Advice on a third lens for the D60?

[jordanjez193]

Hello I purchased my first DSLR a nikon d60 oh about 2 months ago,bought with it the 18-55mm VR and the 55-200. But would love a third lens something cheap no more than $350.

Here is my work http://www.flickr.com/photos/26936532@N06/

Also i do really enjoy Sports photography.

[Old Timer]

Spend less and go with a nifty 50. The Nikon 50mm f1.8 would give you that fast lens that you now lack at a budget price.

[jordanjez193]

I read that it is an excellent lens but what exactly is it good for shooting just everyday subjects? (i also read that it can be used for sporting events such as a basketball game b/c of its low aperture allowing faster shutter speeds)
Sorry if that does not make sense Im kinda new to photography.

[Frog]

Its a fast lens but it isn't going to auto-focus on your D60.
Check the 50mm f/1.8 lens war thread and the window light thread in the viewfinder forum and you'll see what it can do.
For a hundred or more you could get the new Nikon 50mm f/1.4 afs g that will focus on your camera. There's nothing wrong with the D version but it lacks a focus motor and since the D60 doesn't have its own focus motor you would have to manually focus. Not a bad t hing to learn to do but can be a hassle sometimes.
You seem to have a wide variety of shots so its hard to say what you should be looking for.
What do you want to do that your present lenses aren't capable of?

[jordanjez193]

Hmm ok, well im not quite sure, Sharper images and different perspectives and angles....... So you think i should get the F/1.4. I think if I got it i would use it as a portrait lens and to shoot people and landscapes more than anything, I will hopefully doing a intern job this summer with a professional photographer and be doing a lot of weddings.

[Old Timer]

Sorry I keep forgetting that some of the consumer Nikons lack the focus motors. The 50mm prime is a good portrait lens on with the APS sensor cameras. To me the real advantage is it's ability to give you great available light photos in lower light conditions. Check out the 50mm thread in Viewfinder to see what it can do.

[Frog]

If you're going to be doing weddings, spring the extra bucks for the new 50 f/1.4 afs G.
You won't want to fiddle with manual focus and it would make a good if not great portrait lens with available light.

[Franglais]

Nikon just announced the 35mm f1.8 DX AF-S, which should be available mid-March for about $220.

This is the "normal cheap prime" for APS-C i.e. it gives you a view similar to the human eye, neither wide-angle nor telephoto. It's very versatile, a true walk-around lens. It's the equivalent of the 50mm on film or full-frame DSLR adapted for the smaller sensor. It will of course autofocus on your D60.

In my opinion:

- the 50mm f1.4 is the "standard" prime lens for FX cameras like the D700, D3
- the 35mm f1.8 DX is the "standard" prime lens forAPS-C cameras like the D60, D90, D300

I ordered mine yesterday.

[jordanjez193]

Nice, thanks a lot franglais! so the 50mm 1.8 af-s is what i will get.\
Thanks everyone.!

[Franglais]

Nice, thanks a lot franglais! so the 50mm 1.8 af-s is what i will get.\
Thanks everyone.!

The 35mm f1.8 DX AF-S!!

I don't know if there will ever be a 50mm f1.8 AF-S. Apparently Nikon are going to release another DX prime this year. If they made it a 58mm f1.8 then that would be the equivalent of an 85mm in 24x36 terms which would be fine by me.

[jordanjez193]

Hmm that changes everything now OH LORD!

What would be another great all around lens AF-S- that is?
good for shooting people and sporting events?

[Frog]

Get the f/1.4 afs