 - Usman M. Bajwa  Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Prime Lenses Vs. Zooms Hi, I am contemplating on buying a prime lens in the near future for primarily shooting portraits indoors. Currently, I own a Nikon D40 SLR which comes without the autofocus motor inside the body. Your thoughts on a "prime vs. zoom" and recommendation for a good prime (my budget being < US$ 250) is highly appreciated. Thank you for your time in advance. UB.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Primes are better for optics and better pictures (sharpness, and contrast). Zooms keep the number of lenses you may need to carry down, but you'll have a wider range of apertures with primes. Ideal for a smaller budget, because zooms with wide apertures cost so much more than regular zooms. Moving around closer or farther isn't an inconvenience if you're engaging with your subject well. A 50mm is an under-appreciated focal length for portraits to me. Most people say 100mm to 135mm is a portrait lens, but that's quoting a tendency as a hard rule. So for a recommendation, I'll only suggest focal lengths and not consider anything about autofocus. First consideration is a 50mm. A short telephoto like a 135, but that may be over $250. You'll have to decide if anything fits in with where and what you're shooting. But I'd also want to bring up the subject of waiting. A budget of $250 isn't much, and patience is sometimes the best thing instead of buying new equipment as soon as you can that will take all your extra money away.
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Thanks Greg, I appreciate your comments.
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
After considering your comments, Greg, and reading reviews of the few lenses on the web I have finally decided to go for the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX. This is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full-frame. The lens also fits my budget and has a built-in auto focus motor inside the lens which shall work fine with my Nikon D40. Hoping to get it in a couple of months. Would love to see how it fares in low-light situations as it has a maximum aperture of 1.8.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Good, hope it serves you well. Any lens can be a portrait lens.
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