I am beginner, please keep in mind. I have had a Nikon D3000 for about 6 months. I barrel race and have started taking pictures at local shows and rodeos, Now i need help at trying to find a good lense for Rodeos at night time (with lights) and still fast good quality pictures? I usually can get in the arena depending on which event and use the 55-200 VR lense it comes with in Package. Great beginner lense for me but Im trying to find a good step up lense that will give me better shots without spending thousands of dollars yet. Im looking at spending under $600 if this is possible. Now sometimes I dont have to zoom in alot and can always crop the pics closer in on subject. Can anyone help recommend some lense that I can use with Nikon D3000 under $600 in lowlight, with fast action, Thanks
I dont know what kind of lense to buy? [Rodeo low light]
(52 posts) (20 voices)-
Posted 11 months ago #
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You say that you do not use the zoom very much and can crop in. I take it that you use the wider side of the 55 - 200 range. What focal length are you using for most of your photos? That will give us an idea of what possible prime, or zoom, to recommend.
Posted 11 months ago # -
35mm f/1.8 DX
Posted 11 months ago # -
Warprints- Im sorry I am unsure this, The amount of zoom all depends each event, As I am taking pictures of Bull Riding, Goat tying, barrel racing, and tons more.. I've had a great Success on my Barrel racing shows and lots of people have bought pictures. But I missed alot of good shots at the Rodeos, which start at 7pm and usually end around 11pm. So I've never zoomed all the way in on 55-200 lense that came with the camera package. IDK if this helps any.
Elvishefer- Would I still be able to get a decent zoom on this lense and subject still not be to far away, I know I need more education on this but Im trying, and this is first time I've started looking into buying a new lense.
Posted 11 months ago # -
It's not a zoom lens. It's a 50mm focal length equivalent lens on your camera, so it's a bit wider than your 55-200mm at the wide end. It's cheap, and of excellent quality. Another option would be the 50mm f/1.8 FX, which would be a 75mm focal length on your DX camera. A bit longer but faster than what you have, cheap(er) and probably sharper.
Cheap and fast and zoom don't generally go together.
Also, there are many lens buying threads here, be sure to check them out. :D
Posted 11 months ago # -
@Nhopkins: so to refine the question, when you take the pictures, are you mostly working in the 55-100mm range? I understand you can crop and crop and crop some more. But what range are you finding most useful? At/below your pricepoint you are almost certainly looking at a prime lens (one that doesn't zoom at all) that offers a large aperture (low f-number).
Depending on where you're working, the 35mm suggested above (something like $200) or a 50mm (f/1.8G $200-$250; f/1.4G more like $500) might be the best call. But that's if you're using 55mm focal length all the time. If you're doing most of your work near 100mm, an 85mm f/1.8G is running around $500 when it's in stock. If you're mostly working around 150mm, your budget could start to be an issue.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Elvis- Yes I understand its not a zoom lense thats one of the lenses that has been suggested to me. And yes in the beginning before I bought camera was very understanding and told nothing was going to be cheap. LOl
Shawnino- I have not paid attention to the range im sure its around that? Can I find out on my Editing software what info is? Cause I've seen some info on there before.
I have also been thinking about renting a lense to get use to it, and find out which works best? This way I can save up for the big lense I need. Has anyone everydone this? someone mentioned there was a few websites. but I hate to take a risk of them shipping it and something happening and not having a lense. I will try to find some more info of close rental shops in my area.
I was also recommended on buying refurbished lenses? I Guess my whole goal out of all this if the info on what best will work best on camera with the conditions i described, that is below the cost of $1200.00? So I will know when it comes time to buyPosted 11 months ago # -
Depending on what software you use to post process your images, you can usually find all of the information about the shot. It should give you the focal length, shutter speed and ISO settings for each image.
