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Digital cameras: One lens or two?
One lens or two?
by barkal_l - 4/3/09 3:25 PMFrom what I gather from DPReview forums as well as here, it seems that it is typically better to get two (or more) lenses rather than one "jack-of-all-trades, master of none"--- is this accurate? FWIW, my thoughts are Nikon D-series with a) Nikkor 18-55 and 55-200, or b) Nikkor 18-200 which should cover pretty much all my needs (which is also about $200 more than the 2-lens setup).
One or Two
by snapshot2
- 4/3/09 4:25 PM
In reply to: One lens or two? by barkal_l
This all started with the people who are switching from a small camera to the DSLR cameras.
They are accustom to having a zoom lens that covers from wide angle to telephoto.
DSLR cameras have large lenses that can be quite heavy.
If you get a big zoom, you also get a lot of weight.
Handling a nose heavy camera all day, can be a drag.
Hang a DSLR camera around your neck that has a 18-55 lens and the camera will rest against your chest with the lens pointing straight ahead.
Put a 18-200 lens on the camera and it will be pointing down, due to the extra weight (nose heavy).
But zoom isn't everything you need to look for.
Lenses are also rated as to how much light they can collect.
That is the Aperture rating.
It is show as F-Stops.
A zoom lens that is rated at f/2.8 is much brighter that one that is rated at f/5.6
If you want to take pictures in a gymnasium under the lights, the f/5.6 lens is not going to do the job.
..
.
sounds good
by barkal_l - 4/3/09 9:32 PM In reply to: One or Two by snapshot2
Especially since I'd imagine the 18-55 should be good for my museum and GP work, whereas the zoom is basically for the zoo, sports (though just for fun--- I'm not trying to shoot SI covers), and airport spotting.
As you have probably already read
by kalel33 - 4/3/09 5:41 PM In reply to: One lens or two? by barkal_lThe superzoom lens also give up image quality. What they do give you is a great travel lens, but should not be the only lens you have. If you bought a DSLR then image quality and control are the main objectives, they're not a point and shoot.
Most DSLR owners also have a very nice point and shoot for convenience. I didn't buy my DSLR for convenience, but to be able to the tailor the settings and use the type of lens that will get the most out of the scene. Some people will have the 18-200 lens as their only lens and are quite happy with them, but I cannot understand why they would buy a DSLR just to cripple the speed, image quality, etc. just to have convenience.....that's what a point and shoot are for.
One or Two lens
by hjfok - 4/5/09 2:27 AM In reply to: One lens or two? by barkal_lAgree with the above. Superzoom lens always have lower qualities than the two separate lenses, and they usually are slow lenses, not good for indoor low light shots. As said above superzoom lens is a good convenient travel lens. There is also a new generation of parents who upgrade their PS cameras to D-SLRs to better capture their little princes and princess' cute shots. A good number of them like to buy the superzoom lens for convenience. Though these lenses are typically slow, these parents usually use on camera flash indoors and are quite happy with the superzoom lenses. They usually don't care much about the f-stop or depth of field or background lighting; they are happy if their little ones' face shots come out clear. I have seen a large crop of parents lugging these lenses in my neighborhood malls, plazas and parks. Nikon D-SLR with the 18-200mm VR lens is quite popular. Canon also has pushed out its own 18-200mm IS lens.
As for your museum work, you probably will need a fast lens. The 18-55mm kit lens will not likely do well inside a museum, since you mostly likely cannot use flash. You will need a fast lens with at least f/2.8. Here is a shot inside a museum using Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u45/hjfok/2008%20Travel%20Photos/IMG_3342_1.jpg
Thanks for leaving the EXIF information
by snapshot2 - 4/5/09 6:59 AM
In reply to: One or Two lens by hjfok
That lets us see the settings you used and we can learn:
Camera - Canon 30D
Aperture - f/2.8
Shutter - 1/8 second
ISO - 1600
Focal length 21mm (actual) 33mm (apparent)
Flash - No Flash
..
