Warning: Nerdy photographer gear speak ahead!
Nikon Nikkor 35-70 f/2.8 (used). It is super awesome to have f/2.8 in a zooming package.
It has great bokeh, and blurs the background really well.
Unlike the bad bokeh of my 50mm. See the sharp-edged circles:
It was made for film, so on a digital crop sensor it is a really weird focal length, approx. 50-100mm. That's around what I use most, so I don't mind it. 
It also has a nifty macro mode that delivers a 1:4 macro ratio. Again, the awesome background blurring:
Friday, August 15, 2008
Day 221 - New Friend
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4 comments:
Awesome!! I bet that 2.8 comes in handy. O, and the bokeh looks so sweet.
Can you give me a recommendation? I need an SLR camera for my next photography class. I'm looking at either a Nikon d40 or d80 and I am wanting to buy a 55-200mm lens - as well as the standard lens that comes with the camera. What do you think? Also, do you think it is pretty safe to buy used, or is it better to buy new? You can answer me on my email if you want.
Thanks N! You photography is fantastic. I'm truly amazed by your talent.
Unless you want to move on with more lenses, I'd get the D40. I'd also buy an SB-600 flash, if I were you. With an external flash like this, you can stop action indoors without the ugliness of pop-up flash. If you have the D40, 18-55, 55-200 and an SB-600, you should be golden. New, all of this should be the same price as a D80 with an 18-55.
My set-up is this: D80 with 18-135 and 50mm lenses. It costs more than the set-up above. This gets me reach with the first lens, I've never found I've needed more than 135mm, and the speed of the 50mm lens lets me shoot w/o flash indoors. Don't get the 50mm with the D40/x/60, though, because it won't focus.
As for buying used, I'd wouldn't buy the camera body used, as shutters have a limited number of cycles, so if they exceed that, they won't take pictures anymore. If the D40 is rated to 50,000 shutter cycles, and the first owner takes 25,000 photos, you only get 25,000 for yourself before it won't work. So buy the D40 and the 18-55 from Amazon for $470, new. You can buy lenses used, as they don't wear out as fast. The lens in this post I bought used.
Thanks! I didn't get this response before I ordered, but I did almost exactly what you said. I will look into the flash and see if I want to add that to my purchases a little later. It's nice to have some reassurance. Keep up the great pictures!
Jenn
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