Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D ? Is it a good lens for the money?

[oregondaddyof2]

I currently have a Nikon D60 with a 18-55mm VR, 55-200mm VR, and a 18-135mm lens... I am really wanting to get better night shots and shots inside the dark rides, and am looking at getting a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens for this purpose... Does anyone out there have this lens? And will it get better night shots than the lens I have now? I took decent night shots, especially for not bringing a tripod last visit so all my shots were hand held, but I have seen some shots from a few people around this forum (ToddH and GDad to name a few) and they are breath taking ...

On a side note, the only bad part I have found with this lens is it will not be able to auto-focus with my camera... Apparently I have to upgrade to better camera for this to work... I am still leaning towards this lens simply for night time castle, fireworks, and even slower dark rides cause I can manual focus the lens if I had to. Any opinions on this? I can find that lens at my local shop for about $140. I can get a different 50mm lens that will auto focus, but it retails for about $450... I plan on upgrading my camera next Spring to either a D90 or D300 (both will be able to auto focus this lens)... I have the chance to get this on Monday if I decide by then, but wanted to get the opinions of the experts around here first...

Thanks All!!

 

[annnewjerz]

Short answer, it's a good lens for the money---lots of people of lots of camera brands own them and love them.

Longer answer, Gdad and Todd both have full-frame dSLRs, making their ISO capabilities much higher than anything you will get using your D60---so my first recommendation would be to have realistic expectations. I have the D90 which does significantly better at high ISOs than the D60 and I still don't plan on getting any dark ride shots that are even comparable to some of those posted on these boards.

Second thing is the manual focusing. I had the D60 and 50mm f/1.8 and found manually focusing to be really easy. There is an "in focus" light that will light up when your photo is as close to in-focus as possible. Blinking means out of focus, the longer it stays solid the better. On dark rides, you may find the AF on your camera performs poorly and see that you want to manually focus for that reason alone, so the 50 wouldn't be a disadvantage in that situation.

Another thing that seems to be discussed a lot (I believe there is another thread going on right now about it) is that 50mm on a Nikon DX dSLR is essentially 75mm, which some find to be tight on the indoor rides. You may not get everything you want in the shot and may not have as much room for cropping, etc.

This probably didn't help you decide at all---but maybe it provided you with a littttle more information. I have the 50mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and love them both, I don't regret spending $100 on the 50 at all, even if it doesn't get much use now that I have the 30.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Thanks a lot annnewjerz for the response... I had no intention of getting the quality of shots that those other folks are getting, but just wanted better shots than I got now... I had recently bought my D60 before our trip last year so i really had no idea how to use it... I have taken a lot of pictures since then, and now kind of understnad some of the features I am wanting a prime lens that will be good in dark areas, but don't want to spend over $300... I think I may get the 50mm and see what happens when i go back in September... Like I saidm the only downfall I was facing was the auto focus thing, but sounds to me like that may be a better way to go anyways... next year when i get a different camera, the focus won't be an issue any longer anyways... When I take shots of the night time fireworks over the castle, will I be able to focus on the castle and then just snap of shots when the fireworks go up in the air? Or will that lead to the fireworks out of focus?

 

[Code]

Second thing is the manual focusing. I had the D60 and 50mm f/1.8 and found manually focusing to be really easy. There is an "in focus" light that will light up when your photo is as close to in-focus as possible. Blinking means out of focus, the longer it stays solid the better. On dark rides, you may find the AF on your camera performs poorly and see that you want to manually focus for that reason alone, so the 50 wouldn't be a disadvantage in that situation.

The one thing I want to point out (sorry to pick on you Ann ) is that when Ann upgraded to a D90, she said this:

"Originally, I thought I liked MF and would continue doing it even after getting the new camera. That being said, I do like MF...but you can bet that 9 times out of 10 now, I'll be keeping the lenses on AF rather than MF. I'm a sellout, I know. "

Google haunts you! Muahahaha!!!

You might consider the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S, if you can find it in stock. It's $200, and in the opinion of many here, a more useful focal length.

 

[annnewjerz]

The one thing I want to point out (sorry to pick on you Ann ) is that when Ann upgraded to a D90, she said this:

"Originally, I thought I liked MF and would continue doing it even after getting the new camera. That being said, I do like MF...but you can bet that 9 times out of 10 now, I'll be keeping the lenses on AF rather than MF. I'm a sellout, I know. "

Google haunts you! Muahahaha!!!

You might consider the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S, if you can find it in stock. It's $200, and in the opinion of many here, a more useful focal length.

AAAAHHAHAHAHA I did say that, didn't I??

Don't get me wrong---my original suggestion would have been "save and buy the Sigma"---you have it and you know how fantastical it is. I like the 30mm better, I like the 1.4 better and I like the AF. BUT I don't regret having the 50 and manually focusing it. I think the manually focusing actually helped me spend a little extra time composing shots when I was a new newb rather than just the newb I am now.

But I still stick by that other statement you Googled, since getting the D90, I haven't manually focused it once and that is quite nice too

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Thanks Code for the recommendation on the 35mm 1.8 lens... I have just read the review on KenRockwell.com and am SOLD!! It seems to be a much better lens, and it will auto focus on my camera... I am going to call my local shop tomorrow and see if they can get me one... If so, i will buy one on Monday... Thanks again...

 

[Evad]

I have the 50mm and love it. Though I haven't had a chance to use at Disney yet I can say it has become my favorite lens, it rarely leaves my camera. This lens works great in all situations be it daytime or night. You can't go wrong with the purchase of this inexpensive lens. Though I do think I will add either the Sigma lens or the Nikkor 35mm to my collection as well.

It's nice to have choices!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

You might consider the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S, if you can find it in stock. It's $200, and in the opinion of many here, a more useful focal length.

I have ordered this lens and I'm patiently waiting...I knew it was on backorder, but as long as it comes before October, I'm good! Can't WAIT to get it!

 

[blackears]

Oregon dad, I am in the same boat w/ you on camera and lense. I got the 50 for Christmas after reading alot on here. It is a great little lense for indoors like piano recitals and such. You just will have to realise that there is no zoom w/ it, so just sit as close as you can and all will be great.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

I have ordered this lens and I'm patiently waiting...I knew it was on backorder, but as long as it comes before October, I'm good! Can't WAIT to get it!

That sucks it is on backorder for you... I called my local shop this morning and put in my request for one of these 35mm f/1.8 lenses... They found one for me at another shop about 1 hour south, and I should have it in my hands by Tuesday at the latest!! Yah!! I will update once I have gotten it and let you all know what I think...

 

[kaffinito]

I had the 50mm f1/8 and loved it - and got some really stellar shots using the MF. I love night photography, and was able to get some good "dark ride" shots with it.

I think you will find that the 35mm will do the job for you, but if you get the chance, and an extra $100 or so dollars, do try out the 50mm. You can get some good shots with it.