Late to the thread, but I love both the advice and specific suggestions in this thread. I tend to buy gear about once every two years or so, but spend $1-5K at a time. Seems I get more things that I really want that way and limits impulse buying. Spending more time researching and listening to the advice from this group can save you a lot of money over time.

DannyP said:
And, of course, there's the little detail that the camera officially belongs to the company, not me. So I can't really just up and sell it and replace it. :-)

Oh, there is that. Well, if you ever convince yourself you need a camera of your own, I stand by my suggestion. It's like those advertising lines "If you like...then you'll also like..."
If you like AI-S lenses on cameras that won't meter with them, then you'll also like AF-S lenses on a camera with two command dials shooting in manual exposure mode. It somehow seems more engaging when you're paying attention to both aperture and shutter speed. It takes practice, but it's worth it, IMO.

heartyfisher said:
That E series lens is over 30 years old ! Good old nikon.. My mom used to use that lens! Its one of the lightest 50mm lenses ever.. and you call it heavy? LOL

It's just interesting how it's much heavier than, for example, my Nikon 55-200 VR (which, a novice would assume, since it zooms in and out, would be much heavier but, alas... :-))

NSXType-R said:
Haha, thought you bought the latest version of the lens. I love old manual focus lenses, glad you're enjoying it!

:-) Easily understandable confusion. But no, following the advice of the NR pack, I asked for an old manual focus lens, and I love that I did! Learned quite a lot from using it, compared to just "point and shoot" many times with the AF-S lenses.

DannyP said:
NSX, I stand corrected. I'll still say it feels great and study, metal or plastic.

Jonny: yes, it's a AI-S, series E lens. But I don't mind the "worrying about metering part," since it's all part of the learning how to use a dSLR process.

As for the idea of switching cameras/lenses, I actually got this lens (asked for it as a gift, I should say) with the intent of learning, where it's been VERY useful. Moreover, I for one really do like the swivel LCD. For one, it protects the LCD itself (since you can store it facing the camera when not using it). Also, I do take advantage of the different angles of the LCD for shooting up high or down low.

And, of course, there's the little detail that the camera officially belongs to the company, not me. So I can't really just up and sell it and replace it. :-) I don't mind, however, buying class or equipment for it, since those will work in any Nikon dSLR, so I always have the option of buying one for myself in the near future, and still using all this.

Haha, thought you bought the latest version of the lens. I love old manual focus lenses, glad you're enjoying it!

That E series lens is over 30 years old ! Good old nikon.. My mom used to use that lens! Its one of the lightest 50mm lenses ever.. and you call it heavy? LOL

NSX, I stand corrected. I'll still say it feels great and study, metal or plastic.

Jonny: yes, it's a AI-S, series E lens. But I don't mind the "worrying about metering part," since it's all part of the learning how to use a dSLR process.

As for the idea of switching cameras/lenses, I actually got this lens (asked for it as a gift, I should say) with the intent of learning, where it's been VERY useful. Moreover, I for one really do like the swivel LCD. For one, it protects the LCD itself (since you can store it facing the camera when not using it). Also, I do take advantage of the different angles of the LCD for shooting up high or down low.

And, of course, there's the little detail that the camera officially belongs to the company, not me. So I can't really just up and sell it and replace it. :-) I don't mind, however, buying class or equipment for it, since those will work in any Nikon dSLR, so I always have the option of buying one for myself in the near future, and still using all this.

I think he bought an AI-S version of the 50, NSX. It actually makes some sense because the 50 1.8D won't focus on the D5000 anyway. I still wouldn't have recommended it over the AF (D) version because you've then got metering on top of manual focus to worry about, but I'm glad you've liked it, Danny.

If you really like that focal length, you could save up for the 50 1.4 AF-S. Or, you could also sell your D5000 to get a D90 and a 50 1.8D. The price difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 (~$300) could almost cover the difference in price from selling your D5000 (~$400) and getting a new D90 (~$775). If you like using an AI-S lens on the D5000, I have a feeling that you would fall in love with having two command dials and shooting manual. For me, it's the perfect balance between auto metering (the meter still tells you if it thinks you're underexposing/overexposing) and creative control once you get smarter than your camera. And the LCD screen on the D90/D300s/etc. is a thing of beauty.

