Mid-range Zoom

[DNA930]

I have a question about the need for a mid-range zoom.

I have a D700 with Nikon 14-24 2.8, 50 1.4, and 70-200 2.8. Last week, a couple of friends who consider themselves "Semi-Pros", whatever that means, kept raving about how much their mid-range zooms were the greatest lenses ever made. I currently don't own a mid-range zoom and don't plan on getting one. I shoot landscapes with the wide-angle zoom and portraits and sports with my tele-zoom. For everything else in between, I use my 50 and reposition myself. Am I really missing out by not having a mid-range zoom?

 

[jbernie]

If you don't truely have a need for a particular lens then the only thing you will be missing if you don't buy one is the hole in your wallet. If you have a very rare need for a lens then you can always rent one.

 

[ChrisA]

I have a question about the need for a mid-range zoom.

I have a D700 with Nikon 14-24 2.8, 50 1.4, and 70-200 2.8. Last week, a couple of friends who consider themselves "Semi-Pros", whatever that means, kept raving about how much their mid-range zooms were the greatest lenses ever made. I currently don't own a mid-range zoom and don't plan on getting one. I shoot landscapes with the wide-angle zoom and portraits and sports with my tele-zoom. For everything else in between, I use my 50 and reposition myself. Am I really missing out by not having a mid-range zoom?

If you were being paid to shoot a head and shoulders shot of every person at a wedding reception a low cost 18-55mm zoom would save you a ton of walking back and forth. Just be glad you are not a "semi-pro" who is paid for such work. That is the best part of being an amateur, you get to do what you want.

 

[FX120]

Indoors in crowded locations is when a 24-70 f/2.8 shows it's merit because sometimes walking back enough to get the shot you want would mean walking through a wall.

I also use my 50 f/1.4 quite a bit, but if I could afford the 24-70 f/2.8 right now, it would be my most often used lens.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

If you don't truely have a need for a particular lens then the only thing you will be missing if you don't buy one is the hole in your wallet. If you have a very rare need for a lens then you can always rent one.

Agree that renting the 24-70 might be in order to see if that is something he would really use.