For those with Big Girl Cameras

[t_a_l_i]

Have you purchased a bigger, better lens for your camera? And if so - where did you get it, and what did you get?

I dearly want a better lens for my Nikon D40 - it just doesn't zoom as much as I want. I was looking online and I am baffled by the choices, and prices. I am seeing lenses in the $1-$2k's, and well I'm obviously not spending that. lol

So - help a girl out. What do I need to be able to zoom in on my kids a little better? I'm not needing crazy zooming, just better than what my camera came with.

 

[mei74]

i'll be eagerly watching this thread - was thinking the same thing myself! great minds think alike.

 

[Jakajer]

Well.. I'm by no means any kind of pro here.. am just learning about things myself.

I know that there are different types of lenses..

1. zoom
2. prime (no zoom)
3 fish eye (cool effect.. would be fun!)

.. and more.

I have the Nikon D90, and had used only the kit lens with it. I knew I wanted a Prime lens, even though there is no zoom, you can get the small depth of field = that beautiful blurred background, and crisp clean photos. (well.. if I could ever get the focus right! )

The Prime lens gives you the blur, is great for portrait... I use it for mostly indoor photos (it's awesome in low light too.. hardly EVER need my flash!) So, I got the 50mm 1.4 Prime Lens .. LOVE.. it's been on my camera 90% of the time since, I still switch back to the kit (zoom) lens if we go to a sports function or something, for the zoom. My kit lens is 18-105mm. So the reach isn't too bad. What is the lens you have?? .. it should say right on it.

I would go to a camera store and try a few. I *think* the D40 will only house a certain type of lens. .... umm.. I think it has something to do with the autofocus??? .. I know mine did.. (I had the D40 first).. but mine was pretty old.. so maybe yours is ok?

In my opinion, I wouldn't chase the zoom too much.. you can always crop the photo smaller if you need to be more close up. You could probably spend more money to get a lens with a longer zoom.. but that would make your kit lens obsolete. I'd say look into the Prime lenses.. haha.. this is totally NOT what your question was.. but I really REALLY do love mine!

 

[lialotito]

Tali,

I've decided for the Nikon DX 18-200 mm because I didn't want to expend money buying several lens... It's not cheap (I believe it costs US700), but it's the only one I'll buy. And I bought my D80 without lens (just the body), and decide for this one.

This is like a "all-in-one" lens... it's great !!! When you have kids is fabulous because you don't need to be close or interrupt them... just zoom and Voila ! When you need to take pictures too close, it has a good angle lens !

 

[clarabear]

Amanda...where did you get your D90? And was it extremely expensive??

Oh and Tali...here's what I learned in the camera store today about lenses. the D40 and D60 have the motor in the lens instead of in the camera so that is the type of lens that would work best. If that makes sense.

 

[Jakajer]

Amanda...where did you get your D90? And was it extremely expensive??

I bought my camera from a local camera store here in town. "don's photo". It had just came out when I got it, I really liked it because it had the "video" option, but in hindsight, that shouldn't have factored into my decision, cause I never use it (you have to manual focus it).

Yes, it was a little pricey.. I think I paid about $1300 Can$. .. but remember, this was my "2nd" SLR... even though it's an awesome camera, and love love LOVE it, I still liked learning on the D40 first. .. also.. I could sell my D40 to help pay for the new one. Remember that too.. these cameras hold their value pretty well.. so you can always upgrade later when your hobby progresses.

 

[jtb]

Another option to try if you're looking at lenses is to try one. If you go to borrowlenses dot com -- they carry Canon and Nikon lenses and you can lease them for the time you need to either test them or for a special trip.

I have a Canon G9 which has become my run-around P&S. My main camera is the Canon XSi. My son-in-law let me borrow his 20D, and while I liked the metal case, I bought the XSi because I have small hands and had a hard time holding his larger camera. I also can recommend a 50mm 1.4 prime lens. It's a favorite to use, and both SIL and DIL frequently ask to borrow it!

 

[NicosMommy]

Question for Amanda?

Hmmm....My D40 is on its way....I have a question. Will I be able to take any photos with that blurred background?

 

[Jakajer]

Question for Amanda?

Hmmm....My D40 is on its way....I have a question. Will I be able to take any photos with that blurred background?

Yep, you will be able to blur the background.. that's the fun party about SLR's. Changing the Aperture does that for you. Different lenses do different amounts of blur though.

Picture a line of 20 dinky cars (first thing that came to mind ) all lined up. Now, say you position yourself directly in front of the first car (with the others lined up behind it) to take some pictures. A lower f-stop allows for more blur. So, for example, my "kit lens" has an f-stop of around 5.6. So.. if I have it set to that and focus on the first car, the 5 behind that car will be in focus, then the blur starts. If I have an f-stop of lower .. like 1.4 (my prime lens) I can focus on the first car and only that car will be in focus.
.. does that make any sense??

 

[NicosMommy]

It does make sense.....Thank you so much Amanda!! You rock!!!!

 

[wombat146]

yes thanks Amanda, that DOES make sense after trying to understand all the other books I have read!!! thanks so much sweetie! I'm excited! I think I will play with my camera this weekend..........ummmmmm, if I get a chance in between buying some more kits........or ummmmmmm, doing some scrapping LOL!!

