Lens Advice - 50mm

Magic_x_uk

Magic_x_uk

Magic_x_uk

Soldato
Joined
11 Oct 2005
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Location
Derbyshire
Hi.
I am only just getting into Photography and recently bought a Nikon D80 with a
Nikon Nikkor DX 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED DX

I am slowly learning the ropes. But I have been offered a
Nikon Nikkor AF 50 mm F/1.8 D Lens for £60 in mint condition.

Is it worthwhile getting, as like I say I am new to photography and just thought I already have 50mm covered with my 18-70 lens anyhow.

Or is there a bit more to it.


Thank you.
 
Do it.

Primes are the way forward....seriously, once you buy a prime, you'll fall in love :)
 
The 500 is a prime lens so will be sharper (less moving components iiirc) also it is faster at f1.8, the other lens is f3.5 at its fastest (and at 18mm).
I have a 50mm on my Canon and it is a great lens to have. However, I'm not familiar with Nikon so can't say what the quality will be like.
 
Magic_x_uk said:
Ok will do & thanks guys, apparently it also comes with a hood & 2 B & W ND filters, 0.9 & 0.18 no idea what they do though.
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The hood helps reduce lens flare and also helps protect the front of the lens.

The ND filters are used to reduce the amount of light that comes into the camera. There most common use is to make long exposures take even longer, it's generally used in seascapes and and pictures of rivers to make the water look really soft.

If you want to try these you will also need a tripod.

EDIT: However the 50mm isn't really a landscape lens, it's a shame the 18-70 doesn't take the same filters.
 
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also another good item to have in your kit is a remote shutter cable, because then you can cut down the vibration when using you camera with tripod for long exposures or long focal lengths
 
Listen to the advice that Phate is offering.

Apart from when I'm doing landscapes with my 10-20, its either my 35mm f1.8 or 50mm f2.8 Macro that live on my camera and I'm now on the hunt for a decently priced 85mm f1.8.

I've got an 18-50 f2.8 and 70-300mm VC basically sat doing nothing and they'll continue to do so.

I really love not worrying about focal length with primes and I find that having a fixed length stuck on the front makes you think a lot more about composition.
 
forgot to add to my eariler post the "AF 50 mm F/1.8 D" is must have you can't go wrong with it and at that price it a bargin. i use the canon 50mm f/1.8 and some the shot off that are just stunning.
 
You will soon find that 50mm will live on your camera :p. I bought my canon 50mm 1.8 about a month or two ago and it is easily my most used lens. That is a great deal you are getting on yours, especially with the ND filters and hood thrown in!
 
Picked it up and will have a play with it in the next few days. Got the receipt as well from Jessops dated 7th April 2012 for £105.95. So I got a bargain there.

Should I use the lens hood all the time? and should I also buy a Polariser filter or UV filter? Not sure which as only just getting into Photography.

Thank you
 
Magic_x_uk said:
Picked it up and will have a play with it in the next few days. Got the receipt as well from Jessops dated 7th April 2012 for £105.95. So I got a bargain there.

Should I use the lens hood all the time? and should I also buy a Polariser filter or UV filter? Not sure which as only just getting into Photography.

Thank you
Click to expand...
I always use my lens hoods as, if anything, they help protect your lenses from accidental knocks to the front element. Personally I wouldn't bother with a polariser or UV filter for that lens as I would tend to use a polariser for landscapes and I wouldn't use a 50mm lens for landscapes. Also, as it is such a cheap lens the cost of a decent UV filter would be half the cost of the lens itself so depending on how careful you are with your gear I would say no to that as well, but that is just my opinion :p
 
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