Making the Switch: Nikon to Leica

[AlanG]

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If you ask me, the best way to learn is to keep just that 50mm prime -- or better yet, a 35mm prime, which gives you a 52mm POV with the 1.5x factor of the D80 -- on your D80 and use only that combo for a few months.

 

I forgot about the crop factor when suggesting just using the 50mm lens. Regardless of the lens used, the point is to spend a considerable amount of time concentrating on seeing light, expression, composition, and timing. Not being sidetracked or burdened by the equipment. Get to the point where using the camera is instinctive and transparent.

[Bbilheimer]

I've been looking on Amazon for the Nikkor 35mm 1.4 but I can find is the 2D. Also, I was looking at the various 28mm Nikkors, any suggestions?

 

I'm using Naturfotograf as a guide to choose different lenses, by the way.

[elgenper]

I've been looking on Amazon for the Nikkor 35mm 1.4 but I can find is the 2D. Also, I was looking at the various 28mm Nikkors, any suggestions?

 

I'm using Naturfotograf as a guide to choose different lenses, by the way.

 

I think there are rumours about Nikon possibly updating their primes with faster AF (AF-S) &c soon. So I´d wait a couple of months before buying anything new. Used ones, of course, is another matter.

 

I have the 35/2 AF myself. OK, but not outstanding (my 17-55/2.8 at 35 beats it at all f/stops). Very convenient, however; else I would have gotten rid of it.

[Ruhayat]

A friend of mine has a Fuji S5 Pro (based on Nikon D200 body) which he uses with a Zeiss 35mm f1.4. Verrrry nice. Sharp, and great for lowlight shooting, too. I think it's also a bit cheaper than the Nikkor. But then, it's manual focus only on the D80 and below -- AF only on the pro bodies.

[redoutback]

I think you'd better keep 50mm F1.8 - it's good enough and good value for money. Try with this lens more and less with Zoom.

 

I just bought a D2 and this is a GEM - quite different from DSLRs but great camera. Keep D80 with 50mm along with D2.

[Bbilheimer]

I'm thinking of sticking with it, but now that you mention exactly how far zoomed in I am with the crop factor, a 35mm sounds much more appealing. I was looking at this auction on eBay and it looks pretty good, what do you guys think?

[Ruhayat]

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Yeah, that looks good to me. But it's non-D, which might mean manual focus only on your D80. Not that that would be a problem to me -- I think it's good to learn manual focus at the beginning. A bit like learning stick shift before going auto; a useful skill to have.

 

I wouldn't spend too much on a lens while I'm still in learning mode (it's why I have a Nokton on me Ikon! ) -- I'd aim for something cheap but high quality like the Nikkor 1.8/50mm you already have. With an SLR, once you're proficient enough you're probably going to be using a high quality zoom more than a prime, anyway. So I'd think of this walkabout lens more like the training wheels on a bike.