What are some good budget lenses for a Nikon DX camera that wont break the bank? I just got a Nikon D3500 from my cousin for my birthday last month and im still trying to figure out how to even turn it on half the time lol. It came with this lens that says 18-55mm on it but everything I take looks kinda plain? I want those blurry backgrounds you see in professional photos but I have no idea where to start or if my camera can even do that.
Sorry if this is a super basic question but im a total beginner and all the numbers like f/1.8 and 35mm are just making my head spin. I tried looking on ebay but there are so many options and some say AF-S and some say AF-P and I dont want to buy something that doesnt fit or wont work with my autofocus. I live in a pretty rural part of Oregon so I cant just walk into a shop and ask someone to show me which one is which.
My budget is pretty tight since im still a student so im looking to spend maybe $150 or $200 at the most for something used. I mostly want to take pictures of:
- my cat (hes a orange tabby and very fast)
- some macro-ish shots of flowers in my moms garden
- maybe some portraits of my friends for their socials
I heard people talk about a nifty fifty but then someone else said on a DX camera I should get a 35mm instead? Im so confused. Is there a specific lens that is like the gold standard for people who are just starting out and dont have a ton of cash? I really want to get better at this before my sisters wedding in September so I can take some decent shots there. Do I need a zoom lens or one of those ones that doesnt move? I think they are called prime lenses right? Just let me know what you guys think is the best first upgrade...
Honestly, getting a prime lens is the best move for those blurry backgrounds. Since your D3500 doesnt have a built-in focus motor, you definitely need to stick with AF-S or AF-P glass to make sure it actually focuses. Ive used a couple of these and they are pretty reliable for the price.
This one is my top recommendation. Its wide enough to use indoors for your cat but still gives you that nice blur. Its a very safe bet for a first upgrade and fits your camera perfectly.
This is great for portraits of your friends. The background gets even blurrier than the 35mm, but it feels very zoomed in on your camera. You might have to stand pretty far back. Both should fit your budget used. The 35mm is probably more useful for everyday shots tho... definitely start there if you can only get one.
Agreeing with everyone here... the 35mm is definitely the gold standard for your camera. In my experience, its the one lens every DX shooter needs. Over the years, I've tried many different setups, and I always come back to the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G for that exact reason. Quick tip tho, since you're shopping used on eBay: look for 'Excellent' or 'Mint' ratings from Japanese sellers. They're usually super reliable about gear quality and honesty. Also, make sure it specifically says AF-S on the barrel so it works with your D3500 autofocus. The f/1.8 aperture is gonna be perfect for your orange tabby because it handles fast motion way better than your kit lens ever could. You'll definitely get those pro-looking blurry backgrounds for your friends socials too. It basically changes the whole game.
Re: "Honestly, getting a prime lens is the best..."
- I totally agree! You absolutely need a fast prime to get that creamy background blur, which we tech nerds call bokeh! The D3500 is amazing with AF-P lenses because that stepper motor is basically silent, but for the best blur, you want a wide aperture like f/1.8. I remember my first time switching from a kit lens... it felt like I finally unlocked what the sensor was actually capable of! On your DX sensor, a 35mm lens is basically the perfect all-rounder for a natural field of view.
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is the absolute gold standard for your budget. It is fantastic for low light.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G if you want tighter portraits of your friends and even more compression. Using f/1.8 means the lens aperture opens wide, letting in tons of light. This is perfect for your fast cat because it lets you use a super high shutter speed to freeze his movement! Youll love the results.
