What is your lens choice for a beginner and what is the one lens you cannot do without....focal length(s)/aperture?

[Buck987]

I understand lenses and their selection depend on the type of photography you shoot.

However what would you suggest be the first "good glass" lens a new photographer should invest in? ( I have a 14-140mm F/3.5-5.6 and a 35MMF/1.8 lens and a kit lens that is 17-55mm. F/3.5-5.5)

And....

Is there one lens you cannot do without on your camera?

 

[Clix Pix]

I can answer the second question more quickly than the first one. I love to do macro and closeups and so for me, a macro lens is an absolute necessity. If someone doesn't shoot a lot of macro or closeups, though, then it wouldn't be as critical a purchase, as there are other lenses which do fine with shooting closeups, too.

For a general all-around, all purpose lens, one beyond the "kit lens" category, something like the 24-105 length is favored, and I think most manufacturers offer that.

 

[mollyc]

Do you have an idea as to what you would like to shoot to start? The 50mm 1.8 is often recommended as a starter lens. It's not my personal favorite and I'd prefer a 35mm 1.8 but the focal length preference varies person to person.

The advantages to starting with one of those lenses are that they are both relatively inexpensive, they teach you to zoom with your feet and really focus on composition, and they are fast lenses, allowing you to shoot in low light. If you start with one of those, you'll start to realize that it can't capture everything, and you'll start to want something wider or closer for the things you just can't get.

I'm not sure I could narrow down to just one "must have" lens. I use my 24-70 a lot when we travel or for my kids activities and it would be hard to give up, but at present my most used lens is a Lensbaby Velvet 56, which is a very specialized lens.

 

[Buck987]

I can answer the second question more quickly than the first one. I love to do macro and closeups and so for me, a macro lens is an absolute necessity. If someone doesn't shoot a lot of macro or closeups, though, then it wouldn't be as critical a purchase, as there are other lenses which do fine with shooting closeups, too.

For a general all-around, all purpose lens, one beyond the "kit lens" category, something like the 24-105 length is favored, and I think most manufacturers offer that.

Clix,

Thanks for the info.

How is a macro lens defined? What do you look for?

Kits lens are pretty average. Hence my inquiry on first good glass.

best

 

[Clix Pix]

Here is a link to an article which should clarify some things for you regarding macro lenses:

BL Blog | Online Camera Gear Rental, News, Tutorials

The BL Blog provides tips, tutorials, camera gear reviews, and inspirational articles to help you realize your creative vision. Rent cinema and photography gear online and have everything sent to your home or directly on set at borrowlenses.com.

www.borrowlenses.com

What I look for is first of all 1:1, although there are some fine lenses which are 1:2 as well, and of course it is important that the macro lens be native to the camera body upon which it will be mounted. Some people use adapters in certain cases, too.

Another thing I look for is focal length. Right now I have three macro lenses, two of which are native and made by Sony (50mm f/2.8 and 90mm f/2.8) and a third which is manual-focus only and which is made by Voigtlander (110mm F/2.5 APO-Lanthar) and has a native E mount for my Sony body. I also have another lens which actually can be used as a macro as well, a specialty lens that Sony sells, the 100mm STF f/2.8mm. I just have this thing about macro lenses......LOL!

I have other lenses, too, but so far have actually not gotten around to buying that "all-purpose" 24-105mm lens yet! It keeps getting pushed down on the list as some other lens tempts me and/or I find that I have a specific need for it sooner rather than later.

 

[MacNut]

The question is what are you taking pictures of. If you want to do portrait you need an 85mm or higher. For wide angle get a 18mm or 24mm. If you want an all around walking lens a 24mm through 50mm.

 

[mollyc]

The question is what are you taking pictures of. If you want to do portrait you need an 85mm or higher. For wide angle get a 18mm or 24mm. If you want an all around walking lens a 24mm through 50mm.

The problem with that approach though is that a beginner photographer doesn’t always know. That’s why I think a 35 or 50mm prime is a good place to start. It gives room for learning, experimenting, and leaving enough out of the equation to ask, “what am I missing?”

I thought I’d be a portrait photographer but that ended up being not the case.

 

[MacNut]

The problem with that approach though is that a beginner photographer doesn’t always know. That’s why I think a 35 or 50mm prime is a good place to start. It gives room for learning, experimenting, and leaving enough out of the equation to ask, “what am I missing?”

I thought I’d be a portrait photographer but that ended up being not the case.

I always hear about the 3 primes you need are a 24mm 55mm 85mm.

 

[Buck987]

The question is what are you taking pictures of. If you want to do portrait you need an 85mm or higher. For wide angle get a 18mm or 24mm. If you want an all around walking lens a 24mm through 50mm.