 

[Jakajer]

your very welcome ladies!! I find it kind of funny, that I'm giving photography tips. ha ha!

Hey.. I'm going to try to link you gals with a 12 week course that was put on by Joanna Bolick at 2ps LONG ago. I printed off each of those lessons and learned a TON.. it was my first real hands on approach at learning my DSLR camera. .. each lesson was so easy to understand. (unlike some of the books I've read) The hands on "homework" was awesome too!

k.. found the link to the .pdf files. Seriously.. print them out and read them one per day with your morning coffee.. and don't forget to do the hands on part!.. that's the fun stuff!

Have fun with your camera's ladies!!

http://biowbiow.googlepages.com/twopeas_12week

 

[wombat146]

Thanks Amanda, just printing these off to take home and read......I will let you know how I go! Look out camera here I come!! Thanks for sharing xx

 

[faerywings]

Amanda- oooh thanks for the link!

Tali- I actually have three lenses and two bodies- one dslr one slr.

I have a Canon Digital Rebel xti and a 35 mm EOS
Lenses Canon 17-85 mm
Zoom 75-300mm
Sigma 35- 75mm (I think- it is on the 35 mm body and hasn't been touched in ages LOL)

Between those two-- I am really pretty set for just about everything that I want to photograph.

 

[sue.falstaff]

k.. found the link to the .pdf files. Seriously.. print them out and read them one per day with your morning coffee.. and don't forget to do the hands on part!.. that's the fun stuff!

Have fun with your camera's ladies!!

http://biowbiow.googlepages.com/twopeas_12week

Even though I don't currently own a DSLR, I still followed the 2Peas tutorial and found it really simple & effective. Like Amanda, I printed it out & refer back to all the time!!! I've been reading the various threads about "big girl cameras" closely, because I'm on the look out for a new toy to play with ... now all I need to do it get myself a job so I can pay for it!!!

 

[t_a_l_i]

Kelly - I use the portrait setting all the time and get that fun blurred background on my pics, with my D40.

Well, it looks like a new lens is out of the question for this girl! lol

 

[clarabear]

Hey Tali...Try this website for prices: http://www.cameta.com/

A friend of mine recommended them and said they are a good reputible business and have some great prices.

 

[NicosMommy]

LOL Clara.............I PM'ed you

Hey Tali...Try this website for prices: http://www.cameta.com/

A friend of mine recommended them and said they are a good reputible business and have some great prices.

 

[lialotito]

Amanda,

Thanks for sharing these lessons with us !!!

I'm printing mine right now...

 

[cellomom]

awesome, awesome!! can't wait to try the 12wk tut!! thanks, amanda!!

my big girl camera is an olympus E-500...mr gorgeous got me a better zoom lens in December...it is hard to use, but i can't wait until football season where I'm outside more! yay!! But it's all in the learning...the aperature, the iso and all that! I really need to take a course desperately! and I need to find the book Understanding Exposure again. It is really awesome!!!!!

 

[hollie h]

I have a Canon Redbel XTI. I have 3 lens.

Canon EF 500mm f/2.5 Compact Macro (use this for shooting all my small design elements)
Canon EFS 17-85mm (shooting portraits at the studio and large design stuff, plus regular day to day shooting)
Canon 75-300mm with Image Stablizer (its has like a gyroscope inside for stablity and I use it for all my nature stuff)

I highly recommend that everyone get UV lens filters for all their lenses. They cost like $5 and are a cheap way to protect the actual lens. Which would you rather scratch???

And once you find what you like, check Craigs List. People are selling their stuff cheap right now. Nick just bought a $1800 lens for his camera for $600!!!

 

[snappy2003]

Great thread! Thank you, Amanda for the link to the tut!

 

[LSlycord]

I'm really anxious to try at the tutorial. Thanks for sharing Amanda.

I have a Nikon D70. My primary lens is an 18-70 mm. 1:3.5-4.5

My second lens that I got for Christmas was a 70-300 mm. 1:4.5-5.6

The zoom is great fun. Like Sally, I love it for the sports photos! I've used it for basketball and gymnastics so far. Looking for baseball soon...and football in the fall.
I also enjoy it for close ups of my daughter...who looks much more natural when she doesn't know that I'm focused on her!

Love it!

 

[wombat146]

your very welcome ladies!! I find it kind of funny, that I'm giving photography tips. ha ha!

Hey.. I'm going to try to link you gals with a 12 week course that was put on by Joanna Bolick at 2ps LONG ago. I printed off each of those lessons and learned a TON.. it was my first real hands on approach at learning my DSLR camera. .. each lesson was so easy to understand. (unlike some of the books I've read) The hands on "homework" was awesome too!

k.. found the link to the .pdf files. Seriously.. print them out and read them one per day with your morning coffee.. and don't forget to do the hands on part!.. that's the fun stuff!

Have fun with your camera's ladies!!

http://biowbiow.googlepages.com/twopeas_12week

Amanda, I started the tutorial on the weekend and I am going to play with the arpeture settings this week..........I even brought my camera to work with me today! LOL! Thanks again!

 

[Jakajer]

Amanda, I started the tutorial on the weekend and I am going to play with the arpeture settings this week..........I even brought my camera to work with me today! LOL! Thanks again!

SO glad everyone is enjoying the class! And Ona.. that aperture lesson was my fav!.. figuring out that "background blur" thing was awesome!