50mm AF-S or save for 17-55? (Nikon)

Jurisprudent · 04-23-2009, 12:28 PM

I currently have a D60 with the kit 18-55 VR (F3.5 - Fxx, IIRC) and 55-200 VR (F4 - Fxx, IIRC).

I'd like to upgrade the lens, but I don't really want to spend the money unless it's a good upgrade (i.e., if I need to spend more, than I'd rather just wait)

Right now I can't justify spending the $1k+ that the 17-55 would run, and I'm thinking the 50 mm prime (FX) AF-S F1.4 may be a good addition to my bag, especially for indoor/low light shots.

Your thoughts? Obviously, with the D60 I need to stick with AF-S lenses... I'll upgrade someday, but not right now)

its ray den · 04-23-2009, 02:19 PM

you can try to get the 35mm 1.8 AF-S for $199 if you can find them. it's a DX lens though.

solefald · 04-23-2009, 03:00 PM

i bought brand new 50mm for like $89. the body is all plastic, so it feels a little cheap, but a great lens regardless.

forza1976 · 04-23-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solefald

i bought brand new 50mm for like $89. the body is all plastic, so it feels a little cheap, but a great lens regardless.

Yeah, I love my 50mm 1.8, plastic aside this lens is a must have. The 1.4 is what I wish I would have purchased and I have heard you can't go wrong with that one either.

OP...
Do them both

here is a link to someone in denver selling a 17-55... FYI.

http://denver.craigslist.org/pho/1132395737.html

rezmoto · 04-23-2009, 05:18 PM

go on here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

they usually have good prices.. and you can see customers reviews before buying..

1013mm · 04-23-2009, 06:56 PM

17-55 is nice. 50 1.4 is cool. the 1.8 na.

ATG · 05-07-2009, 05:43 PM

Try the new 35 mm 1.8G if you can find it. For it's $200 sticker the image quality is just amazing (and is better than 50 1.8D that I used to own). This is my favorite budget lens that stays on my camera most of the time.

TWiTCHY · 05-07-2009, 07:39 PM

If you plan on sticking with DX for a long time, save up for the 17-55mm. That thing was my favorite lens of all time, besides the 70-200mm 2.8. Easiest lens to resell, too. They fly off Craigslist like crazy!

Jurisprudent · 05-07-2009, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been keeping an eye on the 35, but they seem out of stock.

Sticking with DX as far as I can see... D90 (or its replacement) probably down the line.

1013mm · 05-08-2009, 01:10 AM

get the 17-55mm i dont even use my 50 anymore...

TWiTCHY · 05-08-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzhang

get the 17-55mm i dont even use my 50 anymore...

I was going to mention the same thing. I had both the 17-55mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4. I rarely used the 50mm. I had no reason to go any lower than f/2.8. Anything below f/2.8 is rather shallow and soft.

SpecC · 05-08-2009, 05:25 AM

how about the tamron 17-50mm 2.8?

it's 325-375 used and about 400+ shipping new. It's said to perform just as well as the nikon lens with a bit less in quality and louder autofocus

edit:

if you want the 50 1.4, i know someone selling it for 300

PM me if you want to know

techforge · 05-08-2009, 11:50 AM

The 17-55 is on my camera 98% of the time. The only other lens I own is the 70-200 and I use it once in a while for weddings or sports. Incidentally when I shoot weddings I use the 17-55 on my d300 for 90% of the shots and keep the 70-200 on an older F4 for the occasional closeup I can't get with the 17-55. It's a versatile lens for sure.

sandyeggo325i · 05-08-2009, 09:31 PM

tamron ftl...loud and SLOW auto focus...

TWiTCHY · 05-09-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandyeggo325i

tamron ftl...loud and SLOW auto focus...

AGREED. I had a Tamron 10-24mm for my Nikon D60 - HORRIBLE auto-focus and corner sharpness.

If you plan on moving up to the D90, get the Promaster brand 17-50mm f/2.8; it's the EXACT same as the Tamron but without the slow and loud built-in motor. Instead, the Promaster is driven by the camera body's motor which is much better than Tamron's built-in motors. Plus, the Promaster is way cheaper if you can find it at the right place, and comes with life-time warranty.

Z4_marin · 05-13-2009, 11:29 PM

I picked up a 17-55 for $830 brand new... wait that is the Nikon employee price.... seriously though it is a great lens; I'd go for that.

scollins · 05-13-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4_marin

I picked up a 17-55 for $830 brand new... wait that is the Nikon employee price.... seriously though it is a great lens; I'd go for that.