Glad you like the lens. One issue though- I believe the 50mm 1.8 has a metal mount but a plastic body.

But only a minor detail. Be sure to post photos!

Hey guys,

Thought I'd post an updated on this. Been playing with the 50mm 1.8 now for a little while, and I absolutely love it. No, there's no zoom, and no, it doesn't autofocus on the D5000, but it does exactly what many of you said: it teaches enthusiasts how to shoot with a dSLR without relying on automatic functions (especially since it only works in Manual - "M" - mode on the D5000.

First, the lens itself is beautiful. Study, great quality, yet tiny in size (albeit heavy, since it's all metal). It's also ridiculously fast!

You really learn the importance of focusing (and what the little green dot on the viewfinder means) and also how to properly use the aperture ring! No, I never knew exactly how to deal with it - bokeh, brightness, I always used to let the camera do it for me... tsk, tsk...

What really impresses me is both the quality of the photos (so sharp and nice, despite not having autofocus!) and, more than that, how well it handles low light situations - even without using the flash! I tend to go to many places and events were using the flash would be detrimental to the occasion (small venue concerts, where you don't want to keep popping a flash at the singer's face every two seconds; or outside at night, where you don't want to keep calling people's attention by using flash all the time). And, even with the flash off, the photos still look amazing with the right apperture/focus/ISO combo (and I don't go with ISO beyond 800 if I can).

That said, here are my latest thoughts on lenses:
- It's fun to play with manual focus, but yes, I do wish SOMETIMES that I had AF in it
- I also want to try the 35mm 1.8 sometimes. It does bother me that the 50mm in a D5000 acts as a 75mm, and not "eye view." But don't think I'll buy another lens just for that, unless I win the (small) lottery
- As for my kit lenses (Nikon 18-55VR and 55-200VR), I love them both. Have taken great, sharp photos with both of them in different situations and occasions. No, they're not nearly as good as the 50mm 1.8 in low light (the 1:1.8 REALLY does help, compared to what, 1:3.5-5.6?) but they do a great job in combo from anything from macro to landscapes to all the way zoomed in. It does annoy me, sometimes, to have to keep switching between them, I'll be honest. I tend to take all kind of shots - closeups and wides alike - all the time, and switching can be a pain. But I've heard the two lenses are better than the Nikon 18-200VR and, plus, I'm not sure I want to spend another $200 replacing lenses that'll ultimately do the same...

I'll garner some good shots and put them online somewhere, to share with you guys soon!
D.

See if you can borrow the lens from the shop bit a few minutes/hours and go around and see how much zoom you get.

there are lots of people that find they don't shoot wider than 100mm, you'll have to find out.

Also there are not too many options for going wide.

because your D5000 does not have a focus motor built-in, you are more limited in your lenses. Your options are the Nikon 10-24, Nikon 12-24, Sigma 10-20 and the tamron 10-24

Both nikons cost about $900-$1100 and the Sigma and Tamron go for 450-550.

I've decided on the Sigma at this point, as its quality is very good at a great price.

Unfortunatly getting hooked on photography means spending some money on lenses.. If you want to go wider than 18-55 then the 18-105 wont hlep at all You will need sonething like the sigma 10-20 for nice wide angle shots. The 105 does help getting more reach and is a nice lens to have. However if you feel you want a lot of reach then you should get the 55-200 instead.

Hi guys I am also new to D 5000 bought recently. I was off to Himachal on a holiday with family and had a great time clicking away however with the 18-55 lens that came as a package, I found two limitations: I could not zoom a distant object very easily and also the wide and beautiful landscapes of Himalaya ranges could be captured only to some limited width... please suggest which other lens should I add?

I am thinking of NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR which is coming for RS 10000-12000 that is roughly my budget.

