First non-kit Lens

Teq

Teq

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This is my first post on this forum but I do subscribe to Digital SLR magazine and know a few enthusiasts from work.

My question is - what should my first non-kit lens be? I have an 18-55/5.6f kit which came with my Nikon D5000 which I have now had for a year but Christmas is fast approaching and it'd be good to get some useful additions to my currently barren collection.

I'm thinking along the lines of either a good telephoto or perhaps a couple of fast primes (but sub £1000)?

Obviously all is fair in love and war so I'd appreciate advice from all sides of the Canon/Nikon divide ;)
 
£1000.... WOW!!!

Well I will be first to suggest a 50mm, I assume there is a nikon equivalent to the Canon 50mm f/1.8?
 
I'm in the same position as the OP. I've always just used kit lenses but will be grabbing a Nikon 35mm f1.8 DX on Friday. I only chose that because it'll autofocus on my Nikon d3000.

Can't wait.
 
Before buying a lens look to see what you like to take hoots of and the common focal lengths you use most often. Consider whether your style and subjects warrant a shorter or longer focal length.

Then obviously you should think about whether you want to shoot more of the same or something different and then buy a new lens.
 
Well if you decide to go the Telephoto route, the Nikon AF-S 70-300 is a nice lens, make sure you get the AF-S version though, as the AF version won't autofocus on your D5000.
 
The 70-300 VR is the obvious purchase, you could replace the kit lens BUT only do so if you want something faster or better built, the optics of the 18-55 are fine. Alternatively you could grab the 18-200 (not the best in any respect but a big all rounder in one lens).

The 50mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/1.8 primes are both good but it's only worth owning one of the two, I'd take the 50mm myself but it is £300 odd...the other primes are fantastic but too expensive for your budget...

Telephoto wise there's also the underrated 300mm f/4 prime which is about £900 if you shop around and excellent optically, it suffers a little for it's lack of VR today but at sensible shutter speeds or with a tripod it's a lovely lens.

Without knowing what you want to do it's difficult to say something specific...
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

What do you shoot? Might help with a lens suggestion.

I shoot mostly landscapes but I am also a motorsport nut and know I'll need some serious hardware if I ever want a half decent shot from a meet.

I'm edging towards a 70-300 and 50 f/1.4 combo though I do like the sound of a 300 prime I feel it wouldn't be used much of the time and need to hone my abilities lol.
 
Shooting landscapes (assuming vistas and wide angle are your thing) and motorsport may mean you're better-off with two dedicated lesnes.

On crop-frame for landscapes I'd select nothing over 35mm and would go prime - for the motorsports then I'd go a fast f2.8 70-200 as you get the benefot of the crop anyway,
 
Shooting landscapes (assuming vistas and wide angle are your thing) and motorsport may mean you're better-off with two dedicated lesnes.

On crop-frame for landscapes I'd select nothing over 35mm and would go prime - for the motorsports then I'd go a fast f2.8 70-200 as you get the benefot of the crop anyway,

I'd love a fast 70-200 but that will be well out of my price range this year, perhaps I'll buy one with my bonus (if I get one lol).

So would I be better off opting for a 35mm f/1.8 over a 50mm f/1.4 for my landscape place?
 
In my not very humble view

I'd love a fast 70-200 but that will be well out of my price range this year, perhaps I'll buy one with my bonus (if I get one lol).

So would I be better off opting for a 35mm f/1.8 over a 50mm f/1.4 for my landscape place?

On a crop-frame body, all day long, yes wider is better for landscapes - the aperture is less vital and anything f4 or better would do.

You could consider an f4 L 17-40 if you have the funds/desire for a bit of flexibility.

Clearly a tripod is vital too.
 
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