If you can take a look at that information, you can determine what focal length you use the most.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Nhopkins07 ideally for the type of shooting you are doing you need a lens that has a 2.8 aperture or faster. Given your budget, the zoom lenses like the 70-200 2.8 are out of your reach, though it would be the ideal solution. With that aside, the 3.5 1.8G and/or 85 1.8G should provide you with the results you seek. If you are not sure which to go with, you can alway rent the lenses out from a number of rental companies and see which one provided you with the desired results. Good luck...cheers.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I have the 35 1.8G and love it - for when I want to use it. I don't have the 85, but understand that it is a very nice lense. I have shot a lot of sports over the past 40+ years, and found that a single prime lense just doesn't cover everything. I think you may end up frustrated with just a single focal length - although your budget may dictate that for now.
Maybe try keeping your current lense at 55mm for a whole event, then shoot another event at only 85mm, and see how badly you wished for more or less Angle of View. That'll give you an idea if you can live with just one focal length for now, and which would be the less frustrating FL.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I second warprints' suggestion.
If you find yourself comfortable with 85mm than 55mm then just go with the 85mm 1.8. On the other hand if you like your shots at the wide end then go for the 50mm 1.8 or, even better, add 35mm 1.8 too and you'll still be under your budget. You'll just have to figure out what focal length you like more but only you can answer that.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Another thumbs up for warprint's suggestion.
Basically I'd urge you to make an effort to take note of what sort of focal lengths you're actually using the next few times you're out and go from there.
You're in a very fortunate position to be making money from your pictures, no matter how much, so you can really view a new lens as an investment. You might even be able to get the 35 and 85 without bursting the budget that much, 2nd hand.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I would say the new 85 F1.8 might be a good fit. Not as long, but long enough. Having the 35 F1.8 I wouldn't even think about it at an event like this unless I was at the fence and the action was nearby...IMO too wide for it.
You could look for a third party 70-200 like the Sigma or Tamron. I can't comment on the performance, but for the price it might be good enough.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Get the 85mm 1.8G - perfect for rodeos, horse shows, concerts etc. where you cannot get physically close enough to your subjects.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Golf- Yes thank you for Understanding the situation, we all have to start somewhere and I have been pushed hard with comments of negativly from other groups!! TY I will eventually be able to afford the 70-200 2.8 lense.
Also for everyone else.. I do understand finding which focal point fits best for me, this is still learning process to me and teaches me new things to look for and pay attention to little things because they may help me in long run when purchasing new equipment. I will def. do some reviews on each product.
Correct me if im wrong, I may not like the single focal , reason being i do know i do zoom in and out thru the night depending on where im standing? This is typical night for me to be moving and zooming in and out ... I will take everyones thoughts to heart and may possibly try to rent a few lenses to see which i like as its only a 2 day show? So can anyone recommend a good place to rent, i was told to check out http://www.rensrentals.com? THANK YOU THANK YOU EVERYONE, once again this is only place I have got decent responses and understanding at that!!
Posted 11 months ago # -
I also have another question on which lense to buy once i decide on a lense I like... As when bought the kit had very basic entry level on these and my brain has racked so much info in the past week on everything i've been reading?
So i have learned little bit bout the different lettersetc.. And if im thinking right since I have a Nikon D3000 I have to have a lense that works with AF-S?? Is this correct.. So say I buy the 85mm f/1.8G (The G series should fit my camera correct)also heard some say AF-D is faster then AF-S.
Sorry once again, thank you for educating me little more!!
Posted 11 months ago # -
If you want the lens to autofocus then you need an AF-S lens. As for what you want...well a prime is really the only relatively cheap fast lens option. The cheapest fast zooms are >$1000 which it doesn't sound like you have the money to spend. A prime takes some compromise, but it isn't as bad as it sounds. If you get a focal length that you like/use a lot then it is great. Of course a focal length you don't like will sit in your bag and collect dust. Go through your photos and see what focal length you are using most...I would have to imagine from 50-150 mm...that was a reason I suggested the 85 F1.8G. It shouldn't limit you though by not being able to zoom. You might have to move around a little or be a little more creative, but if you get one and force yourself to use it then you will be amazed at how pictures can turn out. Not to mention you will probably be amazed with the picture quality and nice bokeh compared to the 55-200.
