???s re Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

[DznyDreamz]

First, a little about me. Before the digital era I had a 35mm Pentax camera which I left on auto settings most of the time. When digital cameras came out, I moved to a point and shoot. More recently I purchased a Nikon D70 and have an 18-75mm lens. I am slowly learning how to use the camera and all it has to offer. I am planning to buy the 50mm fixed lens today for my birthday present to myself.

Now for the questions....I am wondering if anyone can suggest someplace that would have similar low light settings that would mimic a WDW attraction. I want to get some practice in so that I am not experimenting when the shots will be important to me.

My second question is how some of you have taken the tight shots on rides with a fixed lens such as a 30 or 50mm lens. Usually on rides like POTC you are rather distanced from the displays but there have been many shots posted that are extremely close. Are people taking the shot and then cropping in close with editing??

Do others prefer with the 30 or 50mm for trips to WDW and regular life type settings?

I appreciate any insight or suggestions you can provide to a novice like me. I am amazed at the incredible talent many of you have.

 

[ukcatfan]

My second question is how some of you have taken the tight shots on rides with a fixed lens such as a 30 or 50mm lens. Usually on rides like POTC you are rather distanced from the displays but there have been many shots posted that are extremely close. Are people taking the shot and then cropping in close with editing??

You are not as far away as you might think. There are times where a 50mm is too tight. Remember that 50mm on that camera is effectively 75mm. Given the price difference though, I say go for the 50mm. A 30mm is typically 4x or more $$$.

Kevin

 

[The Grays]

To practice your low light shooting i would say if there is a museum around you, or some late night shooting around your town of some of the store fronts.

 

[Gdad]

I have shot dark ride pics with a lot of different focal lengths from 17mm to 105mm primes and fast zooms. I really prefer the Sigma 30/1.4 most of all. From 50mm and beyond you tend to be shooting more details than anything. At longer focal lengths it is also much harder to hold the camera steady without using a much faster shutter speed- thus cutting down on the light.

30mm f1.4

50mm f1.4

 

[Groucho]

First - got any good lenses left over from your 35mm Pentax that you want to unload?

For trying to "practice" shots elsewhere - I think you'll have a pretty hard time. You can maybe mimic the low light but the constant movement (both of you and what you're shooting) makes on-ride photos some of the most difficult shots to get.

I did some 31mm and some 50mm on-ride shots on my last trip and it's really hard to say if one is the "best" focal length. 30/31mm is closer to "normal", or what a 50mm would be on a film camera. Certain times the wider lens is better (like if you want a shot of the whole bride auction in PotC), certain times the longer lens is better (like trying to shoot a specific figure, like the bride or Leota head in HM).

Kevin is right, though; the Sigma 30mm F1.4 will cost a good chunk more than the Nikon 50mm F1.8. Now, if you were comparing the Nikon 50mm F1.4, then you'd be looking at fairly similar prices, I think.

 

[DebºoºS]

I've tried the 50mm 1.8 on rides. It was too tight and not fast enough. The Sigma 30 1.4 was much better. Think of the 30 as an old 50mm.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Thanks for all of the helpful answers. I think I will go with the 50mm. Several people in my family have the same camera and I have seen some really nice shots with that lens. If the difference between the two isn't dramatic, I'll save my pennies to stimulate the economy in another way

As for the Pentex, I think I do have a lens. Its been YEARS since I looked or thought about it even so my memory is a little foggy. It was a something-200mm I believe. I'll take a look tomorrow and post what I find.

Thanks again for the great advice.

 

[frugal_mar]

I am quite happy with my 50mm 1.8. It was short money ~$100 compared to other Nikon lenses. I took some great photos at night with it. With the D80 that I own, I have sufficient pixels to crop.

I know that I would be happy with the 17-55mm 2.8, but I don't have an extra $1200 bucks.

Again, it is a good lens to add to the mix.

I took the above photograph with the 50mm. It was a hand-held - no tripod.

 

[DznyDreamz]

What a spectacular shot!! With suge a vast difference in price and minimal "pros" in its favor I will go with the 50mm.

So the Sigma lens are interchangeable with q Nikon? Are most people happy with the quality of their lens? Are they typically priced lower then the Nikkor?

 

[MICKEY88]

So the Sigma lens are interchangeable with q Nikon? QUOTE]

as long as you make sure you get nikon mount,

sigma makes lenses for most brands of dslrs

 

[dmccarty]

My second question is how some of you have taken the tight shots on rides with a fixed lens such as a 30 or 50mm lens. Usually on rides like POTC you are rather distanced from the displays but there have been many shots posted that are extremely close. Are people taking the shot and then cropping in close with editing??

Do others prefer with the 30 or 50mm for trips to WDW and regular life type settings?

Repeating myself today. But for the last trip I bought the Nikon 50/1.4 lens and I'm very impressed with it. That extra opening came in handy. I'm getting photos that are really nice without a flash. But a 1.4 is more than a 1.8.

One day we where heading to the park and I was in a hurry. I had the 180/2.8 on the D200. I grabbed a lens to swap out the 180 and off we went. Meant to take the 50/1.4 but put on the 24/2.8 instead.

Did not realize it until we were deep into AK. Turned out that was what I needed that day. I needed some real close shots of the kids and the 24 allowed me to do this. So sometimes you need a 50 and sometimes a 24. Thus the reason for zooms.

I have a small holster camera bag that could hold the body with either lens and the other lens in the bag. Next trip I'm taking both to the park. I'm trying to travel light now a days. A large camera bag just gets in the way of having fun.

Getting a photos on a dark ride is going to require a high ISO. I think I tried 1600 on POTC and that was not enough. The photos here taken on the dark rides seem to be at 3200. My camera only goes to 1600. Better to take a wider shot and crop than go tight and not get the shot at all....

I'm taking a lot of indoor photos at home with the 50/1.4. Its a nice fast light lens.

Later,
Dan