Hmm... what should I buy next? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/09/2012 08:23:18 PM · #1

Wanna get some opinions on what I should be saving for/putting my money towards in my camera kit. I have a Nikon D5100, with the kit lenses (18-55, 55-300) and a 35mm 1.8 lens. I also have a 52mm Hoya circular polarising filter (plus plain UV filters on each lens, for protection) and an SB-400. I have a tripod and bag. I've got a backdrop frame and some backdrops coming soon, and want to get some studio lighting at some point (I am doing a photography course, want to wait until after I've done the Lighting module to decide what lighting I want)

I REALLY want the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2.8 lens... but it's going to cost me a small fortune lol. I am also looking at getting the SB-910 speedlight. Another lens I really want is the 10.5mm fisheye, but concerned about how "easy" the manual focus will be. What would you guys buy next? Does anyone have other brand lenses (tamron, sigma) that they would highly recommend for a Nikon? Saving money is a big plus for me, but I also don't want to have the need to replace all my equipment with better quality stuff as I get better. One thing I know I will upgrade will obviously be the camera, this is my first DSLR and I'm not made of money lol

Thanks in advance :)

Message edited by author 2012-02-09 20:25:39.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

02/09/2012 08:35:18 PM · #2

Originally posted by hmbutler:

I love both my 12-24 & 105 f/2.8.

Yeah, they're expensive, but the two are less than the 70-20......8~)

rooum

02/09/2012 08:42:10 PM · #3

I'd say go for a longer, fast prime/macro type job. I don't think your camera will autofocus with a lot of the older Nikon screw drive lenses which is a shame but perhaps it will work well with some of the other third party lenses (i'm not sure. Perhaps the Tamron 90mm macro or the Tokina 100mm macro? If they auto focus on the d5100 then i think that would be a good buy for you as you are lusting after the 70-200 2.8. With a long 90 or 100 macro you will have the fast 2.8 aperture which would be great for portraits as well as opening up loads of macro possibilities.

rooum

02/09/2012 08:43:49 PM · #4

Yes, as Jeb says - the Nikon 105mm macro would be great,

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

02/09/2012 08:54:14 PM · #5

Really depends of what you shoot.
If you like animals, people and action, telephoto is the way to go. If your more into landscape and wide angle fun, go wide angle.
I personally went through both ends to the extreme. Finding I'm a telephoto guy. Loving the boken and subject isolation, that a telephoto lens offers.
So for me the 70-200 2.8 would be my lens. Which I do own now. You can also buy used. I purchased my 70- 200 2.8 for $1100 used. It was mint. No stabilization, but it's a fantastic lens. I'm sure I could also sell it, for roughly the same.
So a good investment, if I want to upgrade. You could look for a nicely treated 70-200 series one vr. I'm sure you would save a substantial amount of money. Versus a new series II vr lens. Heck, or even the old push pull nikon 70-200 2.8. I have seen those around $600. Either way going used, you can't loose much to upgrade. Just make sure you test the lens and examine it thoroughly. If you need buying tips, just send a pm. A few years back, I bought a 300 f2.8 and the price was reduced $700. Only because I noticed a rough spot when focusing manually. Did not effect performance, but got me a 300 f2.8L IS for $2500
Just an idea. Good luck with your decision.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/09/2012 09:29:29 PM · #6

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Really depends of what you shoot.

Yeah see that's the problem, at this point, I WANT to shoot all styles... I love landscape photos, and would love to be able to shoot them, but I tend to capture shots of animals and action more often... perhaps I just need to win the lottery and buy all the lenses available, so I can shoot whatever I feel like... lol

In terms of the wide angle Jeb, is the 12-24mm f4 better than the 10-24mm f3.5-4.5? The 10-24mm is cheaper (though not by a great deal)

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/10/2012 01:43:18 AM · #7

If you're set on a telephoto, one lens that is a pretty great deal is the 80-200. There are TONS of versions of this lens, some of which are still manufactured. I have the AF-S version, as that was important to me. It focuses extremely fast, is super sharp, and will perform pretty well on a full frame, as well. I bought mine from KEH.
If you like normal landscapes, I would point you away from the 10.5. It turns out great pictures but they are fundamentally different than a traditional wide or even an ultra-wide angle. Its distortion is extremely high, which is fine if that's what you want, but it will make most landscapes look screwy because all your trees, for instance, will have huge barrel distortion. Now, all ultra-wides suffer from a bit of barrel distortion... but the 10.5 sorta takes it to an extreme (on purpose). A user here was selling one not to long ago, however, if you are interested.

I use the Sigma 10-20, which works well enough for me. It's a bit soft, like most Sigma's I've seen, but AF and build are top notch. I've heard great things about the Tokina as well. Both are priced much lower, particularly in the used market.

ETA: Link for 10.5 for sale

Message edited by author 2012-02-10 02:23:44.

Alex_Petrini

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

02/10/2012 01:48:08 AM · #8

If you want a fish-eye you could buy the Samyang 8mm. It's very cheap but its quality is extremely good. It has manual focus but for a fish-eye it really doesn't matter.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

02/10/2012 06:56:23 AM · #9

Not a nikon user, but my widest angle was up til recently was 18mm on a crop body. i just got a 10mm and its opened up a whole new world.

i would get a UWA and see if you like it, then once you really figure out what you like to shoot, start getting better glass you suit your subjects.

buy one used, you can almost always sell it for what you paid for it if you dont like it.

BuddyBaum

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

02/10/2012 08:04:49 AM · #10

I love my 105, as a quick prime, I find myself using it a lot.
My Wide Angel is a Tokina 11-16 2.8, it has very little, nearly 0 distortion, and has great quality for around $600.

I've rented the 70-200, and that is honestly the next on my list to buy, right next to a flash for my 2nd camera.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

02/10/2012 08:19:32 AM · #11

Originally posted by TheBaumPhotos:

My Wide Angel is a Tokina 11-16 2.8, it has very little, nearly 0 distortion, and has great quality for around $600.

well, you had me sold on that lens, until I just realised it wont auto focus with my D5100 (which has no internal focus motor)... how hard do you guys reckon it would be to manual focus? I'm considering upgrading my camera body at some point (whether it is in the next year, or next three years, I dont know, though I want to do it sooner rather than later so I can buy the cheaper lenses with no focus motor - I REALLY wish someone had pointed out that flaw in the D5100 when I was a newbie with no camera experience!)

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/10/2012 08:22:47 AM · #12

for landscape it shouldn't be that hard.

ShutterRev

02/10/2012 08:38:48 AM · #13

"I REALLY want the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f2.8 lens... "

Do all you can to get it, it's the best piece of glass I have ever used.

- Nick

BuddyBaum

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

02/10/2012 09:06:49 AM · #14

Originally posted by hmbutler:

Originally posted by TheBaumPhotos:
My Wide Angel is a Tokina 11-16 2.8, it has very little, nearly 0 distortion, and has great quality for around $600.

well, you had me sold on that lens, until I just realised it wont auto focus with my D5100 (which has no internal focus motor)... how hard do you guys reckon it would be to manual focus?

I agree with Mike, for Landscapes manual focus won't be hard at all, most of the time I use it anyways for my landscape shots.