Prime Time

[Pehpsi]

well, i don't have a prime lens, never even seen one, but would like a Nikon 50mm. they sound quite handy

-what do people use them for mainly?

-which is better you think; 1.4 or 1.8?

and am i seeing correctly, why are they so cheap??

thanks in advance

[Glen]

Pehpsi, great for low light work. Reasonably priced because they are made in China and are using an optical formula which has been around for some time

[Pehpsi]

thanks mate. might have to get one soon just going by the price

[Geoff]

Pehpsi - the 50mm 1.4 is a great little lens - as Glen has suggested, excellent for low light work and sharp as a tac too!

If you are coming to the QE/QM2 meet on the 20th, I can bring it along for you to have a try of if u like.

[Pehpsi]

thanks geoff

i'm not sure which one of these is the best choice? is there any performance differences you know of? what does the 'D' mean?

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[Yi-P]

'D' means Distance information contact with the camera body, a little meaningless upgrade, more of use for matrix and flash output calculation.


They all are great lenses, the 1.4 version is better but if you can only justify that over the extra price you are paying over the 1.8 version.

[Pehpsi]

i see, thanks mate

gona need a new bag soon, my collection is growing at a scary rate!

but i've noticed lots of people here have the same problem

[photograham]

Pehpsi, it is only recently purchased a new prime lens - Nikon 85mm F1.8 - purchased primarily to do people shots so I can better manage depth of field. The 50mm F1.4 would be great for general low light work.

Isn't it strange how we go back to prime lenses, once upon a time that is all we had, and if you had a telephoto lens, it was a 135mm.

[Yi-P]

Primes are good lenses, I love them

[padey]

well, i don't have a prime lens, never even seen one, but would like a Nikon 50mm. they sound quite handy

-what do people use them for mainly?

-which is better you think; 1.4 or 1.8?

and am i seeing correctly, why are they so cheap??

thanks in advance

I love my primes. They are faster, sharper, allow greater subject isolation and have more desirable bokeh. The downside is the cost. If Nikon ever release a 12-200mm f1.4, as sharp as the f2 lens at the same price as the 70-300mm ED, i'd flick all my glass for it.

Regarding which 50mm to get, if you can afford the f1.4, then get it. Most people go through a few camera bodies in there life time, yet keep their glass forever.

[Pehpsi]

sounds good i'm convinced. thanks for the feedback.

[Kyle]

How about the sigma 30mm f1.4?

Looks good, it's one on my shortlist

[Pehpsi]

i don't do many people shots, but i'm probably gona have to start. so i think a prime good for people or group shots would be best. not sure if that means 50mm or 85mm or other..