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Good point
by barkal_l - 4/5/09 7:32 AM In reply to: One or Two lens by hjfokFrom looking at Amazon though, it seems that all decent lenses with f2.8 capability are in the $700-1k+ range. The thing for me is that I'd like to spend ~$500-700 total on lenses out of a total budget of $1000ish to possibly $1200 or $1500 if it's a really good deal (just to keep things from getting out of control). So I'm in a bit of a quandary at this point as to what direction to take, since even cramming down on the cost of the body can only go so far-- going from the D90 down to a 60 or 40 would only save ~$400-500 which still wouldn't have enough room for both a F2.8 lens and a zoom.
But
by kalel33 - 4/5/09 11:15 AM In reply to: Good point by barkal_lDropping down to the D40 or D60 would give you the money to buy a 35mm F1.8 lens that just came out. It runs, I believe, $350. What do you think a D90 will give you that a D40 or D60 cannot. Just because it's the newest thing doesn't mean it's the best option for you.
You should also figure into your budget a good photo processing software, bag, extra battery, memory card, and if you plan to print then monitor calibration equipment. I would really recommend a book called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. You can have the best equipment in the world, it will not make your photos any better. I could buy the best cookware there is, but my food will still taste pretty much the same. If you learn, which there is a long learning curve, to use a DSLR and about photography then that will be the best thing you can do.
yes and no
by kalel33 - 4/5/09 7:11 PM In reply to: Thanks by barkal_lIt has the focal length that is good for indoors, but it's not a macro lens. You'd have to cough up more money to do any close shooting with a dedicated macro lens.
You'll find that this hobby is not very cheap by any means, and that you'll end up spending more money down the line.
You got that right!
by barkal_l - 4/5/09 7:35 PM In reply to: yes and no by kalel33I invested about $500 in flash, teleconverter, extra batteries and the like for my trusty old Sony DSC-V1. This SLR game is a whole new league though it seems! That's why I ask some dumb questions, to weed out the truly essential from the "it's nice.....IF you can afford it" stuff. Another route I've begun considering is a D60 body paired with the Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G-- a solid lens to grow with while not blowing the wad on a body which will be superseded in time.
Just think of adding at least one more thing
by kalel33 - 4/5/09 9:58 PM In reply to: You got that right! by barkal_lThe 18-200 is a very capable lens, but indoors it will need a flash or buy the 35 F1.8. Either one will set you back. You can use the pop up flash, but why make the photos look like harsh snap shots.
I have a hot shoe flash
by barkal_l - 4/6/09 9:59 AM In reply to: Just think of adding at least one more thing by kalel33Can we use any hot shoe-compatible flash? I have one I got for my old Sony DSC-V1 so if any old hotshoe flash will work, I can just use that.
It won't work
by hjfok - 4/6/09 8:34 PM In reply to: I have a hot shoe flash by barkal_lYour Sony DSC V1 hot shoe flash will not work with Nikon D-SLR. You need to buy a Nikon flash or a third party flash designed for Nikon D-SLR. Nikon has excellent flash system, I'd suggest you stick with the Nikon flashes.
Nikkor 50 mm f1.8 is another option
by egelb - 4/7/09 6:58 AM In reply to: Just think of adding at least one more thing by kalel33The 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens on the Nikon D80 is a good lens which has good reviews , but you will soon realize that you need a fast lens to supplement it. It is not fast enough for indoor photos where the light is dim as in an auditorium or museum and flash will not reach the subject or is not desireable or not permitted.
The Nikkor 50mm f1.8D AF is a well reviewed lens that is relatively inexpensive (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5018daf.htm),(http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/97/cat/all) and (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4, for user reviews).
On my Nikon D80 it is equivalent to an 80mm lens in 35mm format. I purchased mine at Adorama for $117.50. With shipping, a Nikon HR-2 rubber hood (to protect against bright side light) and a Tiffen 52mm UV filter (to protect the lens from damage) the total cost was $147.35.
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