Hey everyone, I’m new to photography and wondering how much people spend on lenses compared to the camera body they’re mounted on? Does it make sense to buy a higher end lens for a mid range camera, or would you be better off getting a slightly cheaper lens and spending some of the money on a nicer camera? Mainly wondering about used gear…

Currently shooting with my SO’s D3500 when she isn’t using it, and thinking of buying my own. Considering a used Pentax since weather resistant lenses seem easier to find for them than other brands…

Edit: how practical is it to use a Pentax lens on a Nikon with an adapter, and vice versa? I assume the electronics like AF and VR won’t work?

    • ZkhqrD5o@lemmy.world
      1·
      27 days ago

      My, my, you are asking a big question herehere are some to start out.

      • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8 (Soap bubble bokeh and three element goodness.)
      • Auto Chinon 55/1.7 (beautiful, smooth and perfect bokeh You have never seen anything like it. They are quite rare, however.)
      • Meyer Optik Görlitz Primoplan 50/1.9 (Beautiful micro contrast and very smooth gradations. Brilliant black and white lens.)
      • Meyer Optik Görlitz Primotar 50/3.5 ( four element goodness. So, essentially, most of the organic qualities of the Jena Tessar, but with the more organic components toned down. Microcontrast suffers a wee bit under the additional element, but not too much.)
      • Meyer Optik Görlitz Telemegor 180/5.5 (The long telephoto portrait lens. Enough said.)
      • Super-Takumar 135/3.5 ( If you check online and find this lens for maybe 30 to 50 quid, you’ll think you’re insane and you made a mistake and you accidentally bought a way more expensive lens. The micro contrast and resolution of this lens is unreal, especially considering the price.)
      • Nikkor 28-85 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF ( You can buy them dirt cheap for less than 100 quid online, and it is a good competent zoom. It even has a macro switch, so if you’re just starting out and want to spend little money, this lens is your go-to.)

      All of these lenses should be readily available on eBay. I excluded the rare stuff.

      Edit: And there’s much more. I still have a very limited experience with that. I have some more than I outlined. But believe me, there’s some great stuff out there waiting to be discovered. I also fixed a spelling mistake

      • itstoowet@lemmy.world
        1·
        27 days ago

        The Helios 44 58/f2 should be on here as well, but that’s one of the more obvious options.

        I actually just bought a speed booster to get rid of the crop factor on my aps-c Sony a6000, really excited to try it out and get more of that swirly bokeh.