DSLR lens queries

Hi all,

I have a Nikon D3000, and Nikkor 18-105 mm and 70-300 mm lenses. I generally go to the mountains, and do some portraits as well. I may wish to click a bird or two, but only if they choose to appear and stay still long enough

I request suggestions on two counts, please.

1. Given that prime lenses are meant to ensure better clarity, I would like to add just one wide angle prime lens to this lot, and not a very expensive one. So which one?

2. I could do with a circular polarizer filter (CPL). What brand should I buy, and for which one of my lenses (18-105/70-300/wide angle prime that you suggest)? Is it true that wide angle lenses have a problem with the CPL?

Regards.

1. The only wide angle prime lens in Nikkor line-up that will give you wider angle of view compared to your existing lenses is the 14mm f/2.8. But that is too expensive a lens (at least for me). In fact wide-angle lenses are invariably expensive as a whole and the primes are no exceptions. In that case you can have a look at any of these options:

1. Nikkor 10-24 mm
2. Nikkor 12-24 mm
3. Tokina 12-24 mm
4. Tokina 11-16 mm

2. I don't have much idea regarding CPL. So others can provide more useful feedback in this context.

You should buy the polariser for the lens which you use for landscape photography. Unless you are using an ultrawide and with the sun included in the frame there is no need to worry about using polarisers.
Hoya maakes some of the best polarisers that are easily available in India. They have three types of polarisers. HD is the best and also the most expensive. Next is Pro 1. The cheapest is HMC. The cheapest is also fairly decent and certainly not bad.
I have no opinion to offer on your lens query as I know only about Canon but I would buy a 24 mm. Invest in good quality lenses - and they don't come cheap. They will remain with you for much longer than the camera.

I would say opt for 18~200 Nikon lens , its more like jack of all trades and should be giving you the comfort you seek.

BTW : i have a D3000 + 18~55 + f1.8 50 mm

Couple points:

a) The lenses suggested above are all ultrawide zooms and not primes with the exception of the 14 mm prime and that is expensive. If you need a reasonably priced prime for a DX camera (nikon), a Nikkor AF 20 mm f/2.8 D will suffice and while it wont be wider, it will have better light gathering abilities.

b) A polarizer on the ultrawide (such as the 12-24) will result in exacerbated vignetting. If you must buy one - Hoya is best followed by Kenko.

So, I think you need to be clear on what you value more - the angle of view (catered by the ultrawide) or the light gathering ability (fulfilled by a prime)? If latter, there are better options such as the 35 f/1.8 and 35 f/1.4 . If former, what biman suggests above holds good esp the 12-24 mm nikon is widely regarded as the best.

Thank you Biman, Calcuttan and Vaibhav, for your suggestions. If I wish to buy a prime, would Nikkor AF 20 mm f/2.8 D or 35 mm f 1.8 or 1.4 be better? Another question, would an FX lens be compatible with my D3000?

Also, would AF Nikkor mean manual focusing only?

FX lens would not autofocus but some of them do work. AF-S will autofocus on DX cameras. between the two the AF 20 mm is your best bet as due to your camera, the effective focal length is 1.5 times OR ~35 mm.

This helps. Thanks a ton, Vaibhav

Hey
Go to a bigger shop where they may help you change the kit lens and get 50mm 1.8 or 18-105 and a 70-300. Its always good to have a wide lens. My advice go for 18-105 now, it will give you wide and a tele range then you can for which ever lens you want, that totally depends what you want to capture. If its people that interests you go for 35mm or 50mm (1.8)

Hi ..I have canon 1100 d , i was looking for second hand 70-300 mm telephoto lens ( Canon/ Sigma or tamron) ...is there any online place like JJMEHTA which is reliable to buy second hand lens.

JJMehta the shop does not deal in used equipment. They have an online forum where people can post their "want to buy" or "want to sell" advertisements for free and get into a one to one deal with others. The shop is not involved in those sales.
The forum is very good. I have bought things through that forum. And I know friends who have sold their equipment through the forum. But your experience will depend entirely on who you are dealing with.
My advice is - deal only with someone from your city after personally checking the lens.

Hi, all. Finally i am going to buy Canon EF 70-300mm F3.5-4.5 L.

Is there any 70-300mm lens from Canon (or from any other popular lens manufacturers) with f-number 3.5-4.5? Or is it 70-300mm f/4-5.6, that you want to buy?

Canon does not make a 70-300mm F3.5-4.5 L. I think he means 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS