Originally Posted by
rmac86
Hi all,
Just purchased my first “pro” camera – a Nikon D3500 DSLR and liking it so far.I have an upcoming trip to Hong Kong (be my 2nd time there – to say I’m excited is an understatement!) end of next month and am hoping I can get in enough practice between now and then.Question is – is the 18 – 55mm kit lens supplied with the camera good enough for capturing landscapes and architecture or should I be upgrading? Have done some research and most seem to recommend a 50mm 1.8 prime lens, but this seems prohibitively expensive for what it is. As a beginner would I be likely to notice the difference between shots taken with this and the kit lens? Appreciate there are budget versions of these to be had but they seem to attract a lot of negative attention so not sure about this?Any advice – is the kit lens good enough? If not, and someone gives me good justification then I’ll happily spend the cash to upgrade.
Thanks,
R
Congrats on your new toy, the color richness and detail you'll get even with the consumer lens will outshine your smart phone. I have to admit I use my iPhone for 99% of my vacation but for special occasions haul out my D5/Df/D810 and an assortment of lens.
The 18-55 is a screaming value, but limited zoom range and slow. You might find you wished wider, even your phone likely has wider wide. A lens to consider better than the 18-55 would be the 16-85 it is more expensive than the 50 1.8.
IQ and speed is why people go primes. A 50 1.8 is the ability to shot at 1.8 wide open and get shallow depth of focus ( blurred background ) that the 18-55 won't achieve. BTW make sure you understand the prospective of 50mm, it isn't very wide at all. if you want a "standard" prime, on DX that is the 35 1.8 ( DX version, NOT the FX version which is much more expensive ).
Unless you blow up, shoot very low light and need fast shutter speed you wont' get much more with the prime.
BTW if you guy a new lens buy USED, CL/Ebay are easy place to buy far cheaper than new. You can get the consumer zooms for dirt cheap and primes for 70% off new at a minimum