Nifty Fifty Shoots at Super Crispy
Several months ago, funded by some public sector work, I finally had a chance to purchase a Nikon D90 with a NIKKOR 18-105 VR lens. Leading up to that I’d spent an interesting 18 months exploring photography through a much more limited Canon Powershot A640, something I think helped me immensely when it comes to perspective and framing a shot. Also, the beauty of digital is the cheapness of production to the point where experimentation can be all absorbing. I have to also confess, I’m now more interested in photography and design than in coding templates that rock.
Shortly after picking up the D90 I subscribed to the new Tack Sharp podcast (at this point five episodes) where amateur photographer Dan Benjamin and professional photographer – ex computer programmer – James Duncan Davidson discuss Nikon vs Canon, Primes vs Zooms, White Balance, the differences between crop frame and full frame cameras in Crop Factor, and Bokeh. Particularly in the episodes linked to in the preceding sentences I learned a lot about different cameras and lenses that would have been nice to hear in the camera shop at point of sale. Like the value of a relatively cheap 50mm 1.8 lens for getting crisp images in low light… something kind of relevant to most family photographs, right?
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy my 18-105 and there’s a soft quality to the images being pulled through that lens that I do really like. But what about when I eventually move in several years up to a full frame D700 or D3 (if money allows)? Given the information I’d be reticent to purchase a lens which ties me into the DX form factor. Similarly, at point of purchase it would be nice to hear about the NIKKOR 50mm 1.8 prime lens – particularly cheap and extremely crisp and oh so juicy. Had I not listened to Tack Sharp I’d never have known. In fact, picking up a HOYA skylight filter for the 50mm yesterday, a sales attendant said they don’t deal with prime lenses much anymore. No call for them. Which was also kind of funny because they’ve sold out of nifty fifties twice in as many weeks – duh!
So, if you’re buying into a new DSLR listen to those Tack Sharp shows first. Economics would have restricted me to the D90 anyway but you might be better off financially. I’d probably have chosen not to buy the kit lens at that time, rather pick up the body and a nifty fifty – even a nifty fifty macro. Or both. The 50mm 1.8 is a particular sweet spot because when you step to the 50mm 1.4, for example, the price more than doubles for a minimal improvement. Similarly if you stick with the 1.8 but get a higher mm the price goes up at about the same rate again. For AUD$229 the nifty fifty would be my first choice of lens. The compromise of zoom lenses is a loss of sharpness, unless you go really high end. Nifty fifties zoom – with your feet. That foot zooming draws you into the immediacy of taking the shot and is a great way of learning about the process of photography.
What’s the lesson for today? Maybe your first step into a decent camera should be a good body and a prime 50mm 1.8 lens. It’s relatively inexpensive and far superior to a kit lens for low light crisp shots, especially portrait shots. Then go looking for a decent zoom, wide or macro lens down the track.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Super crisp pic.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:18 am
ha ha super crispy, Sue.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Very nice Steven. I’m enjoying mine as well(and the price of it too).
January 15th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Especially the price, Jin.
I’ve had less time than usual this week to get out and play with it though, only five weeks until uni goes back so all the summer jobs I’ve put off are having to be done. Oiling the new picket fence, a new website for Lindy, I also need a new website for some business ventures and want to do some self-publishing over the next few months, text books to read in advance and other reading. And we’ve got visitors from Ireland here at the moment…
I’m itching to get out and try more street photography. Scarey but rewarding when it comes off well.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
same here. I finally got outside today, to the National Mall area in Washington DC over lunch break. I’m preparing myself for the biggest photo op ever. The U.S. Presidential Inauguration next Tuesday. Estimated 3-4 million people will be there, talk about a crowd shot!
I plan to take 18-105 and 50mm with me. The kit lens is the widest lens I got now. 50mm will be great for some close up candid shots.
I hope I’ll make it home alive… in one piece.
January 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Sounds great. But 3-4 million is hard for me to get my head around. In Tasmania, the smallest of Australia’s six states (ignoring territories for now) we’ve just crossed the 500,000 population mark last month. I live in the capital which would be significantly smaller than that number lol…
Make sure you don’t get shot for pointing cameras around, or tasered. Somehow terrorism and photography got linked and I’m always cautious where I point it. I’d be tempted to follow around a national security agent and do a photoessay on guns and cool black sunglasses.
Finally Bush is going… but I see he gave our ex prime minister Howard some award earlier in the week. And one for Blair too.