FromZto5

As most of you know, I am an avid photographer... am still learning a lot, but I love the challenge.

I currently shoot with a Nikon D60, and my trusty 18-55VR lens, and my CPF. I have had it for over 3 years... but the reason for this thread, for xmas, I am debating over what new "toy" to get. Wife said there is a certain threshold for pricing, but she hasn't set on it yet...

So, I think I have decided on 2 things.

50mm 1.4 AF-S Nikkor lens.

Adobe Lightroom 4/4.1

I was debating between other options like a new D5100 or a 18-200VR lens, but I think with the photos I take and the editing I do, I will have more use with the 50mm and Adobe than the other previously mentioned items.

My only concern with Lightroom is that I may not be able to do true HDR photos with it... you guys know how much I love HDR at times, lol. But I heard there are plug-ins for it? Not quite familiar with that yet... but maybe it's not bad. Also, they said I can do a pseudo HDR with just one image via Lightroom? hmmm I wanted Photoshop, but aside from it being $699, it is also clunkier to use that Lightroom.

So, you avid photographers out there, What say you to my propositions above? Good choices for gifts? how about lightroom vs photoshop?

thanks guys.

Scothew

I have the Nikkor 18-200VR and absolutely love it. It never comes off of my camera. Now for portraits and low light up close shooting, the 50mm 1.4 would definitely be a better option.

mopar?

18-200 is too much, I don't like it.

I stuck to my 18-105vr and I love it. You don't have a FX sensor on our camera so you have to take the 1.5x crop into account so a 35mm is actually a 50mm for your camera. the 35mm 1.8 is amazing and it's only $200.

Download lightroom for free and photoshop, who cares. I got mine for free because my college offers them for free, but I personally choose photoshop over lightroom. You better be shooting in .nef too.

Get yourself a good tripod too if you don't have one, and a shutter release remote, only way to get sharp pictures and step your game up. A new camera body wouldn't hurt either.

FromZto5

Thanks for all the responses folks. It sounds like my idea to get "glass", in this case, a 50mm 1.4, is the right way to go. With a good lens, you can always reuse it on the next body. My D60 has all the features I could want... I mean the newer bodies will probably have better light sensitivity, better ISO (higher without being grainy,etc)... but I think I can live without it for now. The 50mm is really what I need since I take a lot of indoor photos of family, other art, etc. And I am just DROOLING over how it will handle my automotive pics...
As for lightroom, I think that is also the way I will go. They offer free (donation) plugins like Enfuse, etc... that should help me do HDR, should I need to. The cataloging feature on Lightroom I heard is immensely helpful.
So ok... it looks like my pricepoint is
50mm 1.4 = ~400 - 450 bucks?
Lightroom = full version (wish I was a student) ~ 125 bucks?

pegasusphototx

Buy used. Most people take very good care of their equipment and when they sell their gear you can find some great deals. I should know, I just sold all my gear and had some great price points. Check out various photography forums in their for sale sections, you might just find that lens for quite a bit less.

-danny