I'm a beginner photographer and I have the Nikon D3300. I've been looking at the 50 mm F-1.8 lens. Is it worth it

I'm a beginner photographer and I have the Nikon D3300. I've been looking at the 50 mm F-1.8 lens. Is it worth it - 1

You probably have the 18-55mm kit lens. Do you find yourself shooting around 50mm often?
What reasons can you give for needing a 50mm lens? We all need to ask ourselves this question when getting additional equipment.

For some people, the 50mm f/1.8 is a nice lens to have. It's a reasonable portrait lens on a crop sensor camera such as yours. It's useful when shooting in dimly lit areas without additional lighting. The optical quality is pretty darn good.

What you may want to do is set your 18-55mm lens to 50mm and tape the zoom ring with blue masking tape to force you only use 50mm. Start shooting away and see how you like shooting with a fixed focal length at 50mm.

There's also a 35mm f/1.8 which I find better for general shooting and parties than the 50mm.

If you want to have auto focus and metering with your D3300, the only 50mm f/1.8 lens that you would want is the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G. The cheaper NIKKOR AF 50mm f/1.8D will not auto focus on your camera but will meter. Any other older Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 will mount but you would have to do everything manually.

Any lens is "worth it" providing that you'll use it enough to justify its cost.

Imagine your 18-55mm kit lens is stuck at 50mm. You can do that by setting the lens at around 50mm and shoot just at that zoom level. It may be severely limiting. You'll discover it's good for headshots and some details but not much on anything else.

At f/1.8 however, you'll be pleased to know that you will gain the ability to shoot at lower lighting conditions. That means longer shooting times even after the sun has set and better frozen shots during action shots under a strong sun.

I would say try to get used to your camera first and then go about getting extra lenses. I've been in the photography industry for about 3 years now and only recently bought my first 50mm lens. It is worth it but you have to make sure you know what your doing and are good and comfortable at it first before spending the money on lenses.

Spend some time getting used to your camera; it's a very nice camera but you really must get used to finding the features, functions and options without looking (yes, it takes concentrated effort). IF you already have the kit zoom lens, you already have lots of versatility, including the 50mm focal range.

The 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens. Great for individual portraits. You'll love the crispness and sharpness in your images, and you'll love the bokeh, too. However, there are several NIKON 50mm f/1.8 lenses and they do NOT all auto-focus with your camera model because your camera does not have the auto-focus mechanism built-in. I seem to remember that the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G version works very well (yes, it auto-focuses with your camera body). Call up or drop by any large camera shop and ask one of the counter personnel to make certain.

Of course, the other Nikon 50mm lenses will meter and work very well but ONLY on Manual Mode.

I suggest you look it up and compare the new and used ones you come across; these lenses work really nicely but you may want to save a few dollars by buying used at B&H Photo (NYC) or online at KEH.com and if you don't see it one day, keep checking until you find one and be ready to buy immediately.

I bought the 50mm f/1.8 lens for my Nikon D90 and like it. But, when I bought the 35mm f/1.8, I found that I used it a lot more. If I had it to do over again I would just buy the 35mm. Be sure to get the EF-S version if you want autofocus. The EF versions won't autofocus on your D3300.

If you take portrait photos or still lives, it's great. I have a 1.4 and I don't switch it at all! Just know that it has no VR so you'll have to have steady hands if you want to go under 1/160

Yes it is especially in aperture mode