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Nikon D610 Question.

Meister said:
Get a fast prime to enjoy ff!
The 50mm f1.8g is a must!
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I will keep that in mind, thanks. However my next goal is to purchase a gently used Nikon 80-400mm vr for plane spotting. They are pretty expensive new, but I've seen them on eBay for $800-$1,000. Which is still expensive but thats way less than new. After that I would like to get a SB-700. I may get that first, I'm not sure yet...decisions, decisions...:rolleyes:
 
pilotkid said:
I will keep that in mind, thanks. However my next goal is to purchase a gently used Nikon 80-400mm vr for plane spotting. They are pretty expensive new, but I've seen them on eBay for $800-$1,000. Which is still expensive but thats way less than new. After that I would like to get a SB-700. I may get that first, I'm not sure yet...decisions, decisions...:rolleyes:
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Read the reviews on the 80-400mm VRI carefully pilotkid. It's rare to find someone who is happy with that lens as it had autofocus issues (very slow).

Getting to the 400mm length with a ff body can be very expensive and there's a good reason for being able to pick-up that lens for only $1000. I know...$1000 is still a ton of money!

The new version of that lens (VRII released last year at this time) is a very good lens but at $2500 (used) is a significant investment but, without doubt, there's a good reason for the price difference.

There are options such as saving for the VRII or Nikon's 300mm f/4.0 with a 1.4x extender for about $1800 (new).

If it was me, I'd wait to see what people think of Tamron's new 150-600MM F/5-6.3 Di VC USD for around $1200. Just be wary of the 80-400mm VRI.

~ Peter
 
Cheese&Apple said:
Read the reviews on the 80-400mm VRI carefully pilotkid. It's rare to find someone who is happy with that lens as it had autofocus issues (very slow).
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That's great advice. Take it. You would have difficulty using that lens for anything but parked planes. Focus is painfully slow. I recall instances where I could hear and feel the lens searching for focus, back and forth, while I waited to take the shot. At some point, my brother-in-law borrowed the lens and I was happy to "forget" to ever get it back.

If planes are your primary focus (heh), consider whether you really care about FX. The 7100 has longer reach, and DX lenses are much easier on the pocketbook. Instead of a D610 (which is a fantastic camera, by the way), you could pick up an 18-300 and have a lot of money left in your pocket. It's not the greatest lens on earth, but it holds its own and I would rather shoot with it any day over the old 80-400. And, there are many other DX options. In the FX world, I agree the (newer model) 70-300 is a much better option than the 80-400.
 
Kurwenal said:
That's great advice. Take it. You would have difficulty using that lens for anything but parked planes. Focus is painfully slow. I recall instances where I could hear and feel the lens searching for focus, back and forth, while I waited to take the shot. At some point, my brother-in-law borrowed the lens and I was happy to "forget" to ever get it back.

If planes are your primary focus (heh), consider whether you really care about FX. The 7100 has longer reach, and DX lenses are much easier on the pocketbook. Instead of a D610 (which is a fantastic camera, by the way), you could pick up an 18-300 and have a lot of money left in your pocket. It's not the greatest lens on earth, but it holds its own and I would rather shoot with it any day over the old 80-400. And, there are many other DX options. In the FX world, I agree the (newer model) 70-300 is a much better option than the 80-400.
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I picked up the 70-300 this weekend, and was surprised how quick it was. I was using it with my new D7100, so it could just be the camera is super quick compared to my D3200. For the price point I think it's a fantastic lens.
Another option is the 2.8 70-200mm with a tele-convertor.
 
Apple fanboy said:
I picked up the 70-300 this weekend, and was surprised how quick it was. I was using it with my new D7100, so it could just be the camera is super quick compared to my D3200. For the price point I think it's a fantastic lens.
Another option is the 2.8 70-200mm with a tele-convertor.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your purchase!
 
I agree, the old 80-400 is slow at focussing. I managed to get some bird photos (in flight) with it that I was very happy with but it was hard work getting them!

Static birds (standing on rocks for example) were far easier to photograph with it!

However, I would say it depends on your needs regarding aeroplane photography. Do you photograph display teams or planes on a known trajectory? If you know where the plane is due to go, the focus speed becomes far less of an issue.

The lens speed (aperture) isn't great too so camera shake needs to be watched out for. The early version of VR on this lens does help. however, this is not a lens I would recommend for low light photography, even with the great ISO performance of the D610.

Definite plus point: if you switch your D610 to DX crop mode you get a 10mega pixel crop sensor and a 120-600mm lens just like that! To get a focal range like that for $1000 is wonderful if you need it.
 
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