Only one lens more....

rogermbyrne

rogermbyrne

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Roger
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I know, I know, asking advice on lenses is asking for the depends on what you use it for answers but... I'd also like opinions on any of the lenses I've thought about or if there is something I've missed.

OK budget around 800-900 pound.

Some history I had a D90 now have a D700.

I had a Tamron 70-200 and found it slow AF and a little soft wide open and a bit big and heavy for what I want to use it for.

I have a Tamron 28-75 but think I will sell, it's a good focal length but I want to invest in the best glass that will a. stop any niggling upgrade thoughts (for a while at least) and retain a better 2nd hand value if I ever sold.

I have a 50mm 1.4 G. I like this I feel good with a prime, it's a little soft wide open where I like using it.

So what do I want to do, I do some strobist stuff in the house and when the weather gets better will be planning on taking it out and about, think Dustin Diaz but without the skill and hats...

I also really want to do more covertish street stuff.

I have been looking at the Nikon 85mm 1.4 AFD but think the length is a little short for the covert stuff and a little too close to the 50mm I already have.

There is the 105 and 135 DC which I have been lusting after, long enough (silly question really)? Now with a camera with AF fine tune (whether the reports about this lens and front/back focus issues are true or whether it's operator error is irrelevant I know feel comfortable with a D700 that if there was some error in the lens that AF fine tune to the rescue.

Then I think I should just get a Nikon 24-70 a great quality lens and all rounder but think it will be too short.

I had a wide angle Tokina which I just sold, I loved the lens and wide angle shots but I have only one purchase right now and would rather go for something longer and forgo the wide angle for a while, maybe keeping the Tamron and see if the 28mm is enough for some WA shots.

What do you think? What do YOU think? :naughty:
 
When I bought my kit again, I wanted the best glass I could with as little overlap as possible. The first on my list was the 24-70mm, as I already knew that was my most used focal length. I then bought a 105 macro, but not just for macro, for portraits too. Then I bought a 50mm f/1.4, but I found it too short and not sharp enough wide open, so I bought the 85mm f/1.8, which is a great length on FF. I also bought the Sigma 12-24 for the wide stuff. I;d love the Nikon 14-24, but that aint gonna happen.
Lastly but not least is the Samyang 85mm f/1.4. Sharp as a tack wide open, and again a great length.

For candid street stuff, youve got to get the balance between long enough to be far away, but not so long its obvious you are pointing a bloody great lens at someone. I think the 105mm and the 85mm suit this well. The samyang is manual focus, but sharper at f/1.4 than the Nikon is at f/1.8. If I was going to do street stuff and felt confident enough using manual under pressure, thats what I'd take.

Anyway, back the point. I'd do what I did! Get the 24-70 and either your longer 135 or the 105 and see how it goes.
I think you'll find 28 too wide sometimes. Sometimes you need wider!

I know that doesnt really help, but thats what I think!. If I were to sell everything and start again, I wouldnt change the order or the lenses I purchased, I'd buy it all back as I did this time around.
 
Sell me that 28-75 and get yourself a 70-200, Roger. :)
 
@Tom in some respects I agree with you that the 24-70 is the sensible buy but for me a. it just seems too large and heavy.

btw I'm only getting one lens right now otherwise I probably would be getting 24-70 and then an 85 or 105 or 135 but I have to choose 1.

@Dean haha I better get on those test shots for you then ;)

@aspidistra be a lover not a fighter ;)

Anymore thoughts from anyone? Not in any rush although there is an 85MM 1.4 AFD on ebay right now, ending on a Saturday night might net me a bargain ;)
 
From what you've said, Roger, a 70-200 would seem ideal as a one stop shop.
 
rogermbyrne said:
@Tom in some respects I agree with you that the 24-70 is the sensible buy but for me a. it just seems too large and heavy.

btw I'm only getting one lens right now otherwise I probably would be getting 24-70 and then an 85 or 105 or 135 but I have to choose 1.

@Dean haha I better get on those test shots for you then ;)

@aspidistra be a lover not a fighter ;)

Anymore thoughts from anyone? Not in any rush although there is an 85MM 1.4 AFD on ebay right now, ending on a Saturday night might net me a bargain ;)
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Hmmm, maybe not where used lenses are concerned...
 
Just got back from a shopping trip and managed to try a couple of lenses out on my body.

24-70 2.8, 24-120 VR and 105 VR Macro.

Didn't really like the 105 Macro and wasn't expecting too.

The 24-120 was interesting, obviously not as sharp as the 24-70 but my test werent very scientific and at iso 1600...

Anybody used a 24-120 VR? Any thoughts about it in comparison to the 24-70?

For all the 70-200mm suggestions I did have one the Tamron and just felt I didn't use it as much as I should down to the size, I know the VR from Nikon is going to be a totally different beast but still think I would be hesitant to use it much still..

I was really surprised by the size of the 24-70 though I was expecting a beast large and heavy but actually found it quite 'small' and light...
 
Sounds like the 24-120 is more what would suit you if you want the extra length. I looked at both and plumped for the 24-70 for the speed. It's my most used lens (80%) with the 70-200 VR II second and the 135 DC third.
 
rogermbyrne said:
Just got back from a shopping trip and managed to try a couple of lenses out on my body.

