[DavidM310]

35mm 1.8 is my choice. Doesnt break the bank either.

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by Inspired

35mm 1.8 if you are on a budget. 24-70 f2.8 if you aren't. The 24-70 is one of the best and sharpest lens Nikon makes.

This is a stupid question but if my lens that comes with the camera is 18-55 wouldn't that cover the 35mm then? Why would I get the 35mm 1.8 lens ?

[imserious]

Originally Posted by Padfan9

This is a stupid question but if my lens that comes with the camera is 18-55 wouldn't that cover the 35mm then? Why would I get the 35mm 1.8 lens ?

35 1.8 fixed lens allows you to shoot at a wider aperture to get more of a focus v. blur contrast. Your zooms won't allow you to do that at the same focal length. If you are shooting in auto all the time or F8 all the time, then yes it doesn't matter because you are not really taking advantage of the the prime lens capability.

Like actual human models I think normal to long lenses make the car look better. However, there is a time and place for every focal length depending on what kind of shot you want to create.

[Aatish]

Another vote for the 35mm. Really versatile focal length.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Padfan9

This is a stupid question but if my lens that comes with the camera is 18-55 wouldn't that cover the 35mm then? Why would I get the 35mm 1.8 lens ?

It's not a stupid question. The ONLY reason to get a 35mm prime is that you really, really like that focal length and you really, really love shallow depth of field shots for cars. In general, I don't think that shallow DOF works that well for most car shots.

Your zoom will very nicely cover that wide-angle range. I prefer a 70-200mm range for cars and portraits of people.

Dave

[Mr Tonka]

I'm with Dave. The 70-200 lens is FAR more versatile than people give it credit for.

If you like this style of auto photo, get a wide angle lens. As Dave said, you're 18-35 will have no problem creating this effect.





If you like your auto photos to look like regular auto proportions, get a lens with a longer focal length. This was taken at 125mm with a 70-200 zoom lens.




If you want a prime lens and intend to take photos of cars, i'd get 100mm lens. Because you need to be a fair distance away from the car when shooting at 100mm or more, a fair compromise is the 60-70mm focal range. This is at 65mm taken with a 24-70 zoom lens.



But if you look close, you'll see that not all of the vehicle is in focus. That's because shooting in dawn or dusk lighting will require a low F value. (unless your camera has good high ISO performance or you're using a tripod) Couple that with a shorter focal length and you'll end up with a shallow depth of field causing some of the subject to be OOF. If i were you, i'd shoot at the long end of that 18-55 until you find a legitimate need for a new lens.

To round out Dave's answer about why you would you get the 35 1.8.... as others have said, you may want it because it's a fast lens, which means you can get good performance in low light. But when using that super low F value in low light, it comes at the expense of DOF. In my opinion, your money would be better spent on a sturdy tripod than a fast prime lens that's within the focal range of your existing lens. I also think that short focal length primes make for great artistic photos by using that shallow DOF. I also argue that most people prefer more DOF when shooting cars.

[dcstep]

Nice added clarity, Mr. Tonka. I was at work and wrote my post fast.

[dj_dub]

I love using a 70-200mm for car pics...probably the most used lens in my bag for this type (canon shooter though, I use the f2.8L non-IS version). Here's a recent shot I did of my car with that lens...

IMG_8936aWP by dj_dub, on Flickr

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I'm with Dave. The 70-200 lens is FAR more versatile than people give it credit for.

If you like this style of auto photo, get a wide angle lens. As Dave said, you're 18-35 will have no problem creating this effect.





If you like your auto photos to look like regular auto proportions, get a lens with a longer focal length. This was taken at 125mm with a 70-200 zoom lens.




If you want a prime lens and intend to take photos of cars, i'd get 100mm lens. Because you need to be a fair distance away from the car when shooting at 100mm or more, a fair compromise is the 60-70mm focal range. This is at 65mm taken with a 24-70 zoom lens.



But if you look close, you'll see that not all of the vehicle is in focus. That's because shooting in dawn or dusk lighting will require a low F value. (unless your camera has good high ISO performance or you're using a tripod) Couple that with a shorter focal length and you'll end up with a shallow depth of field causing some of the subject to be OOF. If i were you, i'd shoot at the long end of that 18-55 until you find a legitimate need for a new lens.

To round out Dave's answer about why you would you get the 35 1.8.... as others have said, you may want it because it's a fast lens, which means you can get good performance in low light. But when using that super low F value in low light, it comes at the expense of DOF. In my opinion, your money would be better spent on a sturdy tripod than a fast prime lens that's within the focal range of your existing lens. I also think that short focal length primes make for great artistic photos by using that shallow DOF. I also argue that most people prefer more DOF when shooting cars.

Those are awesome shots. So if I got the 55-200, wouldn't that cover the range a 70-200 covers? But more? I noticed it's a lot less expensive.

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I'm with Dave. The 70-200 lens is FAR more versatile than people give it credit for.

If you like this style of auto photo, get a wide angle lens. As Dave said, you're 18-35 will have no problem creating this effect.





If you like your auto photos to look like regular auto proportions, get a lens with a longer focal length. This was taken at 125mm with a 70-200 zoom lens.




