Next Lens[es]

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Shorty

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Right, I have some money to spend and was wondering what people's suggestions on what my next lens/lenses should be?

I am into Pet Photography, and currently have 18-55mm Kit Lens, 55-200mm Nikon lens, and a newly acwuired nifty fifty 1.8, what other lenses would suit my line up? I've been looking at, and liking the 24-70mm 2.8, but having only seen second hand prices[the money is a gift from someone and can only be new lenses] didn't realise that that particular lens is a teeny bit over budget[Budget is £1000]

So, I basiclly have about, MINIMUM £700 to spend [prob 8-900 really, but some money is going on something else]

So what would you suggest for my uses? a telephoto lens for action shots, or a shorter range lens for portraits/close action?

Suggestions very welcome - thank you
 
It is a shame you cannot get to the 24-70 but you could look at a couple of primes, the 35 and 85 primes are really nice or alternatively what about the 105mm f2.8vr macro. This would take a massive chunk of your budget but would give you a great fast prime lens and also one of the best macro lenses available. You might even have enough left for the 35 or 85mm prime.
 
Cowasaki - I quite like the sound of that, cos, forgot to mention, I have been feeling the annoyance at not having a macro lens - only prime I've had is the nifty, so would be interesting to see how I'd handle a longer prime - doesn't sound a bad idea at all!
And I like the sound of having some money left over for another prime.
Will take a look at these lenses[including 17-55mm] - cheers guys :-)

Anymore suggestions?

Edit: Cowasaki, would you get both of these as Nikkor Lenses, or Sigma/Tamron?[so far all my lenses are Nikon, but that's purely cos it's what I've come across...I know sometimes the lenses have differing things to them between makes [sharpness/focusing etc]
 
Shorty said:
Cowasaki - I quite like the sound of that, cos, forgot to mention, I have been feeling the annoyance at not having a macro lens - only prime I've had is the nifty, so would be interesting to see how I'd handle a longer prime - doesn't sound a bad idea at all!
And I like the sound of having some money left over for another prime.
Will take a look at these lenses[including 17-55mm] - cheers guys :-)

Anymore suggestions?
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Tis a shame you're not a bit nearer you could have had a play with my 105. I am sure there will be someone nearer with one. I love mine.
 
I really like the sound of those lenses, thing with the prime, however much I DO take your word for it, and really like sound of it, the only thing putting me off is how much I'd actually use it.... I really do rely on my zooms when action shooting dogs, and think I might favour my zoom lenses over it, and I'm afraid it'll just end up sitting there...Hmm, will have a think over that. - I do really like the sound of the lens[and examples I've seen from it]
 
I just got a 50mm f/1.4 today and already love it one and a half tonnes more than the f/1.8 or any of my other primes. It's fast and true, and the bokeh is much more pleasing than my other primes (this might be a case of first love though :)). Buy this, and after selling your f/1.8 you'll still have most of your cash left for another lens...
 
I use Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 for pet photography and it works well - the only downside is that it is a heavy lens and takes 77mm filters which are more expensive

I would recommend you get something wider than a 24mm on a DX body for pet photography.

www.timothycook.co.uk
 
Thanks guys - tbh, I'm not ready to get a 1.4, only got my 1.8 a couple weeks back now, have hardly used it to even feel the need to 'better' it, I like it how it is right now.

See, part of me wants a wider lens [17-35, I've seen, too] but tbh, I have only ever, handful of times, used wide angle of my kit lens for shots, BUT, in saying that, I know that whatever lens I get next, because it'll be a quality lens, and not a kit lens, it'll damn sharp and the colours it'll pick out'll be pretty damn good - I presume.

I don't use filters, not for any reason, just don't - I tend to use Lens Hoods. So filter size isn't a worry to me.

Think I'm gonna need to think things through - still gutted about the 24-70mm being out my budget

Was thinking, also, to maybe get[if I come round to idea of it] the 105mm prime, and then a 70-300mm Macro, too.
Thoughts?

EDIT: Oh, just seen price of 17-55mm new, hadn't spotted that before, that's ove my budget, too. I really only have, max £900 to spend
 
I have been told that the Sigma version is 90% of the lens for 50% of the cost (Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM Lens) or you could try the even cheaper one.
 
Why not consider something like the Sigma 70-200 2.8. Fast focusing and pretty good IQ by all accounts, plus it will give lovely OOF backgrounds to your pet shots.
 
cowasaki said:
I have been told that the Sigma version is 90% of the lens for 50% of the cost (Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM Lens) or you could try the even cheaper one.
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90% of the lens ain't half bad, especially for the price, looking around it could be had, on average for £750, that's a good £300 off Nikon price, still leaves me teeny room for maybe a telephoto, too, if I push my luck[or just put some of my money towards it] Will have a think about that!

strax said:
Why not consider something like the Sigma 70-200 2.8. Fast focusing and pretty good IQ by all accounts, plus it will give lovely OOF backgrounds to your pet shots.
Click to expand...

I've seen one of those, pretty heavy/big, aren't they?

Gutted that the only Jessops around is tiny, it only has basic lenses in store - so I can't even go and 'test drive' them in my hands. Gutted.

