Lenses

starfox07 · May 22nd, 2008, 06:02 PM

I'm looking to buy a new lens for my D80, and I want a wide angle, because I like the shots they take. However, I know next to nothing about lenses themselves, so I really have no idea what to look for. I'm not talking about brand names, but just the technical specifications of the lenses. I have a 55mm lens and an 18-135mm lens, but I really do not know what those numbers mean. (I assume its the focal length or something like that) Is there a website anywhere that explains all this in depth? I'm a technical oriented person, so I would like it to be explained as thoroughly as possible.

Also, what is a good wide-angle for Nikon's that can be bought new for less than $300? I know they are out there!

Shadowness · May 22nd, 2008, 06:29 PM

Your 18-135mm is a good 'everyday' lens, and should cover a lot of shooting situations. The numbers, as you said, are the focal length. As you probably know, the larger the number, the greater the focal length ('zoom').

A good lens for you might be the Sigma 10-20mm. Thats VERY wideangle, and is the widest you're gonna get without getting into fisheye lenses. That sigma is considerably cheaper than the Nikon 12-24mm, and I should imagine you might find some goodish prices in second hand ones images/smilies/smile.gif

I don't know of any website personally, but Im sure this is another case that can be solved by inspector Google!
What exactly do you want the lens for? I might be able to help a little more images/smilies/smile.gif

starfox07 · May 22nd, 2008, 07:38 PM

I just want to be able to take more interesting shots, as well as some nice lanscapes. I do use the 18-135 quite often (actually I never use the 55mm) but I want something that can go a little wider. I have one more question. If I take my 18-135mm lens all the way into 18mm, would it take the exact same picture as a 10-20mm set at 18mm as well? Is the actual shape of the lens different? Thanks for the info though! I was looking at the Sigma's, they seem to have a good price.

EDIT: For instance, I think these pictures would have been much more interesting with a wide angle.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj19/lucien50/Civic/4_30_3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj19/lucien50/Civic/civicedit5.jpg

Shadowness · May 22nd, 2008, 07:43 PM

Theoretically the pictures should be exactly the same at 18mm on each lens. There might be some VERY minor differences such as colour aberrations etc, but you probably wont notice it unless you carefully study the pics at 100% resolution!

starfox07 · May 22nd, 2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowness

Theoretically the pictures should be exactly the same at 18mm on each lens. There might be some VERY minor differences such as colour aberrations etc, but you probably wont notice it unless you carefully study the pics at 100% resolution!

Thats what I figured. I wonder if there is a lens that can go from say...7mm all the way out to 200mm? It would be massively expensive I would imagine. images/smilies/lol.gif

Thanks for the info, I think I will be getting that sigma from B&H! (I have to order it through a reputable business, as it goes on the college's photo budget! Nothing like getting camera accessories for free!)

BerserkerCatSplat · May 22nd, 2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starfox07

Thats what I figured. I wonder if there is a lens that can go from say...7mm all the way out to 200mm? I

Sort of, some P&S lenses can have huge zoom ranges due to the tiny sensor. For SLR's, the max that's currently available is the 18-250mm, and even then optical performance is severely compromised by asking a lens to cover so many focal lengths.

starfox07 · May 22nd, 2008, 08:23 PM

What types of shots should be reserved for wide-angle lenses as opposed to zoom lenses? Are they good at doing DOF shots? I can never get really good DOF shots with my 18-135mm no matter how low I set the fstop.

Shadowness · May 22nd, 2008, 08:30 PM

No DOF is exaggerated at longer focal lengths. You'll struggle to get significant DOF at wideangle focal-lengths.
I personally use my Nikon 12-24mm for automotive shots, mainly rig shots. It works pretty well for urban photography too!

You should get a lot of DOF at 135mm at the lowest f/stop, the trouble is if you want to do shots of cars you'll have to be quite far away to fit it in frame!

starfox07 · May 22nd, 2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowness

No DOF is exaggerated at longer focal lengths. You'll struggle to get significant DOF at wideangle focal-lengths.
I personally use my Nikon 12-24mm for automotive shots, mainly rig shots. It works pretty well for urban photography too!

