I have been staring at my D5300 for like three hours trying to decide what to buy for a trip to the coast in two weeks. I really need to upgrade from this kit lens because the low light performance is just depressing but I only have about $250 to spend right now.
I did some digging and everyone keeps pointing at the 35mm f/1.8G as the holy grail of budget DX lenses but then I read some threads saying that since it's a crop sensor it acts like a 50mm and might be too narrow for street photography. So then I looked at the 40mm micro because I like close up stuff but apparently that's even worse for general use? My logic was that I want something fast for the evening shots but then I saw the 70-300mm AF-P is super cheap on the used market.
Is it better to get one really sharp prime like the 35mm or should I look for a better zoom? I'm worried if I get the prime I'll be constantly swapping lenses while I'm walking around Astoria and I'll miss the shot. But then if I get a cheap zoom I'm back to having crappy f/5.6 apertures when the sun goes down. I'm honestly so stuck on what's actually worth the money for a DX setup specifically...
Honestly, be careful with those cheap zooms because they might totally fail you once the sun starts setting. If you want something reliable, I would suggest sticking with a prime. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is probably your safest bet for low light.
- its great for street stuff
- very reliable for the price Just make sure you dont mind the fixed focal length... it takes some getting used to but its safer than a blurry zoom shot.
Quick question, do you usually shoot wide? Just be careful because the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G crops in to 50mm. Youll lose the wide view but gain light. Its a trade-off.
I would suggest being careful with used zooms. You might want to consider:
- Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Primes are safer for low light. Ask if you need more help!
Helpful thread 👍
It is honestly such a shame how the DX lens selection has kind of stalled out over the years. You are hitting that classic wall where the gear just cannot keep up with what you want to do.
- Be very wary of older third-party lenses from brands like Sigma or Tamron. While they look like a bargain, I have had nothing but issues with focus accuracy on those older DX bodies like your D5300. Nikons internal processing just plays nicer with their own glass, unfortunately.
- Avoid the trap of thinking a longer zoom will help at the coast. Unless you are shooting birds in mid-day sun, those cheap slow zooms from any brand are basically useless once the sun starts going down. It is a common mistake to trade aperture for reach, and you usually end up with a gallery full of blurry messes.
- The budget DX market is pretty thin right now since everything is moving to mirrorless. You are basically looking at tech that is over a decade old, which is frustrating when you want modern low-light performance. If you are worried about swapping lenses, you are probably gonna have to compromise on that low-light quality. It sucks, but that is just the reality of the budget glass game right now...
Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.
Just caught this thread. Honestly, you should be very careful about jumping into a long telephoto zoom for a trip like this. Astoria is beautiful but the weather is often gray and dim, and at those slower apertures, your ISO is gonna spike so high that the photos will look like mush. It is probably best to prioritize a wide aperture over focal range every single time if low light is your main concern. Make sure to avoid any older glass that lacks an internal autofocus motor, since your D5300 wont focus them at all. Tbh, a lot of people underestimate how much camera shake ruins shots when the sun goes down. If you pick a lens without some kind of stabilization, you better have a very steady hand or a tripod ready. Also, be wary of using a macro lens for general travel. They usually have much slower autofocus tracking because the lens elements have to move further, which is a recipe for frustration for street photography. Stick to a fast prime and just accept the fixed field of view. Its much safer for your budget and your image quality in the long run.
