Tech Talk, Episode 8- Nikon Prime Lenses

I love my D300, but I also love prime lenses. Why not some new ones to use with it? I may sound a little harsh here, but I do feel that nikon needs to release more 'middle ground' lenses for the serious hobbyist who just loves photography and doesn't want to splash out for their new pro zooms.

I'm sure they will come, but they have been long in waiting- many of the essential ones are way behind the competition in terms of design. We need more bright primes, there's no substitute for f/2 or f/1.4 and in a zoom, f/4 is acceptable.

I'm willing to compromise by having a slightly darker lens, but not willing to give up extremely high image quality. It's what I came to Nikon for in the first place!

By the way, here are my D300 samples-
http://www.pbase.com/gizz/d300_samples

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• D300
• Nikon
• Japan
• DSLR
• Photography
• Electronics
• Gadget

[Starfires]

I am pretty sure that in the near future we will see updated 35mm and 50mm lenses. The fact that Carl Zeiss and Voigtlander are releasing bright lenses in this range is proof that there is a market for them. The one reason why I am not so interested in those is that they are manual focus and I usually use autofocus, something the D300 excels in.

[Starfires]

One point at this juncture- some may think this is video bashing Nikon. Well, to my mind, it isn't, just a call to them to remember some basic photographic values alongside their very real need to satisfy demanding professionals. It has been a long time since their primes were updated and whilst for me the new 105mm macro is overly bulky, their new 60mm is a very positive step, correcting the deficits of the original and offering an excellent new lens.

[markhardacre1]

why are you wearing a hat indoors?

[quickshooter100]

wtf!

[Starfires]

In case you don't know, 35mm on a digital, cropped camera has a similar angle to 50mm. As well as being bright, it is very natural to use. I have to be honest though- I prefer the bokeh and colours from my 50mm, though this is partly because I've been using it for years.

I get a lot of compliments for my 35mm photos, often related to the perspectives it produces. The angle feels like you're 'really there', looking into the photo, in a way other lenses don't.

[Starfires]

No discernable difference. Most lenses aren't at their best wide open- I often use the 35mm closed down a little, same with the 50mm f/1.4.

I don't think you'll do better than that 35mm- I use it a lot and get some killer images. There is a also a Sigma 30mmm f/1.4, but due to complaints about sample variation and softness, I reluctantly passed it by. F/1.4 lenses are the best, as closed down to f/2 you generally get a very sharp image. This is a big reason for their fame.

[Starfires]

I took some photos at night in Askakusa (the old city of Tokyo) the other day and then converted them to Sepia in Lightroom. Beautiful and full of atmosphere, I just showed my girlfriend a slideshow this morning- I'll be posting some on my gallery.

[Starfires]

Glad to hear it! People get into photography to find beauty in an overly complex world and what happens? They bring the complexity with them. If you are getting a Nikkor for general photography, the best I can recommend is the 35mm f/2, which rounds out to about a normal lens on APS (which I assume you are using). The 50mm f/1.4 is also great, but a little long. As it's bokeh is better than the 1.8, I think it's well worth the price difference.