how far does this zoom (i'm a newbie) I only have the kit lens with my camera - the one that doesn't zoom in very far. How far does this zoom? Is it a decent zoom?
313958
I have no idea what this means: "Because it is built for the APS-C sensor, it doesn't get the focal length benefit that comes with using EF or full frame level lenses." It is not lenses that are full frame, it's the sensor in the camera. And whether you use EF or EF-S lenses, the crop factor for non-full-frame cameras is exactly the same. On Canons, the crop factor is 1.6, meaning that a 100mm lens on a full-frame camera will be like a 160mm lens when used on a crop-sensor Canon, like the Rebel line. So you're not losing any "focal length benefit," whatever that is; your lens will perform like it's even more of a telephoto. I have no idea what this means: "Because it is built for the APS-C sensor, it doesn't get the focal length benefit that comes with using EF or full frame level lenses." It is not lenses that are full frame, it's the sensor in the camera. And whether you use EF or EF-S lenses, the crop factor for non-full-frame cameras is exactly the same. On Canons, the crop factor is 1.6, meaning that a 100mm lens on a full-frame camera will be like a 160mm lens when used on a crop-sensor Canon, like the Rebel line. So you're not losing any "focal length benefit," whatever that is; your... » Read More I have no idea what this means: "Because it is built for the APS-C sensor, it doesn't get the focal length benefit that comes with using EF or full frame level lenses." It is not lenses that are full frame, it's the sensor in the camera. And whether you use EF or EF-S lenses, the crop factor for non-full-frame cameras is exactly the same. On Canons, the crop factor is 1.6, meaning that a 100mm lens on a full-frame camera will be like a 160mm lens when used on a crop-sensor Canon, like the Rebel line. So you're not losing any "focal length benefit," whatever that is; your lens will perform like it's even more of a telephoto. « Show Less
506216
It has zoom, if you count that as manual focus. This kit, at least mine did, comes with two lenses that give good options for shoots. Hope this helps
269557
Wow -- you are looking at two completely different focal ranges -- what do you plan to shoot?..If you want distance shots (i.e. nature, landscapes, walk-around shots in the city, being able to zoom in on, well, basically anything, then you really DO need a longer focal range lens like the 55-200 in addition to your kit lens. If you plan on shooting things in "normal mode" -- i.e. the 35mm lens will replicate pretty much exactly what the human eye is looking at, then it is far faster than your kit lens, and it's a great walk-around lens. But if you are a first time dSLR buyer, you have to think about what you are going to shoot. If you are coming from the world of point-and-shoots that start at a standard 3-5X zoom, you will right off the bat see that the 18-55 kit lens is very limiting in zoom. Your typical point and shoot goes from 28 - 210 or so. There is software available that lets you see what focal range you shoot most of your photos in - just google for that. It basically looks at your photo folders and determines what the focal ranges of your photos are. I find that I take about 40 percent of my photos at 35mm and below -- and about 40% of my photos at 200 or above....and the rest sort of scattered. I would not be able to survive with only a kit lens and a 35mm lens (which is the same as a normal 50mm lens on a DX camera like the D5000)...With that setup, you would have a range of 27-80 with duplication of the 35mm smack dab in the middle). That is about 1/3 the normal zoom range of a point and shoot. My take -- get the D5000 with the standard kit lens, and add the 55-200 option. Down the road, you will know if you need a 35mm lens as well. The only reason you would need it with that setup is if you find yourself taking a lot of low-light photos where you need a faster lens (the 1.8)...otherwise you might not need it for your purposes at all.
701819
Use extension tubes with a prime lens. Not so good with zooms. Best lenses are those with MANUAL f-stop rings, otherwise you can only shoot with the smallest aperture. You can indeed get way closer and shots will be very sharp.
462294
Are you sure it says that? I've looked over the ad description & I don't see anywhere that it's a zoom lens. The only place I see the word "zoom" was in a customer's question comparing it to their zoom lens. It's definitely not a zoom. It's a single 30mm focal length prime lens that I've enjoyed.