Thats some interesting info....thanks. I would have thought for portraits (as I think of portraits...I could be wrong) a 85 would be too long. I guess now thinking about it, you get a nice tight view?

 

[Buck987]

Do you have an idea as to what you would like to shoot to start? The 50mm 1.8 is often recommended as a starter lens. It's not my personal favorite and I'd prefer a 35mm 1.8 but the focal length preference varies person to person.

The advantages to starting with one of those lenses are that they are both relatively inexpensive, they teach you to zoom with your feet and really focus on composition, and they are fast lenses, allowing you to shoot in low light. If you start with one of those, you'll start to realize that it can't capture everything, and you'll start to want something wider or closer for the things you just can't get.

I'm not sure I could narrow down to just one "must have" lens. I use my 24-70 a lot when we travel or for my kids activities and it would be hard to give up, but at present my most used lens is a Lensbaby Velvet 56, which is a very specialized lens.

thanks you the insight....the Lensbaby is what you use for those attractive floral shots...or is that more a technique than the lens.

 

[MacNut]

Thats some interesting info....thanks. I would have thought for portraits (as I think of portraits...I could be wrong) a 85 would be too long. I guess now thinking about it, you get a nice tight view?

You want depth of field for portraits. So 85 or 135 are ideal. You are also not on top of the model like you would be with a wider lens.

 

[mollyc]

Thats some interesting info....thanks. I would have thought for portraits (as I think of portraits...I could be wrong) a 85 would be too long. I guess now thinking about it, you get a nice tight view?

I won’t shoot a portrait at less than 70mm if it’s a headshot. Anything wider and for me it becomes an environmental portrait.

thanks you the insight....the Lensbaby is what you use for those attractive floral shots...or is that more a technique than the lens.

it’s a little of both but I’ve been using the velvet a lot recently. Occasionally I use a real 105 macro lens (which incidentally I also use for headshots).

 

[Hughmac]

Don't forget the OP has an APSC camera, so a 50mm 1.8 for portraits and 35mm 1.8 will do as a standard lens.

I have both of these but I am also lazy so have a superzoom for everything else

Cheers

Hugh

 

[mollyc]

Don't forget the OP has an APSC camera, so a 50mm 1.8 for portraits and 35mm 1.8 will do as a standard lens.

I have both of these but I am also lazy so have a superzoom for everything else

Cheers

Hugh

Oh I actually missed his signature when I was on my phone...I was assuming a completely new photographer with no lenses. That might change my answer a bit, but I'd have to think a bit more.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I don't think there is a specific "firsts" lens one should buy. All depends on what one is going to take photos of most of the time. For example, the lens on a cellphone is an all purpose lens one can use most of the time. If one wants to use a camera that has a FF sensor, then you have to choose lenses that are appropriate for FF cameras, versus lenses for cameras with cropped sensors.

Lest say that you decide to buy a 50mm lens for your FF camera. In this case you may have to walk closer to the subject, or away from the subject if such subject is too large. But should you engage in macro photography, take into consideration that several camera and lens manufacturers offer 35mm to 100mm macro lenses. So you can buy a general use 35-50mm macro lens.

Camera manufacturers offer "kit" zoom lenses. These lenses usually are zooms one can use for most occasions. You will have to decided which first lens to buy taking into consideration the subject you are going to photograph most of the time.
Buying a first lens:

Choosing Your First Camera Lens: Buying Guide for Beginners - 42West

We know how overwhelming it is to find the right lens for you. Here’s a quick camera lens guide for choosing the right first lens to buy.

www.adorama.com

Buying a second lens:

Buying a second lens: what lens should I buy next?

So you just bought your first interchangeable lens camera? Congratulations! Now it's time to add another lens to your arsenal. Read more

www.dpreview.com

This is what works for me:

a. For moose and other large animal in my backyard, I use a 100mm prime for the sharpest photos, or a 70mm-200mm zoom second.

b. For animals the size of a fox in my backyard using a cropped sensor camera, I use a 400mm prime. For the same animal using one of my FF cameras, I use a zoom lens out to 500mm, or just the same 400mm prime with a 1.4x extender, although most times I just crop the photo as needed.

c. For the local sled-dog races, regardless of camera used (FF or cropped sensor), my favorite lenses are (both Canon lenses): 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L. However the new RF 100-500mm lens is quite sharp when mounted to the R5 or R6. In this case I zoom out to 300-340mm.

d. To photograph arctic ground squirrels I use the 200mm or 400mm primes above, mounted on the cropped sensor camera, or the same lenses "adapted" to the FF cameras (or just the RF 100-500mm lens on the FF camera).

e. For wide angle shots of the Northern Lights, I used a Tokina 14-28mm lens with the FF cameras.

