After "borrowing" my Dads expensive bridge camera for years, I decided to buy my own Nikon 330 DSL which come with the standard 18-55mm lens kit.
I went on a day course with Jessops which taught me the basics I already knew plus more info on lens etc. I am going to sunny California in a week (difficult shooting conditions!) and want to get some great shots, mainly of city life up close and also capture the amazing coastal landscape. After doing some research I've come across two lenses that I'll need.. Please correct me if totally wrong:
Landscapes: 10-24mm Tamron Lens £348 on Amazon
Portrait / City close ups: 50mm Nikon Nikkor 1.8f £135 on Amazon
Sorry if this makes no sense whatsoever but I am new to this!! Is it worth shelling out £480 on these 2 lens to get me started?
Any advice would be great, especially how to best shoot in sunny conditions!
I find wide angle lenses to be ineffective for landscapes unless you can focus on something of interest in the foreground, far better to use a zoom but dependent on your budget
After "borrowing" my Dads expensive bridge camera for years, I decided to buy my own Nikon 330 DSL which come with the standard 18-55mm lens kit.
I went on a day course with Jessops which taught me the basics I already knew plus more info on lens etc. I am going to sunny California in a week (difficult shooting conditions!) and want to get some great shots, mainly of city life up close and also capture the amazing coastal landscape. After doing some research I've come across two lenses that I'll need.. Please correct me if totally wrong:
Landscapes: 10-24mm Tamron Lens £348 on Amazon
Portrait / City close ups: 50mm Nikon Nikkor 1.8f £135 on Amazon
Sorry if this makes no sense whatsoever but I am new to this!! Is it worth shelling out £480 on these 2 lens to get me started?
Any advice would be great, especially how to best shoot in sunny conditions!
I wouldn't spend too much for now until you find out just what you really enjoy shooting. Both those lenses would be appropriate for the purposes you suggest but there are some excellent all-purpose zooms now that would give you far more scope. I'd suggest something in the 18-270 bracket, giving you a decent wide angle (plenty enough for most landscape) and a decent telephoto. Much simpler / lighter to carry on holiday and less chance of dirt and dust creeping in during lens changes.
Dedicated specialised lenses can be superb for particular projects but I'd wait for now and just enjoy the freedom a good zoom gives you, at least until you begin to feel it's holding you back. Your imagination may well be your greatest tool. Enjoy spectacular California.
Dont know what your budget is...but rather than spending £483 on two lenses, what about the Nikon 24-105mm f4? Surely the best choice 'travel' lens and will do you well for most shots.
I don't think I'd splash out on those lenses just for one holiday. The 50mm lens is alread covered by your 18-55 and the wide angle lens may prove to be overkill.
That said, my son has the Nikkon 50mm (I have the Canon equivalent). They are excellent lenses, probably the best value lenses on the market. They are great for low-light situations and shots where you want great bokeh, because the aperture opens up to 1.8. Also, if you seriously want to develop your skills it is a magnificent discipline to go out with just one fixed lens to try and get the best shots you can; you'll find you learn a great deal by trying to overcome the restrictions. I wouldn't recommend you do that on your holiday though. If you going to do that, practice beforehand.
I don't think I'd splash out on those lenses just for one holiday. The 50mm lens is alread covered by your 18-55 and the wide angle lens may prove to be overkill.
That said, my son has the Nikkon 50mm (I have the Canon equivalent). They are excellent lenses, probably the best value lenses on the market. They are great for low-light situations and shots where you want great bokeh, because the aperture opens up to 1.8. Also, if you seriously want to develop your skills it is a magnificent discipline to go out with just one fixed lens to try and get the best shots you can; you'll find you learn a great deal by trying to overcome the restrictions. I wouldn't recommend you do that on your holiday though. If you going to do that, practice beforehand.
Nifty Fifty. Best value lens on the market. Just dont drop it.
Thanks for comments. As I said I am only going on advice from a Jessops sales rep, so it's good to get some opinions. Budget wise the max I can invest in a len(s) is £500.
I agree I don't want to splash out for the sake of it but it would be a long term investment not just for a 2 week holiday. I'd hate to go away and regret not getting some great shots while I'm there (I know a great lens won't mean I'll take great shots). I guess I am just trying to ensure I am not limited with my 18-55mm standard kit lens.
The idea behind the Nikon 50mm was for the low appeture effect, as my current lens only goes to 3.6f
Thanks for the idea for the 24-105 and the 18-270 I'll take a look at both options.
I've also purchased a Polarised filter to help with the sunlight.
if you can afford it hire a lens for a day and try it out. I'm a canon user so can't comment on any Nikon lenses but the lens that JohnBoy suggests is a very good range for most things
The Mrs asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday. A nice watch, a holiday... I suggested a camera. Have always had this dream of getting really good and trying to make a bit of money on the side, doing portraits, weddings, sports photography and that sort of thing. I know it'll be hard work and I'm a million miles away from that standard at the moment but its a dream.
