what do you think? 20 of my best

[revenuee]

You've done a lot of good research. I hate to hijack this thread but I'm gonna do it because i'm sure you can appreciate the info (as can any other DSLR owners).

The Sigma 12-24 is a nice bet. It's pretty comparable to Nikon's 12-24 (which i have and LOVE) but it's half the price. The speed of the lens shouldn't be an issue since you're dealing with mostly landscapey stuff and architecture with this lens.


My current lens setup, FYI, is the Nikkor 12-24, Sigma 24-70, 35mm, 50mm, 50mm macro, 70-200 + 1.4TC. The sigma 24-70, if you want that as an option, can be found on ebay for about $250 USD. For an f2.8 lens... that's pretty good.

For your wildlife kit, I'd go with:

The Nikkor 18-70 or Sigma 24-70 + 70-200 with 2.0TC for mostly wildlife and general portraiture and some architecture (interiors? you need th 12-24)

OR

Sigma 12-24, Nikon 35, 50, 85 and 70-200 with 2.0 TC if you plan on doing architecture and portraiture.

Does any of that make sense? Also, macmall has NICE deals on 1.0gb CF cards (80x WA which would suit your wildlife needs VERY well) for appx $120. I bought two. They ROCK.

i didn't like the 18-70 kit lens, which is why i ordered just the body without the lens

i really want that 12-24 mm focal length i feel that i do need it

i like the idea of getting the 35 rather then 28 and i'll go with the 50 1.8 rather then 1.4 since the price is so different

but i'm still torn between the 70 - 200 mm 2.8 i mean i would really love the extra speed but that 50 - 500 seems to call to me

 

[Moxiemike]

i didn't like the 18-70 kit lens, which is why i ordered just the body without the lens

i really want that 12-24 mm focal length i feel that i do need it

i like the idea of getting the 35 rather then 28 and i'll go with the 50 1.8 rather then 1.4 since the price is so different

but i'm still torn between the 70 - 200 mm 2.8 i mean i would really love the extra speed but that 50 - 500 seems to call to me

I can honesly say that you won't be going wrong with the 35, the 50 @ 1.8 and the 70-200 OR 50-500. You know... I just noticed sigma makes a 100-300 f4...

I agree with you kinda on the kit lens. Its images are great... but the build quality is a bit junky. The lens wobble in the front element scares me.

I'll try and post a pic of the D100 with the Sigma 24-70 in a bit... it's one HUGE lens....

 

[revenuee]

I can honesly say that you won't be going wrong with the 35, the 50 @ 1.8 and the 70-200 OR 50-500. You know... I just noticed sigma makes a 100-300 f4...

I agree with you kinda on the kit lens. Its images are great... but the build quality is a bit junky. The lens wobble in the front element scares me.

I'll try and post a pic of the D100 with the Sigma 24-70 in a bit... it's one HUGE lens....

my biggest issue between that 70 - 200 and the 50 - 500 is the size of the lens and speed -- like i mentioned i do want to get into some light photojournalism, particularly sports and i wonder that if it's a dark day, or i'm shooting inside if that 2.8 at 300 mm would be the better bet ... i mean on bright lit days that 50 - 500 will be just fine ideally i want both lenses -- and just use the right tool for the job at hand -- but financially --- one thing that i consider is ... if i start working more as a photojournalist i could just pay for the other lens that way rather then saving from my photo-lab job

 

[Moxiemike]

my biggest issue between that 70 - 200 and the 50 - 500 is the size of the lens and speed -- like i mentioned i do want to get into some light photojournalism, particularly sports and i wonder that if it's a dark day, or i'm shooting inside if that 2.8 at 300 mm would be the better bet ... i mean on bright lit days that 50 - 500 will be just fine ideally i want both lenses -- and just use the right tool for the job at hand -- but financially --- one thing that i consider is ... if i start working more as a photojournalist i could just pay for the other lens that way rather then saving from my photo-lab job

I'd suggest this: Find a decent used 70-200 on ebay. I've seen 'em going for about $450-$500.

Get the 2.0x TC and when you need the big reach for wildlife, grab the 120-300, the 50-500, or hell, the 300-800 f5.6.

If you're going for PJ work, and light sports, you'll NEED the 2.8. As it is, you'll be underexposing a little EVEN with 2.8 at ISO800 or ISO1600 if you're indoor or on a dark day.

As such, you can generally shoot ISO400 with the 70-200 and get a decent aperture for sports. That and the 70-200 is definitely light enough to use for PJ work vs lugging around the 50-500.

Like you said though, in an ideal world... Hell, i'd have the nikon 70-200 AFS-VR, the 17-55 DX F2.8, the 12-24 (oops. bought that one. hehe) and the 200-400 AFS-VR f4. Or the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 (which, from what I hear, is the new king of Sigma's lens line when you factor in sharpeness. Add a bunch of primes from 8mm (fisheye!) to 400 all at f2.8 or faster and.........well, I'd be broke.

