What kind of lens do I need? Looking for zoom lens with more depth of field

[musiclover]

Hello. I am new to digital SLR photography. I recently bought a used Nikon D50 and am loving it! I'm still getting used to the lens, but I noticed my lens has a very narrow depth of field. I have a 50mm Nikon AF Nikkor 1:1.8 lens. If I adjust the aperture I can get a little bit more depth of field but not too much. I love the effect this lens gives, but I am interested in photographing my family in groups and I think a zoom lens with a greater depth of field would be great. Can anybody recommend what I should get? I honestly do not know much about lenses, so any information would help, be it very basic or not.

Thanks!

[Frog]

Welcome to the forums.
You'll get more depth of field by decreasing your aperture.
The 50 goes up to f/22 which is probably more d.o.f. than you'll ever want.

As far as zoom lenses go the 18-200 vr is very popular with its great range and the vr allowing you to get shots without a tripod in many cases. Also the 18-105vr gets good reviews.

[Franglais]

Laws of optics state that the shorter the focal length, the wider the field of view and the greater the depth of field.

The 50mm is a telephoto lens on the D50 (equivalent to a 75mm in film terms). You probably find you have to step back a fair way to get a whole group of people in. 24mm would be a better focal length for groups (equivalent to a 35mm). Or even 18mm (27mm equivalent) if you don't have much space.

So just about any transstandard zoom lens would do:

- 18-55 = bought one used last year for $70 to put on my D60. Very pleased but I tested it before buying
- 18-70 = best lens I ever had but I gave it to my sister
- 18-105
- 18-135
- 18-200 - my favourite for use in the studio because I don't have to do lens changes
- 16-85 - my favourite for the D300