[hsakarwalblanc149]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and getting back into photography after a gap of about 6 years.
I own following gear:
- Nikon D200
- Nikon FM3a
- Nikon motor MD-11
- SB 600 flash
- Very old Metz flash with guide number 100(?)
- Nikkor 50mm, 1.8 AI
- Nikkor 80- 200, 4.5 AI
- Nikkor 35, 2.8 AI
- Nikkor 28, 3.5 AI
- Nikkor 35-70, 3.5-5.6 AI

I normally shoot portraits of friends and family and some architecture. Any suggestions on how to use/change the above to fit my requirements. I recently sold my Nikon D70 to buy the D200. I don't have any AF/DX lens as I sold the kit lens along with D70 and using my manual nikkor on D200.
Regards,
Hemant.

[Dabhand16]

Welcome to Pixalo Hemant

You might want to try a Sigma 10-20 for those tight architectural situations, and the Nikkor 17-55 is a great lens for general use. Sigma have recently updated the 10-20 giving f3.5 wide open against the older one with f4, but with the release of the new model, the older one might be available at good prices while stocks last.

For portraits the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 is great value as is the Nikkor 85mm f1.8 - maybe the 85 would be a bit better better for portraits.

You do have the older 50mm and the 80-200, so unless you really want the modern AF lenses I think that they would be more that adaquate for portraits.

[j sotelo]

welcome

[hsakarwalblanc149]

Thanks Graham for your valuable feedback.

I heard good things about the 18-55 Nikkor kit lens which is good on optics although not great on the build quality. Do you think a combination of this lens and 50mm 1.8 AF should be good for my D200.

Using the manual AI lens on D200 is difficult while focussing in the absence of split screen( i wish there was a manual FM3a camera with a digital back..would be perfect for my needs) so I'm planning to buy AF compaitable lens for D200. Do you think its a good idea or maybe I'm missing something while using the D200.
I will look for the sigma 10-20 in the Indian market to check the availability.

Regards,
Hemant.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by hsakarwalblanc149

Using the manual AI lens on D200 is difficult while focussing in the absence of split screen

Ain't that the truth

I have no experience of the 18-55 kit lens, but it certainly is a budget lens. I think the 18-70 is far superior and is the single lens I had on my D70s for more than a year before I got more lenses. I'm not sure that the combination of the 18-55 and the 50mm f1.8 is worth it, but maybe an 18-70 + 50mm f1.8, or the 18-70 + the 85mm f1.8 would be.

Currently, the 50mm f1.8 is availabe from One-stop for £88 GBP, the 85mm f1.8 £279 GBP and the 18-70 for £206 GBP. All can be obtained cheaper buying used, of course.

[hsakarwalblanc149]

Thanks Graham.
I'll look for a 18-70mm in the market.
Will it really help for the portraits to go for the 85mm 1.8 since the 50mm on the D200 body will be equivalent to a 80-85mm on a 35mm body?

[Dabhand16]

Many people think that 105mm (in 35mm terms) is the ideal portrait focal length in the range 70 to 135.

The 50mm will equate to about 75-80mm so will be at the lower end of the 'normal' portrait range, but is still a great lens and great value.

Your available space will also influence you lens choice as the 85 will bring you in tighter.

Examples with the 50mm are here
http://www.pixalo.com/community/shot...ots-21065.html

Examples with the 85mm are here
http://www.pixalo.com/community/shot...ots-21073.html

[hsakarwalblanc149]

great pics Graham!
Still kind a confused on what I want, hopefully will decide after I see what is available in the market here.
Thanks,
Hemant.

[Dabhand16]

If you get an 18-70 you will be able to make an assessment of whether the focal length of 50mm is going to suit your portraits, or if 70mm is better for you.

That ought to make the choice between the 50 or 85mm prime easier.

[hsakarwalblanc149]

I finally bought a 50mm 1.8( kind of in a hurry to cover the birthday party of my kid this weekend) as I can give the D200+sb600+50 1.8D AF to any guest to take pics in case I'm busy.

Now back to buying the AF lens, the 18-70 in India is about 266 GBP and 18-105 is about GBP 253. Is it worth buying the 18-70 considering that I will lose on the zoom coverage & VR. I'm actually more concerned about the optics than the zoom coverage, but any advice from the experts here? Still looking for a deal here to buy it used.

Regards,
Hemant.