50mm f1.8 for rock band pictures?

[Charlie Chalk]

Just bought my first non-kit lens, it’s the 50mm f1.8.

Cost £50 off eBay, it’s supposed to be in almost new condition. I have seen them advertised for £70 (new) on eBay, but then there is £20 shipping from Hong Kong.

I think it’s a good price, can someone please confirm if it is?

I was hoping for a f1.4 but this one came up first so I thought I’d go for it, didn’t really expect to win to auction!

I have a website to build for a rock band, so I was wondering if this lens will be able to take some pictures of them doing a gig without using flash (which I haven’t got, apart from the one on the camera of course).

If not at least it’ll get me some nice pictures of the kids!

Just have to be patient and wait for it to arrive.

CC

[birddog114]

CC,
The Nikkor 50/1.8 is a good lens and good size with the dough, its built and quality are not like the 50/1.4 but it produce nice and crispy and tack sharp pics, members from Down Uder are happy with it so far.

[the foto fanatic]

I'm sure you'll find it will be fine.
RRP for a new lens in Australia is about $250, or 85 pounds. so 50 pounds sounds OK to me.

[Charlie Chalk]

Does the difference in quality (both build and picture) warrant the price of the f1.4? It seems to be nearly twice the price.

The only lens I have for my D70 at the moment is the (cheapo) kit lens, the 28 - 80mm. Will I be able to notice a difference in picture quality between this at 50mm and the f1.8 50mm?

CC

[birddog114]

Does the difference in quality (both build and picture) warrant the price of the f1.4? It seems to be nearly twice the price.

The only lens I have for my D70 at the moment is the (cheapo) kit lens, the 28 - 80mm. Will I be able to notice a difference in picture quality between this at 50mm and the f1.8 50mm?

CC

Yes, you'll notice the difference of clarity and sharpness at 50mm on both lenses.

[Killakoala]

The 1.8 produces images of virtually the same clarity as the 1.4. The difference in price is because of the one F-stop and better quality manufacturing.

Both will last for years and should provide you with excellent quality photos.

You'll be happy with it.

[Charlie Chalk]

Has anyone got say, a top five tips for shooting a band with D70+5omm f1.8 in dark club/gig enviroment?

I've got 2gb of memory, so I'll be able to try quite a bit.

Don't think there will be too much trouble getting up close, there not quite U2 yet!

CC

[kipper]

Sorry, but $250AU is about 110gbp. The current exchange rate is about 1gbp = $2.3-2.4au.

So 50gbp is very good. You should be very pleased with that Chalk.

FYI 50gbp is about $125au.

[xorl]

Charlie, there are some tips in another recent thread: Shooting concerts
Hope this helps.