best glass for low-light photography

[snake3yes]

ok..i see a lot of photographers saying that if you love shooting at night grab a fast lens especially the f/1.4 to f/2.8..now the question is based on your shooting experience and the existing nikkor, sigma and tamron glass nowadays..what's the best glass you suggest for my new D90.

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by snake3yes ok..i see a lot of photographers saying that if you love shooting at night grab a fast lens especially the f/1.4 to f/2.8..now the question is based on your shooting experience and the existing nikkor, sigma and tamron glass nowadays..what's the best glass you suggest for my new D90.

I do not think that you need fast lens at night if you are shooting landscape and mounted on tripod. In fact, I rather be shooting at f8 instead of f1.4 or f2.8 for landscape.

Unless you are talking about low-light environment such as events or on travel and no time to set-up tripod. Then you need a fast lens but I think most of the time, people rather push up the ISO.

I think you need to consider what you want to shoot, human subjects, landscape, record shot?

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by snake3yes ok..i see a lot of photographers saying that if you love shooting at night grab a fast lens especially the f/1.4 to f/2.8..now the question is based on your shooting experience and the existing nikkor, sigma and tamron glass nowadays..what's the best glass you suggest for my new D90.

all the Nikon fast lenses are very good, results has depends on your skill, preference has to depends on personal style and subject, no one lens can pao sua pao hai and still stand out amoung all.

if you insist, can have 14~24, 24~70, 70~200 these three lenses, and you able to cover from 14mm to 200mm all at f2.8

[TheChef]

Originally Posted by catchlights all the Nikon fast lenses are very good, results has depends on your skill, preference has to depends on personal style and subject, no one lens can pao sua pao hai and still stand out amoung all. if you insist, can have 14~24, 24~70, 70~200 these three lenses, and you able to cover from 14mm to 200mm all at f2.8

These 3 lenses are definitely good. But, they cost about $10,000 altogether. Using it with D700 or D3, that will set you back by $13,000 to $16,000. There are cheaper alternatives.

The Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 is all you need for low light landscape photography. It costs $940 only. Get the Nikkor AFD-50mm f1.4 at $500+ if you need to take low light portraits. If you want a do it all lens, then the Nikkor 16-85mm VR will not disappoint. Solid VR. It had enabled me to take sharp pictures at night under low light condition without tripod.

[Omega23]

May i suggest you Sigma 30mm F1.4. I used it to took very nice and sharp night photos when i do not feel like to bring mine tripod along.

[jnet6]

there is the new AF-S 35mm DX F1.8 to try.

[snake3yes]

hey guys thanks, i'm thinkin of f/1.4 for low-light photography or should i go to f/2.8? 3rd party glass like tamron and sigma were also my options but some people says that nikkor glass is more sharp..in other words when it comes it nikkor "you've got what you pay for".

[Omega23]

Originally Posted by snake3yes hey guys thanks, i'm thinkin of f/1.4 for low-light photography or should i go to f/2.8? 3rd party glass like tamron and sigma were also my options but some people says that nikkor glass is more sharp..in other words when it comes it nikkor "you've got what you pay for".

Not all Nikon glass is sharp. There are sharper one in 3rd party if you look around. F1.4 would be much better in low light. F2.8 cant do much in low light unless there is a VR in ii or a tripod with you.

[Dream Merchant]

Noct Nikkor ftw!

[NineEleven]

What Francis 247 said is right.

It depends on your subjects & theme. Pushing the ISO has it's limits as some cameras get noisey pics above 800. How does the D90 perform in this field?

Shooting in low light & hand held, you'll need fast lens but shooting nightscapes, you'd need a tripod & cable release/trigger plus regular lens. Better if it's wide angle. Don't forget that opening the F stop all the way produces soft pictures as well.

[snake3yes]

hmmm..how about 50mm f/1.4G or 50mm f/1.4D for D90? whats the differ when shooting low light?