Share your cool non-dog pictures here...whatever subject...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

For the House of Blues pics it was the kit lens. 18-55

Actually for the fireworks it was the kit lens also. I tried the zoom at first but it didn't work well for fireworks.

I'm not even really sure what a prime lens is yet. LOL

Remember the infamous Nikkor/Nikon 50mm 1.8 "prime" lens I was telling you about? The one that's only about $100, but is a total champ? That's a prime...meaning, it is not a zoom lens, it only snaps at 50mm.

Primes are really fantastic and fun and once you get one, it's usually the one you use the most, by far! You can get fabulous bokah/bokeh with primes and you have a lot of control w/ them which is fun.

Primes are great lenses to use when learning how to really use your manual mode too, btw. I have a 50mm prime and a 30mm - love them both! Wouldn't mind also having an 85mm, but don't really need it, lol.

[ironmike86]

The Sony 28mm f2 is new and rated very well also. Mirror lenses cost more . You can use the older lenses if you use an adapter. But if you look at the second link it shows how much sharper primes are then telephoto. The 35mm is a good all around lens. But if you wanna start $low the 50mm 1.8 is very good and 50 mm always cost less.The 1.8 is very fast.. If you look at the kit it maybe only be a 3.5-

[capt_noonie]

Yes, I just looked at mine it says 3/5-5.6/18-55

[Cha Cha]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Remember the infamous Nikkor/Nikon 50mm 1.8 "prime" lens I was telling you about? The one that's only about $100, but is a total champ? That's a prime...meaning, it is not a zoom lens, it only snaps at 50mm.

Primes are really fantastic and fun and once you get one, it's usually the one you use the most, by far! You can get fabulous bokah/bokeh with primes and you have a lot of control w/ them which is fun.

Primes are great lenses to use when learning how to really use your manual mode too, btw. I have a 50mm prime and a 30mm - love them both! Wouldn't mind also having an 85mm, but don't really need it, lol.

I bought this lens only the Canon version for two reasons, it was pretty dang cheap in terms of lenses, and it had such great reviews. Other than this lens my other lens is the kit lens. I really struggle to get the nice crisp images with my kit lens that I can get with my 50mm. You are so right. I love this lens..

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Yes, I just looked at mine it says 3/5-5.6/18-55

If you get a prime lens, you'll be able to get your aperture/f-stop MUCH lower in number (ie, more "open", wider, more light coming in)...ie many go down to 1.4 or 1.8, which is a super fun aperture, great in low light! Also great for close-ups and/or where you're seeking good bokeh.

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I bought this lens only the Canon version for two reasons, it was pretty dang cheap in terms of lenses, and it had such great reviews. Other than this lens my other lens is the kit lens. I really struggle to get the nice crisp images with my kit lens that I can get with my 50mm. You are so right. I love this lens..

Me too - just love this lens! It has a cult following, that's for sure.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Remember the infamous Nikkor/Nikon 50mm 1.8 "prime" lens I was telling you about? The one that's only about $100, but is a total champ? That's a prime...meaning, it is not a zoom lens, it only snaps at 50mm.

Primes are really fantastic and fun and once you get one, it's usually the one you use the most, by far! You can get fabulous bokah/bokeh with primes and you have a lot of control w/ them which is fun.

Primes are great lenses to use when learning how to really use your manual mode too, btw. I have a 50mm prime and a 30mm - love them both! Wouldn't mind also having an 85mm, but don't really need it, lol.

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I bought this lens only the Canon version for two reasons, it was pretty dang cheap in terms of lenses, and it had such great reviews. Other than this lens my other lens is the kit lens. I really struggle to get the nice crisp images with my kit lens that I can get with my 50mm. You are so right. I love this lens..

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Remember the infamous Nikkor/Nikon 50mm 1.8 "prime" lens I was telling you about? The one that's only about $100, but is a total champ? That's a prime...meaning, it is not a zoom lens, it only snaps at 50mm.

Primes are really fantastic and fun and once you get one, it's usually the one you use the most, by far! You can get fabulous bokah/bokeh with primes and you have a lot of control w/ them which is fun.

