So, Nikon D7000 it is, but what to go with it?

rusticalex

rusticalex

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Alex
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I've spent a long time considering which camera is next for me, and I'm now clear that it is to be a D7000, having held one the other day and feeling very comfortable with it. The reviews across the board are very favourable, and it is close enough to my existing D50 to feel like the natural progression. So, I am just waiting a few days for a cheque to clear in my bank, then I'll be ready to spend!

In tandem with all this consideration, I've been thinking very hard about what lenses and other gear I should get, as well as where from, so I will write my thoughts down, inviting any comments or feedback on whether or not you agree I'm aiming for a good, across the board, set up. My interests are quite wide - landscape/seascapes, nature/birdlife, action, macro, my kids, travel - so I need to cover a few bases as best I can with my budget (no more than £2500).

My existing lenses are a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D, a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro, and a Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S DX. I am happy enough with the 50mm and the Sigma 70-300mm, but the 18-70mm was a mis-buy off eBay before I really knew what I was doing. It had some dust inside which I only noticed after it was too late, and I've never liked it at 18mm due to very considerable distortion. So I'm not including that in my future set up. I also have a set of Kenko extension tubes for macro.

I am currently looking to add the Nikon 18-105mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR as I can get this combined with the D7000 for £777 new, which seems very good (even if it is a 'grey' good via Panamoz) - this lens should be fine for a walk around lens. I will also favouring the Tokina ATX 116 PRO DX AF11-16mm F/2.8, which will sort me out for wide angle shooting. My real splashout will probably be a Sigma 50 - 500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS, which although heavy and some might say unnecessary, will suit me well for nature and birdlife. I've researched all these lenses at length, so think I'm getting value for money, especially buying 'grey' when the saving is worth doing so. I've considered many other lenses, but have narrowed this down to being a pretty good all round kit, to which I will add the necessary accessories (memory cards, flash unit - probably SB-700, filters, etc).

So, if you've managed to get to the end of my long winded post, please feel free to make any comments you like (as long as they're constructive!), as I am no more than a keen amateur who has a lot to learn, and I'm open minded enough to gratefully listen to other opinions.

Many thanks
Alex
 
i would add a 35mm f1.8 AFS and personally i would use Tamron 17-50 f2.8 as walkaround lens then then 18-105 but is all personal preference.

If you buying the sigma 50-500 are you planning to keep the 70-300?
 
badboy1984 said:
i would add a 35mm f1.8 AFS and personally i would use Tamron 17-50 f2.8 as walkaround lens then then 18-105 but is all personal preference.

If you buying the sigma 50-500 are you planning to keep the 70-300?
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Thanks badboy. Yes, I might well add the 35mm option as it seems to be so well rated at such a low price, but to keep the budget down I think the 18-105mm will suit better than the Tamron you suggest.

I will keep the Sigma as it is great for sport, and I've produced my best photos with this lens. Whilst I can't wait to get the 50-500, it is a bit of a lump to carry around all the time!
 
I posted a thread about this last week. If you can hold on for 2 weeks i would. The price has started to drop in the US it should be an announcement at Photokina of a new model. You should be able to save some money on the d7000.
 
rjbell said:
I posted a thread about this last week. If you can hold on for 2 weeks i would. The price has started to drop in the US it should be an announcement at Photokina of a new model. You should be able to save some money on the d7000.
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Blimey, Photokina doesn't end until 23rd Sept - not sure I can wait that long as I'm currently like a kid in a sweet shop at the prospect of having a D7000 with lovely new lenses in my hands! Thanks though - you've made a very good point.
 
You seem to have it pretty sorted to me. It sounds like you do a lot of shooting that needs a bit of length. Personally I'd be tempted to replace your Sigma 70-300 with the Nikon VR version but you seem pretty happy with the Sigma so maybe not. The 35mm is excellent but you already have the 50mm and I can't see a massive requirement to own both.

The 50-500 sounds good. You could save some money and go for the 150-500 which seems to either be an equal or a very close second in terms of optics though obviously not such a vast range.

Not much to add really, you seem to have it sussed.
 
Alex, just a word of caution about buying a 'grey' sigma lens. I have both the 150-500 and the 120-300, optically there's no probs at all. I have had problems with the 120-300, it had a new af motor and the os unit looked at this summer, thankfully within warranty and it's fine now. You may wish to check what sigma uk would do if you bought a 'grey' lens and that broke like mine did? I think you've picked the right lens in the 50-500 over the 150 to 500, mines a little soft at 500mm but my friend has the 50-500 and it is a tad better at the longer end. Enjoy the D7000, it's a lovely camera to use.
 
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