50mm/1.8 Nikon Lens

**Tanya** · 02-01-2008, 06:22 PM

I'm having trouble getting a decent shot with it. This may be the most ridiculous questions but - any tips?

**imported_ChowHound** · 02-01-2008, 07:27 PM

I don't have the Nikon lens, but a Canon 50mm/1.8. But can you be more specific in describing the problem. Are the pictures soft? Does it front or back focus? And what are you shooting with it (dog, scenery, etc)?

**Tanya** · 02-01-2008, 08:27 PM

I guess I need to practice in good conditions - i've only pulled it out for indoor action. I'm not getting any better photos than with my regular lense (which is much slower at 4.5/5.5). I can't speed up my shutter and photos are blurry.

**imported_ChowHound** · 02-01-2008, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Tanya

I guess I need to practice in good conditions - i've only pulled it out for indoor action. I'm not getting any better photos than with my regular lense (which is much slower at 4.5/5.5). I can't speed up my shutter and photos are blurry.

Did you up your ISO?

**EMA** · 02-02-2008, 02:28 PM

Stupid solution - but are you holding your camera still? Can you brace it on something and take a picture of a bouncing ball or something else that's moving to try it out?

**Tanya** · 02-02-2008, 02:52 PM

ok - must have forgotten about the ISO! LOL! It's very low (probably at 200) so yes, that was one of the problems!

I do need to get a tripod, though I low to the ground (so I need a tripod low).

Thank you!

**imported_ChowHound** · 02-02-2008, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tanya

ok - must have forgotten about the ISO! LOL! It's very low (probably at 200) so yes, that was one of the problems!

I do need to get a tripod, though I low to the ground (so I need a tripod low).

Thank you!

Have you tried taking any shots at a higher ISO yet -- and did that help?

Your 50mm/1.8 should be great for indoor shots -- I made my coke bottle shot in this week's challenge using that lens indoors in a lightbox. But want to know where I really love this lens? It makes lovely flower shots with the shallow DOF I love ~ examples below.

**imported_Aim** · 02-02-2008, 05:07 PM

What are your settings? Can you give an example?

I rarely ever raise my ISO. My standard setting is 200.

The picture in my sig is with my 50mm 1.8 Nikon Lens.

**EMA** · 02-02-2008, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Aim

I rarely ever raise my ISO. My standard setting is 200.

Even for action shots??? I start at 400 and go from there on my settings. High action/low light will boost to 800+ depending on outcome.

**imported_ChowHound** · 02-02-2008, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by EMA

Originally Posted by Aim

I rarely ever raise my ISO. My standard setting is 200.

Even for action shots??? I start at 400 and go from there on my settings. High action/low light will boost to 800+ depending on outcome.

^ ^ same here ^ ^ There is a general rule of thumb to avoid getting OOF pix ~ the shutter speed should be at least the reciprocal of the focal length. Therefore, with a 50 mm, you'd want at least 1/50 of a sec. for your shutter speed. For me, I find that the higher the better and I usually double this ~ so inside, with a stationary object and a handheld 50 mm lens, I generally use 1/125. BUT to get the speed the ISO has to go up.