24-70 2.8, 24-120 VR and 105 VR Macro.

Didn't really like the 105 Macro and wasn't expecting too.

The 24-120 was interesting, obviously not as sharp as the 24-70 but my test werent very scientific and at iso 1600...

Anybody used a 24-120 VR? Any thoughts about it in comparison to the 24-70?

For all the 70-200mm suggestions I did have one the Tamron and just felt I didn't use it as much as I should down to the size, I know the VR from Nikon is going to be a totally different beast but still think I would be hesitant to use it much still..

I was really surprised by the size of the 24-70 though I was expecting a beast large and heavy but actually found it quite 'small' and light...
Click to expand...

I was gonna say I didnt think the 24-70 was that big or heavy, not a D700 anyway, it balances quite nicely.
 
Well i had the choice recently after upgrading to a d700 from a d90 to get one good lens with it.
When i first bought my d700 i got a 24-70 with it,for the one day i had them both(thats another story) i didnt fall in love with the 24-70 as much as i expected, after everyone telling me its the lens to get.

I found myself using it at 50-70 most of the time as i mainly shot people indoors.
I already own a 50mm,which was my favourate lens before so this may not have helped.

After returning them both and getting another d700 a few weeks later,i went out to get a new lens.
I had thought about a 85mm as i loved my 50 so much,but though it best that i try and stick with the 24-70 and get used to it.
when i got to the shop i tryed the 24-70 again,looked at the 70-200,but was worried about the size and weight,then noticed they had the new 85mm.

as soon as i tryed that in the shop i bought it much to the sellers supprise,and it hasnt been off my camera since,except for about 20min ,when i thought i would give the 50 a whirl,but the preformance from that was so underwelming it got taken straight back of.

i dont mind having to walk forward or back to get what i want in the frame and the sharpness i unbileavable campaired to anything else ive used,i think i might struggle to like any new lenses i get due to this though.

this is just me though i know my next lens will have to be a zoom,especialy for when on holiday/traveling as a prime isnt ideal.

i would say try the 85,the 105 and the 24-70 again if possible and see what feels best.
if one of the primes feels better go for it and dont look back.
 
It's a shame nikon doesn't do 70-200mm f/4. You could always jump the ship.

It sounds like you may enjoy 24-120 the most as long as f/4 "only" isn't prohibitive.

The weight shouldn't be an issue, it takes a couple weeks to get used to then its hard to even notice.
 
Personally....105mm DC....

But with a 70-200mm 2.8 vr you can't go wrong :)

Off topic...but how are you finding the D700 images vs the images from the D90?
 
Consider the 180mm f2.8, good length for outdoors, discreet, extremely solid construction and incredible image quality at f/2.8.
 
@Danny to be honest I was so busy with work last week I've only just been playing, I guess the main difference for me is the adjustment of focal lengths from dx to fx, I never liked my 50mm that much on a crop but with the fx it's perfect.

Apart from that I'm just an amateur so everything about a D700 is overkill for me really but don't tell the wife ;)

@John I did see a 2nd hand 180 going for around 380 quid just thinking now with the small diff in size I would prefer the zoom. You rate the 180mm I take it then? Any fav shots to show us?
 
rogermbyrne said:
@John I did see a 2nd hand 180 going for around 380 quid just thinking now with the small diff in size I would prefer the zoom. You rate the 180mm I take it then? Any fav shots to show us?
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I wouldn't say it's a small difference in size, the zoom is a good 3 inches longer (without the hood, add a few more with) and twice the weight. The 180 is really very compact in comparison.

Some pics:

JPW_0815.jpg


JPW_0940.jpg


JPW_0895.jpg


JPW_0969.jpg


JPW_1021.jpg
 
jpw said:
I wouldn't say it's a small difference in size, the zoom is a good 3 inches longer (without the hood, add a few more with) and twice the weight. The 180 is really very compact in comparison.
Click to expand...

Awesome pics John!

I really keep tooing and froing between what I want, this is not good!

Do I really need to spend sooo much money on a lens... I am never going pro...

There are two attractive options on the cheaper side, but I sort of promised myself never to go for cheaper stuff anymore but...

AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 80-200 mm f/2.8 the push pull version I could pick up for less 320 Euro (£280) with filter.

Or

AF Nikkor 180mm 1:2,8 D + Filter 72mm for 430 euro (£375) with filter.

One of these and I could pick myself up a nice SB800/900 too within my budget....

:bonk:
 
the 80-200 is still a great lens. Some are a touch soft wide open at the long end, but it's value.
 
I would hardly call the 80-200 "cheap" Its still a pro grade lens, just been superseded by the 70-200.
 
I am also someone who just plays, never gonna go pro either.

My 24-70 never comes off my camera, so sharp and does my proud.
I then bought the 70-200 a few months later.
Hardly use it.

But I have the D300s so it's crop factor comes into play.
 
Been umming and ahhing all day about damn lenses lol

Been watching a few 70-200 vrI's on ebay but havent taken a plunge on anything yet.

I think I've decided to get the best I can for the money I have and that will be a VRI just need to find a good one at a good price and I think I'm done....till next time ;)
 
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