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Hope to finally get seriously into DSLR.
Really neeed to justify the purchase to the wife though so my first lens has to
be tops.

I am looking for that sharpest possible low light lens to complement the d80.
The main initial use will be indoor / outdoor kids shots. Prime lens is fine, as long as not compromising on clarity, detail and sharpness.

Price up to $500. Which lens should I get?

Am I hoping for too much?
Thanks for any help for this 1st time DSLR purchase.

nikon 50mm f1.4 or sigma 30mm f1.4 both are yummy

Hope you dont mind me asking in this thread!

Thanks for the advice.

the 50mm nikon 1.8 is half the price.
How does it compare for clarity, detail. sharpness etc?

itk wrote:the 50mm nikon 1.8 is half the price.
How does it compare for clarity, detail. sharpness etc?

The 1.4 is sharper wide open (larger aperture). And creates a better out of focus rendition (bokeh).

They are both about same sharpness or unnoticeable difference at f/4 to f/11. The 50/1.8 is seriously dead sharp at f/8, it cuts through all other expensive lenses in terms of price.

Rah, this is assuming you're picking up the body and kit lens (18-135). I would suggest the Sigma 30/1.4. Just on sheer value and usefulness. It's an ideal field of view on DX, and where else are ya gunna get a f/1.4 lens for under $1k (ok, aside from the Nikkor 50).

50mm F1.8 and F1.4

pretty similar, depends what you are using it for?

I use my for weddings, under the same settings/situation (dark church)the f1.4 will get you the image whereas you will have problems with the f1.8

OK I think the 50mm 1.8 should do me for the kids. I am thinking of this with the 18-200 with the Sb600.

The sb600 and 50mm together are the cheapest coming from Adorama.

Thanks for the advice.

THere was another thing I wanted to know.

Is there a diffuser or deflector available for the D80 inbuilt flash?
I couldn't see anything on google. I know the sb-400 is compact but I though t maybe someone had made a deflector to try to get the flash bounce affect.

Ive seen getto types- eg here.

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Ivl8



Any ready made ones?

Rip off a small piece of white photocopier paper. Tap on an angle, experiment to taste. iTTL electronics trickery in the camera should vary the flash output to maintain flash exposure. You'll get softer/less shadows, but at the expense of light output.

Having just spent all of my budget on camera, lens and flash unit I had none left for a diffuser, so I built my own using a clear cut down plastic 2 litre juice bottle covered with that soft, thin polystyrene packing material that comes in sheets. I'm very happy with it considering it cost nothing. It will certainly do until I can afford a bought one.

no worries, ghetto it is!