New user - Hello to all and lens question

[einarn]

Hi all, just signed up to this great forum. I was reading a lot here during the last weeks and it helped a lot to decide about my new cam - you guess it... I need your advice please:

I am from Hamburg (G) and in travel photography, especially Asia and models. I am not a pro and have to learn a lot - but I love it to take pictures.

After E10 for 3 years I have a S2Pro now and I am starting with nikon lenses right now (new to me). So far I have a 50 1:1.8, the 28-120 VR and a 80-200 IF AFS.

What I want to know: I am shooting models, fashion and I sometimes need a lens with a minimum focal distance under (less then) 50 cm, 30 would be great. (Sorry, English isn't my mothertongue as you'll guess:-). The purpose is to catch details (close-ups) AND full body from different angles (hope you get the idea) without changing the lens. Objects don't move much, different light conditions, need a fast AF and great DOF.

Any suggestions welcomed (and excuse me if my question sounds dumb, as I told you I am a beginner at those lenses, the E10 was great but very limited).

Thank you very much!

Einar

[Tom V]

Welcome to the forums and the world as imaged through an S2!

It sounds like you need a lens that does everything. Since nobody makes one, you may find yourself compromising, adapting, or changing lenses.

Perhaps you should consider a really wide zoom, or a really really really wide zoom like the Nikkor 12-24 or the similar Sigma(s). Fast AF depends on the lens focus motor and your ability to paddle around the S2 focus point selector. The Nikkor ...-S lenses and Sigma HSM focus as fast as you're going to get.

Great depth of field comes from you aperture, and angle of view. Wide angle lenses have more depth of field.

Your 50mm lens is excellent for head and shoulder portraits. It has about the perfect focal length and perspective for pleasing head shots. Your 80-200 is a classic length zoom on film cameras and should serve well when you have the room to use it. Your 28-120 is a modern classic that is fantastic on film cameras, but may be too long for indoor, closeup, full length model photography in a small space.

Go wider.

[einarn]

Hello Tom,

thank's for your "welcome" and the advise. I knew that I might ask a little bit too much from one lens with my question, but I never tried any really wide zoom. May be I'll check the Sigma 15-30 which goes for 650,- Euro here :-( Right now Sigma offers the possibilty to check lenses for free for some days (you'll get a small case with 8 lenses from your local dealer, if someone from Germany is interested he'll find the adresses at www.sigma.de)

I saw some nice pictures taken with that WA zoom in the pics-category of this forum so I will give it a try.

Thank you again and greetings

Einar

[Wichita Wayne]

The Nikkor 60mm f-2.8 Micro will shoot full size all the way down to 1:1 juswt a few CM away from the lens. I think it is a great all purpose lens and will give you a nice sharp picture. I use mine a lot for closeup and normal shots. The only problem is that it sometimes is slow to find the correct focus when you move from a full length shot to a closeup. This is caused by the long travel of the lens and is probably a problem with most macro lenses.

[smunky]

I agree with wichita wayne, I love my 60mm macro but it is slow at times.
I like the 85 mm 1.8 for portraits too, we also hear nice stuff about the 90mm tamron macro...

[einarn]

Hello Wayne and smunky,

thank you for your advise and comments. A photographer here in Hamburg told me the same about the Nikkor 60mm f-2.8 Micro, I think it goes here for 559 Euro in Germany. I will have a look at Ebay first.

I hope that I can post some S2 pics soon :-). The one embedded with my first post above was one of the first I did with that great camera (50mm 1:1.8).

Thank you again and greetings

Einar

[Wilm]

Hello Einarn,

looking also forward to see some pictures from you too !

Good luck with your lens-trial in Hamburg.


Best wishes from near Göttingen (G)

Wilm

[Bilbo]

Hi Einar - welcome to the forum.

I have just started using a Sigma F2.8 50mm Macro which I do like - only £220 in the UK.

I travel to Hamburg every 2 or 3 weeks for work - I love the place! I stay at the Side, the Gastwerk or Le Meridian - all great hotels - and only Euro120/night!

Bilbo

[einarn]

Hi Wilm and Bilbo,

thank you for your "welcome" - and I know the Gastwerk cause we had some meetings there. The 120 Euro rate might be your company rate, walk in is more I guess...

Greetings Einar