D700 Advice

gadgeteer

gadgeteer

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Ok, I've been after upgrading to full frame for some time. I'm currently a Sony shooter but this evening I placed a cheeky bid on a used D700 body. Didn't expect to win but I did! :lol: Ooops!

So....need some advice from current Nikon/D700 owners. Sorry if some of these questions are a bit noobish.

  1. I know the Nikon 24-70 is the king but how does the Tamron 28-75 lens compare?
  2. How big (approx) are RAW files from the D700?
  3. Does anyone have the Yongnuo 565 flash? It's looking much cheaper than the original Nikon and I could probably use that for a bit until I sell/save more money then use this as a slave flash.
  4. A question for the future really. If I grip it, is it still pretty safe to hang off a BR/Q strap
 
Congrats. You'll love it.

1. I understand the Tamron is pretty good. You could also look at the Nikon 35-70 2.8 or if the budget can be stretched, the Nikon 28-70 2.8 is just wonderful.

2. About 12mb with lossless compression

3. Not used that one but I did something similar with a Nissin 622 MK2. Has wireless TTL as well which is quite handy as you will have a wireless flash setup controllable from the camera straight out the box. Highly recommended.

4. You'll be fine with this one. I've used a Q strap with grip and 70-200 attached all day with no issue.
 
Congrats and welcome to the Darkside :wave:

I have just upgraded to a D700 from a D300 and although I would love the 24-70 I do have the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 di. All I can say is it is a fab lens, sharp wide open and nice colours. Focus speed has not been an issue for me and I don't know how it compares with the Nikon but I have the motorised version and find it to be OK. It does hunt a bit in very low light but not a big issue.

Raw files are about 12mb.

Don't know about the Yongnuo but have a look at a s/h SB600 as they are going for about £130 now.

I use the Black Rapid strap with no probs on a grip. With the 70-200 I put the strap on the lens tripod mount as it hangs a bit better.

HTH

Nick
 
A friend of mine user name TonyNi on here has a couple of those Yongnuo 565's and seems to rate them. It might be worth dropping him a pm.
 
A minty 28-70 can be found for around £600-£650 if your budget will run to it.
 
Have used Tamron and Nikon on my D300 and can easily say the Nikon is better, and I would definatley not go back. However... is it worth the second hand difference of £700??? Dont know.
 
1. Yes, the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is undeniably better than the Tamron or the Sigma but for an amateur, is it really worth the extra? I very much doubt it if you get a good copy (of the Sigma). I could afford the upgrade if I wanted to but I truly don't see the need since my Sigma is razor sharp (especially stopped down a stop or 2 from wide open).

2. 3. and 4. sorry, no experience of any of that kit so not qualified to hazard an opinion on it.
 
Like Nod I would agree that the Sigma 24-70 [buy new or from a reputable s/h dealer, then at least sigma/dealer will sort it out if its a bad copy] is definitely an option to look at. I was using one for a few years and actually still have it, despite now having the nikon version, because for on the hop close up stuff, it is much better and has a shorter focusing distance than the Nikon. The nikon one is way superior, but 3 times as good, for regular amateur use? Hmm... probably not.


yes, gripped and dangling on an R-strap is fine, both mine are on a regular basis.

However, a word of caution for the future - should you invest in an SB900 or its equivalent huge and weighty future - don't have it dangling so often - I had to have my hotshoe replaced a while back because the weight of the gun hanging upside down from it damaged it. Fine with the smaller flashes, but that one caused problems, and some googling showed I was very much not alone in this issue. :nono:
 
For your work, the on camera flash would be ample!!!:whistling::yv::legit:
 
I use 2 YN-565EX II flash guns along with a Nikon SB700. There is a version of these flash guns that as far as I can recall don't work TTL. i only use them off camera and quite often in manual. For any on camera flash for fill or bounce I wouldn't use anything other than a Nikon flash as I know they give the best results.

I would rate the YN-565EX II as an excellent 3rd party flash only drawback being no high speed sync!
 
I can have a stab at questions 1 and 2:

The Tamron is a great lens on my D700. Not built as solid as a Nik/Sig/Tok, but far from tatty either, light and optically brilliant. If this lens was damaged, I would buy another one the same day. This was my note:
Summary: avoid wide open or near at 50mm and longer focal lengths, otherwise all round brilliant.
Primes ? This lens is bested by the new Nikkor 50mm f1.8G only at f2.8 and wider, but is comparable from f4 and smaller, and the Tamron pulls ahead at f11.

My D700 RAW files are from 14MB to 17+MB (14 bit lossless compressed).

Strongly recommend the Tamron.
 
Thanks all.

I've managed to grab a Tamron 28-75 at a bargain price.

Flash-wise I've gone with the Metz 50-AF1 because the Yongnuo lacks high speed sync which I sometimes use. Plus I already have the Sony version so I know it's a good flash and comfortable with the menus.

Just can't wait now for everything to arrive!
 
Look forward to seeing the results:)
 
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