I think I have a LOT of thinking to do. - I mean, I desp want the 24-70, but all the other lenses mention don't have much wrong with them, only prob being I'm a little unsure I'd use them as much as I should, for what they are. Hmmmm


Thanks very much for all your help and suggestions so far, guys, really do appreciate this - much food for thought!
 
How about something really wide like a Sigma 10-20 or similar

You can get some really creative, striking and unusual pet portraits - you know the sort of thing - the huge nose and tiny body / huge paw in the foreground / looking up at a super tall dog from ground level etc

I know from being on a dog forum that these images are very popular.

This sort of thing....

http://www.thedog-clubs.com/pup-ography.html
 
See, thing is, I don't 'mainly' do portraits, when I do, they're outdoors, I'm more of an action photography kinda person - so it might be nice to have an ultra wide zoom/prime to get those great, unsual shots, but it's not 'me' nor what I do. If that makes any sense?

Like I say, I've done the very very odd wide angle shot, but it's not something I keep going back to, so I'd hate to spend a tonne of money on a lens that won't be used much at all. I don't really dabble in any other type of photography except pets/animals, so it's not even that I could pull it out my bag to use for landscapes etc.

I wanna get the perfect lens for me, cos it's a lot of money to mess around and get the wrong thing, with, I think?
 
MPB Photographic who advertise on here sell mint used 17-55 Nikkors for around £650, I had one from them last year it was like new.

105 f2.8 Macro great sharp lens, got VR, fast to focus, produces some nice images, may be a bit long but set your current zoom to 105mm and see what you will get.
 
In my opinion it would be silly to drop almost a thousand on a 17-55 or something in that range when you have the perfect lens already, the 50mm 1.8. If its a new lens you REALLY want then go for a nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro, this would open up new possibilities being a macro lens and its VERY sharp.
 
I do a lot of gundog photography, I use the 80-200 pretty much for all of them, belting lens.
 
Hmmmm, all these new lenses confusing me/making me lust after them!
I've found a Sigma 24-70 for just over £500 new, which leaves me with about £200to POSS -£300 to spend on another lens.

Martyn - however good the quality, it can't be second hand[I'm not a snob absolutley every piece of my equip minus MCs and bag, is second hand] but the person gifting me the money would like it spent on NEW products that really make the money worthwhile. - It's their wish and I would like to/have to follow it.

Otherwise I'd be shooting to get a second hand 24-70mm - alas it can't be done so I go for new Sigma.

Do you guys think it's worthwhile to get the 24-70mm Sigma, the 70-300mm Nikon, and then sell my 55-200mm AF-S and put the money towards maybe another lens[don't know what they're going for, so can't say what other lens etc.] or would you keep all my current lenses I have anyway?

I think I'm too set in my mind to get he 24-70mm - and therefore can't get any other top of the range lenses around the same cost. So a £300 second lens seems more worthwhile. But I think it's the second lens I'm struggling on most. OR do I go for something in the slightly lower telephoto type lenses e.g 24-105mm or something?

Has anyone ever used these guys?
www.OcotopusElectronics.co.uk

Their prices are really good, I can get a Sigma 24-70mm for just under £310!!
 
Shorty said:
Hmmmm, all these new lenses confusing me/making me lust after them!
I've found a Sigma 24-70 for just over £500 new, which leaves me with about £200to POSS -£300 to spend on another lens.

Martyn - however good the quality, it can't be second hand[I'm not a snob absolutley every piece of my equip minus MCs and bag, is second hand] but the person gifting me the money would like it spent on NEW products that really make the money worthwhile. - It's their wish and I would like to/have to follow it.

Otherwise I'd be shooting to get a second hand 24-70mm - alas it can't be done so I go for new Sigma.

Do you guys think it's worthwhile to get the 24-70mm Sigma, the 70-300mm Nikon, and then sell my 55-200mm AF-S and put the money towards maybe another lens[don't know what they're going for, so can't say what other lens etc.] or would you keep all my current lenses I have anyway?

I think I'm too set in my mind to get he 24-70mm - and therefore can't get any other top of the range lenses around the same cost. So a £300 second lens seems more worthwhile. But I think it's the second lens I'm struggling on most. OR do I go for something in the slightly lower telephoto type lenses e.g 24-105mm or something?

Has anyone ever used these guys?
www.OcotopusElectronics.co.uk

Their prices are really good, I can get a Sigma 24-70mm for just under £310!!
Click to expand...


Yes you can! if you are happy to buy "grey market" There can be warranty issues with goods sourced in Hong Kong.
 
Ah, right, well I'll stay well clear of that thankyouverymuch! Cheers for the heads up. Am going out now, but will look at this thread later. Cheers guys!
 
Right, well I have just ordered/bought the 24-70mm EX DG Macro from Calumet, and I pick it up on Tuesday :woot:
So, to wet my appetite until then, can people post some shots they've taken themselves, with this lens?? If of course you have it!!

Although, typically now, my wish list which wasn't existant a few days ago now consists of a
85mm
70-200mm f/2.8
and
17-55 f/2.8[heck, I didn;t even think I'd want this lens, til I've seen some cracking picture taken with it!]

Just gotta save, save, save, I guess!:thumbsdown:
 
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