If you want a prime lens and intend to take photos of cars, i'd get 100mm lens. Because you need to be a fair distance away from the car when shooting at 100mm or more, a fair compromise is the 60-70mm focal range. This is at 65mm taken with a 24-70 zoom lens.



But if you look close, you'll see that not all of the vehicle is in focus. That's because shooting in dawn or dusk lighting will require a low F value. (unless your camera has good high ISO performance or you're using a tripod) Couple that with a shorter focal length and you'll end up with a shallow depth of field causing some of the subject to be OOF. If i were you, i'd shoot at the long end of that 18-55 until you find a legitimate need for a new lens.

To round out Dave's answer about why you would you get the 35 1.8.... as others have said, you may want it because it's a fast lens, which means you can get good performance in low light. But when using that super low F value in low light, it comes at the expense of DOF. In my opinion, your money would be better spent on a sturdy tripod than a fast prime lens that's within the focal range of your existing lens. I also think that short focal length primes make for great artistic photos by using that shallow DOF. I also argue that most people prefer more DOF when shooting cars.

The 24-70 Nikon is out of my price range for a lens right now. It's more then my camera but I've heard it's the best for car shots.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Padfan9

Those are awesome shots. So if I got the 55-200, wouldn't that cover the range a 70-200 covers? But more? I noticed it's a lot less expensive.

Originally Posted by Padfan9

The 24-70 Nikon is out of my price range for a lens right now. It's more then my camera but I've heard it's the best for car shots.

If i were you i'd keep your kit lens and pick up a good quality, sturdy tripod. Shoot cars at the long end of your kit lens and utilize the tripod when the light gets too low to shoot hand held at ISO 100.

I'm not familiar with Nikon bodies and lenses. But i hear they have exceptional higher ISO performance. So you can probably shoot late into the sunset even at F8 when bumping up the ISO. If you can't, the tripod will take care of you.

With regards to the 55-200, i'm not sure of it's image quality. The canon 70-200 i have experience with is exceptional. I believe Nikon's is as well.

[Inspired]

I rented the 70-200 and it was super sharp. 24-70 and 70-200 are definitely my 2 favorite lens. Wish I can afford them both.

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by imserious

35 1.8 fixed lens allows you to shoot at a wider aperture to get more of a focus v. blur contrast. Your zooms won't allow you to do that at the same focal length. If you are shooting in auto all the time or F8 all the time, then yes it doesn't matter because you are not really taking advantage of the the prime lens capability.

Like actual human models I think normal to long lenses make the car look better. However, there is a time and place for every focal length depending on what kind of shot you want to create.

Awesome thank you!

[qspring]

Originally Posted by Kortho

Increase your F stop to widen the focal plane and bring objects of varying distances into focus.

Looks like your focus point is causing one side to be sharper. If you want more depth of field, increase your f-stop. Each lens has sweet spot for image sharpness. Books will tell you somewhere between f11-F16. The fun part of learning photography is getting to know your lenses.

Low f stop number will give you shallow depth of field and more of the picture out of focus giving the bokeh effect.

[Mr Tonka]

For the new guys asking questions. You should check out the glossary of terms at DPReview.com. Learn the terms and what they mean. That way, when other people give you advice, you'll know what they are talking about.

Helped me out immensely when starting out and i still refer back to it when my brain gets fuzzy

[dcstep]

In one of the threads, someone suggested taking a "photography course." You can do that at independent courses or community colleges. Here's an online course that's been helpful to a few that I know:

http://digital-photography-school.com/

A key is to actually do the work. There are weekly assignments. Over a year or so, you will have addressed most important issues, in-depth, if you keep at it.

Also, join an online group where you see lots of pix like you'd like to take. If the do the critiques, start submitting your pix and reacting to what they say.

Dave

[Kzang]

cmplaya Kortho qspring I've done a few tests on my kit lens and the softness on the left side only got worse. I took the lens and camera into Canon's factory repair center and they have determined that the AF was damaged and the lens needed adjusting because it was decentered? They were able to repair the lens with new parts.

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by Kzang

cmplaya Kortho qspring I've done a few tests on my kit lens and the softness on the left side only got worse. I took the lens and camera into Canon's factory repair center and they have determined that the AF was damaged and the lens needed adjusting because it was decentered? They were able to repair the lens with new parts.

was it under warranty? did you get it back yet?

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

was it under warranty? did you get it back yet?

Yep, under warranty. I took it in first back in October and they realigned the lens.. I was still not satisfied even though Canon claimed that they aligned the lens to factory spec. I sent the lens and camera in again on Nov. 10 and just got it back yesterday. I have not had to test any images yet.

[geneatals]

35 or 50 for stills works great

[qspring]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Yep, under warranty. I took it in first back in October and they realigned the lens.. I was still not satisfied even though Canon claimed that they aligned the lens to factory spec. I sent the lens and camera in again on Nov. 10 and just got it back yesterday. I have not had to test any images yet.

Have you tried other lens on your body? If so, is IQ good with out the same problems?

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by qspring

Have you tried other lens on your body? If so, is IQ good with out the same problems?

I have not been able to try another lens since I only have the kit lens.
I just ordered a 50mm lens and it will arrive on Monday.