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Which Prime Lens for the Nikon D90

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Hi...

I am looking to buy a prime lens for the nikon D90. I have a finite budget but have narrowed my choices to:

Nikon 35mm f1.4
Nikon 35mm f1.8
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Sigma 30mm f1.4

I am aware that my camera will increase the focal length (due to it's nature) by 1.5, So the 35mm will effectively be approx 52.5mm.

But the one thing I cannot work out... is which one to choose...!

I know I want to use it at a wedding (not the actual wedding, but at the party before hand) and to take some portrait shots. I also want to take some shots of 'interesting' things (as I will be in India at the time, I know I can get some good shots in).

I already own the 18-200mm zoom lens... but I am looking for something with a small f-point to create some real eye-catching pics.

Any tips?

Thanks

Comments

  • A fast lens is not what you need then.
    Consider a neutral grey filter to compensate for the bright light.

    f1.4 would be expensive, a f2.4??
  • A fast lens is not what you need then.
    Consider a neutral grey filter to compensate for the bright light.

    f1.4 would be expensive, a f2.4??
    Surely the OP is interested in depth of field ? in which case the depth of field is dependant on F-stop and focal length, longer focal length lenses eg his zoom at 200mm will have a shallower depth of field . There is a fine article here
    4.8kWp 12x400W Longhi 9.6 kWh battery Giv-hy 5.0 Inverter, WSW facing Essex . Aint no sunshine ☀️ Octopus gas fixed dec 24 @ 5.74 tracker again+ Octopus Intelligent Flux leccy
  • MX5huggy
    MX5huggy Posts: 7,161 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I presume you have the prices, personally I have a 50mm 1.8, I dont use it much so was not willing to pay for the 1 extra stop, rather save for the 10.5mm or a D700.
  • Marty_J
    Marty_J Posts: 6,594 Forumite
    I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens, and it's a fantastic bit of kit and very inexpensive. The crop factor on the DX cameras makes it a good portrait lens.
  • Thanks for the above.

    I went for the 50mm f1.4 in the end.

    The reason? Well, I have seen the f1.8 and whilst it is cheap, I also liked the extra f-stop for the light and dof (especially with the type of pics I have in mind).

    I am now going to save up for the 17-50 f2.8 (tamron). Having seen some really good reviews and pics. That will give me the 'all round' feel that I like in a lens. It will also give me a pretty good coverage up to 200mm (putting all my lenses together).

    Thanks guys!
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