Comments on: Thoughts for Thursday: Advice wanted for new D-SLR camera users (lenses, camera bags, etc)

By: Kristi (sweetsauer)

Kristi (sweetsauer) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:56:02 +0000

Hi Lisa….thank you for stopping in to say hi! I really like my D5000 so far but still have a LOT to learn!! I am taking an online photography class (small group) in the next few months and I hope I learn how to better use it. Do you still live in the Twin Cities? If so, I can send you info about the photography class, my SIL Michelle Sauer Photography is teaching it. Also, You should definitely sign up for the February Photo Hunt, it will be a lot of fun!

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By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:50:17 +0000

I bought the exact same camera a couple weeks ago too!! NO kidding. I got the exact same lenses! I am shooting for sports photography since my daughter plays volleyball and softball. Plus I am looking into doing that photo hunt challenge too. BTW, I have stalked your blog for sometime because you live in the Twin Cities, which is where I hail from myself!!!

Lisa

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By: chriselda

chriselda — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:59:15 +0000

hey hey!
so… without reading all of the comments – i am sharing my thoughts. forgive me if i am repeating someone else. :-/
first and foremost… i have QUICKLY learned that no matter WHAT camera bag i have… (i have everything from a think tank to a crumpler to a lowepro to a backpack) that NOTHING compares to my shootsac. it’s just… so darn versatile and … accomodating.
and you can change out the covers like WHOA! the neoprene is a nice little touch of comfort too!
as for the lenses – your camera has a crop sensor on it. sooooo… a 50mm is going to be like an 85mm on a full frame sensor. this isn’t a BAD thing. it just means your sensor doesn’t expand “widely” to really get the REAL benefit of those wide angle primes.
so if you GET the 35mm (which i’m assuming is going to be accompanied by a nice sticker price) … it will generate an output similar to a 50mm on the full frame sensors. this doesn’t mean DON’T GET IT. it just means that if youre going to spend THAT much money on a wide angle… use it instead to buy a camera with a full fram sensor. the difference is astounding.
here is an example of a 50mm lens on your sensor in comparison to a full frame
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/1329338799_74baa853c3.jpg
as for a macro lens… 100mm macro. hands down. no contest. end of story. they are sometimes hard to find (at least for canon) but so worth it. and are quite pricey. and again… if you have the money to spend… upgrade your body instead.
not that your camera won’t “do”
it just that these lenses are so expensive and you won’t really get the full “experience” on a crop sensor.
99% of the time i recommend the 50mm f/1.8 plastic fantastic. it’s a great starter lens. and a very good prime, considering it’s price. learn that one first. get used to shooting with it. and then get other lenses. i think the most common mistake we ALL make is getting EVERYTHING at once. when it really isn’t necessary.
a good 50mm lens.
sell your kit lens. esp if it has a variable aperature. use the money to go to an off-brand 24-70mm f/2.8 (tamron, sigma, etc). those kit lenses are ridiculous and you will quickly outgrow it. especially if you’re shooting indoors at all.
i think i’ve rambled enough.
chriselda

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By: Kristi (sweetsauer)

Kristi (sweetsauer) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:21:48 +0000

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Hi Jen,
Thank you for your feedback and explainign the lenses to me a little more. Still unsure which lens I will get first….. the 35mm or 50mm!

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By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:10:26 +0000

Hi Kristi,
Yes I used a zoom lens for that squirrel shot. I have an old (manufactured in 1989) nikkor zoom, it’s 75-300mm. I also have my kit lens, the 18-135mm and I have my prime, a 50mm (f/1.4). I use the prime the most.
I use a Lowepro 200. It’s a backpack, but it holds all my gear (I also have the SB 600) and I can get to everything quickly.
You are shooting on a cropped sensor (the D5000 isn’t full frame) so you need to remember to multiply your focal length by 1.6 to get the focal length your camera is reading. So for example, when I am shooting with my 50mm, it’s really more like an 85mm. My 300mm zoom becomes more like 400mm. And so forth.
Full frame sensors are what is in the 35mm film cameras, and also the ‘pro’ DSLRs. I think the Nikon D700 is the first in Nikon’s pro line…might be the D300. Don’t know.
Also, I don’t know if your D5000 can meter with older lenses, my zoom was made in 89, but the D80 can meter with it, and control it, or I can set it to manual. Refer to your users manual to see what lenses you can attach – otherwise you could short out the camera (worst case).
Hope that helps!
Happy Shooting!

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By: Jientje

Jientje — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:13:04 +0000

I’m learning a lot here myself, I’m just an amateur Kirsti, I still need to get to know the Big Guy. The lens came with the camera, it was a package deal, it’s a 17-85 mm zoom lens. ( I had to go look, ROFL!) I love Hope’s camera bag, I would not mind getting one like this one! There’s a lot on my wish list since I met the Big Guy!

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By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:43:12 +0000

On bags check out Crumpler.
I also love Denise’s expl. – Thanks :D!
If you need Info on a fairly cheap, but good remote, drop me an email and I look up the name of mine.
Got it via amazon.

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By: Kristi (sweetsauer)

Kristi (sweetsauer) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:58:42 +0000

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Thanks for explaining the lenses a little better to me, Denise. I think I will just need to play with each of them and then decide which one I think I would use the most but it sounds like the 50mm is the perfect size since it is right in the middle like you said

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By: Kristi (sweetsauer)

Kristi (sweetsauer) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:54:37 +0000

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Thanks for the link to the bag, Lisa! So, a good macro lens is 100mm? That migt be down the road a ways, but I really want one at some point!

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By: Denise H

Denise H — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:13:34 +0000

I would DEFINITELY get a fixed lens. I have the 50mm 1.8 and LOVE it! It’s actually the lens I use 90% of the time. The only problem with it is that it is fixed so you can’t zoom in on your subject but it is so sharp and light.
The difference between the 35, 50 and 85 is the distance it is fixed at. 50 is right in the middle which is why I chose that one. But 35 will allow you to shoot more in tighter places. As the 50mm doesn’t allow me to get in on the tight shots because it’s fixed at 50mm.
I also want to get the 24-70 but it is SO EXPENSIVE. I have heard that it is the PERFECT lens. So one day I will have it.
As for a bag, I got one for Christmas from my hubby which is a backpack type one which will be good for when we are camping, going on vacations etc.. but I want to get one like what Hope listed for my sessions and everyday shooting. That way it looks more like a purse than a camera bag.
Other items would be a flash (down the road) and a diffuser for your flash. I have a tripod but I rarely use it and I don’t think I would ever use a remote as the timer on my camera works perfect for when I need it. I would also get an extra battery and memory card. Oh and make sure you use a UV filter on your lens to protect the glass.

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