My Glass... (Image taken in Cary, NC)
I am enthusiastic (maybe to the point of being anal) about the quality of images my cameras and I produce. – Because they can hold timeless moments that are many times captured in one shot. I have had a measure of success in my progression of DX format DSLR imaging systems because I am a stickler for understanding the technical specifications of the systems, and then being able to capture and create what I want from that technical knowledge in the field (did I mention I am a systems engineer – which is probably the reason why I am so particular about digital imaging :-).
Even though there are numerous easy to use features and automatic settings available on the Nikon D5100 – I have always been in the habit of shooting with manual settings (I do use auto focus – except at night because it can be difficult for the sensor to capture a focus point in low light). This provides me a level of control for what I want to capture in landscapes, portraits, macros, and night shots – as opposed to hoping the automatic setting of my camera will produce a quality image.
Something I took the time to do is learn how to pick a lens that is compatible with my cameras. There is no doubt that my Nikon D5100 was created to satisfy user concerns myself and other previous owners of the D5000 observed. The design, functional and innovative modifications from the D5000 to the D5100 were done quite nicely, I must say. Many lenses can be used with Nikon DSLR D5100 cameras. Nikon and Nikon ‘purists’ say that Nikkor lenses produce the ‘best imaging quality’ - more so with Nikon to insure a greater share of the optics market for their DSLR cameras. I can challenge the ‘best imaging quality’ presented by Nikon and Nikkor ‘purists’ in the images I have produced by less expensive (but equitable quality) Sigma and Tamron lenses.
With the popularity of the small sensor APS-c format found in the D5100 and other recent design Nikon DX format cameras, the standard ‘kit’ lens is often supplied at a very attractive price. I, however, use Tamron 10-24mm , Nikkor 35mm prime, Sigma 18-50mm and 50-200mm, and Tamron 70-300mm lenses. I am particularly fond of my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 OS HSM (OS = Optical Stabilization, HSM = Hyper-Sonic Motor) - which provides a high level of optical performance.
Unfortunately, I discovered the 18-55mm Nikkor ‘kit’ lens provided with my D40 camera was lacking in features and in image quality. I took a photographer’s prerogative to replace the Nikkor 18-55mm lens with the Sigma 18-50mm ‘standard’ zoom lens when I purchased a D5000. This lens has 16 elements in 12 groups, with aspherical glass to offer correction for distortion, in addition to SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass which provides optimum color correction and sharpness. The Super Multi-Layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting and assures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range for me. This lens employs Sigma’s state of the art technology to assure top quality images at a value price.
Along with the large aperture of F2.8, the Sigma 18-50 mm has an almost 3 to 1 zoom range, this compact lens is great for the manual setting shots I take, as well as quick snap shots on the fly. Also, because the lens has an f/2.8 aperture, this lens is capable of ‘fast’ photography - meaning it can be used hand held effectively in low light, helping to eliminate blur from photos with the OS feature (but use of a tripod in low light is my preference).
The design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology that offers superior peripheral brightness, extreme high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction. Another feature of my Sigma lens is the super multi-layer coating that reduces flare and ghosting which is a common problem with digital cameras. A high quality image is assured throughout the entire zoom range. In addition, an inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation making the lens suitable for circular polarizing filters.
The Sigma 18-50mm is my ‘workhorse’ – the one that I will usually have mounted on my D5100. I may choose to mount my 10-24mm, 35mm, or 50-200mm lenses on the D5100 on occasion – but I prefer to use the D3100 for optional mounting of these lenses to catch a different focal length perspective if needed.
And finally: the glass in most lenses are of very good quality, although the final shape of a lens and the mechanisms surrounding it will vary by manufacturer. My former D40 and D5000, as well as my current D3100 and D5100 do not have a auto focus motor, so I have purchased lenses with a built in focus motor..
The image above was taken during one of my daughter’s recent dance recitals (19-MAY-2011)- it is a good example of the hand held ‘fast’ capability of my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 OS HSM lens…
Image Spec. Data...
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5
Exposure Mode: Manual
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1/250 second
ISO: 2000
Exposure Bias: -1.0EV
Focus Mode: AF-A
OS: On
Cary High School Spring Dance Recital
Date/Location:
May 19, 2011 / Cary, North Carolina
The following images were captured with my Nikon D5100 and Sigma 50-200mm lens...
www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/5893715400/in/photostr...
www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/5952675556/in/photostr...