 

[deep diver]

My first SLR was a Nikon FG that I got in 1983. I had 50mm and 35mm prime lenses. Having only primes forced me to think about so many aspects of my relationship with the camera and the subject. It took a couple of years before I got a zoom lens (Vivitar 70-???). Now I use a hyperzoom (18-200DX on a DX body and 28-300FX on a DX body). I have to sacrifice large apertures but I get the flexibility that suits my needs at this point. I also have a 63mm art lens. (I also have an 80-400FX that does not get very much use right now.) I think I am a better photographer because of those first couple of years and I often recommend people start out using only primes. Kit lenses are not great quality but they are not necessarily bad. It might be worthwhile to stay with the kits lenses while you figure out what might work best for you.

EDIT: I just looked at your signature and saw what you have. It might be worthwhile to rent some lenses from the local camea shop and try them out. It's a lot less expensive that missing the mark.

 

[mollyc]

So now that I realize you already have a camera and a couple of lenses, I think the question goes back to what do you want to shoot that you can't get with your existing gear? Everyone here is going to give you a different answer as to their favorite lens. But if you know you want to shoot a specific subject/genre that your current lenses can't accomplish, we can steer you in the right direction and also give different options based on your price point.

 

[Buck987]

Yes, I do have a couple of lenses but I would not think any of them are what photographers would call..."good glass" except for maybe the 35 MM which is f/1.8.

I guess I am curious to see what people think is that first expensive (yes..I know that is vague) lens someone would buy when moving away from the kit lenses to more of an enthusiast lens.

EDIT: I just looked at your signature and saw what you have. It might be worthwhile to rent some lenses from the local camea shop and try them out. It's a lot less expensive that missing the mark.

This is good suggestion to discover that lens on my own. thanks

 

[Buck987]

So now that I realize you already have a camera and a couple of lenses, I think the question goes back to what do you want to shoot that you can't get with your existing gear? Everyone here is going to give you a different answer as to their favorite lens. But if you know you want to shoot a specific subject/genre that your current lenses can't accomplish, we can steer you in the right direction and also give different options based on your price point.

What I want to shoot is a great question. I guess for now mostly, nature and local scenery. (But if a pro bike race was coming through the town I would do my best to capture that...I like cycling)

 

[MacNut]

What I want to shoot is a great question. I guess for now mostly, nature and local scenery. (But if a pro bike race was coming through the town I would do my best to capture that...I like cycling)

Something wider would be good for scenery.

 

[mollyc]

Of the two lenses in your signature, do you have a favorite? Do you have a way of reading metadata easily (like LR?). Since you have a really wide range zoom lens, I'd suggest looking through your images with that lens and see if there is a sweet spot in terms of what focal length you are using. I have always had a 24-70 and it is a workhorse for me, but I am often at 35mm and wider or at 70mm. I don't often use the middle range. And true to form, my 50mm is my least used lens (but my husband bought for me so I was keeping it! ?).

 

[ian87w]

I'd say for a primary lens, a 35mm fast prime with f1.8 or so. 35mm will be around 50mm with crop factor on an APSC. That's quite versatile lens and will fit most situations well. I would recommend a prime lens vs a kit/zoom lens as prime lens tend to be faster/lower f number, thus giving you more flexibility in creativity of depth of field. The typical kit lens won't do much in this regard, and they tend to be slow that they are not great in low light.

I'm a fan of prime lenses.
35mm f1.8 is what's attached almost permanently on my Sony mirrorless.

 

[rumz]

While the usual YMMV / "subjective based on preferences" disclaimers apply... gosh, 35-40mm has always been my favorite, but then I've found I prefer prime lenses (fast, usually pretty sharp, etc), I never settled in to being an effective shooter with a zoom lens.

I owned Canon's flagship 35mm 1.4 and 50mm 1.2 lenses back when I had a 5D mk II (and later 6D)... I only occasionally used the 50mm, and I used the 35mm all the time. That focal length just proved to be really versatile / useful.

I also bought the original Fujifilm X100 which has a fixed 35mm-equivalent 23mm lens on it and have gotten a lot of mileage out of that camera as well. I'm seriously considering the X100V now.

I'd say if you want a zoom, I'd go for something in the 24-105 range (or 24-70 for something faster)-- those are often pretty standard workhorse lenses.

 

[mollyc]

@Buck987 you might want to edit your OP to include your gear. Signatures don't show up on the mobile version of the site and I think you'll get better answers if people know you already have a starter set.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Something wider would be good for scenery.

Plus very close range skateboarding and bicycling.