving targets on street, with that kinda budget I'd honestly eithe rget a simple 18-55 VR, its idiot proof and with a nice range, it does the job for me. Or the 18-105 VR, Nice zoom with the ability to compose pictures easily with a 105mm focal length, It cost like 350 SGD first hand? I think. It's a really easy lens to use and to me I've used it and I think its an all purpose lens. But truth be told, 18-55 VR does the job all the time. at 3.5 the bokeh is decent so ts just nice. Dont need to splurge on the 50 mm F/1.5 which cost like 500+++ SGD first hand.

31st March 2009	#5
Simon_84 Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: bukit batok Posts: 1,331	Re: Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? take the new AF-S 35mm f1.8, confirm can AF and is within your budget.

31st March 2009	#6
nofocus New Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 36	Re: Nikkor 55mm f1.8 for street photography?? Yes, the new 35/1.8 would be an excellent choice today. Or, if low light is your thing, the Sigma 30mm/1.4 HSM might be just what you need (around your budget, or a tad above only). If you're into the true "manual experience", as MANY D40 users are, there's the Nikon 50mm/1.8D (real cheap, but GREAT). The "difficulty" experienced by some in manual focusing this and other manual-focus lenses is somewhat removed by constant practice, understanding DOF and aperture, and forking out a little money for a better focusing screen (see focusingscreen.com, for example). And yes, I do love a range of cameras I've owned over a few decades, up to the D300 with various lenses, but ... when I need to just grab a digital body and lense when stepping out for a stroll or wandering about the city, I find myself thoroughly happy with the D40+50mm/1.8D (day) or D40+30/1.4 (night) - because either combo is small, inconspicuous, and delivers all I need, even in rather poor light. Caution with the Sigma 30/1.4 - check that the unit you buy is free of front/rear focus issues. Don't be shy to ask for help, and make sure the shop'll swap a poorly performing unit for a perfect one should you have any problem with it. Some pick the 50mm for street shooting over the 30mm because it gives just a little more "distance" - much depends on what YOU feel comfortable with! As for me, I'm Ok with either, but feel a little like a voyeur if I move to a 200mm a try to stay across the street, but that's a complete personal opinion! Good Luck!