I strongly suggest at least going ahead and getting a Nikkor 50mm. You may also want to get some other Nikkors, like a 28mm (maybe the f3.5). There's also the 105mm Nikkors which are not that expensive and absolutely superb. If you look on fleabay or KEH you really won't pay a lot for those. You could get all three of those for well under $400, and then you would be able to decide better on what you want to spend more money on, or rent when you need it. A zoom lens just won't give you the same experience as the lenses it seems you are interested in - you need manual focus primes. You could shoot a film on just those three lenses and you might not even find you need anything else (and their optical quality is superb). I shot a wedding yesterday (video), and for almost all of it used the GH1 and a 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor. I shot stills for a wedding earlier today and used the same 50mm for all the formals, and a lot of other stuff. Trust me - you won't regret getting one.
Some more newb lens questions!
- Thread starter vcassel
- Start date
I strongly suggest at least going ahead and getting a Nikkor 50mm. You may also want to get some other Nikkors, like a 28mm (maybe the f3.5). There's also the 105mm Nikkors which are not that expensive and absolutely superb. If you look on fleabay or KEH you really won't pay a lot for those. You could get all three of those for well under $400, and then you would be able to decide better on what you want to spend more money on, or rent when you need it. A zoom lens just won't give you the same experience as the lenses it seems you are interested in - you need manual focus primes. You could shoot a film on just those three lenses and you might not even find you need anything else (and their optical quality is superb). I shot a wedding yesterday (video), and for almost all of it used the GH1 and a 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor. I shot stills for a wedding earlier today and used the same 50mm for all the formals, and a lot of other stuff. Trust me - you won't regret getting one.
vcassel
Veteran
Well, I went ahead and ordered my first lens off of eBay. A Nikkor 24mm f2.0 AI for under $400. And a cheap $20 Chinese adapter to go with it. If I like what I see in it I'll go ahead and get the 35mm and 50mm in a f1.4 or f1.8. Hope all goes well and I'll be posting my stuff for your enjoyment soon!
Under $400? that's a little steep, so I hope it's in very good shape. It's a sweet lens though. You'll probably end up with that one as your bread-and-butter lens.
I had a 24mm f/2.8 before I got the GH1 but I sold it a while back. I loved that lens.
You will love the 50mm f/1.8 too - and that is a very good price. :thumbsup:
I love all my Nikkors that I use with my GH1 and haven't been disappointed in any of them in the least.
I had a 24mm f/2.8 before I got the GH1 but I sold it a while back. I loved that lens.
You will love the 50mm f/1.8 too - and that is a very good price. :thumbsup:
I love all my Nikkors that I use with my GH1 and haven't been disappointed in any of them in the least.
vcassel
Veteran
It's in pretty good shape. The filter threads on the front were a bit bent, but it accepts a filter just fine. It actually came with a UV filter. The going rate for this particular lens is just a bit high right now I guess. My 35-70 3.5 AI is being shipped and I'm thinking of ditching the 50mm 1.8 AI for a 1.4 if I can get it for a steal. Still have my heart set on the Leica R series, but they're expensive now.
You should be able to get a good 50mm f/1.4 for $100 easily, less if you wait and shop. But if you get one, keep the f/1.8 until after you've gotten the f/1.4 so you can compare them. Some of the f/1.4 50mm lenses flare easier than the f/1.8 models (some do some don't), and it's only a half stop difference. Sharpness should be similar between them. Keep us updated.