 

[revenuee]

I'd suggest this: Find a decent used 70-200 on ebay. I've seen 'em going for about $450-$500.

Get the 2.0x TC and when you need the big reach for wildlife, grab the 120-300, the 50-500, or hell, the 300-800 f5.6.

If you're going for PJ work, and light sports, you'll NEED the 2.8. As it is, you'll be underexposing a little EVEN with 2.8 at ISO800 or ISO1600 if you're indoor or on a dark day.

As such, you can generally shoot ISO400 with the 70-200 and get a decent aperture for sports. That and the 70-200 is definitely light enough to use for PJ work vs lugging around the 50-500.

Like you said though, in an ideal world... Hell, i'd have the nikon 70-200 AFS-VR, the 17-55 DX F2.8, the 12-24 (oops. bought that one. hehe) and the 200-400 AFS-VR f4. Or the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 (which, from what I hear, is the new king of Sigma's lens line when you factor in sharpeness. Add a bunch of primes from 8mm (fisheye!) to 400 all at f2.8 or faster and.........well, I'd be broke.

So my D70 is DOA

 

[AtlantaGuy]

A 85mm 1.4 lens is gonna render better than a small 85 mm zoom setting at 4.5 on a point and shoot. for sure.

Now you're talking - that's a great lens. It brings back fond memories of the 50mm f/1.2 standard and 28mm f/2.0 wide angle I used long ago on a Pentax LX. There's nothing like a big helping of quality glass to isolate backgrounds, maximize shutter/aperture options or drink in the subtleties of ambient light nighttime exposures. Canon even once had a 50mm f/1.0 lens... amazing!

 

[Moxiemike]

So my D70 is DOA

What!?!?! You can't just say that and not give us the story!!?!?!

What happenend man?

 

[Moxiemike]

Now you're talking - that's a great lens. It brings back fond memories of the 50mm f/1.2 standard and 28mm f/2.0 wide angle I used long ago on a Pentax LX. There's nothing like a big helping of quality glass to isolate backgrounds, maximize shutter/aperture options or drink in the subtleties of ambient light nighttime exposures. Canon even once had a 50mm f/1.0 lens... amazing!

Yea. I love the Nikon 85 1.4 but unfortunately I don't have one. I borrowed one from NPS and it was INCREDBILE. If only I had an EXTRA $999!

Ouch!

 

[revenuee]

What!?!?! You can't just say that and not give us the story!!?!?!

What happenend man?

what can i say ... the thing arrives all sealed up, i open the box, and pull out the box withe actual camera - i take it out and it feels like something is wrong - something loose, i throw the battery on the charger and start working (the camera was delivered to my job site) the battery is finally charged, so i throw in my CF card, attach my favorite lens, throw in the battery and turn it ON and nothing -- upon closer inspection i notice that the focus toggle is missing a cosmetic part, the eye piece is very loose and the white LCD cover is missing. --- i look inside and the mirror is all dusty, as well all the paper work looks like it's been used.

i got screwed -- i now have a very expensive paper weight

i'm waiting for the offices to open so that i can call the head office

 

[Moxiemike]

what can i say ... the thing arrives all sealed up, i open the box, and pull out the box withe actual camera - i take it out and it feels like something is wrong - something loose, i throw the battery on the charger and start working (the camera was delivered to my job site) the battery is finally charged, so i throw in my CF card, attach my favorite lens, throw in the battery and turn it ON and nothing -- upon closer inspection i notice that the focus toggle is missing a cosmetic part, the eye piece is very loose and the white LCD cover is missing. --- i look inside and the mirror is all dusty, as well all the paper work looks like it's been used.

i got screwed -- i now have a very expensive paper weight

i'm waiting for the offices to open so that i can call the head office

Who did you buy from? You can probably file a complaint against the company you bought from with Nikon. They're pretty good about that stuff, provided, since you're in Canada, that it's an official Nikon Canada camera.

 

[revenuee]

Who did you buy from? You can probably file a complaint against the company you bought from with Nikon. They're pretty good about that stuff, provided, since you're in Canada, that it's an official Nikon Canada camera.

NIKON .... i purchased it straight from Nikon

i just got off the phone they told me to come right by and they will give me a new one

 

[Moxiemike]

NIKON .... i purchased it straight from Nikon

i just got off the phone they told me to come right by and they will give me a new one

Whew. My condolences and also congrats on having them send you a new one. Make 'em overnight it.

m

 

[revenuee]

Whew. My condolences and also congrats on having them send you a new one. Make 'em overnight it.

m

i went into the office (30 minute drive) --- they gave me a brand spankin new one ... so i'm now officially a DSLR photographer