[dre@ms]

Originally Posted by Bluu

Lenses that do well in low light are generally wider and they invariably cost more. Eg, the 50mm 1.8 is under 10K but the 1.4 is 30K+. Nikon's awesome 24-70 F2.8 and 70-200 F4 are fantastic lenses for low light but cost an arm and leg each. 1L and 1.7L each.

Originally Posted by ampere

To add, please note, a faster lens is actually not for low light performance.

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Don't disagree with either of these posts, just adding one more perspective.

Thanks for all the elaborate, crisp suggestions.

Which of these are good,

Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55 - 200 mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18 - 105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Nikon AF-S DX VR Lens and Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by ampere

Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55 - 200 mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18 - 105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Given that you only have a prime, I would suggest 18 - 105 out of these two (to get some coverage on wide angle).

I would suggest that you get these two lenses on rent for a day and see if they work for you:

Tamron 18 - 200 (Cost 14 K)
Tamron 18 - 270 (Cost 24 K)
Nikkor 18 - 105 (Cost 19K)

Should not cost more than 700 - 1000 for a day, but if Tamron 18 - 200 work for you; you can save 5 - 6K..

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

50mm prime @ f/1.8 will give a DOF of 25 cm if subject is 3 meters away from sensor
E.g.: 25 cm should be fine for portraits.

I tried quite many times with the 50mm with 1.8 even in well lit conditions (with the working length accounted). I was never satisfied with the DOF. The margin for error is very low. Most cases, I ended up getting soft portraits.

So I stuck to increased Fstops (F4) (with or without flash). Quite happy with the results.

[Aroy]

1. Advantages of D3300.
- 24MP sensor with no AA filter. That translates to sharper images, with plenty of space to crop. I regularly shoot butterflies with 50mm lense. The butterflies rarely cover 1/3 of the DX sensor. But 1/3 sensor is 2000 pixels, big enough for a decent print.
- Low cost. As pointed out in links in my previous posts, you can get one with the kit 18-55 for around 32,500/.
- Low weight. It is one of lightest DSLR, so less fatigue while shooting for extended period.
- Excellent battery life.
- The kit lense is one of the best low end zooms ever produced by Nikon. I have yet to see a better one in less than five times the cost.

2. Low Light Lenses.
- A larger aperture lense will enable the camera shoot at a faster exposure or lower ISO or both. Hence for scenes where the light is low, as in dusk, it is a definite advantage.
- Larger aperture results in shallower DOF, so subject isolation is better.
- For night scenes with point light sources (stars, bulbs, neon signs) the lense has to have "Comma" well corrected. Lenses designed for low light, will have comma well under control (or totally eliminated). The Leica and Nikon Noct series are such lenses. They have large aperture - F1.2 to F0.9, which helps in low light but the operative word is "comma". Normal fast lenses may not have "comma" under control, and may exhibit ugly distortion of light sources. The Nikon 50mm F1.2 AIS lense is one such lense which is a high speed but normal light lense. In contrast the Nikon 58mm F1.4 Noct is a low light lense, but an ordinary good light lense.

[M35]

• Shot with my new Sigma 10-20 mm f/4-5.6. Now I find No AF/MF switch on the lens meant for Nikon. Will have to go to Menu for disengage AF to enable MF with this lens. The build quality is top notch and AF is quick and smooth. Will have to spend some quality time with it, this weekend to know more.

• Also got a Battery Grip for the body. Excellent quality, Perfect fit and felt better built than the D3100 itself, surprisingly.
  The Camera feels better in hand now. The Grip can accommodate two EN-EL14 Lithium batteries and AA2700mAh batteries in two separate compartments [to be used separately] it came with. With an IR remote for shutter release, long exposure night shots should be more fun.

[dre@ms]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Given that you only have a prime, I would suggest 18 - 105 out of these two (to get some coverage on wide angle).

I would suggest that you get these two lenses on rent for a day and see if they work for you:

Tamron 18 - 200 (Cost 14 K)
Tamron 18 - 270 (Cost 24 K)
Nikkor 18 - 105 (Cost 19K)

Should not cost more than 700 - 1000 for a day, but if Tamron 18 - 200 work for you; you can save 5 - 6K..

Sure will try them. Nikkor 18-105 is not available in flipkart. Will source from Amazon. If bought from them, will my warranty be valid?

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by dre@ms

Nikkor 18-105 is not available in flipkart. Will source from Amazon. If bought from them, will my warranty be valid?

That depends on the seller in Amazon / Flipkart.

Some sellers sell Gray Market imports that will not have Nikon India warranty.

[dre@ms]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Some sellers sell Gray Market imports that will not have Nikon India warranty.

How to identify? This the first time spending huge amount online.

[Bluu]

Originally Posted by dre@ms

Sure will try them. Nikkor 18-105 is not available in flipkart. Will source from Amazon. If bought from them, will my warranty be valid?

http://www.flipkart.com/nikon-af-s-d...mcx3sgwzyqa2gt

Nikon doesn't recognise Flipkart as an authorised dealer. You need to choose between cost benefit and manufacturer seal of approval.

[dkaile]

Received my 50mm Nikkor F1.8. Shopt by my 40mm Nikkor F2.8 Micro (Macro) Lens -

[Bluu]

Did you mean 35mm? The photos show a 35mm prime.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Bluu

Did you mean 35mm? The photos show a 35mm prime.

Oops. I meant 35mm prime only. Typo.

[dre@ms]

Originally Posted by Bluu

http://www.flipkart.com/nikon-af-s-d...mcx3sgwzyqa2gt

Nikon doesn't recognise Flipkart as an authorised dealer. You need to choose between cost benefit and manufacturer seal of approval.

How about Amazon if not Flipkart.

[lovecars21]

I have a Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm lens. I am planning to go on a vacation to the mountains and would need a zoom lens. Which lens should i go for? My budget is within 20k.


Sent from my iPhone using Team-BHP

[Bluu]

I don't think any e-retailers are recognised. Only Nikon can answer that question.

Lovecars21 - my recommendation would be the 55-200.