52074
Ok, short answer: If you get the kit lense, it's a 3x optical zoom, roughly (not sure where you think you saw a digital zoom rating... there shouldn't be one). Long answer follows (and you should probably read the long answer, because it's good information to have if you're looking at getting into SLRs) The zoom for an SLR is always in the lens you choose to pair with the camera's body, and that is always an optical zoom (digital zoom refers to what is, essentially, cropping the picture and blowing it up, which has an accompanying loss in resolution; you won't see digital zoom as a feature on an SLR as that essentially would amount to only exposing light to part of the sensor, which is ultimately pointless) If you look at lenses, you'll see a bunch of numbers. It might look something like 55-300mm f/3.5-5.6. That first set of numbers is the focal length, and since it's a range, you're looking at a zoom lense rather than a fixed lense (a fixed lense might just say something like 35mm or 50mm). The effective magnification of that range is roughly 6x... but 55mm is already a bit magnified, particularly on a D3100, which has a smaller DX type sensor that effectively magnifies all shots by around 1.5x. So if you got this camera with the kit lense, which is 18-55mm and a telephoto lense that is 55-300mm, between the two lenses, you'd have an optical zoom of a little less than 17x... though you would have to carry both lenses and swap between the two as needed in order to get that full range. So essentially, the point is that the zoom of this camera is up to you. If you want to, you can even buy one of those fixed focal length mirror lenses rated at 1000mm or so and get some truly incredible magnification. But if you do, get yourself a tripod too.
1428987
this lens does not have an adjustable zoom. What u c is what u get. Better 4 still shots. Focusing is another issue. on a moving subject u would want to use A I Servo mode while holding shutter button 1/2 way down then fully down to snap pic. Im not fully exper with this lens but i believe it would b difficult to to obtain non blurry pic if not exper'd. With practice I SUPPOSE ONE COULD MAKE IT WORK. Just my opion
1877496
This is not a zoom lens, its a short telephoto. For your purposes a 18-200 f/3.5 will do nicely.
1680734
That is really a great question. I truthfully am only an amateur with very expensive taste. I have taken many photos with the lens and thought that it was a fine lens. However, from what I have read, I would think that your best results would not come from a zoom lens. Please though remember, your best answer would come from someone who does portraiture.
1907929
I did not buy the kit lens. I already have a full range of L lenses by Canon and did not need it. In general I find I prefer not to use kit lenses as they are of lower quality and do not suit my needs. For someone just starting in SLR photography, the kit may make sense, but if possible I think it's better to spend more and get a really good general purpose lens such as the 24-70 or 24-105.
2097652
Kit lens is 14-42mm or 12-50mm. You can also but camera alone and get any lens you want. I bought mine last year with the 12-50mm and have been very happy with that lens. Any way, you won't be sorry. Great camera!
1429173
This lens offers a 315mm equivalent field of view fully zoomed. It starts about where the kit lens ends. If this were a small sensored camera the zoom would be called about 9 or 10 times zoom. Without an adapter this is the most "zoom" you can put on your e-mount Sony camera. I find the picture quality slightly sharper than the kit lens. Just like the kit lens your best photos will be in really good light. I'm happy with this lens.
2279389
Just looked at mine at I would say it zooms up to about 18 feet ... So go example I zoomed right in on something and had it crystal clear and it was 18 feet away.... Hope that helps?
1675352
There is a Macro Mode option. How close you can get to your subject depends on the zoom setting. It ranges from 0.4 inches to 2.0 inches from the lens, according to the user manual.
350840
What does that mean? Zoom? If so, pretty good. Not the best, but I'm quite happy with it. As for Micro, it MUST be on that setting to work. And then it works great.
1284799
I don't know what the kit lens is. I use an Olympus 12-40 f2.8 and it's fine, even hand held to about 1/40s. Those with a steadier hand could probably do better than me
170019
Jason, I am a newbie to taking pictures using anything other than a point and shoot!! But, I love this lens. I used it last night for my grandchildren's Christmas program at church. The church was dimly lit with the stage lit. I used no flash with it set on night scene. The pictures are great, even for an amateur like me. As far as the motor, all I know is that I just screw it on the body and start taking pictures. I love the range of the zoom. I could zoom out and get the entire group or in and get my precious ones. I would buy it again with no hesitation. It is much lighter than my Tamron low light lens, so if either will work for the situation, I choose this lens. Jason, I am a newbie to taking pictures using anything other than a point and shoot!! But, I love this lens. I used it last night for my grandchildren's Christmas program at church. The church was dimly lit with the stage lit. I used no flash with it set on night scene. The pictures are great, even for an amateur like me. As far as the motor, all I know is that I just screw it on the body and start taking pictures. I love the range of the zoom. I could zoom out and get the entire group or in and get my precious ones. I would buy it again with no hesitation. It is much lighter than my Tamron... » Read More Jason, I am a newbie to taking pictures using anything other than a point and shoot!! But, I love this lens. I used it last night for my grandchildren's Christmas program at church. The church was dimly lit with the stage lit. I used no flash with it set on night scene. The pictures are great, even for an amateur like me. As far as the motor, all I know is that I just screw it on the body and start taking pictures. I love the range of the zoom. I could zoom out and get the entire group or in and get my precious ones. I would buy it again with no hesitation. It is much lighter than my Tamron low light lens, so if either will work for the situation, I choose this lens. « Show Less