So I just got this old Nikon camera from my uncle, I think it says D3200 on the front? I'm like totally new to this whole photography thing and honestly half the time I just use my iPhone because it's easier but I really want to take those nice professional looking photos with the blurry backgrounds you know? Like where the person is sharp but the trees behind them are all soft. I was looking online and everyone keeps saying I need a prime lens to do that. I don't even really know what that means exactly lol. I think it means it doesn't zoom in or out which sounds kinda annoying and weird but people say it makes the pictures look way better especially when it's dark inside.
I tried taking photos of my new golden retriever puppy, Cooper, yesterday with the lens that came on the camera but they all came out really blurry because he moves so fast and the lighting in my apartment is kind of bad. Someone told me a prime lens lets in more light? My budget is pretty tight though because I just spent a lot on puppy supplies so I'm looking for something under $150 or maybe $200 if I really save up. I saw something about a 35mm and a 50mm and I have no idea what the difference is or which one I should get for a Nikon. Is one better for inside a house? I just want to take cute pictures of my dog and maybe some family stuff at a birthday party coming up in three weeks.
I have a few things I'm confused about:
- what do the numbers like 1.8 mean
- will it actually focus on its own
- do I have to stand really far away
Sorry if this is a super basic question I'm just really confused by all the numbers and letters on the lenses. Like what does AF-S mean vs AF-P? Does it even matter for a beginner like me? If anyone knows a cheap one that works good for a Nikon please let me know...
You absolutely need the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G! It is seriously amazing for your D3200 and fits your budget.
- The f/1.8 means it lets in a ton of light, which is fantastic for indoor puppy shots.
- 35mm is better than 50mm indoors so you dont have to stand so far back.
- Stick with AF-S lenses so the autofocus actually works on your specific camera body! You are gonna love the background blur!
Building on the earlier suggestion, the 35mm is decent for general shots, but I've always been kinda disappointed with the background blur it produces for actual portraits. It feels a bit too wide-angle for my taste. If you really want that professional look for Cooper, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is a much better bet for your budget. You'll have to stand back a few extra feet since it zooms in more, but the 'bokeh' is way smoother than the 35mm. Just a warning tho: stay away from anything labeled AF-P. Unfortunately, your D3200 doesn't have the internal firmware to run those newer pulse motors, so they won't focus at all. Stick to AF-S glass or you're gonna be stuck with manual focus. Quick tip: that 1.8 number is your aperture. The lower that number, the more light hits the sensor. Use that to keep your shutter speed fast (like 1/400) so your puppy doesn't look like a blurry ghost indoors. It takes some practice but it's worth it...
Works great for me
