I just got a D5300 two months ago with a 18-55mm kit and a 50mm f1.8G.
As I was using the 50mm as my main lens and started learning photography, I find that the 50mm is a very limited usage lens.
It forces me to think or switch to the kit, thus losing large aperture. I wonder if how soon do you sifus change the kit once u started photography?
Was planning to switch to a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 as a multi-purpose zoom. But spending extra money on a new lens is very burdensome for a student like me.

I need some suggestions on whether should I replace the kit, or rely on it as I fear that the image quality of the new sensor is sacrificed by the lens. And under low light situations, how do you guys workaround with the small aperture when its night time photography?

All help is much appreciated

no rule. just change to suit your purpose.

The kit lens is plenty sharp and does not sacrifice image quality.

Most change and upgrade to F2.8 zoom lens. Becuase most learn by buying first then do trial and error. Will a F2.8 zoom lens solve dark situations? The answer is no. Its better than the kit lens in the dark but problem is not solved.

2 gears that people use to deal with the dark situations are tripods and flash guns. Anyone who gets serious about photography eventually invest in both.

the tamron isn't that much better when wide open (f2.8), and you lose a lot in the wideness since you will be starting at 28mm instead of 18mm. does IQ really bothers you that much and stop you from taking pictures?

for lowlight, a zoom lens is still pretty limited since the brightest you can go is f2.8 (the sigma 18-35 is an exception) and you will still be using ISO6400 or higher. a flash gun is best for moving subject and tripod is a must for longer exposure.

I would say stick with the kit lens first, and maybe get a flash gun if you shoot in lowlight often. I used the 18-135 kit lens from canon for 2 whole years until i decided to change system then only i sold it, IQ of kit lens isn't really that bad if you don't plan to print super large or pixel peep everyday.

I agree

@TS
Even with a F2.8 lens, indoor shots (especially taking photos of more than one subject) works better with an external flash. That said, flash photography may be a bit challenging to learn if one is not very familiar with the basics of a DSLR- People always say its ~3x harder

Since a flash is not cheap; if you are short on money perhaps its best to just stick to what you already have, those are pretty good for starters. Learn all the basics by shooting outdoors (out in the sun) first, then only moving on to darker conditions. I used to take very crappy photos indoors too (I have a 18-105mm kitlens then), since I have no idea how to use a flash then; it all boils down to (1) choosing brighter areas to take photos; (2) use objects as hand support for sturdier shots [most people don't bring tripod whenever they go I'm afraid haha]; (3) use handphone torchlight as a light source [best if not shone directly on the subject, but rather bounced off walls etc.]; (4) take "artistic" shots i.e. low-key shots

Just my 2 cents~ The biggest thing that I missed about my kitlens is the superb focal range

Psssst, Yongnuo YN560 IV (available for Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax) retails for ~RM 250.

That's cheaper than the cheapeder cheapest of the cheapest cheap Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.

http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/prod/2875mm.php#ad-image-0
28-75mm will result to 43-116mm on your D5300.

Yeah I know sifu haha, and there's Nissin too
But RM250 is worth a month's rent for a student, and perhaps also 250 packages of Nasi Lemak

@TS, the Yongnuo is one of the most bang-for-buck flashes out there (and not lousy at all) , if you have the money, its worth considering

Beli Nissin flash, then eat Nissin noodles for the rest of the month.

Thanks everyone. But some of the places I shoot in low light does not allow usage of flash eg: stage performances. I do cosplay shots from time to time, other than that just event shots for the college or schools.

I think a Rm300 flash is still ok for my budget as I do have part time work for impulse purchases. I guess I'll stick with the 18-55mm for now. if memang too far away I'll just workaround with 50mm f/1.8 then crop.

So what is next? Flash or Tripod?

what type of stage performance?

cosplay photos varies, i also photograph cosplay.

I use a 50mm and 24-120 for this album https://www.flickr.com/photos/goldfries/set...57647659907534/ (that's around 35mm for and 16-85 for crop sensor body)

Wait a sec.... I saw this photo somewhere. No wonder.
So you are the one who shot this! Saw your pics on FB comic fiesta 2014 page. Those shots are gorgeous. And btw, you might have seen my super long feedback post as Belson Lim.

Thanks. I haven't visit the CF page to look at the feedback.

I'm still junior in cosplay photography, experimented quite a fair bit during CF.

Your 18-55 and 50mm would be able to get the shots as what I did. 50mm on crop sensor has the same perspective, only tighter field of view which is quite difficult to get good framing at cosplay events that's crowded as such.

You got paid to shoot that? Or friend drag you to shoot it casually/free?

Paid? No la, I just go around shooting just like anyone else who attends that event.

It's a casual outing. Had to hunt for subjects.

True, the sardine-ness of the CF hall makes it difficult to shoot with a 50mm. But if I shoot with the kit, you know la, the belakang so many props and people walking around xbleh dibokehkan.
But not having a zoom really makes u think.

I guess I'll leave the zoom lens to a later date, and try to master the kit and 50 first. But how do u workaround lets say in CF stage events? 18-55mm is not telephoto enough and x bleh flash photography lagi.

Anyways, nice to meet you (not physically). How did I do? This is what I took from CF2014 (minus the non-cosplay)


CF2014



This post has been edited by shinnasuka: Jan 2 2015, 05:49 AM

Few way to do it
1.)Use wide end of focal length and somewhat make it work because you don't need so high shutter speed(1/focal length rule)
2.)Use 50mm F1.8

Alternatively if 50mm F1.8 can consider trying 30mm F1.8 or 35mm F1.8

Flash and tripod IMO is a must so budget accordingly and get whichever you can afford
That also applies to me actually

stage performance you want to use tripod ah?

no la, that one usually wide aperture telephoto zoom / prime.

What kinda low light situation ?
IMO, if you mean places without a whitish wall/ceiling to bounce(outdoor), flash would be less useful.

You could blast directly in front, but it'll look awful.
Some diffuser helps a bit, but it's still so harsh. Better diffusers are cumbersome and large.