Newbie photographer, need help/advice - Page 3

W.M.DEEEZ · 05-15-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lollipop

Just wondering what the optimal setting for taking action shots in both bright light and low light. I realize the faster shutter speed the better but I'm not getting quality that I want. What's happening is the whole shot is blurred instead of background.

I'm also uncertain when it's beneficial to use panning or still.

My other question is about my lenses. There was a "special" when I bought my D40 for a twins lens kit (18-55 & 55-200) - now that I know a little more I regret getting these lenses. I think it would've made more sense to get 18-200 lens. I find it very choresome to change the lenses. I usually stick with the 18-55. Is it a good idea to sell these 2 lenses (I just bought them in October and have a 8 or 9 year warranty on them) and get a 18-200? Or should I stick with what I got?

My other problem is that I'm not sure when it's a good situation to use the 55-200 - is it only when I want a close up or are there other situations where it's advantageous?

What shutter speed were you using when you got all blur?

Panning, is possible when the subject is running parallel to you. It all starts w/the lighting. If it is nice and bright, you can shoot nice and fast, and capture almost any action. Blur might be from shaking the camera, which is magnified w/increased focal length. Shooting w/my zoom is proving to take a lot of practice.

I'm not sure how bulky your 55-200 is, but I would probably use it mostly for the telephoto. Are the apertures identical on both lenses?

There are a lot of those lenses available, so I'm not sure how much you could get for them...you could ask around.

You might want to look into getting some used, good quality lenses, with a fixed aperture. I've got a 35-70 f2.8, and an 80-200 f 2.8.

The 80-200 probably goes for over $1000.00 new, but I got it for less than half of that used.

I need a bigger telephoto, or a good quality teleconverter.

I do know a few people that love their 18-200, though...never have to take the darn thing off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

There's nothing like it! I LOVE playing in the dark room. There's only one thing I like better...playing in the mud! (Making sculpture out of clay).

Still...there's something special about B&W. My composition and framing is always better in B&W.

That's why b&w is cool...your framing and composition HAS to be better!

Lolli · 05-15-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.M.DEEEZ

What shutter speed were you using when you got all blur?

I don't recall, I took several at different settings

Quote:

Are the apertures identical on both lenses?

How to find that out?

Quote:

You might want to look into getting some used, good quality lenses, with a fixed aperture. I've got a 35-70 f2.8, and an 80-200 f 2.8.

What's the benefit of getting a lens with a fixed aperture? Isn't that giving up control?

Quote:

I do know a few people that love their 18-200, though...never have to take the darn thing off!

Is that a good thing or bad?

I guess I can put my lenses up for sale and see how much I can get them for...I can't tell if you think it's a good or bad idea exchanging the 2 lenses for a 18-200?

Do Sigma make a good lens or should I stick with Nikkor lenses?

Edit: As a FYI, I was just looking at prices. The 18-55 and 55-200 are going for $350 for both and the SIGMA 18-200MM DC NIKON (NON-AF MOTOR) is also $350.

Lolli · 05-15-2008, 08:24 PM

Or I could trade my 55-200 for a 70-300 which would probably be better.

I'm looking at Craig's list - I can't believe the # of Nikkor lenses for sale! I see a Nikon Lens AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR - for $300!! I think I'm going to get it! I contacted the seller.

I feel like I'm talking to myself here

W.M.DEEEZ · 05-16-2008, 06:13 AM

Sorry, went to bed early last night...

Fixed aperture gives you more control. It doesn't automatically change the aperture as you zoom. As well, they have better quality glass. There are a ton of cheap nikkor lenses now, with variable aperture. The price on the pair you have, is too good to be true. Good glass is not cheap.

Some off brand glass gets good reviews. I'll check into that for you.

The way you tell if your lenses have the same aperture, is to look on the lens, or the box it came in. If it says 4.5-5.6. that is the aperture rating. 4.5 would be the largest aperture, which is pretty darn slow.

The sigma lense you discussed doesn't have auto focus. I don't know how much you use the AF, but I got disgusted w/mine, and just use manual focus now.

Lolli · 05-16-2008, 06:37 AM

Ok I sort've understand what you're saying here.

I should be looking for a lens with a fixed aperture of about f.2.8?

gonzo · 05-16-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lollipop

Or I could trade my 55-200 for a 70-300 which would probably be better.

I'm looking at Craig's list - I can't believe the # of Nikkor lenses for sale! I see a Nikon Lens AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR - for $300!! I think I'm going to get it! I contacted the seller.

I feel like I'm talking to myself here

Whoaaaa, that's awfully cheap. Way, way cheap. If that's the lens I think it is it lists for almost $5,000.

W.M.DEEEZ · 05-16-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

Whoaaaa, that's awfully cheap. Way, way cheap. If that's the lens I think it is it lists for almost $5,000.

You might be thinking about a 2.8

edit...I guess they don't make it in 2.8. My 70-200 is, and it is a little pricey.

05-15-2008, 08:24 PM	#23 (permalink)
Lolli Resident Fruit Cake Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fruit Cake City Posts: 1,182 Thanks: 60 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts	Or I could trade my 55-200 for a 70-300 which would probably be better. I'm looking at Craig's list - I can't believe the # of Nikkor lenses for sale! I see a Nikon Lens AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR - for $300!! I think I'm going to get it! I contacted the seller. I feel like I'm talking to myself here Last edited by Lolli; 05-15-2008 at 08:30 PM.
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05-16-2008, 06:13 AM	#24 (permalink)
W.M.DEEEZ I don't exist either Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,655 Thanks: 7 Thanked 58 Times in 41 Posts	Sorry, went to bed early last night... Fixed aperture gives you more control. It doesn't automatically change the aperture as you zoom. As well, they have better quality glass. There are a ton of cheap nikkor lenses now, with variable aperture. The price on the pair you have, is too good to be true. Good glass is not cheap. Some off brand glass gets good reviews. I'll check into that for you. The way you tell if your lenses have the same aperture, is to look on the lens, or the box it came in. If it says 4.5-5.6. that is the aperture rating. 4.5 would be the largest aperture, which is pretty darn slow. The sigma lense you discussed doesn't have auto focus. I don't know how much you use the AF, but I got disgusted w/mine, and just use manual focus now. __________________ Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone
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05-16-2008, 06:37 AM	#25 (permalink)
Lolli Resident Fruit Cake Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fruit Cake City Posts: 1,182 Thanks: 60 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts	Ok I sort've understand what you're saying here. I should be looking for a lens with a fixed aperture of about f.2.8?
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