Not feeling the 50mm 1.8 (nikon)

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I've had it for a few days now.
I like that it picks up so much light - a huge plus for me.
But most of my pictures are coming out blurry (the entire thing, not just the background).
I like to take close-up shots of my daughter (her face, eyes, eye lashes) and it just doesn't focus enough to get those shots.

Are there any other lens suggestions that will pick up the light like this one, but maybe isn't a 50mm lens?

Thanks.

 

[Master Mason]

I've had it for a few days now.
I like that it picks up so much light - a huge plus for me.
But most of my pictures are coming out blurry (the entire thing, not just the background).
I like to take close-up shots of my daughter (her face, eyes, eye lashes) and it just doesn't focus enough to get those shots.

Are there any other lens suggestions that will pick up the light like this one, but maybe isn't a 50mm lens?

Thanks.

Please post a couple of examples of what your getting.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I've been very pleased with the results of my 50mm f/1.8D lens and when stopped down to about f/4, the results are really impressive. I'm going on the assumption that you have the AF version.

Please post some examples as Master Mason mentioned.

 

[handicap18]

I've had it for a few days now.
I like that it picks up so much light - a huge plus for me.
But most of my pictures are coming out blurry (the entire thing, not just the background).
I like to take close-up shots of my daughter (her face, eyes, eye lashes) and it just doesn't focus enough to get those shots.

Are there any other lens suggestions that will pick up the light like this one, but maybe isn't a 50mm lens?

Thanks.

You need to post some pictures so we can see what you mean.

How close are you getting. If you get to close it wont focus properly. If your using too wide of an aperture the depth of field will be VERY shallow and only a few things will be in focus.

Based on your comment that I put in bold, you'll probably need a macro lens. The minimum focusing distance on this lens is 1.5 feet. If your subject is closer than that it wont focus properly (if at all unless your in Manual). Now a macro lens will focus as close as about 6-12 inches away. (The Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Macro is 7 inches, Tamron 90mm f/2.8 is 11.5 inches, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro is 12 inches, Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro is 7 inches, Sigma's 24 & 28mm f/1.8 Macro's are each just under 8 inches)

Some of the sharpest pictures I've taken have been with this lens. It is extremely sharp between f/2.8 and f/11, especially f/5.6. Be careful you might cut your eye.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Hi, I'll post them a little later tonight (or when DH gets home so I can sneak away from the baby lol).

Based on what was said above about being 1.5ft away, that is probably my problem! I'm too close to her.

 

[Gdad]

The minimum focus distance for the 50/1.8 is 18" per Nikons website. Sounds like that may be the problem. Also- I never have great luck with that lens wide open- I usually shoot it between f2.8 and f4.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Alright here we go... Pictures are shot in Program Mode (although at some point I did switch to shutter mode) in 200 ISO. I also have a question about Program mode. Sometimes when I'm shooting, the pictures end up very washed out - why is that? Example below as well.

This one somewhat came out - surprisingly

 

[fitzperry]

The first two are likely motion blur (1/25 and 1/10 sec. respectively). You could try increasing ISO to get a faster shutter speed. The second one also looks overexposed. Your EXIF data indicates spot metering, so it's likely that the camera metered off her hair causing the overexposure in other areas of the image. Unless you're dealing with strong backlighting or some other issue like that, you might try matrix metering instead (I use spot metering a lot too and sometimes forget to change it when matrix or center would really work better).

Your daughter is beautiful! She bears a very strong resemblance to my best friend's daughter, who was also born in Guatemala. It's like looking at pictures of her not long after she came home. She is turning 6 this week.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Thanks fitzperry. When I was shooting I noticed the speed was way, way, low! Thats when I switched to the Shutter mode.

Thank you for your compliments. She is absolutely our world! She is so beautiful, we hope Guatemala re-opens so we can bring a baby sister home for her.

 

[NostalgicDad]

After looking at the EXIF data, I agree with fitzperry regarding the spot metering. I think in those particular shots, switching to matrix metering will most likely give you a faster shutter speed and better results when using Program or Aperture priority mode.

I also agree that she's a cute little girl!

 

[BIERMUGG]

Try a couple in auto ISO setting.

George

 

[emmabelle]

I was trying to create a new signature image for my user cp the other day and decided to use my circa 1980, 50mm 1.8. I found that when I used the F2.8 stop it was easier for me. I had to manually meter and focus because my camera's a D40. It took at least 20 shots before I came up with this. Not perfect, but I was happy with it.

She kept moving every time I had her in perfect focus, so there were a ton of blurry shots. I wish that stupid white pillow wasn't behind her because the pic looks over exposed there. I accidently trimmed off part of her "E", well no one's perfect. I noticed that even if I was two inches too close that I had focus issues. Keep working at it, I think you'll eventually like that lens.

 

[handicap18]

Thanks fitzperry. When I was shooting I noticed the speed was way, way, low! Thats when I switched to the Shutter mode.

You might want to try Aperture Priority. This will help with controling depth of field. I think you'll find that many more people will shoot in Aperture Priority than Shutter Priority.

If your going to use natural light and a wide aperture then you'll also have to pay attention to your ISO. I'll usually start with at least ISO 400, but more often than not will need 800 and many times 1600 to get fast enough shutter speeds to help with motion blur.

The D50 is excellent with noise at high ISO's so I wouldn't worry to much about that. Next time try using ISO800 with f/2.8. If your shutter speed still isn't fast enough, either go down to f/2 or up the ISO to 1600 (or both if the light isn't very strong). You'll want at least a 1/50th shutter speed. Your depth of field is going to be very shallow, so be sure that your focus point is right one. I use only Single Area and in the type of situation you've posted about, I'll focus on the eyes. I'll use either the middle point or the top point depending on the composition I'm looking for.