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Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Nikkor 18-200mm VR AF-X? noko
I guess Im a pretty normal photographer. By that I mean I cant think of any special purpose Id have to decidate a whole lens to. So the 18-200 sounds good even if it has the dropping issue and whatnot. VR sounds good..

On the other hand I live in fucking Scandinavia. I like taking pictures of people with a nice bokeh and it gets dark early year after year. By early I mean sun up at 9am down at 3:30pm...

Which lens does the expertry of /p/ think Id take good pics with in most situations? I have an external flash if 18-200 is it.
>> Anonymous
Tamron 17-55 2.8 + Nikkor 70-300 VR
>> Anonymous
The 30/1.4, easy. A normal prime will do you for just about anything, and will train your eye much better than a zoom. If you need an all-purpose lens, you buy a normal prime. The things need to come as kit lenses like they used to.
>> Ken Rockwell
Get the 18-200 VR. Best versatile lens ever.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
anything between 30 and 85mm faster than f/2 will do great for lowlight portraits. a 50mm f/1.4 is a nice focal on digital for portraits. (perspective of around 75mm depending on lens mount). 30mm would be a bit short, but is nicer for shots with multiple people. you can throw in a flash for some fill/bounce light

18-200 is a great versatile lens, but not for lowlight. VR helps for longer handheld shutters, but don't forget that your subject is movign
>> Anonymous
The Sigma 70-200 2.8 is a good one too.
>> Anonymous
OP, what camera do you have?

If it's not the D40 (I've assumed it was) there are much better lenses than the 30/1.4 you can look into. If it is, well, then it's your only real option for a fast lens. Complain to Nikon for making a camera with a viewfinder ill-suited for manual focus and no AF motor.

>30mm f2.8 that lets you take it down to f1.4

This is how it is with almost all fast lenses. The exceptions are most Leica lenses, which are usually designed for being used wide open or close to it, and a few specialty lenses by the major companies, like the 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor.

A mediocre or even crappy maximum f/1.4 is better than a mediocre or crappy f/2.8 or even f/3.something-or-other on a consumer zoom. It works. Also, at f/2.8, the f/1.4 lens will be starting to come into itself; the f/2.8 lens will be suffering from the same problems the f/1.4 lens would at f/1.4.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
Tamron 17-50 2.8

It's the the same price as the Sigma or i think it's actually cheaper.

The 2.8 gives you control over DoF and Bokeh
>> Anonymous
>>112527

and a more extrem fast shutter speed
>> angrylittleboy !wrJcGUHncE
If your camera's not a D40, a Nikon AF 35mm f/2.0 might be a good alternative to the Sigma.
>> noko
My camera IS a D40
/BURN D:

What makes the alternative lenses here ill suited for the D40?

>>112527
How does the 2.8 give me more control over bokeh than the 1.4?
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>113000
>What makes the alternative lenses here ill suited for the D40?
The specific alternative lens mentioned was the Nikon 35/2.0, which won't autofocus on your D40.

>How does the 2.8 give me more control over bokeh than the 1.4?
I don't think he meant that it would give you *more* control than the 1.4, I think he was just saying that it would give you *enough* control. I.e., "This one's a great zoom lens. It doesn't have the same speed as the 30/1.4, but it's fast enough for most purposes"
>> Anonymous
Nikkor 18-200mm VR ftw!!! Then you will never need another lens
>> Anonymous
>>113021
You'll need a ken rockwell, though, and those fuckers tend to be expensive
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
Note that there are almost no lenses that will actually, functionally let you have any active control over bokeh. In the vast majority of cases, it's just an inherent property of the lens. The few exceptions I can think of are the 105mm and 135mm DC-Nikkor lenses and, in a sense, maybe some older large format portrait lenses like the Verito.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>113012

I meant that comment in relation to the 18-200mm VR. :)
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>113786

hmmm a D300 eh... i'm debating buying one (since i can't actually wait for the next FX Nikon) or getting a hassie 500CW with 2 lenses and a bunch of film....
>> Anonymous
While both Sigma and Tamron can have AF issues with certain cameras, only Tamron has a 6 year warranty and that means you can send it for calibration anytime.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>113790

Can anyone tell me what recalibration entails? and what Back focusing 20% means? I don't think i've ever had such a problem with a lens, so i wouldn't even know if i had a problem... though i think i had one with my old 18-200mm VR
>> Anonymous
>>113791

http://focustestchart.com/chart.html

Print out the last page from the PDF.

(Fucking little bitch.)
>> Anonymous
>>113791

Calibration is best when you send in both the camera and the lens.

It's done mechanically and by software too where they change some shit in the lens' eletronics. Offset values, focus distances, zoom positions, stuff like that.

Depends if you get a good rep doing it, otherwise the dude just checks it and sends it back untouched. Happens to Canon reps too.

(Little bitch.)
>> Vincent
Lol this is why these gear threads get 100x the posts that actual picture threads get... (except self portrait threads of course)
>> Si
>>113823

LOL see that's where you're wrong. If anything I'm following you around cause you're a little bitch whining about this and that.

You're following Jeremo around like his got doggy treats up his ass. Just admit you want to punch his donut hole and be done with it you little bitch /p/haggot.

Sure say you want to argue since we all know that's codeword to bumfuck. You're not arguing at all you little bitch.

You're trolling.

Either that or you've worked up an appetite for AussieBum.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>113828

eeeerrr.... seriously... could we not mention my arsehole being punched like a donut... haha what the fuck does that even mean. Jesus. I quit.

>>113827

Yeah surprisingly the 'Loved Ones' thread died pretty quick too... although maybe that's not surprisingly since most sane people would refrain from posting loved ones on god damn 4chan.
>> Si
>>113830

No :-D
>> Anonymous
>>113790

I hate to respond to an old post, but this is just plain wrong. My 30mm f/1.4 (Canada) came with a 10-year Sigma warranty that includes as many calibrations as I want.
>> Anonymous
This thread is made of what the hell, /p/, what the hell and 4chan.

Anyway, get the Sigma 30/1.4. You're a "normal" photographer, get a normal lens. Everything I've heard says it's sharp, and if it's not wide open, keep in mind few lenses are. It being a prime will teach you to visualize your shots better, and a fast normal lens actually gives you most versatility in terms of actual shooting situations than a slow zoom.

As far as the focus problems, I've only heard about those for Canon.
>> Anonymous
>>113835

Nah, check your facts, man.

The 9-10 year warranty applies to select Sigma lenses only, mostly for the premium EX lenses. And you have to do it through the sole Canadian service center.

Tamron is 6 year for all their lenses.
>> Anonymous
Two fucking aussiefags kissing each other's asses and being little bitches. How fucking cute.

Go back to being a colony of whores.
>> Anonyfag of Borneo !bHymOqU5YY
>>Go back to being a colony of convicts.
Fixed. Get your insults correct.
>> Anonymous
>>113845

Yes, Tamron has a 6-year on all lenses, that doesn't change the fact that the 30mm f/1.4 that this thread is discussing has a 10-year warranty, at least in Canada. (4 years in the US [1 year international + 3 year US]) Tamron, last I checked, followed that same system - 1 year international, plus X years for US/Canada/UK. OP lives in Scandinavia, so I don't see a big advantage to either brand.
>> Si
>>113848

BBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW

Quit being a little bitch, you little bitch LOL. You are such a little bitch Baaawing because someone called you out on being a /p/haggot. Just get over it, don't continue to bbaaaaw cause he doesn't want you to surprise buttsex him. Why would i kiss his ass when you're so busy trying to fuck it?

And I'm not a kangaroo fuckin convict you dumbass.