Anyhow, the Mrs done good. I'm now the very proud owner of a full frame Nikon D750 with two Tamron f2.8 lenses, 24-70 and 70-200mm. A huge step up from my now ancient Nikon D200. Havent took many shots over the first weekend but I've been astounded by the ISO ability of the camera. Shooting indoors at high ISO without a flash, bloody hell, didnt even think that was possible but this is my favourite shot so far...of my parents' Cat...
The Mrs asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday. A nice watch, a holiday... I suggested a camera. Have always had this dream of getting really good and trying to make a bit of money on the side, doing portraits, weddings, sports photography and that sort of thing. I know it'll be hard work and I'm a million miles away from that standard at the moment but its a dream.
Anyhow, the Mrs done good. I'm now the very proud owner of a full frame Nikon D750 with two Tamron f2.8 lenses, 24-70 and 70-200mm. A huge step up from my now ancient Nikon D200. Havent took many shots over the first weekend but I've been astounded by the ISO ability of the camera. Shooting indoors at high ISO without a flash, bloody hell, didnt even think that was possible but this is my favourite shot so far...of my parents' Cat...
Nice pic JohnBoy. I've got a D600. Like you say, the ISO performance of cameras now is unbelievable and will only get better.
I've not actually picked up my 'big camera' for a while after getting a fixed lens Fuji X100s. It's absolutely brilliant and I find myself thinking more about shots than with the D600. It's also perfect for street photography as it fits easily into a pocket and I can carry it anywhere and everywhere. A real game changer for me.
Just bumping this thread. Has anyone got any experience of using studio strobes/lighting? Anyone got any recommendations of what to buy on a budget?
Not a Photographer myself but I've got lots of them in the family. My sister recently purchased this kit from eBay. It's a bit cheap and flimsy but getting this amount of equipment for under a £ton is outstanding value for money - She's really quite happy with the purchase. Also reckons these led lamps have good reviews as well.
Comments
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132421053@N08/albums/72157657631224941
Went through them today and was only happy with the one...
After "borrowing" my Dads expensive bridge camera for years, I decided to buy my own Nikon 330 DSL which come with the standard 18-55mm lens kit.
I went on a day course with Jessops which taught me the basics I already knew plus more info on lens etc.
I am going to sunny California in a week (difficult shooting conditions!) and want to get some great shots, mainly of city life up close and also capture the amazing coastal landscape.
After doing some research I've come across two lenses that I'll need.. Please correct me if totally wrong:
Landscapes: 10-24mm Tamron Lens £348 on Amazon
Portrait / City close ups: 50mm Nikon Nikkor 1.8f £135 on Amazon
Sorry if this makes no sense whatsoever but I am new to this!! Is it worth shelling out £480 on these 2 lens to get me started?
Any advice would be great, especially how to best shoot in sunny conditions!
Dedicated specialised lenses can be superb for particular projects but I'd wait for now and just enjoy the freedom a good zoom gives you, at least until you begin to feel it's holding you back. Your imagination may well be your greatest tool. Enjoy spectacular California.
That said, my son has the Nikkon 50mm (I have the Canon equivalent). They are excellent lenses, probably the best value lenses on the market. They are great for low-light situations and shots where you want great bokeh, because the aperture opens up to 1.8. Also, if you seriously want to develop your skills it is a magnificent discipline to go out with just one fixed lens to try and get the best shots you can; you'll find you learn a great deal by trying to overcome the restrictions. I wouldn't recommend you do that on your holiday though. If you going to do that, practice beforehand.
I agree I don't want to splash out for the sake of it but it would be a long term investment not just for a 2 week holiday. I'd hate to go away and regret not getting some great shots while I'm there (I know a great lens won't mean I'll take great shots). I guess I am just trying to ensure I am not limited with my 18-55mm standard kit lens.
The idea behind the Nikon 50mm was for the low appeture effect, as my current lens only goes to 3.6f
Thanks for the idea for the 24-105 and the 18-270 I'll take a look at both options.
I've also purchased a Polarised filter to help with the sunlight.
The Mrs asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday. A nice watch, a holiday... I suggested a camera. Have always had this dream of getting really good and trying to make a bit of money on the side, doing portraits, weddings, sports photography and that sort of thing. I know it'll be hard work and I'm a million miles away from that standard at the moment but its a dream.
Anyhow, the Mrs done good. I'm now the very proud owner of a full frame Nikon D750 with two Tamron f2.8 lenses, 24-70 and 70-200mm. A huge step up from my now ancient Nikon D200. Havent took many shots over the first weekend but I've been astounded by the ISO ability of the camera. Shooting indoors at high ISO without a flash, bloody hell, didnt even think that was possible but this is my favourite shot so far...of my parents' Cat...
Ohhhh PHOTography.
I've not actually picked up my 'big camera' for a while after getting a fixed lens Fuji X100s. It's absolutely brilliant and I find myself thinking more about shots than with the D600. It's also perfect for street photography as it fits easily into a pocket and I can carry it anywhere and everywhere. A real game changer for me.
It's a bit cheap and flimsy but getting this amount of equipment for under a £ton is outstanding value for money - She's really quite happy with the purchase. Also reckons these led lamps have good reviews as well.