cant decided what lens to buy this coming weekend. HELP

[bkkoo78]

Hi ALL,

I am a newbie... This coming weekend, I will be dropping by Hong Kong to short trip. Thinking of buying some lens.

I currently have a d3100 + kit lens, a AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.

I initially wanted to buy

1.) AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED cause I have my kit lens, but I heard that the 17-55mm is better IQ than the kit lens
2.) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

BUT, I was thinking to give up my idea to get the AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED and instead get.

1.) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G *** Yes, I like to take portraits, and nice bokehs
2.) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED *** Yes, I like to take landscapes

Is this a stupid thing to do too? Need advises from brothers/sisters in the forums...

And Yes, I know my camera is a DX format now.

 

[dingdongz]

Hi,

i think a 17-55 or a 50mm f1.4 would be good. I guess you have to decide what kind of shots you like to take. Maybe you can consider 3rd party lenses? I like the Sigma 30mm F1.4 as it is not that tight for portraits.

When you are in HK, do drop by tin cheung at TST. Highly recommended.

 

[bkkoo78]

Hi,

i think a 17-55 or a 50mm f1.4 would be good. I guess you have to decide what kind of shots you like to take. Maybe you can consider 3rd party lenses? I like the Sigma 30mm F1.4 as it is not that tight for portraits.

When you are in HK, do drop by tin cheung at TST. Highly recommended.

I thought Tin Cheung is pretty exp, like Cathay standard.

I mean is getting

1.) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G *** Yes, I like to take portraits, and nice bokehs
2.) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED *** Yes, I like to take landscapes

is silly thing to do?

Is the 17-55mm worth it, replacing my kit lens?

Cannot afford getting all 3 lens....

 

[arctos]

DX means cropped frame right? If so the 24mm would hardly be wide enough to do landscapes. (There are always exceptions to the rule.)

Actually if you can't decide, why not just save the $$ and don't buy anything for the time being? Better to save "ammo" for later rather than rush to buy now and regret right?

 

[shellshox]

Hi, why not just use the lenses you have right now until you find a particular lens that you really need? Cos i know as you experiment, read up and shoot more you'l find that there're certain lens you don't really use. For me, I've been shooting for awhile but just have 2 lens, one of which is for macro

 

[bkkoo78]

Hi, why not just use the lenses you have right now until you find a particular lens that you really need? Cos i know as you experiment, read up and shoot more you'l find that there're certain lens you don't really use. For me, I've been shooting for awhile but just have 2 lens, one of which is for macro

DX means cropped frame right? If so the 24mm would hardly be wide enough to do landscapes. (There are always exceptions to the rule.)

Actually if you can't decide, why not just save the $$ and don't buy anything for the time being? Better to save "ammo" for later rather than rush to buy now and regret right?

Thanks for the advises, But I am already in a BBB mood.

For sure I am planning to get a AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

I am just deciding between the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED and the AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

I also dont feel like wasting my trip in HK, dont want just take pictures and just eat eat eat. Thinking if I can save $$$ for the cheap lens here, Might as well?

Or am I wrong... :dunno:

 

[glgl96]

any reason why you so firm on getting a 50mm f1.4G? why not a 35mm f1.8G instead.

 

[An drew]

i think you should only consider the 24 1.4 if you are on FX. Otherwise it would be a waste and it would also not be wide enough.

For DX, a 17-55 2.8 would come in very useful.

 

[Ben Ang]

Thanks for the advises, But I am already in a BBB mood.

For sure I am planning to get a AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

I am just deciding between the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED and the AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

I also dont feel like wasting my trip in HK, dont want just take pictures and just eat eat eat. Thinking if I can save $$$ for the cheap lens here, Might as well?

Or am I wrong... :dunno:

the 24 1.4 is gonna cost you a bomb... i don't mean to be condesending, and hope it doesnt get across that way.. but thats quite a lens for a new shooter. my guess is you re considering that because of the built in motor. but its not really wide enuf for landscape, and not really worth the extra if u just want AF. for that price you could get the tokina 11-16 2.8, the tamron 17-55 2.8 AND a tokina 50-135 f2.8. thats more than you ll need for quite awhile. and more than enough to do some proper jobs if yr looking into that.

the first 2 lenses are good. very good infact. i ve used the tamron for events and i ve played with my friends tokina for quite awhile. the 50-135 is v good too plus light weight. i know for sure the 1t 2 come with built in focus motor. the 50-135, not sure but there's a sigma version that probably does.. note, if u like light weight, stay away from the nikkor 17-55 2.8. that lens can be a pain in the wrist.. no joke.

from experience, if you re not really shoot jobs, you probably don't need the mega pro nikon glass.

 

[chanzdad]

Based on my own usage, i would get the 24mm f1.4. I can shoot all the type of pic with it. I would hold buying the 50mm as I find it too tight for DX. But its really up to you with the kind of shots you do.

Above are based on my own shooting type and style.