You should get a lot of DOF at 135mm at the lowest f/stop, the trouble is if you want to do shots of cars you'll have to be quite far away to fit it in frame!

Haha yeah, like 3 blocks away!! Definitely need a tripod for that attempt, although I will most likely try it this weekend images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

EDIT: I currently have no filters, and I would like to pick some up. Natural Density and Polarizing were the two I was thinking about. Only thing, is that the lens will probably be smaller than the 18-135mm (which is 67mm at the end) so I guess I would have to get two sets.

Shadowness · May 22nd, 2008, 08:46 PM

Quick note, you can get adapters, but I would only recommend using a larger filter on a smaller lens and not the other way round images/smilies/smile.gif

jayhawk · May 22nd, 2008, 09:36 PM

For something creative to use on your existing lens, there is Lensbabies.

http://www.lensbabies.com/

mgkdk · May 22nd, 2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starfox07

Only thing, is that the lens will probably be smaller than the 18-135mm (which is 67mm at the end) so I guess I would have to get two sets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowness

Quick note, you can get adapters, but I would only recommend using a larger filter on a smaller lens and not the other way round images/smilies/smile.gif

Yeah, I got a step-up-ring for my 50mm lense so my 67mm filters fit, I bought it at B&H actually images/smilies/wink.gif

Cold Fussion · May 24th, 2008, 04:09 AM

definatly get the the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 or the f1/4. They're cheep and fast. Plus the fixed focal length will teach you how to frame a shot.

starfox07 · May 24th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Fussion

definatly get the the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 or the f1/4. They're cheep and fast. Plus the fixed focal length will teach you how to frame a shot.

I already have a 50mm nikkor f/2.8. What does the f*/* designation mean? In my original post, I meant 50mm not 55.

BerserkerCatSplat · May 24th, 2008, 05:52 AM

f-stop more or less indicates the maximum amount of light a lens can let in. An f/1.4 lens can let in 4 times as much light as an f/2.8 lens.

francis · May 24th, 2008, 08:57 PM

Sigma 10-20 is the best one to take nice photos in your style images/smilies/wink.gif

May 22nd, 2008, 06:02 PM	#1
starfox07 Joined: Oct 7th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Ennis, Tx, USA Age: 19 Posts: 1,216 Car: 1984 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE Rep Power: 17	Lenses I'm looking to buy a new lens for my D80, and I want a wide angle, because I like the shots they take. However, I know next to nothing about lenses themselves, so I really have no idea what to look for. I'm not talking about brand names, but just the technical specifications of the lenses. I have a 55mm lens and an 18-135mm lens, but I really do not know what those numbers mean. (I assume its the focal length or something like that) Is there a website anywhere that explains all this in depth? I'm a technical oriented person, so I would like it to be explained as thoroughly as possible. Also, what is a good wide-angle for Nikon's that can be bought new for less than $300? I know they are out there! __________________ '84 RX7 GSL-SE '94 Integra LS '87 Merkur XR4Ti '94 Civic Coupe (SIR swap) (sold) '91 Mustang Coupe 5.0 (gone ) '89 Merkur XR4Ti

May 22nd, 2008, 06:29 PM	#2
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: 04:08 PM Location: Midlands, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,053 Car: Renault Clio Rep Power: 22	Your 18-135mm is a good 'everyday' lens, and should cover a lot of shooting situations. The numbers, as you said, are the focal length. As you probably know, the larger the number, the greater the focal length ('zoom'). A good lens for you might be the Sigma 10-20mm. Thats VERY wideangle, and is the widest you're gonna get without getting into fisheye lenses. That sigma is considerably cheaper than the Nikon 12-24mm, and I should imagine you might find some goodish prices in second hand ones I don't know of any website personally, but Im sure this is another case that can be solved by inspector Google! What exactly do you want the lens for? I might be able to help a little more __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