I also have an offer to exchange my 18-55 lens with a 18-105 lens and the shopkeeper will buy it back for Rs. 5000 and will give me the 18-105 for about Rs. 12000 ( I hope I remember the deal correctly)

Please help

i got a ring for a few dollars off ebay and its a pretty interesting idea.

the DOF is narrower than a razor, and exposure issues are common. One trick i use to get light is to push the aperture lever to max with my finger, then shoot. Most of my pictures suck but its very fun.

another option is to use a male-male filter adapter and attach one lens to another. I use my 55-200 at 55 and screw my 35 1.8 on the end. good macro and i retain a bit of auto-focus.

again, results are rarely great but when they are its very gratifying.

lol, that'll be much easier than what I've been saying, "

the glass part that's not the front of the lens, but the back part where the light goes through and makes magic with the silver gods"

The name is rather simple, the rear element. lol

bmxdad said:

I also think that you will be better of investing in a used macro lens, but here is a link to how different macro adapters will work with different lenses

Right, but there is no harm really in picking up a reverse ring considering they shouldn't cost more than 10 bucks. brand doesn't matter, just has to be f mount. I'd say go for it and see how it works for you, if you need something more then yeah maybe go for a macro lens, but if you are just fooling around, definitely try this (or extension tubes) first.

One of the complaints about the reverse rings and off brand extension tubes are the metering problems. However in the digital age, who cares! take a few test pics until you get your exposure right and there you go.

I use extension tubes on my old ftn and I love it, the ability to change them out and add more easily is great, whereas you aren't going to have that with the reverse adapter. Also I'd rather not put the inner part of my lens out there (I don't know the technical name for the back end of the lens glass, haha), so that's why I'd suggest extension tubes instead.

What I meant was that the adapter needs to be for F mount, it would be hard to use the adapter if it didn't have F mount. :p

Actually you can use any Lens brand/mount that the aperture can be adjusted manually. Remember the reverse adapter is attached to the front of the lens. I have one, cheap from Ebay, but have really not used it.

I also think that you will be better of investing in a used macro lens, but here is a link to how different macro adapters will work with different lenses

http://www.peterforsell.com/macro.html

Pete

DannyP said:
BTW, I know this is a somewhat old discussion now, but I ended up getting the 50mm 1.8 suggested here as a gift. So I can now play with it for quite a bit, while saving money for a good external flash, for example. Have a concert coming up on Sat., and am very excited about maybe playing with all different lenses during the show!
Thanks again everyone!

Nice!

But you do know that it won't autofocus right?

Great, Danny. Post a couple pictures here if you ever feel like it.

Well the reversing ring needs to be able to accept F mount lenses, but otherwise any that do should work. Most of the time people use the 50mm 1.8D in this way, since it is such a cheap lens to buy. I've seen some decent results, but the depth of field is very narrow at F1.8 when reversed, and you'll have to use stop down metering as the CPU contacts from the lens wont be connected to the body.

You might be able to find a good used copy of the 55mm F3.5 AI or AI-S for cheap ($150-250). You'd still have to do stop down metering, but at least you wouldn't need an adapter.

I've read a bit about the use of reverse adapter rings, to "transform" regular lenses into good macro ones.

My first question is, what do you guys think about that to use in a D5000? Does it actually work? All photos I've seen of the rings with the lenses attached, they look "clumsy" but if it does work well, then...

And, if it's a good idea, does it really make a difference to get a genuine Nikon ring, or any 52mm should do?

Thanks as always!!
Danny.

BTW, I know this is a somewhat old discussion now, but I ended up getting the 50mm 1.8 suggested here as a gift. So I can now play with it for quite a bit, while saving money for a good external flash, for example. Have a concert coming up on Sat., and am very excited about maybe playing with all different lenses during the show!
Thanks again everyone!

To start get a manual 50mm 1.8 used... roughly $35 on ebay

Manfrotto 055XPROB + 496RC2 Tripod Kit is a nice choice for 200$.
I would not go for anything cheaper than that.