 

[bkkoo78]

any reason why you so firm on getting a 50mm f1.4G? why not a 35mm f1.8G instead.

The need for Speed? like a rounder bokeh from the 9 blades...

i think you should only consider the 24 1.4 if you are on FX. Otherwise it would be a waste and it would also not be wide enough.

For DX, a 17-55 2.8 would come in very useful.

Thanks the reminder.... I am not on a FX... wasting $$$ to buy 2 lens for FX body...

Maybe I should just get one Full frame only...


Thanks both for the advise.

 

[Rawbeansta]

Don't worry so much bro, if you find that the lens you buy is not suitable for your use, you can let it go at B&S, and you prob won't even lose money.

I recommend Sigma 30mm f/1.4, good walk about lens if you like street photgraphy. Normal FOV and works well in low light setting.

 

[bkkoo78]

the 24 1.4 is gonna cost you a bomb... i don't mean to be condesending, and hope it doesnt get across that way.. but thats quite a lens for a new shooter. my guess is you re considering that because of the built in motor. but its not really wide enuf for landscape, and not really worth the extra if u just want AF. for that price you could get the tokina 11-16 2.8, the tamron 17-55 2.8 AND a tokina 50-135 f2.8. thats more than you ll need for quite awhile. and more than enough to do some proper jobs if yr looking into that.

the first 2 lenses are good. very good infact. i ve used the tamron for events and i ve played with my friends tokina for quite awhile. the 50-135 is v good too plus light weight. i know for sure the 1t 2 come with built in focus motor. the 50-135, not sure but there's a sigma version that probably does.. note, if u like light weight, stay away from the nikkor 17-55 2.8. that lens can be a pain in the wrist.. no joke.

from experience, if you re not really shoot jobs, you probably don't need the mega pro nikon glass.

Hmmm... Maybe I should do some more homework on other brands... Point noted.

Based on my own usage, i would get the 24mm f1.4. I can shoot all the type of pic with it. I would hold buying the 50mm as I find it too tight for DX. But its really up to you with the kind of shots you do.

Above are based on my own shooting type and style.

When I start off looking for the lens, I wanted the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G(Coming Soon!), cause it would be 35 x 1.5 = 52.5mm, so it would be == to a 50mm prime lens... But I dont think it would come out over in HK this weekend.

 

[Ben Ang]

Don't worry so much bro, if you find that the lens you buy is not suitable for your use, you can let it go at B&S, and you prob won't even lose money.

I recommend Sigma 30mm f/1.4, good walk about lens if you like street photgraphy. Normal FOV and works well in low light setting.

+1

forgot to mention this. i have a 50 1.2, and while the bokeh is outstanding, the fov is abit tight for dx and i usually end up using a 35 f2 instead. the 30 1.4 should suite you very nicely.

 

[bkkoo78]

Don't worry so much bro, if you find that the lens you buy is not suitable for your use, you can let it go at B&S, and you prob won't even lose money.

I recommend Sigma 30mm f/1.4, good walk about lens if you like street photgraphy. Normal FOV and works well in low light setting.

Thanks for the Info... I will try to study a bit more on order brands...

Is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for a Full frame body too? if so, I guess there would be some cropping to 30 x 1.5 = 45mm?

 

[baggiolee]

some brands have a high resell value while others are not,
some lenses have a high resell value while others are not,
lenses with warranty generally has a higher resell value.

i'll avoid buying expensive lenses if i'm still not sure what lens suit me the best, actually i would avoid buying any lens for the time being

 

[Rawbeansta]

30mm is for cropped body, which is almost the equivalent to 50mm for full-frame. HK sells it for about 500+ while In SG it costs more than 750 if I'm not wrong. B&S prices range from 550-600, so you don't really lu gi if you decide to sell it later.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

TS, may I just ask why you've bought an entry-level camera and are shortlisting some pretty high-end lenses?

i mean... the price of the 24/1.4 dwarfs your entire present set-up. I would advise you to look at lenses that are more 'proportionate' to your present set-up, both in terms of weight and price.
17-55/2.8 is quite a monster to be pairing with your D3100 as well.

 

[bkkoo78]

TS, may I just ask why you've bought an entry-level camera and are shortlisting some pretty high-end lenses?

i mean... the price of the 24/1.4 dwarfs your entire present set-up. I would advise you to look at lenses that are more 'proportionate' to your present set-up, both in terms of weight and price.
17-55/2.8 is quite a monster to be pairing with your D3100 as well.

Cause the d3100 is a gift from my wife... and she didnt want to pay for those high end stuff. I cant say no, else I would be sleeping on the floor for the rest of my life?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Cause the d3100 is a gift from my wife... and she didnt want to pay for those high end stuff. I cant say no, else I would be sleeping on the floor for the rest of my life?

hahaha ok ok.
I get what you mean :angel:

but I would suggest that you don't buy so hastily, unless you're sure that singapore price is much higher anyway, so even if you don't like it, you can still sell it off here for little/no loss.