Nikon FX Lens Dilemmas

JJ!

JJ!

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I am really struggling with what lenses to choose, what direction to go in and its frustrating the hell out of me!

I shoot such a wide range of things I'm really struggling with choosing a path.

Anyone else have these sorts of dilemmas? I'm trying to make some firm decisions before spending but I'm still no closer!

As much as I like the all prime route, I'm not sure its right for me. I like to take photos of horse and my wife and friends riding and after trying this with the 50mm f1.8g at the weekend I have decided that fixed lengths was not ideal.

Then again, I shot a church ceremony a few weeks back with the 35mm and found it very enjoyable.

Money always being an issue, means I cant afford all and everything.

Was seriously looking in to the Tamron 24-70 VC but the quality control issues of this lens worry me, plus I am a bit worried about the sheer weight of the thing and if it would stop me wanting to pick up the camera. Maybe I could pair it with a 35mm.

Still ocnsidering the old 28-75mm, mainly as its cheap and light, but finding a good copy might be a mission.

The Nikon 24-70 is too big and heavy and expensive.

I'm not even sure anyone can help me lol I just need to decide what I really want from the camera/lens.

Anyway, I have talked nonsense for too long now.
 
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You will find your happiness in the relation performance /price range /most flexible
lens that permits you to cover most of your shooting preferences.

… but before your money goes over the counter, you still have some homework to do.

The decision power is all yours as long as the money is in YOUR pocket!
 
The 24-70 range is a good one on FX and sounds like it may suit your needs. If money is tight then I still use a Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 EX DG non HSM lens that is pin sharp, compact and light and cost less than 300 quid secondhand. There is so much choice out there though and you can tie yourself in knots over reviews, other users comments etc but at the end of the day it's about the best bang for your buck and getting a lens that you can work with in your specific area of interest and gives you the best images possible for the money.
Your other option might be to hire a lens or two that you are interested in (if they are available) and then make your own decision as it seems not all lenses work as well on all bodies these days. I was lucky with my Sigma I think as their QC is not always what it could be but my copy is bang on with no micro adjustment required for my shooting range.
 
I was in exactly the same boat mate. I ordered my camera with the 24-120mm f4 lens. I great range, f4 was ok and it suited the camera... So i sold it. :LOL: decided to go the prime route with the 35/85 f1.8's... Nice lenses, lightweight, small, great IQ... Way too limiting for me. For me primes have to accompany a good zoom lens. Finally settled on my 24-70. What a great lens. It does everything really well. Yes it's not f1.8, but it offers me the flexibility which is definately worth the trade off. The focus capabilities of this lens are incredible. Really. The speed is amazing and it doesn't give up until it locks on.

If you do go for the Tamron then make sure you buy new so that you have the option to send it back should you get a poor copy. It's well regarded on here.
 
I started with a 50 f1.8d nikkor & an 85 f1.4 samyang. I quickly got a 28-75 f2.8 and this was a great combo. I've recently got a sigma 35 art and this paired with the 50/85 has rendered my 28-75 redundant. The iq of primes is great but the flexibility of the zooms are equally useful.

Interestingly, I was a bit meh about the 35 mm focal length, but since I've had it, I think it's a pretty versatile focal length. If I had to go out with just a single lens it would be a toss up between the tamron and the 35mm.
 
Thanks for the sound advice! The Tamron is £600 on Amazon which isn't much more than grey. Least it's easy to try and test using Amazon!

I think just a 35 will be just too limiting.

The weight of the Tamron does put me off a bit, but I think I would get used to it.
 
Analyse your style to develop a shortlist.

Open lightroom with all your images over the last few years.
1 - See how many shots you shoot at f2.8 or wider.
2 - See your most used focal lengths. i.e. are you mainly wide, mid, telephoto or just all over the place.

Now you know what your style is:-
- If you are all over the place for focal lengths and shoot at f4-f8 then nikon f4 24-120
- If you are mainly f2.8 then only consider f2.8 and wider that fits your budget.
- If you are f2.8 and all over the wider focal lengths then 24-70 f2.8.
- If you are f2.8 and all over the telephoto focal lengths, then 70-200 f2.8
- if you are f2.8 and predominantly work at a single focal length, then primes - but you say this is no use.

