Questions about my first DSLR Nikon D3200

[WLfamily]

Hi everyone!! I'm new to the world of DSLR and so excited!! I've got a couple of questions right now, and I'm sure I'll have a million more later.
I purchased the Nikon D3200 bundle package after doing tons of research. It seemed like the best DSLR for beginners. It came with a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lens along with the Nikon camera bag. I've read a lot of people who swear by the Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF- S. They say it's perfect for low light and just all around. Should I invest in this lens? We're heading to WDW June 7, and I really don't want to carry multiple lenses into the parks if I don't have to. Plus being that I'm a newbie changing out lenses while getting accustomed to carrying a DSLR when I'm use to a point and shoot is probably way too much for me.
Also, what is the difference in that lens and the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF?

 

[xlxo]

With the D3300, avoid AF-D lenses. AF-D lenses rely on body motors to auto-focus. Newer lenses use the faster AF-S internal auto-focus motors. Then again, I've met a few photographers who enjoy manual focus... does not work with my senior eyes.

Yes a 50mm lens is great for new photographers.

If you want to travel light consider the 18-200 or 18-300 lens. These super zooms are great for travel, but you suffer slightly with image quality (pin cushion and barrelling).

 

[Geoff_M]

I think it's important to understand what the AF-S 35mm f1.8 would get you versus the 18-55 zoomed to 35mm. xlxo already mentioned that, generally speaking, a fixed "prime" lens will give you better image quality than a zoom... but with these two lenses the biggest difference is going to be "light". I'm guessing that the 18-55 @ 35mm would be about ~f4 when when lens is "wide open". Compared to f1.8, that's less than 25% of the light that the prime lens can deliver. The "f-scale" is geometric sequence whereby the movement from f4 to f2.8 to f2 each represents a doubling of the light that reaches the sensor. So f2 compared to f4 (a "two-stop" difference) is 4-times more light (2 x 2). What this means for exposure is that a picture that you can take (at the same ISO and the aperture "wide open") with a shutter speed of 1/15 sec with the 18-55 (@ 35mm) can be taken at ~1/60 sec with the prime 35mm lens (thus being likely fast enough to handhold without seeing motion blur from camera movement)... or keeping the shutter speed constant and the apertures wide open, a photo that would require an ISO of 1600 with the 18-55 @ 35mm would only require ISO 400 with the prime 35 lens (thus allowing you to use an ISO setting that will be much more noise free).

Keep in mind that any light advantage is only seen when you are using the 35 f1.8 at an aperture below what the 18-55 kit lens can muster. The exposure settings with both lenses at, say, f5.6 would be exactly the same (though as mentioned, the image quality on the prime lens might be better).

As you can probably see, the 35 f1.8 would be ideal over the kit lens in lower-light situations. Evening/night photos would be ideal, as would getting decent ambient light photos in "dark rides" like POTC. You can also buy the AF-S 50mm f1.8, but with the "DX" sensor size of the D3200, the 50mm would be a slight telephoto lens that you might find to be "too tight" for general vacation use. Don't buy "AF-D" lens for newer "consumer" DSLRs that don't support them.

 

[havoc315]

Hi everyone!! I'm new to the world of DSLR and so excited!! I've got a couple of questions right now, and I'm sure I'll have a million more later.
I purchased the Nikon D3200 bundle package after doing tons of research. It seemed like the best DSLR for beginners. It came with a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lens along with the Nikon camera bag. I've read a lot of people who swear by the Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF- S. They say it's perfect for low light and just all around. Should I invest in this lens? We're heading to WDW June 7, and I really don't want to carry multiple lenses into the parks if I don't have to. Plus being that I'm a newbie changing out lenses while getting accustomed to carrying a DSLR when I'm use to a point and shoot is probably way too much for me.
Also, what is the difference in that lens and the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF?

Let's try to break it down simply.
The 18-55 and 55-200 are zoom lenses giving you a range from 18 (fairly wide) to 200 (fairly telephoto). They are "kit" lenses with small aperture -- what this means, is that they have a smaller opening to allow in light, thus letting in less light than some other lenses.
The 35mm lens is fixed. It does not zoom in or out. On the D3200, a 35mm gives you essentially a "normal view" -- the same type of perspective you get with your own eyes. It has a large aperture -- it can let in a lot of light. Accordingly, it will take good pictures in situations where a kit lens will suffer. It can take photos in Disney dark rides, which would be impossible with your kit lens. Indoors, it can take shots without a flash, where you really would need the flash with the kit lens. etc. In addition, it will be sharper than the kit lens, with the added bonus of being small and lightweight. Many people enjoy just having 1 prime lens on their camera all day. It can be more challenging than using a zoom lens -- you can't zoom in and out to get the framing correct. But it forces you to think more about your shots, to zoom more with your legs, it can make you a more creative and better photographer.

Changing lenses is neither scary nor hard.

I generally do not recommend "all in one" lenses like 18-200. They have poor image quality, over-priced for inferior image quality, and they are unnecessarily heavy. Sure, it means you don't have to carry multiple lenses. But there may be times when you just want the 35/1.8 or 18-55 on the camera, which is much lighter than an "all in one."

The 50/1.8D will not auto focus on your camera. The 50/1.8g will work just fine... Then it's just a matter of whether you prefer 35mm or 50mm.

 

[Mr Wes]

Previous posts did a great job of breaking down the differences between Prime and Zoom lenses. Now let me give you some advice from someone who has taken both to the parks.

I love Prime lenses. The quality is great at the ability to go down to f1.8 or lower is great for low light situations. But its not as versatile as a zoom lens. Zoom lenses can be great when you need to get wider shots, especially on a crop body. With Zoom lenses you have to be really creative in order to get those "perfect" shots an for a beginner this can get really difficult to get used to.

I shoot Canon and use a 17-50mm f2.8 lens 90% of the time at the parks. I also carry a 30mm and 50mm primes for low light situations.

For a beginner Id recommend a good quality 17-50mm f2.8 lens Nikon and Tamaron both make great versions of these lenses. You wont regret it.