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Best Lense for First Time Camera Owner

So I just purchased my first DSLR, the Nikon D3200 and was looking at learning of course the camera itself and how everything works but also wanted to invest in a Lense as I hear it makes everything a lot better (not sure what specifically) so what would be the best beginner budget Lense for me to get? Around the 120Euro mark. Thanks in advance!

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Stock lens is good enough and when you move up I would recommend 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8

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So I just purchased my first DSLR, the Nikon D3200 and was looking at learning of course the camera itself and how everything works but also wanted to invest in a Lense as I hear it makes everything a lot better (not sure what specifically) so what would be the best beginner budget Lense for me to get? Around the 120Euro mark. Thanks in advance!

@ZetZet is correct. The kit lenses are good allround. Prime is briliant and cheap upgrade when you're getting better with photography. 50mm 1.8 are one of the cheapest upgrades and give a very good bokeh in return :D

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What is it that the Lense will actually do and what does the mm mean and the 1.8 after it mean? Thanks for the replies :)

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What is it that the Lense will actually do and what does the mm mean and the 1.8 after it mean? Thanks for the replies :)

 

mm = millimeter, focal length

1.8 = max aperture

 

Perhaps you need to take some photography courses.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

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Stock lens is good enough and when you move up I would recommend 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8

 

As this member said, stick to your kit lens until you actually understand the meaning of the numbers and letters on each lens model.  Then establish an understanding of how focal length and apertures can affect images.  Only then consider buying more lenses.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

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What is it that the Lense will actually do and what does the mm mean and the 1.8 after it mean? Thanks for the replies :)

It's the ratio between the focal length and the aperture's diameter.

50mm/1.8=27.78mm

The smaller the number the more light passes through the lens and the dof gets smaller.

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Your best bet is to spend money on Photography books. A couple books that I own are "Understanding Exposure".  This is the version that I have, (http://www.amazon.ca/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Camera/dp/0817463003/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1440259441&sr=8-4&keywords=understanding+exposure) but I'm sure there is an updated version.  I also have "the National Geographic Field Guide to photography".  These books will give you the basics you will need to get started.

 

Zetzet is right.  Use the hell out of your current gear and then upgrade later when you know your style.

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So I just purchased my first DSLR, the Nikon D3200 and was looking at learning of course the camera itself and how everything works but also wanted to invest in a Lense as I hear it makes everything a lot better (not sure what specifically) so what would be the best beginner budget Lense for me to get? Around the 120Euro mark. Thanks in advance!

I'd recommend watching this

 

For the lens, I'd recommend the 35/50mm 1.8. These lenses will be relatively good in low light due to their wide aperture (1.8), and will have a small depth of field, also due to the wide aperture, when things are relatively close to the lens. 

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@OP

 

Most of what you need to know about the technical aspects of photography you can learn online for free.  You don't need to buy beginner's books to photography, books about understanding exposure, how to master your camera, or such.  The money you spent on those books will be better used for expanding your gear when you are ready.  And anything else you need to know, you can learn by joining photography clubs, forums, online communities.  I am speaking as a photographer with over a decade of experience, and one who has made the mistake of investing in some of those books that in the end just collect dust on my bookshelf.

 

The most basic book you need in your photography library is your camera's manual.  It has everything you need to know on how to change your camera's settings.

 

The best way to learn and improve your photographic skills... GO OUT AND TAKE PHOTOS!!!!  Experiment with different settings.

 

If you must buy a book, there is only ONE book I recommend for any photographer, and even this is optional.  The book is called

Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision, by David duChemin

http://www.amazon.com/Within-Frame-Journey-Photographic-Vision/dp/0321605020/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1440282354&sr=8-4&keywords=david+duchemin

 

But as I said, buying this book is also optional.  Because what it basically says in the book is that your camera, lenses, accessories, they are all tools.  Tools that allow you to express your creative ideas as a captured image.  These tools don't do anything to improve your creativity, it is your imagination and passion that helps you.

