First of, I'm assuming that vibration reduction is the same thing as image stabilization, in which case there is no point going after that for brickfilming, because you have to turn it off anyway. As a photographer and brickfilmer, I tend to recommend that you never buy a used lens. Unless you're buying it from a camera store that will take it back if it doesn't work as it should, buying a used lens is very dangerous; you never know what the lens has been through, so there's a good chance that it won't last long (especially important in brickfilming) or that some specific part will fail. What it comes down to, though, is what purpose you're looking for. As far as close up shots go, macro filters are great because they're super cheap, and will give you a much closer shot than any macro lens, short of one that's going to cost you 1500 USD, even used. BTW, most macro filters are designed with special features that cost a lot of money and are only useful when shooting insects and other living creatures, or that give you extra clarity that can't be seen in a 1080p video. Since LEGO Minifigures don't tend to run away, at least in my experience, and video can't be rendered in 18 Megapixels (1080p is 2 Megapixels) I don't think they're necessary. Before anyone knocks the quality of macro filters, please watch Egyptian Holiday, which used macro filters. If you want a lens that's wider than 18mm, it's going to cost you, especially to get one with a useful minimum focusing distance. If you want better glass, that's also going to cost you, but I can go into more detail if you want. Sorry to talk so much.

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I personally use the T2i kit lens, and it's worked great for me. It has a closer minimum focusing distance than any other lens that I've found. I just bought a lens for normal photography use, and don't plan on spending a whole lot of money right now (starving college student). Macro filters are literally just a magnifying lens that screws onto the front of a lens. Along with making the image appear larger to your camera, the way a magnifying glass does when you look through it, it also brings your camera much closer to the subject. While theoretically this can be a problem with the camera getting in the way of lighting, I use the Canon 60D, which is physically larger than the T2i, and I haven't had a problem yet. They give you a very shallow depth of field, but so is any lens that will get you that close. In my experience they haven't lowered quality at all. They tend to come in sets of different powers, which allows versatility in the shot you want. I've used them many times, and I've always been satisfied with the results. Personally, I think they're totally worth it for the 12 bucks I paid for them.

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Alright then. In getting close ups (which was a main issue), it seems that these Macro Filters have won the day for now. A good starting place I suppose.

But then, there's also the matter that some people say the kit lens (18-55mm) experiences lighting flicker from time to time, and if you want to eliminate that, you should really buy a Nikon Lens. Does anyone have a comment on that?

If that really is true then now would be the opportune time for me to buy one, or really soon.

And now, regarding Macro Filters, I hope you will allow me to go into some specifics. I'm not sure where to find any in stores where I live so I looked on Amazon.com.

Is this what you guys were referring to:  http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Concepts- … cro+filter ?

I also found this: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Canon-Ex … cro+filter . Would you say that is nessesary as well?

Thank you, you guys, for puting up with my inexperience and thank you to anyone else who takes the time to lend some input.

The first link is exactly what we're talking about. As far as the second thing goes, I really know nothing about them, and can't say anything about them until I try them myself, which I think I might do, being only 10 dollars.

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Okay. So it seems like I would be doing good to get a Nikon lens. I'll probably still try out those macro filters as well, though, since they are so economic.

So now I will go into specifics again. I searched "50mm Prime Nikon Lens" on Amazon and this is the first thing that came up: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor … kon+manual If anyone out there could stop by and give their input on this that would be great. Like I said, I don't really know much about lenses and stuff so every little comment that you guys are dropping is very helpful to me.

Basically what I want is a good sturdy lens for standard brickfilming and I'm thinking that for now I could use macro filters from there.

Thankyou very much, Cinexcellence, for that link. I found it quite helpful.

Alright. So I went to that site and found a few deals that I thought interesting. I will now post the links to them and let anyone give their advice who may. ("Man, can't this guy make any decisions by himself?!")

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual- … 31510?r=FE That one seems to be the same one I mentioned the Builder Brothers had at the top. Is it?

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual- … 45110?r=FE

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual- … 18260?r=FE That one seemed pretty affordable.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual- … 9000N?r=FE

I'm kind of leaning toward the first one. Is that wise? Any feedback on any of these couldn't be more welcome.

Now there you kind of lost me. All this "mm" and cropping stuff still confuses me so feel free to explain it in the most elementary way. Isn't the bigger the better? Wouldn't someone want a 50mm lens over a 28mm lens?

@BackyardLegos- Okay then, I am trying to wrap my mind around this. What I don't understand is why you called the lenses 135mm. I see the 135, but I only see the 35mm after it. So... which of those is the filter size and which is the focul length again?

You'll have to be patient with me, my friend. I am a slow learner but when I learn it, I learn it good.

Okay that makes more sense then... sort of. I'm sure I'll come to understand it as I slowly get used to this sort of thing.

So what about that first link? ( http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual- … 31510?r=FE ) Would you recomend it or did you find anything better in your browsing?

Sorry for relying so much on your advice here.

Last edited by Jayko (September 16, 2012 (08:15am))

So at this point it's really up to your personal preference. Check out what 55mm looks like, and some other standard fixed focal lengths (50mm, 35mm, etc.) with your current lens and see what you like. If you have a good tripod, then you can have the camera varying distances away from your set, but if you don't you probably want something wider. I'd like to point out that you can always make a prime lens more zoomed in with filters, but you can't zoom it out.

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