May 22nd, 2008, 07:38 PM	#3
starfox07 Joined: Oct 7th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Ennis, Tx, USA Age: 19 Posts: 1,216 Car: 1984 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE Rep Power: 17	I just want to be able to take more interesting shots, as well as some nice lanscapes. I do use the 18-135 quite often (actually I never use the 55mm) but I want something that can go a little wider. I have one more question. If I take my 18-135mm lens all the way into 18mm, would it take the exact same picture as a 10-20mm set at 18mm as well? Is the actual shape of the lens different? Thanks for the info though! I was looking at the Sigma's, they seem to have a good price. EDIT: For instance, I think these pictures would have been much more interesting with a wide angle. __________________ '84 RX7 GSL-SE '94 Integra LS '87 Merkur XR4Ti '94 Civic Coupe (SIR swap) (sold) '91 Mustang Coupe 5.0 (gone ) '89 Merkur XR4Ti Last edited by starfox07; May 22nd, 2008 at 07:45 PM.

May 22nd, 2008, 07:43 PM	#4
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: 04:08 PM Location: Midlands, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,053 Car: Renault Clio Rep Power: 22	Theoretically the pictures should be exactly the same at 18mm on each lens. There might be some VERY minor differences such as colour aberrations etc, but you probably wont notice it unless you carefully study the pics at 100% resolution! __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

May 22nd, 2008, 08:23 PM	#7
starfox07 Joined: Oct 7th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Ennis, Tx, USA Age: 19 Posts: 1,216 Car: 1984 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE Rep Power: 17	What types of shots should be reserved for wide-angle lenses as opposed to zoom lenses? Are they good at doing DOF shots? I can never get really good DOF shots with my 18-135mm no matter how low I set the fstop. __________________ '84 RX7 GSL-SE '94 Integra LS '87 Merkur XR4Ti '94 Civic Coupe (SIR swap) (sold) '91 Mustang Coupe 5.0 (gone ) '89 Merkur XR4Ti

May 22nd, 2008, 08:30 PM	#8
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: 04:08 PM Location: Midlands, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,053 Car: Renault Clio Rep Power: 22	No DOF is exaggerated at longer focal lengths. You'll struggle to get significant DOF at wideangle focal-lengths. I personally use my Nikon 12-24mm for automotive shots, mainly rig shots. It works pretty well for urban photography too! You should get a lot of DOF at 135mm at the lowest f/stop, the trouble is if you want to do shots of cars you'll have to be quite far away to fit it in frame! __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

May 22nd, 2008, 08:46 PM	#10
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: 04:08 PM Location: Midlands, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,053 Car: Renault Clio Rep Power: 22	Quick note, you can get adapters, but I would only recommend using a larger filter on a smaller lens and not the other way round __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

May 22nd, 2008, 09:36 PM	#11
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 01:26 AM Location: Listening to stories from the Brân Lwyd. Age: 32 Posts: 4,835 Car: MY07 G11 WRX-TR WRB. Rep Power: 79	For something creative to use on your existing lens, there is Lensbabies. http://www.lensbabies.com/ __________________ It is nice to have friends like you on this forum. In the wee hours I'll meet you, down by Dun Ringill. Wife is re-employed....maybe I will show up unexpectantly at the next Nürburgring meet...

May 24th, 2008, 04:09 AM	#13
Cold Fussion Joined: Dec 18th, 2007 Last Online: 01:12 PM Posts: 208 Rep Power: 4	definatly get the the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 or the f1/4. They're cheep and fast. Plus the fixed focal length will teach you how to frame a shot.

May 24th, 2008, 05:52 AM	#15
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:35 PM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,570 Car: Pimpmobile Rep Power: 64	f-stop more or less indicates the maximum amount of light a lens can let in. An f/1.4 lens can let in 4 times as much light as an f/2.8 lens. __________________ OSPhoto

May 24th, 2008, 08:57 PM	#16
francis Joined: Mar 11th, 2007 Last Online: 04:05 PM Location: VDC, Portugal Age: 26 Posts: 530 Car: 98´Impreza GT Rep Power: 14	Sigma 10-20 is the best one to take nice photos in your style __________________ »»My Flickr Album«« Greetings from Portugal...

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