What is actually the best budget lens for general Nikon photography right now? I feel like my head is gonna explode from all these forums.
I just picked up a used D7500 because I finally wanted to get serious about learning manual settings, but the kit lens that came with it is just killing me. It feels so soft and I'm really struggling to get anything sharp indoors, especially since I'm trying to photograph my puppy before he grows up and stops being cute. My budget is strictly capped at 300 bucks because I'm in Chicago and rent is just absolutely eating me alive lately, but I need something reliable by next weekend for a family trip to the zoo.
I have been doing way too much research and I'm still just spinning my wheels. I read that the 35mm f/1.8 DX is the holy grail for this, but then another thread said it's too tight for indoor shots if you're in a smaller room, and honestly, that scared me off a bit. Then I looked at the 50mm f/1.8, but since my sensor is cropped, I'm worried it's gonna be way too zoomed in for everyday stuff like dinner or street shots. Someone on a different site suggested an older Tamron zoom lens but the autofocus sounds like a total nightmare on that thing and I just know I'd miss every shot of my dog.
Is there anything else I should be looking at, or should I just bite the bullet and get the 35mm? I feel like I'm wasting time overthinking this while the season is changing and I'm still stuck using this blurry kit glass. If I go with the prime, am I gonna hate not being able to zoom? I just feel so lost and I really need to pull the trigger on something today or tomorrow...
Regarding what #1 said, have you checked if you have enough space to back up? Before you buy, what kind of lighting do you usually have in those indoor rooms?
> I feel like my head is gonna explode from all these forums. I just picked up a used D7500... the kit lens that came with it is just killing me. Listen, stop overthinking it. I've been shooting Nikon bodies for over a decade and the kit lenses are honestly just glorified paperweights. You definitely need to grab the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G as soon as you can. It's affordable, sharp as a tack, and it changed the game for me when I was starting out. Forget the 50mm on your crop sensor, it gets way too cramped indoors. The 35mm is the perfect sweet spot. Sure, you lose the zoom, but you gain a massive aperture for those indoor shots of your puppy. Just move your feet a bit. You wont regret it, trust me.
Regarding what #4 said about deciding between background blur and framing, it really comes down to what you prioritize for your puppy shots. Everyone is pushing the 35mm, but for a zoo trip and indoor agility, maybe look into the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. It is not as fast as a prime, but the range is way more practical for zoo exhibits where you cannot get close to the animals. If you really want that low light performance, another solid alternative is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM. It is a bit older, but having a constant f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range is a massive upgrade over your kit lens. It basically gives you the versatility of a zoom with much better light gathering. Just check the focus calibration if you grab it used, since some older copies can be a bit finicky on the D7500. Don't stress the gear too much, just grab something that lets you shoot and have fun.
Late to the party, but definitely look at a fast prime instead. Just be careful about buying used glass online without testing the focus motor first, you really dont want a dud.
TL;DR: You need to decide if you want that creamy background blur or just need to get more stuff in the frame. Honestly, don't stress the gear too much yet. Your puppy is way more important than finding the perfect piece of glass today. Since you are heading to the zoo next weekend, are you planning to shoot mostly wide shots of the exhibits or are you trying to get tight close-ups of the animals from a distance? Also, do you find yourself constantly moving your feet to frame things, or do you prefer staying in one spot and twisting that zoom ring?
