Nikon D5100, looking for tips, tricks, advice, lenses, tutorials?

~smilejustbcuz Jun 29, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Heya!
Sooo, I've been a hobbyist/intermediate(I think.. maybe amateur or somewhere in the middle?! xD) photographer for about eh, lets say 2 1/2 years, probably more, but I was never as into it as I am now. I recently got a summer job, and bought myself my very first DSLR camera, which to me is the most amazing thing since... since... JELLY BEANS! And that's saying a lot

haha just kidding. But DSLR's are pretty amazing things to me. Such clarity, focus, so, big.. and.. ah! Okay! I'm done hahaha!

Long story short, I just got a new camera, which was an upgrade from a Samsung Semi-professional Point & shoot with a schneider kreuznachh lens, so it was a decent camera, took great pictures, had a great lens, took decent macros, etc. but it obviously wasn't a DSLR. My new camera as TONS of features, interchangeable lens, LCD screen that moves and swivels at any angle, and it's soooo confusing to use. I've pretty much got the basics down pat, the features to use, the different effects, how to switch from video to photo, how to focus is(a little). etc. It has a 18-55mm lens, and I'm HOPEFULLY going to earn enough money this summer to get myself a better lens, perhaps a macro, or a versatile lens that works well with macro/telephoto/other features (if one exists?)

I'm earning a dollar over minimum wage an hour, so I don't get very padded pay checks, so lets say I'm a bit limited with money. I don't mind buying things used, as long as their in good condition, so that's another option for me as well

To get to the point, I'm looking for any advice/tips/tricks/tutorials that I can use to learn more about my new camera and become a better photographer all together. I'd especially like to learn more about which lenses would be my best options, as well as in my price range, (Preferably none over 500, but if that doesn't work give me any lens and I'll see if I can find it used in good condition for a nice price.) I'm also looking for tutorials on how to take good macro shots with the lens I have, because I know it has to be possible somehow.. I've taken one just by zooming my camera in all the way and setting the object a foot away from the camera, that worked, but not as well as I'd like.

I have a tripod already, some lamps to use for lighting and other things. I'd also like to learn more about bokeh, I've taken a few shots myself, but tips and tricks are DEFINITELY appreciated to improve my photography. I have two books on photography that I'm going to start studying here shortly after I officially get out of school for the summer.

So, sorry for the novel of a post, but I'm not known for my ability to get 'right to the point' no matter how much I try. I feel I did good in this post though

Anywho, thank you in advance, and any helpful and constructive comments are welcome! Leave tips, tricks, advice, and anything you know about Nikons, or DSLR's or just anything that you find helpful for getting the most out of a DSLR camera. I've got a limited knowledge for now(I studied one book, but didn't have a DSRL, so none of it really stuck, I'm going to read it again though. I promise! xD)

NOW COMMENT!!!!!! ... if you want :3

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Devious Comments

~Svenler Jun 30, 2012 Professional Photographer

I would recommend against any DX lenses. Full frame is the future, so DX is a waste of money. Also, the 50mm f/1.8G is not worth twice the price tag of the 50mm f/1.8D by any means in my opinion. Check my most recent pictures to see what the f/1.8D delivers. Here is what I use:

Nikon 24mm f/2.8D: [link]

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D: [link]

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G: [link]

For the latter, the G makes a big difference over the D in terms of image quality.

Here are some picture with the last two: [link]

~Kintarotpc Jul 2, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

I think you're forgetting that the 50mm F/1.8 D will not autofocus on a crop body.

~Svenler Jul 2, 2012 Professional Photographer

Odd. It focuses on my D200 just fine. I don't have that much experience with crop bodies, but the problem is if they don't have a built-in AF motor, which only affects the lower end models, no?

~Kintarotpc Jul 2, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

The D200 has the internal focusing motor actually. So sorry, a good bit of the DX bodies won't auto focus with an AF lens. The D5100 does not have an internal motor though.

Nikon are kinda jerks in that you can't use the non -s AF lenses and have autofocus on the less expensive camera models.

~smilejustbcuz Jul 1, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

What is the different between Full Frame and DX lenses?
And I'll check out all of those lenses and see which one suits my fancy

Also, what's the different between 'D' and 'G' lenses(Sorry, I'm a noob at all this haha), are they just letters to distinguish between lenses, or do they stand for anything?
Thanks for the comment!

~Svenler Jul 2, 2012 Professional Photographer

DX lenses are made for smaller sensors, so if you use them on an FX camera, they will have a black edge all around the picture (essentially they are useless on FX cameras). If you ever plan on upgrading to FX (which you most likely will in the future), your DX lenses will be rather obsolete. The D800 has a built in 1.5x crop mode that allows you to use DX lenses without the black edge, but it diminishes resolution.

D lenses are an older generation of lenses. G is the latest generation. Nikon went straight from D to G in their naming convention.

~smilejustbcuz Jul 4, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Ahhhh! it makes much more sense now!

Thanks!

~Kintarotpc Jun 29, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

The 35mm F/1.8 G DX AF-S will be an excellent walk-around lens that will serve you well as a starter aside from the kit lens. It's fast and soaks in light really well when shot wide open.

If you're looking for macro lenses, research the crap out of some sigma/tamron lenses as they are often cheaper or if you can find an older manual focus macro lens (who uses autofocus in macro anyways?) you can use that as well as long as it uses the F-mount.

I mostly shoot with my 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 for birding and I grabbed that for about $415 used. They go for about $600 new though.

Just be careful in looking for lenses. Not all Nikon lenses will auto-focus on your D5100. Look for the Acronym AF-S and you'll be fine. I recommend going through the Nikon F-Mount wiki for information on Nikon Lens acronyms just so you know what to expect when you go shopping: [link]

~smilejustbcuz Jul 1, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Awesome! You provided a lot of good info, I'll definitely make sure it's an F-Mount AF-S lens, and I'll check out the 1.8G DX. Also, thanks for the link, it's very helpful (:
Overall, thanks for the comment, it was helpful!

=KrisVlad Jun 29, 2012 Photographer

Definitely get a tri-pod.

Also the Nikon 1.8G prime lenses are your best bet. They are PERFECT.

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