My Glass... (Image taken in Cary, NC)
I am enthusiastic (maybe to the point of being anal) about the quality of images my cameras and I produce. – Because they can hold timeless moments that are many times captured in one shot. I have had a measure of success in my progression of DX format DSLR imaging systems because I am a stickler for understanding the technical specifications of the systems, and then being able to capture and create what I want from that technical knowledge in the field (did I mention I am a systems engineer – which is probably the reason why I am so particular about digital imaging :-).
Even though there are numerous easy to use features and automatic settings available on the Nikon D5100 – I have always been in the habit of shooting with manual settings (I do use auto focus – except at night because it can be difficult for the sensor to capture a focus point in low light). This provides me a level of control for what I want to capture in landscapes, portraits, macros, and night shots – as opposed to hoping the automatic setting of my camera will produce a quality image.
Something I took the time to do is learn how to pick a lens that is compatible with my cameras. There is no doubt that my Nikon D5100 was created to satisfy user concerns myself and other previous owners of the D5000 observed. The design, functional and innovative modifications from the D5000 to the D5100 were done quite nicely, I must say. Many lenses can be used with Nikon DSLR D5100 cameras. Nikon and Nikon ‘purists’ say that Nikkor lenses produce the ‘best imaging quality’ - more so with Nikon to insure a greater share of the optics market for their DSLR cameras. I can challenge the ‘best imaging quality’ presented by Nikon and Nikkor ‘purists’ in the images I have produced by less expensive (but equitable quality) Sigma and Tamron lenses.
With the popularity of the small sensor APS-c format found in the D5100 and other recent design Nikon DX format cameras, the standard ‘kit’ lens is often supplied at a very attractive price. I, however, use Tamron 10-24mm , Nikkor 35mm prime, Sigma 18-50mm and 50-200mm, and Tamron 70-300mm lenses. I am particularly fond of my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 OS HSM (OS = Optical Stabilization, HSM = Hyper-Sonic Motor) - which provides a high level of optical performance.
Unfortunately, I discovered the 18-55mm Nikkor ‘kit’ lens provided with my D40 camera was lacking in features and in image quality. I took a photographer’s prerogative to replace the Nikkor 18-55mm lens with the Sigma 18-50mm ‘standard’ zoom lens when I purchased a D5000. This lens has 16 elements in 12 groups, with aspherical glass to offer correction for distortion, in addition to SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass which provides optimum color correction and sharpness. The Super Multi-Layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting and assures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range for me. This lens employs Sigma’s state of the art technology to assure top quality images at a value price.
Along with the large aperture of F2.8, the Sigma 18-50 mm has an almost 3 to 1 zoom range, this compact lens is great for the manual setting shots I take, as well as quick snap shots on the fly. Also, because the lens has an f/2.8 aperture, this lens is capable of ‘fast’ photography - meaning it can be used hand held effectively in low light, helping to eliminate blur from photos with the OS feature (but use of a tripod in low light is my preference).
The design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology that offers superior peripheral brightness, extreme high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction. Another feature of my Sigma lens is the super multi-layer coating that reduces flare and ghosting which is a common problem with digital cameras. A high quality image is assured throughout the entire zoom range. In addition, an inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation making the lens suitable for circular polarizing filters.
The Sigma 18-50mm is my ‘workhorse’ – the one that I will usually have mounted on my D5100. I may choose to mount my 10-24mm, 35mm, or 50-200mm lenses on the D5100 on occasion – but I prefer to use the D3100 for optional mounting of these lenses to catch a different focal length perspective if needed.
And finally: the glass in most lenses are of very good quality, although the final shape of a lens and the mechanisms surrounding it will vary by manufacturer. My former D40 and D5000, as well as my current D3100 and D5100 do not have a auto focus motor, so I have purchased lenses with a built in focus motor..
The image above was taken during one of my daughter’s recent dance recitals (19-MAY-2011)- it is a good example of the hand held ‘fast’ capability of my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 OS HSM lens…
Image Spec. Data...
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5
Exposure Mode: Manual
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1/250 second
ISO: 2000
Exposure Bias: -1.0EV
Focus Mode: AF-A
OS: On
Cary High School Spring Dance Recital
Date/Location:
May 19, 2011 / Cary, North Carolina
The following images were captured with my Nikon D5100 and Sigma 50-200mm lens...
www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/5893715400/in/photostr...
www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/5952675556/in/photostr...