Upgraditis

D

darkeeboy

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Paul
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Currently have a Nikon D90 with Tamron 17-50mm (generally used) and Nikon 70-300 VR (little use). Generally very pleased with the photos, but have had the kit for a few years now so wondering which is the best way forward in terms of next upgrade. I dont use the video function on the camera if that helps at all.

Putting c£500 into a pot with any trade in values too, would it be better to upgrade the camera or the tamron?

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated
 
As above. Only a beginner, but unless you need to upgrade your camera body due to you not being able to get anymore out of it, then lens.
What type of photography do you prefer, maybe a lens to help with that.
 
If you want to experiment with different types of shot a faster lens giving you thinner depth of field offers more creative options, or perhaps head for macro as a different approach.
 
The D90 is still a hell of a camera. Invest in a lens.

PS: "Upgraditis" implies that your your need to upgrade is an inflammatory process. Now, it may well be but the correct term to describe this affliction of excess is "Upgradosis" or, at a pinch, "Upgradopathy". ;)
 
The lens(es) every time, unless there's an absolutely compelling reason to upgrade the body.
 
Agreed, the lens- you can't beat a good bit of glass :thumbs:

Les :D
 
I would say lens too, maybe one or two nice primes to compliment your current lenses?
 
It really depends on what you want to shoot. My understanding is the Tamron is a nice lens so I'd probably stick with that for now, but as for other lenses you really need to decide what you want it for.
 
darkeeboy said:
ok, so lens it is then, any recommendations?
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Hi

What do you want the lens to do over your Tamron lens ?

Do you want Image Stabilisation, do you want a fixed F stop, do you want a faster lens - say F2.8, ? - you haven't said which Tamron you've got ...

The Tamron lens canon fit gets very good results and has a good following, the upgrade path for that one is the Canon 17-55IS lens, I presume Nikon do a similar lens...

Another option, rather than replacing the Tamron, which you do appear to be happy with, have you thought about a different lens, maybe a Macro lens or a very fast prime at a focal length you use a lot ? Still gives you the flexibility of a zoom with your Tamron for general photos as well ???
 
The tamron is the 17-50mm 2.8, non VC. I keep thinking about the 90mm macro, but with a 15mth old I really dont have the time to put aside to learn macro photography. Also thought about the 150-500 sigma, but again, I do think this needs time and patience to get the best out of a £700 lens. Looking at the short primes, lots of people have said good things about the 35mm 1.8 but is this a worthy addition to the kit?
 
From my short research, Nikon do a 17-55 but its around £1000. I need to think seriously about spending that much money. Itll go a long way funding trips to take photos with my existing kit!

Any thoughts on a wide angle, say 10-24mm tamron or sigma 10-20mm? I also keep returning to that thought line, but see only limited use each time I go out shooting..
 
darkeeboy said:
From my short research, Nikon do a 17-55 but its around £1000. I need to think seriously about spending that much money. Itll go a long way funding trips to take photos with my existing kit!..
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Okay I'd agree with that, so I'd be asking myself, do I need to upgrade or do I just fancy a change ? Nothing wrong with fancying a change, but if you can use the money elsewhere and get (potentially) more from it, then I'd be tempted to do so...




darkeeboy said:
Any thoughts on a wide angle, say 10-24mm tamron or sigma 10-20mm? I also keep returning to that thought line, but see only limited use each time I go out shooting..
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I've the Sigma 10-20mm and like it, doesn't get used an awful lot (hence why I didn't spend more and get the Canin version), but for me I get great results with it and it certainly allows you to get a lot more in the frame - including your feet if your not carefully...

Have a look at the Flickr pictures in my signature, they were taken with the Sigma UWA for my mate who's a joiner...
 
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If you want to shoot portraits of your toddler, what about an 85/1.4D*? Superb fast portrait FL prime equivalent to 127mm on your D90. But it's great shooting stuff other than portraits too. Wonderful sharpness and bokeh.

Panamoz have them for 644GBP. So keep the Tammy and the 70-300 and buy this as an extra, if you can stretch it. Also, should you upgrade to a full-frame body in the future, this lens would still be a peach.


ETA: *Note I mean the older D-version rather than the newer grand-plus G-version. But it's still a peach.
 
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Keep the d90, possibly look to sell the 300 and buy primes - 35mm and a 105mm
The Tamron is a fine range for general (and its 2.8 anyway?) the 35 great for indoors/low light and the 105 (maybe 500 quid) will be great for your 15 month old portraits etc :) ...and obviously for macro.
That's what i'd do...and i am...just need to save for the 105 now. I use the Nikon 18-70 and 35 on my d90 and will be a 105 to complete (one day!)
Dont think you will notice a huge difference between a 1000 lens and that tamron etc - years down the line when you are looking at pics of your kids growing up. Just get out and take the pics ;)
Just my opinion, but its easy to throw at this game. My kit might not be the best on here but i'm well chuffed with my results thats all that matters. 99% of my stuff is my kids....do the above and any change left go on days out and get snapping :)
 
Thanks everyone, its all good reading. Ill take a look at the 35, 85mm and the 105mm. Recon I need to go into a camera shop and try them all on the camera to see which fits my style of shot best between the 85 and the 105..
 
You could rent for a week as well, but if it was me, i'd just buy secondhand then sell if not happy for a similar loss (not much) to renting for a week for these type of lenses
 
Agreed, these lenses don't lose that much value second hand. On the 90mm front Tamron do a macro that's only £246 from Panamoz, is this worth the saving or should I stick to the Nikon?
 
I won't upgrade the lens if your happy with it the tamrons a good lens. It can't be bettered unless you want to spend £1k on the nikon equivalent. The when one main thing thats been improved since the d90 is the iso performance, but it your happy with the d90's i see no reason to upgrade at all. Without knowing what you like shooting its hard to recommend something but a ultra wide angle like the sigma 10-20mm would be nice if you like landscapes. A Macro lens like the Tamron 90mm.
 
Yeah, saw that, but current thinking is buy a new 35mm from Amazon then have a few sleepless nights figuring out if I should go "cheap" and get the tammy90mm or the Nikon 105vr.....
 
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