Nikon D3100 lens?

[MississippiBoy]

I'm shopping around for a good indoor lens, for fairly low light situations. I have the 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and the 55-200mm, f/4-5.6 telephoto lens already, but I'm thinking I need a faster lens for better indoor pictures, without needing the flash. The two on Nikon's page that I'm scouting are here: 35mm f/1.8 http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-....html
and here: 50 mm f/1.8 http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-....html

Am I barking up the right tree, or are there more options I need to look at? One thing that I believe really limits me is that my D3100 doesn't have an autofocus motor built in, so any lens I buy has to be the AF-S series, which has its own motor. Thanks for the help.

[RoadrashPaul]

I am not a Nikon shooter so I can't offer much advice. I can suggest the 50mm though. I had it until recently when I traded it for a different lens. It is a great piece of glass that was good with low light and very quick auto focus. But with you having to get one with the autofocus built in, I can't comment on it.

My only complaint with the 50, and the reason I traded it, was that it didn't offer a lot of real estate with my crop sensored 30d. I found myself having to back way up to get shots a lot and sometimes, like in my boat, I didn't really have the extra room. Other than that is was a great lens.

[sgt93]

The lower the F stop (i.e, f/1.8 as you listed), the better the lens is in low light. Either of the lenses that you mentioned would be a great addition for low light shooting and a good price. You can also use the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 but it will be cropped down to about a 35mm on your DX sensor. No biggie but the 50 1.4 is a great lens and will allow that much more light to enter the camera over even the f/1.8 lenses. Also, if you do upfrande to a full frame (FX) Nikon someday, the 50 f/1.4 can be used with it. You would not want to use the DX 1.8's with the full frame. As a whole, any of the lenses are easy to sell should you change your equipment. -Steve

[Sneezy Beltran]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sgt93 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The lower the F stop (i.e, f/1.8 as you listed), the better the lens is in low light. Either of the lenses that you mentioned would be a great addition for low light shooting and a good price. You can also use the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 but it will be cropped down to about a 35mm on your DX sensor. No biggie but the 50 1.4 is a great lens and will allow that much more light to enter the camera over even the f/1.8 lenses. Also, if you do upfrande to a full frame (FX) Nikon someday, the 50 f/1.4 can be used with it. You would not want to use the DX 1.8's with the full frame. As a whole, any of the lenses are easy to sell should you change your equipment. -Steve</td></tr></table>

Hey buttercup, you wanna re-think that one?

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Sneezy Beltran &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Hey buttercup, you wanna re-think that one?</td></tr></table>

Beat me to it

And also, I don't think he will be able to use any of those lenses if he upgrades to a full frame because they will have the auto focus drive built in. I could be wrong here though....

[sgt93]

I had not had by coffee yet F'ers Cropped to a 75mm, 1.54 view

[sgt93]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RoadrashPaul &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

And also, I don't think he will be able to use any of those lenses if he upgrades to a full frame because they will have the auto focus drive built in. I could be wrong here though....</td></tr></table>

You are but you do not put DX lenses on a FX however; as I stated earlier, you can do FX to DX but with a different crop view due to sensor size.

[MississippiBoy]

Man, this stuff is confusing. I've read a ton on Fred Miranda's site and still get lost so easily.....

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sgt93 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I had not had by coffee yet F'ers Cropped to a 75mm, 1.54 view </td></tr></table>

So a 50mm FX lens on a DX camera gives a 75mm view? I'm leaning towards the 35mm, in that case.

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by MississippiBoy &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Man, this stuff is confusing. I've read a ton on Fred Miranda's site and still get lost so easily.....
So a 50mm FX lens on a DX camera gives a 75mm view? I'm leaning towards the 35mm, in that case.</td></tr></table>

It can be very confusing. I learn something new almost everyday and still don't know crap

Yes Steve is correct, this time. That 50mm on your camera would be like a 75mm. That is the same problem I had with it on my 30d, just to zoomed for some of my applications. How much are you looking to spend? Just my opinion but if they make a 17-55 in a built in a/f, I would probably go that route instead of a fixed lens. For what you are wanting to shott it sounds like it would be a perfect lens for you.

[sgt93]

If you buy a 50mm DX lens you will be set for 50mm on your camera. Just keep in mind that if you want to upgrade or want the f/1.4, go with the 50mm f/1.4. Either of the two DX lenses you picked will work well. Not everyone sells camera gear left and right like I do

[MississippiBoy]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RoadrashPaul &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
How much are you looking to spend? Just my opinion but if they make a 17-55 in a built in a/f, I would probably go that route instead of a fixed lens. For what you are wanting to shott it sounds like it would be a perfect lens for you. </td></tr></table>

I'm not looking to spend much...I have a fishing addiction, and my wife has a "baby stuff" addiction, that both take precedence over my photography addiction. The ~$200 for my two options is a probably about my limit, which I know SEVERELY limits my choices.
What I was really looking for is a fast lens for indoor shots, so I picked out these two because they're f/1.8, all of the other inexpensive ones I saw were f/3.5 or higher. I have the kit lens, which is 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. That lens does ok, but there's been several times that I wished I had a fast lens. Like at my baby nephew's dedication at our church...I was without a tripod, and with the semi-dim lighting, I had to settle for either blurry photos because of the long shutter, or washed-out photos with the flash.

[RoadrashPaul]

Yep.... I feel your pain. Oh do I lust for a 16-35L 2.8.

[sgt93]

Pick up one of the 1.8 DX's lenses then. You will be happy with the results.

[mikeSF]

While you are deciding what lens to buy, have you tried bumping up the ISO to 800? I have an older D200 with a 24-120 1:3.5 lens. In some low light situations it works ok.
Mike

[Alienfisherman]

Get the 35mm 1.8, for inside shot's but still might still be a little long on the 3100 for grope shot's
with the 50 you'll fine you've run out of room in some situation's
The 35 is sharp, sharp, sharp, I've had two and loved'em on DX . I even shoot a wedding on a D700 because both my main lens died-ed
it had a little vin but saved the day
My 2 cents

[Klinger N Ok]

A 50 on a crop sensor is a little long for a lot of personal indoor shooting, IMO. Go with the 35. Fast lenses are fun!

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Klinger N Ok &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">A 50 on a crop sensor is a little long for a lot of personal indoor shooting, IMO. Go with the 35. Fast lenses are fun!</td></tr></table>

YEP!! Exactly the reason I got rid of mine. I have a 17' tin boat and if I wanted to take a picture of a someone holding a fish in the boat, I would have to get as far back as I could in the back to get them in the shot. It got old really quick. I do wish I would have kept it and just bought the 18-55 I got. The 50 took EXCELLENT pics.

[TightLip]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by mikeSF &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">While you are deciding what lens to buy, have you tried bumping up the ISO to 800? I have an older D200 with a 24-120 1:3.5 lens. In some low light situations it works ok.
Mike</td></tr></table>

My thoughts

[91Skeeter200]

2 weeks ago I bought the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF-S G lens for my Nikon D7000. So far I am pleased with the way it performs indoors. It out performs the kit lens by a bunch.