 

Additionally, other books that will be much more helpful in improving your photography... Photo books by professional photographers, books of works made by the masters.  You can look at the works they produced and take inspiration.  I personally am a fan of Henri Cartier-Bresson, if you don't know who he is look him up.  Observe their works, take note of how they compose the frame, how they develop the story behind the image, how they draw the viewer's attention.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

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I personally think you need to wait and see what you like to photograph and prioritize which lens you need to buy. If you don't have any experience I don't know whether to recommend a large zoom for wildlife photography or a wide angle fast lens for star photography. I'd recommend you figure out what you like to shoot and than come back and ask for a lens specific to what you prefer to shoot. If you're asking for an all around lens that is a different story, I would recommend one, but I don't know enough about Nikon cameras to recommend one with confidence. I'm a Canon 600D (T3i) user myself.

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So I ended up finding out the the camera I bought was just the body and no Lense. So I will need to invest in a Lense asap as I start travelling Wednesday! What would be the best zoom Lense to get for around 170Euro from amazon.de?

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Stick with a kitlens first. Its the best lens to start shooting.

Kitlens>no lens

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Stick with a kitlens first. Its the best lens to start shooting.

Kitlens>no lens

Where can I buy the kit lens? I cannot find it on amazon.de....
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Where can I buy the kit lens? I cannot find it on amazon.de....

 

Check your other thread, twice we have posted the link to the 18-55 kit lens.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

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Where can I buy the kit lens? I cannot find it on amazon.de....

 

just literally typed in Nikon lens

 

35 f1.8 - sharpest images, great low light but fixed perspective

http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-35mm-Filtergewinde/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-4&keywords=nikon+lens

 

18-55 kit - mediocre lens, cheapest price, wide angle with a small tele zoom

http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-DX-18-55mm/dp/B00HQ4W4PC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-5&keywords=nikon+lens

 

Tamron 18-200 if you want an all in one - wide angle, and long telephoto range - weakest image quality, not great in low light

http://www.amazon.de/Tamron-18-200mm-Aspherical-digitales-Filtergewinde/dp/B0007XD4LM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-8&keywords=nikon+lens

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just literally typed in Nikon lens

 

35 f1.8 - sharpest images, great low light but fixed perspective

http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-35mm-Filtergewinde/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-4&keywords=nikon+lens

 

18-55 kit - mediocre lens, cheapest price, wide angle with a small tele zoom

http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-DX-18-55mm/dp/B00HQ4W4PC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-5&keywords=nikon+lens

 

Tamron 18-200 if you want an all in one - wide angle, and long telephoto range - weakest image quality, not great in low light

http://www.amazon.de/Tamron-18-200mm-Aspherical-digitales-Filtergewinde/dp/B0007XD4LM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1440414689&sr=8-8&keywords=nikon+lens

 

If I read it right, OP wants a zoom lens. So, the kit and the tamron 18-200 are pretty much the only ones valid as a recommendation... unless OP changes his mind (I feel that prime lenses actually teach someone how to shoot than variable focal length lenses)

 

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If I read it right, OP wants a zoom lens. So, the kit and the tamron 18-200 are pretty much the only ones valid as a recommendation... unless OP changes his mind (I feel that prime lenses actually teach someone how to shoot than variable focal length lenses)

 

 

Yeah thats why i gave the options :D

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So I just purchased my first DSLR, the Nikon D3200 and was looking at learning of course the camera itself and how everything works but also wanted to invest in a Lense as I hear it makes everything a lot better (not sure what specifically) so what would be the best beginner budget Lense for me to get? Around the 120Euro mark. Thanks in advance!

One of the best ways of learning how to use your camera is to get a prime lens (fixed focal length), as it forces you to think about the shot, versus vooming in/out to get the desired shot.  The Nikon 35mm F1.8 would be great, and invest in a zoom later.

sold

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One of the best ways of learning how to use your camera is to get a prime lens (fixed focal length), as it forces you to think about the shot, versus vooming in/out to get the desired shot.  The Nikon 35mm F1.8 would be great, and invest in a zoom later.

The best lens to use for a beginning photographer would ultimately be the kit lens. Its the lens that came with the camera. But since TS bought one without a kit lens, a 35mm F1.8 would be great.

Random person here...

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