So your the new E90Post hook-up for great deals on Nikon gear, eh? YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

I've got connections in the beer industry, want to trade?

TWiTCHY · 05-14-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scollins

So your the new E90Post hook-up for great deals on Nikon gear, eh? YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

I've got connections in the beer industry, want to trade?

Damn! and I just switched to Canon

04-23-2009, 12:28 PM	#1
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	50mm AF-S or save for 17-55? (Nikon) I currently have a D60 with the kit 18-55 VR (F3.5 - Fxx, IIRC) and 55-200 VR (F4 - Fxx, IIRC). I'd like to upgrade the lens, but I don't really want to spend the money unless it's a good upgrade (i.e., if I need to spend more, than I'd rather just wait) Right now I can't justify spending the $1k+ that the 17-55 would run, and I'm thinking the 50 mm prime (FX) AF-S F1.4 may be a good addition to my bag, especially for indoor/low light shots. Your thoughts? Obviously, with the D60 I need to stick with AF-S lenses... I'll upgrade someday, but not right now) __________________
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04-23-2009, 02:19 PM	#2
its ray den Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2004 Mazda6s Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	you can try to get the 35mm 1.8 AF-S for $199 if you can find them. it's a DX lens though.
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04-23-2009, 03:00 PM	#3
solefald Nigerian Prince 400 Rep 2,180 Posts Drives: '11 F25 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List '11 BMW F25 [0.00]	i bought brand new 50mm for like $89. the body is all plastic, so it feels a little cheap, but a great lens regardless. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/djtchort
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04-23-2009, 05:18 PM	#5
rezmoto Enlisted Member 11 Rep 32 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (0)	go on here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ they usually have good prices.. and you can see customers reviews before buying.. __________________ "Achieve Rezolution." Subscribe for free at www.Rezmoto.com
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04-23-2009, 06:56 PM	#6
1013mm aka 1013MM 1339 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	17-55 is nice. 50 1.4 is cool. the 1.8 na. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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05-07-2009, 05:43 PM	#7
ATG Major 77 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: f30 328 xdrive, e90 335i gone Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastside iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i xdrive [0.00] 2007 e90 335i [0.00]	Try the new 35 mm 1.8G if you can find it. For it's $200 sticker the image quality is just amazing (and is better than 50 1.8D that I used to own). This is my favorite budget lens that stays on my camera most of the time.
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05-07-2009, 07:39 PM	#8
TWiTCHY Colonel 396 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: '13 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (6)	If you plan on sticking with DX for a long time, save up for the 17-55mm. That thing was my favorite lens of all time, besides the 70-200mm 2.8. Easiest lens to resell, too. They fly off Craigslist like crazy!
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05-07-2009, 10:51 PM	#9
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the suggestions. I have been keeping an eye on the 35, but they seem out of stock. Sticking with DX as far as I can see... D90 (or its replacement) probably down the line. __________________
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05-08-2009, 01:10 AM	#10
1013mm aka 1013MM 1339 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	get the 17-55mm i dont even use my 50 anymore... __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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05-08-2009, 05:25 AM	#12
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 305 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	how about the tamron 17-50mm 2.8? it's 325-375 used and about 400+ shipping new. It's said to perform just as well as the nikon lens with a bit less in quality and louder autofocus edit: if you want the 50 1.4, i know someone selling it for 300 PM me if you want to know
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05-08-2009, 11:50 AM	#13
techforge Lieutenant 29 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 335xi coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (2)	The 17-55 is on my camera 98% of the time. The only other lens I own is the 70-200 and I use it once in a while for weddings or sports. Incidentally when I shoot weddings I use the 17-55 on my d300 for 90% of the shots and keep the 70-200 on an older F4 for the occasional closeup I can't get with the 17-55. It's a versatile lens for sure.
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05-08-2009, 09:31 PM	#14
sandyeggo325i Captain 67 Rep 629 Posts Drives: BMW e90 \| 09 Accord V6 EXL Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (6)	tamron ftl...loud and SLOW auto focus... __________________ SG e90 \| Black Dakota Leather \| ZPP \| ZSP \| 19" BBS LM Reps \| Steptronic iDrive \| Aluminum Trim \| Xenon \| CF Roundels \| 15% Tint
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05-13-2009, 11:29 PM	#16
Z4_marin New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marin County, Ca iTrader: (0)	I picked up a 17-55 for $830 brand new... wait that is the Nikon employee price.... seriously though it is a great lens; I'd go for that.
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