purchased 80mm 1.8; first try with it Saturday

[newbie1]

<p>Ok, Here it is. I shoot with a Nikon D300. My favorite lens for street has been my 80-400 3.5-5.6 zoom. It is a very good lens to me for shooting street, however, I do not get the detail I think I need nor do I get enough blur where I want it. I do get blur and detail but I think I can do better.<br>

So, I posted here to get recommendations and also asked a few friends.<br>

I purchased a Nikon 80mm 1.8 telephoto. I would have loved to have the 1.4 however the $$$ were not here.<br>

I first shot with this lens Saturday. I will take some getting used to as far as having to move with the lens rather than just zoom in and out. I think I will use both of these for now. I am very surprised upon loading the photos to my computer and do like them.<br>

What do you think?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/photo?photo_id=9275129&size=lg"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/9275129-md.jpg" border="0" alt="FAMILY AT THE MARKET" width="679" height="476" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/photo?photo_id=9275127&size=lg"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/9275127-md.jpg" border="0" alt="COUPLE AT THE MARKET" width="679" height="451" /></a><br>

These photos were taken at the Ferry Building Farmers Market Saturday.</p>

<p> <b>Moderator's note:</b>PLEASE STOP POSTING THE TITLES TO ALL OF YOUR THREADS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. IT'S NOT POLITE TO SHOUT.</p>

[michaelging]

<p>James that is a great lens. I believe you are talking about the 85mm 1.8 instead of the 80mm. </p>

[newbie1]

<p>Yes, thank you. I keyed it wrong. Thank you. And yes it is a great lens. Now I just have to get used to it.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Looks good. I must admit, tho', I don't worry about bokeh or out of focus areas in street or documentary photography. To me, the aperture is just a tool to be used as needed - mostly for freezing action or to enhance zone focusing. I tend to rely on a middle aperture and DOF for speed so I don't waste time fiddling with tiny increments in focusing. And I like the look of direct flash in nighttime photos and use small apertures to get more in focus. Can't say that I've ever looked at a good street photo and thought "Wow, that's mighty fine bokeh." OTOH, sure, it's handy to have fast lens when needed for low light.</p>

[newbie1]

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=172915">Lex (perpendicularity consultant) Jenkins</a></p>

<p>I do not disagree Lex. As I had stated, my favorite street lens is my 80-400 3.5-5.6. I have captured many good shots with this one. And, I still use this lens for street. However, if I am going out to shoot street portraits, etc. this 85 mm 1.8 lens is the best. I love it and now have to get used to it as there is no more zooming in or out; I must move with the camera.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<blockquote>

<p>"To me, the aperture is just a tool to be used as needed - mostly for freezing action..."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hmm... I just realized that didn't sound logical.</p>

<p>I should have written that I adjust the aperture to suit the desired shutter speed necessary to freeze action. Must remember to engage brain before writing.</p>

[photo_galleries]

<p><em>My favorite lens for street has been my 80-400 3.5-5.6 zoom.</em></p>

<p>I'd actually call that surveillance.</p>

[newbie1]

<p>That is correct Keith. I love my 80-400 lens. I get some very good shots with it. I am moving more into street portraits, which is something I never intended to do or thought of, it is just happening that way, so I think the 85 1.8 is going to work for that part of my shooting.<br>

I have a project I am working on and also want to 85mm for that.</p>