Moving to full frame - lens dilemma

matty D

matty D

Messages
557
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
No
Hi folks, Im going to buy a Nikon D600 while the cash back offer is on, and plan on keeping my D7000 as a spare or for when I need a little extra reach.

I already have the excellent 24-70 2.8 and am looking forward to using this lens at a more useable range than on DX.

I will sell my Sigma 10-20 though as its DX only, so I'm looking for a wide angl lens. If I were to get a zoom it would be the 16-35, but I've already got 11mm of that range covered so it would be a lot of cash for an extra 8mm on the wide end.

I've not used primes before but am considering getting either one or two fixed lenses. The ones I'm considering are the Ronikon (sp?) 14 2.8 and the nikon 20 2.8.

Can anyone give me opinions on what they are both like, whether or not one would be more useful than the other etc.

Main use would be landscape, cityscape and indoor, possibly some architecture. In other words a general use wide angle.

Thanks in advance :)
 
I had the 20mm (AF-D right?). It was just "ok" on FF digital. The Rokinon rates/tests better but I've never even seen a Rokinon.

I had the Sigma 12-24 and it's quite good optically but it is a bit slow(4.5-5.6). It's not the Nikon 14-24 but it's less than 1/2 the price and a bit wider.
 
Wait.... save.... get the Nikkor 14-24 2.8. Simply awesome. Better still.. Sell the D7000, save and wait less... then get the 14-24.

If you need reach, just shoot with the D800 in DX crop mode... the resolution will be almost the same as the D7000 anyway.
 
the nikon 14-24 is an awesome lens on my d880e and as good on my d7000, it's a quality lens that should keep it's value
 
I was in a very similar situation to you a few months back.

I ended up keeping the 10-20 to use exclusively with the D7000 which allows me to use my 100mm Lee filters when I need them.

I got my D800E along with a 14-24 & 24-70 to add to the 70-200 i already had.

As Pookeyhead said, if you have to wait to get a 14-24, wait. It is an awesome lens. Super, super mega sharp, built like a tank and a pleasure to use. That front element is a thing of beauty as well!

I bought both the 70-200 and 24-70 used but found that, coupled with the voucher deal Nikon were doing (maybe still are) when you buy certain bodies, the 14-24 was only marginally more expensive to buy brand new. They hold their value exceptionally well and, if you can find a used one, there's only a couple hundred quid difference.

The one thing that did slow down my decision to buy the 14-24 was the whole filter thing. It's resolvable obviously, albeit an expensive solution, but to be honest I just blend two exposures now. Takes but a minute to sort.

With regards to the primes you were considering I'm not going to be much help but I can guarantee that you will not regret purchasing a 14-24 and if you do, sell it. Used dealers and photographers alike will bite your hand off for it.

Good luck :thumbs:
 
I've been considering a similar move myself replacing my D7000 with a D600.

I've been finding that I much prefer using primes, something that was borne out on my recent trip to Paris, the Sigma 17-50 pretty much got left in the hotel and the 24mm / 35mm stayed on the camera.

However I found the 24mm while excellent just not quite wide enough sometimes, this lens on a D600 without the crop factor would I think be wide enough for anything I'd need, and I think a kit of 24mm f2.8D, 35mm f2 and the 50 f1.8 would be a good lineup for what I would use it for.

I have thought about ditching DSLR again and picking up a Fuji X-Pro 1 with the 14mm, 35mm and 60mm primes but when frankly I can get a Full Frame DSLR for the same price (less if I take into account the lenses) I'm not sure why I'd bother!
 
While I love my 14-24 you should consider how you're going to use it. If you're going to want to use CPL's and ND's for landscape shooting the 16-35 (or similar) is possibly a better choice.
You can easily spend $1k on a filter setup for the 14-24.
 
As much as I'd love the 14-24 the fact it can't take the filters I already own is a major problem for me. I know the rokinon can't either but the 20mm can.

Can anyone suggest a 20mm or wider prime other than the 2 I have mentioned that are well rated?
 
Agree with the choice of the Zeiss 21mm - unbelievable quality. You don't need to go paying for AFS motors in a wide angle! F8 and be there for most subjects. For wide open shooting, it is so bright that you can focus very easily.

Quite simply THE BEST. Without question, and not that expensive either - what you are paying for is the glass, not gadgets.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the input guys. I've done loads of research online and I think the 16-35 will be most suitable but I'm going to hire one alongside the 14-24 just to make sure.

Zeiss 21mm looks awesome but not really wide enough. I generally use my 10-20 DX lens at 10-11 most of the time so looking for something 14-16 at the widest end.

Thanks for all your help
 
A cheaper option could be the Sigma 12-24. However, it has the same filter issues as the Nikkor 14-24 so might not be suitable for the OP. 12mm is either insanely wide or fabulously wide on FF!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top