Primes are great lenses to use when learning how to really use your manual mode too, btw. I have a 50mm prime and a 30mm - love them both! Wouldn't mind also having an 85mm, but don't really need it, lol.

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I bought this lens only the Canon version for two reasons, it was pretty dang cheap in terms of lenses, and it had such great reviews. Other than this lens my other lens is the kit lens. I really struggle to get the nice crisp images with my kit lens that I can get with my 50mm. You are so right. I love this lens..

I started first with Canon 50 1.4, but when I switched to Nikon autofocus, I bought the 50 mm 1.8 Nikkor. Many years later, the focusing ring was rough, and it wasn't worth fixing it, so I purchased the Nikon 50 1.4g. I considered the Sigma 50 1.4 because it has better bokeh, but it was heavier than I wanted a 50mm to be. Now Nikon has a 58 1.4g, which is supposed to be amazing. On a crop camera, these lenses are more like a telephoto instead of a "normal" lens. I have a 105 2.8 micro, but the focusing is slow. The newer 105 micro is much faster focusing. I'm not using my camera enough, so I'm not buying lenses, but I'd love an 85 mm and 30mm prime lens.

They are expensive and a bit out of my price range, but you should check out the Sigma Art lenses. They are comparable. To the Zeiss Otis lenses that are far more expensive. Ann, I know you'd love them. They are avail in all major mounts.


Amazon

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

If you get a prime lens, you'll be able to get your aperture/f-stop MUCH lower in number (ie, more "open", wider, more light coming in)...ie many go down to 1.4 or 1.8, which is a super fun aperture, great in low light! Also great for close-ups and/or where you're seeking good bokeh.



Me too - just love this lens! It has a cult following, that's for sure.

Ahh, ok I gotcha now. I'm probably gonna have to wait until I get any new lenses right now though.

[ironmike86]

Look at the F1.8 they are alot cheaper. Most won't tell the speed difference. Unless you are pro or extreme hobbyist.

[capt_noonie]

Ok great. Thanks for the info.

[capt_noonie]

There is a couple of hummingbirds that are hanging out in our yard. I love it! I took a few hundred pics this afternoon and here are a few that were acceptable . It was difficult bc it was the time of day when the houses make a lot of shade between the houses but out in the background it is still full sun and bright. So this was the best I could figure out with a high shutter speed but not too high ISO. I got better pics when I changed to my zoom lens but it had trouble focusing on the tiny bird rather than the neighbor's trees across the street.

DSC01369.JPG

DSC01378.JPG Wish that black spot wasn't behind the green hummingbird. I will try to photoshop later.

DSC01402.JPG

DSC01435.JPG

[capt_noonie]

These I like to call these the "outtakes" but really he was just stretching and itching himself.

DSC01406.JPG

DSC01410.JPG

DSC01445.JPG

DSC01450.JPG This one looks like an imaginary friend behind him tried to push him off the branch.

[Wylie's Mom]

Wow, Priscilla -- you really got some AMAZING hummingbird pics!!!

[capt_noonie]

Thanks. Any advice about changing the file sizes for uploading to YT? Seems like when I change the file size the pics get a bit more grainy. Not that the originals are super sharp but I can tell.

[gemy]

I have to admit all the lens speak is way way beyond me. But capt noonie I just loved your bird pics!




Someone if willing can educate me on what in all that is holy is a prime lens? Does it take really good action shots? We have a Nikon D300 and a D200 respectively.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by gemy

I have to admit all the lens speak is way way beyond me. But capt noonie I just loved your bird pics!




Someone if willing can educate me on what in all that is holy is a prime lens? Does it take really good action shots? We have a Nikon D300 and a D200 respectively.

A prime lens is a single focal length lens vs a zoom lens. They allow more light into them (more glass), so you can take them in lower light conditions or use a faster shutter speed (good for action shots)..When you are able to use a lens wide open with a larger aperture like a 1.4 to 2.8, you can get much nicer bokeh, which is the out of focus area. You can isolate the subject from the background. A good "normal" (which will be more like your eye sees) is a 30mm or 35mm.