For myself I'm as follows:
Studio portraits at f8 and 35-100mm, so I bought the nikon f4 24-120 (originally intended as a backup but I find I'm really enjoying it)
Outdoor portraits almost always at f2.8 and at 24-200mm. So I bought the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 from wex for a good price and the nikon 70-200 f2.8
Primes are not for me. When shooting weddings I find that people get in my way or there is no time to take a step forward to get into the right spot before missing the moment.
 
Double post
 
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28-75 is the cheap and cheerful option! My friend has a copy for sale but going to try some test shots and see what I think. What's best way to check for sharpness?

Is the VC version a big step up in IQ and build?
 
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First, I would get yourself a 70-200/300 lens for photos of the wife horse riding. Myself I'm finding the Tamron 70-300mm VC okay on the D750. The Tamron 28-75 is a very good value lens as discussed on other threads on here, I have been pleased with both copies I have previously owned. If you go the Tamron route (28-75 / 70 -300) it's a £550 outlay for new and then you can decide what primes you need or want, or better zooms. I think this way you have less chance of a great financial loss, even better if you can get good second hand ones. The 28-75 is going to be lighter than the current 24-70 VC lens

We are all different, I sold my 24-120 f4 lens as it was a tad heavy for me as a walk about lens until I have some elbow/shoulder op's. I have now settled on the 50mm 1.8g as my walkabout, Sigma 105 Macro and the Tamron 70-300mm and it's currently working for me. I hope to buy the Nikon 200-500mm lens next year and will decide on my wide angle options. I would love to try the Nikon 24-70, but currently it's going to be to heavy for me.
 
My mate has just dropped off the 28-75, and just done a few test shots. Seems super soft at f2.8, although I was trying to take photos of a lego head so not much room for error lol! Going to try a more suitable subject and try again this evening.

Its so difficult to choose. My shots are all over the shot from low light to horses to landscape to my cat. I think your right about a 70-200/300 and then I'm not sure.

I might try the Tamron 24-70 if the 28-75 doesn't work out.
 
JJ! said:
My mate has just dropped off the 28-75, and just done a few test shots. Seems super soft at f2.8, although I was trying to take photos of a lego head so not much room for error lol! Going to try a more suitable subject and try again this evening.

Its so difficult to choose. My shots are all over the shot from low light to horses to landscape to my cat. I think your right about a 70-200/300 and then I'm not sure.

I might try the Tamron 24-70 if the 28-75 doesn't work out.
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Did you focus on the Lego head using the AF sensor or live view?

Mine is out on AF but very sharp when using LV.
 
How do I check for front/back focus issues? I have no idea if the above is acceptable for f2.8. Anyone with a 24-70 VC have any lego lying about? lol
 
JJ! said:
My mate has just dropped off the 28-75, and just done a few test shots. Seems super soft at f2.8, although I was trying to take photos of a lego head so not much room for error lol! Going to try a more suitable subject and try again this evening.

Its so difficult to choose. My shots are all over the shot from low light to horses to landscape to my cat. I think your right about a 70-200/300 and then I'm not sure.

I might try the Tamron 24-70 if the 28-75 doesn't work out.
Click to expand...

The Tamron your trying looks a sharp one when stopped down.

What I was trying to advise earlier, if you went the Tamron route with the two zooms your are then covered from 24 or 28mm - 300mm which is a good starting point and offers good flexability at a reasonable price, (it was the reason I intially bought the 24-120mm lens, but it was not suitable for me due to my problems). You have the 50mm for low light if needed.

You can then decide over the coming months what primes you want or need and then upgrade the zooms if required. The holy trinity is the way to go if you like zooms but they don't come cheap and they weigh a bit.

It's a difficult one, when we all want the latest and best, but don't have enough money in my case. I have had about 15 cameras over the last few years and probably more than 100 lenses including MF ones and I'm going to stay with the D750 and build my collection of lenses slowly over the coming years. I have been chopping and changing too much.
 
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