New lens for Nikon D3200 or take the Nikon L340

[Shrfleen]

I am debating whether or not to bring my Nikon 3200 with me on our next vacation.

I love my 3200 but I can't seem to find a lens that can get good enough pictures of parades and fireworks from a distance. My L340 has great distance photos but do not always come out clear.

Does anyone have any recommendations for lens for the D3200?

I currently have a 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and a 55-200mm f/4-5.5G

I would also like to use it for animal photography along with Disney parades and fireworks.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're looking for a lens for the daytime parade, does the 55-200 not work well? I'm not familiar with the Nikon lineup but during the day that sort of lens is generally adequate.

For fireworks, your 18-55 lens should work fine. The key is to use a tripod and the correct settings, along with a remote shutter release.

 

[dmaxphil]

There are some really fabulous photogs here that can offer up some great advise. First, it would be helpful for them to know why you think your current parade or fireworks shots are not very good. As mentioned, the 55-200 should do the trick on the parades as that's giving you up to a 300mm equivalent. For daytime parades at f5.5 this should provide some nice tight captures.

 

[Shrfleen]

Thank you . For my parade photos they don't seems to get enough detail. I like getting face pictures, because everyone is so happy. But sometimes I'm 5 or more rows in.

For Fireworks it might be I'm not setting up in the right spot, to many heads lol . I think I have a small tripod I will bring next time that might help a little.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank you . For my parade photos they don't seems to get enough detail. I like getting face pictures, because everyone is so happy. But sometimes I'm 5 or more rows in.

For Fireworks it might be I'm not setting up in the right spot, to many heads lol . I think I have a small tripod I will bring next time that might help a little.

Could you post an example of a parade photo you have taken and are not happy with? That would be the best way to get some answers. Are you saying it doesn't zoom far enough? Or that it's not sharp enough?

 

[Shrfleen]

I will look and see if I have any, I changed computers over and lost some of my photos. Yes, the current lens does not zoom far enough.

 

[mom2rtk]

I will look and see if I have any, I changed computers over and lost some of my photos. Yes, the current lens does not zoom far enough.

Honestly, if 200mm isn't a long enough zoom, you probably need to find a way to get closer.

 

[Shrfleen]

Thank you. I have a few months until my trip and a chance to practice at various events to practice.

 

[havoc315]

The best type of zoom is "foot zoom" -- There is no replacement for getting close to your subject. And generally speaking, especially with kit lenses, you are deteriorating the image if you are relying on the lens to do the zooming.

Not sure if your problem with fireworks is framing, or technical problems. Fireworks can be shot with any lens -- Just pick the focal length you want for the proper framing. For truly great fireworks shots, you need to use a tripod and manually set the camera.

For night time parades, etc, long telephoto shots... your photos will be blurry and/or dark quite often, unless using better gear and/or setting the gear correctly.
In the dark, and at small apertures (which go along with telephoto lenses), the camera tries to gather more light by slowing down the shutter speed. But the slower shutter speed will lead to -- BLUR.

 

[SureAsLiz]

If the 200 isn't close enough for you, then you need to get closer to the rope. It should be plenty long, but if you are dodging heads from 5 rows back you aren't going to be able to get the shots you want.

I shoot the parade twice a week generally with a 55-300 on a d5200 and very rarely do I make it above 200

DSC_0609 (1)_20170617_FOF by SureAsLiz, on Flickr
White Rabbit was at 78mm

DSC_0453_20170730_FOF by SureAsLiz, on Flickr
Mickey was at 180mm

DSC_0487 (1)_20170617_FOF by SureAsLiz, on Flickr
Ariel was at 260mm, but she was decently far down the route from where I was

DSC_0492 (1)_20170617_FOF by SureAsLiz, on Flickr
30 seconds later this shot was at 155mm


The only time I really go above 200mm is for the stage show, but even then most of my shots look to be in the 100's.