Posted 11 months ago # -
With all things considered and given that you make money from your shots, rburgetts suggestion is the best for a lens to meet your requirements at lowest cost but perhaps you should make the investment of the 70-200 VR2 if you see your business continuing. The price of your current body to the 70-200 VR2 lens is a little out of whack but better to have the glass you really need now rather than lose business due to lost images caused by slow lenses or primes that aren't the right lens for the moment?
Posted 11 months ago # -
How about a different peperspective on this? Before investing in a piece of equipment, check out on various websites.. (rodeo photographers) and what equipment they are using. My guess is, if you email a few of the national photographers, one or two will respond. Just tell them you want to shoot better shots of your horse performing and ask what equipment they use. Look at their photos.
More likely than not, if you want the quality the pros have, the cost is going to be high. At this point, you can make a decision as to the benefit of quality vs. the cost. Most of us have found if we are doing ti professionally, the cost eventually becomes a part of the business. Think about the actual rodeo competition. While I know nothing about this, i will bet that the folks with lots of money can get better training, better horses and with the talent being equal, those with big bucks will be winning. Or in the show department.... those fancy saddles are not inexpensive. Actually, horses are kinda like cameras, except that cameras do not get constipated when they travel.
I believe your checking out what the experts are actually using will be helpful along with the vast amount of knowledge here on NRF. Incidentally, if you see those giant lenses on someone's camera, the front element being about 7 inches across..... this may be out of the budget. But the results one gets are almost beyond belief. Yet, check out the PAD and you will see a lot of photos posted which are almost indistinguishable from the ones taken with the big guns.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Tcole- Thanks for helping clarify things out,
Spraynpray- I do make a little money off the pictures very cheap but I am gradually making way up. I would love to invest in the 70-200vr lense, but would also eventually like to upgrade my camera body,it is kinda funny the lense i want and need cost double the camera lol. Yes and you are correct on better to have a good lense, then lose customers. Because alot I missed out on when it got later in the evening, and heard some parents ,just talking to others, that this was their kids first rodeo, so want to let them remember those times for ever!! Thank you all
Posted 11 months ago # -
It's really too bad Nikon still hasn't come out with a 50-150 f/2.8 for DX. It would probably still come in at $1500, though.
To the OP, I like shawnino's idea of the 85 1.8G, which fits your budget. You're right that you need an AF-S lens for autofocus on the D3000, so the D version of this lens won't autofocus. The 80-200 is unfortunately in this same group.
You might also try to improve your post-processing. Lightroom or aperture (on mac) can work magic with raw files removing noise so you can shoot at higher ISO. I know lightroom has a 30-day trial so you can see what it can do. You may find your current kit is sufficient if you're willing to push your camera a bit more than you have been. I say this without having ever seen any of your pictures or knowing anything about your post processing, so take it with a grain of salt. ;-)
Posted 11 months ago # -
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The site you mentioned, lensrentals.com, has a ton of inventory and are very reliable. I've used them before and was not disappointed. I would also suggest renting lenses that you think will work best for a particular venue, or how close you think you'll be able to get to the ring. Fair warning: Once you shoot with something like the 70-200 it will be very hard going back.
Posted 11 months ago # -
MSMOTO- Yes anything that has to deal with a horse is not cheap, let alone just the horse its self, even if sitting in a field, i have 4 to many LOL, Yes I emailed one photography that im in so love with his photos, telling him situation, and his response wasnt very helpful, except you really need to think about what your wanting to do in future, I do understand all this and plan to spend this money, wisely, As of right now Im not looking to be professional yet. just kinda hobby, and give the parents the gift of these events.
So did some research again this morning found this lense, But one of the comments says he used it for potraits, still shots, but didnt recommend it for fast action?? Is this lack of knowledge of him or am i going in wrong path?
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-85mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B006TAP096/ref=pd_sim_p_5Posted 11 months ago #
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