dslr lenses...is Blackjackdelta around?

[Butterfly123]

I am hoping to get a Nikon d3100 before our trip to Disneyland this summer. I saw some pics that Blackjackdelta posted from his trip that were taken in low light, and they were great. I was wondering what type of lens, and what setting you used to gey those great low light pictures? Other than the kit lens I don't know how much money I will have left for other lenses. The people on the photography board are great, but most of them use lenses that would cost more than a camera, which is not in the cards for me.

I also like the idea of not having to fiddle with changing lenses in the park, so I wonder what lens do most of you dslr users use as your walk around lens?

Thanks for any advice for for this photograhy newbie!

 

[ukstitch]

I've not got a specific knowledge of nikon stuff, but I believe the pricing of lenses is pretty similar to the sony lenses I own.

One of the cheapest lenses available is a 50mm f1.8 lens, which amazon have for about $140. The next option from that would be a 35mm f1.8 which has roughly the same performance in low light but it's just less "zoomed". That one can be got for about $230 so it's also more expensive.

You should be able to play with your kit lens to see which you prefer by taking some pictures at 35 and 50 and seeing which you think would be more helpful.

If you're willing to pay $450 or so then tamron make a 17-50 f2.8 - it's not quite as good in low light as the f1.8 lenses above, but it's definitely better than the kit lens. The fact that it has some sort of zoom range (I think similar to the kit lens) means it's a better option for leaving on the camera most of the day.

 

[princesszelda]

I usually use my kit lens when we go to the parks. This past trip I rented Tamron 17-50 2.8. I really liked the lens. I just wished it had a bit more reach. Also I did not take a tripod with me so for fantasmic I used my 50mm 1.8. We got some great pictures but because we were so far we could not capture as much as we wanted. This time I am goin to rent the 85 mm 1.2 and see how that does.

You do know you can rent lenses, it is a lot cheaper!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I am here somewhere. I just used a kit lens for everything I did with the posting(I will look tonight to see what range it is). I use it like a P and S and mostly on auto and set to vivid in the programming. I do not like changing lenses cause who knows what gets on the sensor and even with the auto cleaning features sometimes just does not work.
I will change to manual at times when I need to control the exposure and a high asa to do darker shots and rides.
I wanted to rent a wide 1.2 but never got around to it like my friend KCMike does. I would recommend a read by Peterson on Exposure to give your mind an idea on depth of field etc. Composition and understanding of exposure is the key. My shots are not post processed with software, straight from the camera.

I am honored you asked and I will check after work and repost..please call me Jack and you can PM me if you have specifics.

Have a great day,

Jack

Just a side note here, there are so many talented people on the Dis boards with their photography many can offer tons of good advice, I pale in comparison.

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks, Jack, and everyone else, too. This is why this board is great...everyone is so helpful!

I am anxiously awaiting getting my hands on a dslr. I appreciate learning about which lenses people use as a walk around at Disneyland, because frankly I'm a little too busy to be worrying about changing lenses when I'm in the park. And getting dust and dirt into the camera is a concern to me, too.

I have that book by Peterson, 'Understanding Exposure'. It was a great learning tool. The people on the photography board recommended it as well.

I have heard about renting lenses. It is nice to have options...especially because $ is an issue. Photography can be a pricey hobby!

 

[Disney Dreams]

When we were shopping for a new DSLR, I got a lot of really great help on the Photography board. You may want to read over there some and post any specific questions. People were REALLY helpful.

- Dreams

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I am a Canon guy, but I will throw my 2 cents in.

You can probably get away with the kit lens for most of your shots. Like others have recommended, you can get a pretty decent low aperture 50mm fixed lens for pretty cheap. With the ISO on that camera you should have no problem getting decent shots of dark rides. The 50mm will be perfect for POC, a 35MM would be better for HM.

I would recommend looking at Borrowlenses.com. You can rent some pretty cool lenses, try them out to see if they are something you would use on a regular basis before buying them.

When I am in the park I mostly use a 10-20MM Sigma, a 50MM 1.8 Sigma, and the 28-135MM Canon kit lens. I also bring a 70-300MM zoom just in case, makes for some pretty interesting depth of field shots.

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks! I appreciate everyones 2 cents! I was thinking the 50mm f1.8 might be my second lens.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks! I appreciate everyones 2 cents! I was thinking the 50mm f1.8 might be my second lens.

I would not waste my money on a 50mm..the one I used was an 18-55, 3.5 for virtually all my walk around shots, i would save my money and go for a wide 1.2, you will love it. Turn up your asa/iso to 3200 and take some similar dark shots, you will get noise but if you are not printing greater than 4.6, who cares, the noise can be processed out of those great 16 x 20 with programs like noise ninja, there are others.
Dont use the flash when doing this. Experiment
Jack

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks, Jack. I can't wait to be able to get some low light pictures. I can live with a little noise...the pics I've seen from the Nikons seem pretty good as far as noise.

 

[KCmike]

I agree with everyone thus far. Like Jack said you probably can get away with just using your kit lens for the dark ride shots. If you up your ISO you will distort the shot but it shouldn't be too bad. Some of the slower rides like POTC should be fine with the kit lens. Some of the fantasyland rides move pretty fast and I am no expert in dark rides but you might find more difficulty with them.

As far as the 50mm 1.8 it is a wonderful lens. The shots come out of the camera like an old film camera. What I see in the viewfinder typically comes out in the shot and I love that. You also get some great bokeh. They call it the nifty fifty. It is a prime lens so there is no zooming. If you need to zoom you physically have to move closer to the subject. I love to rent a lens for vacations. I am currently in love with the 10-22 ultra wide angle but would love to try a fish eye lens at some point. I still don't have a flash but feel like that is my next purchase. Most say that the flash improves their shots immensely. Good luck with your shots. Try to remember to post some to this thread to see how you did.

 

[Gisele]

I did see Jack not long ago, sipping upon a nice cold Cherry Vanilla Coke at the land. He was chatting at the time with a gent that was wearing a black leather jacket, and had his hair slicked back. I think it was James Dean... Cool... Peace...