Ordering Nikon d300 - need lens advise asap

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

11/07/2007 08:07:14 PM · #1

I would appreciate any advice I can get on this subject, as I have a limited amount of money to spend on this new adventure at the moment.

I am planning on pre-ordering the d300 sometime in the next couple of days (has anyone heard the official release date, by any chance?!) along with a couple of lenses. My main focus (no pun intended) is going to be in portraiture with some nature and macros and I would like a couple of nice lenses in a decent price range. I know that the higher the price the better the quality, but spending $2,000 on a camera leaves me with about $700 for a couple of lenses so I need advice. Below are the lenses I was looking at, and I would like to know if maybe they are too alike and I'd be wasting my money getting them both (along with the one coming with the camera) or if maybe there's one (in the same price range) that would work better for me.

I would like something with sharp focus and amazing bokeh. I would also like something with a good zoom and nice macro. Below is what I have picked out so far.

Nikon 70-300mm F/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens - //www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK70300G

Nikon 50mm F/1.8 D AF FS=52 Lens -
//www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK5018

The camera itself is coming with a Nikkor 18-135MM f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S.

Are any of these too alike and should I leave one out, or are they all good lenses to start out with, and is there anything else you'd recommend?

Finally, has anyone bought from buydig.com? I am ordering my camera from Ritz, but buydig seems to have great lens prices.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a lens beginner, so please be gentle. :)

Lt_Amoc

Canon EOS-40D

11/07/2007 08:21:58 PM · #2

Be sure to check shipping costs. These can be significant somtimes. Also make sure you are not getting "grey market" equipment. This is equipment that is purchase overseas and then brought into the U.S. by methods other than the legitimate Canon importers. If you need a warranty repair, you then need to send the camera overseas for repair. Not good. Be careful !!
Also, some vendors pull items out of the boxes that are packaged by the manufacturer and then sell them seperately. This usually increases the cost.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

11/07/2007 08:26:00 PM · #3

I'm getting Nikon, not Canon :P I'm sure they do the same there, as well.

Also, there is free shipping from buydig.com as well as Ritzcamera.

Thanks for the advice! :)

breadfan35

Nikon D3

11/07/2007 08:44:10 PM · #4

Originally posted by girlwithpistol:

I am planning on pre-ordering the d300 sometime in the next couple of days (has anyone heard the official release date, by any chance?!)

Word on the street is...

In Japan :
D3 - Nov 30
D300 - Nov 23

Not sure about US and elsewhere.

mchalmers

Nikon D90

11/07/2007 08:46:14 PM · #5

After a TON of research, I decided on these two lenses that would give me the best bang for my buck:

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II

You mentioned the 1.8D; all I have to say is 'YES!'. This lens is cheap and gives fantastic results! It's an absolute no-brainer IMHO.

The Nikon 70-300mm F/4-5.6G AF Zoom looks like an alright lens, but with that much zoom and no VR stablization in the lens, you will HAVE to use a tripod while zooming; otherwise your photos will be one big blur.

I would almost suggest sticking with the kit lens and just getting the 50mm prime to start with. You can shoot in many conditions with just those two lenses. Once you get used to your camera and the lenses, you can decide what you want to spend your money on next.

My $0.02!

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

11/07/2007 08:57:32 PM · #6

Thanks, mchalmers!

There is an option to get the D300 with 18-200mm VR Lens for $500 more. Should I go that route, you think, and get the 50mm f/1.8D additional?

Hrm, so much choices!

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

11/07/2007 09:04:55 PM · #7

Originally posted by girlwithpistol:

Thanks, mchalmers!

There is an option to get the D300 with 18-200mm VR Lens for $500 more. Should I go that route, you think, and get the 50mm f/1.8D additional?

Hrm, so much choices!

You might want to look at this thread regarding the 18-200mm VR.

doc_gonzo

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

11/07/2007 09:05:53 PM · #8

The 18-200mm aint all that hot for the cost. I have the 18-135mm and it's alright, especially for the price, about $400us. I have the 50mm 1.8 and it's a great lens for the price. My favorite lens however, is my 85mm 1.8. It's razor sharp and has beautiful bokeh. It costs about $400us. Maybe you can get just the d300 body and put the extra $$ that they would be charging you for the lens towards a quality piece of glass such as the 28-70, or the new 24-70mm. I believe both of those are f/2.8 and are pro-quality glass. The 18-200mm is alright but not up to snuff for $800us and you could spend your money a little differently and get better glass for the buck.

or.... break and the bank and get the 70-200mm f/2.8, a GREAT piece of glass

missinseattle

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/07/2007 09:16:36 PM · #9

I had looked at ordering the D300 since I was upgrading. More money than I wanted to spend. I ordered from Cameta- they have a store on Amazon. I know some of their new bodies come with free shipping.

The customer service was amazing.

18-200mm VR is what I ordered with it. Look up lenses on here under eqpt. See what each does. This was my deciding factor as I only had enough money to order one lens right now.

missinseattle

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/07/2007 09:21:13 PM · #10

well shoot! I just read that thread and now I'm wondering why nobody mentioned it last week or the week before when I was asking what ONE lens to buy and listed 3.

I suppose I'll see how it works this weekend and if I'm not happy I'll send it back or something. Who knows!

DelRioPhoto

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

11/07/2007 10:03:44 PM · #11

The 18-200mm Nikon lens isn't all that bad. I use it for about 80% of my shots. It's really the perfect lens for throwing one lens on your camera and heading off to see the world. It is not extremely sharp like a true "pro" lens would be, but given the range of focal lengths, I think it does a pretty amazing job. It does nothing perfectly, but it does almost everything very well.

Shadowi6

Sigma 10- 20mm f/3.5 EX-DC HSM

11/07/2007 10:37:53 PM · #12

I have the 70-300 VR edition and man that VR makes a difference.

straight out of camera @ 300 (450mm really with my 1.5 sensor crop factor)

With out VR propped up on pole, and between breaths( but it was windy)
[thumb]610226[/thumb]

With VR (not propped up at all)
[thumb]610227[/thumb]

also ad my vote for the 50mm 1.8D awesome, awesome lens for the price

Maverick

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

11/07/2007 10:47:26 PM · #13

I would recommend against the 70-300 f/4-5.6G I've not used the VR version and it may be better, but I never liked my 70-300 G. My experience with it is its a very soft & slow (aperture & focus speed) lens. The 50 f/1.8D is one of my favorite lenses - sharp and fast (sharper than anything else in my bag) and a great value. Its also very versatile in low light.

Ironworker

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

11/07/2007 11:14:49 PM · #14

Definitely get the 50mm 1.8, & then I'd suggest 80-200 2.8. I got one used off ebay for a song. I have the 70-300 also,& the difference between it & the 80-200 is night & day. The 80-200 is better all the way around.
Nikon's 18-70 kit lens is excellent too, I liked the feel of it over the 18-135.
I'd also think about buying a D200, & using the savings on better lens. My D70 is way more camera than I can fully utilize yet, & I am always saving for better glass.

Quigley

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

11/07/2007 11:46:17 PM · #15

I agree with

Shadowi6 the 50mm 1.8D is awsome and I would stay away from the 18-200mm VR right now they have alot of lense creep and I'm in the process of giving mine back to Nikon. They have now come out and said that this is a problem on almost all of the 18-200mm lenses but with the cost why play hit and miss. I havequite a bit of glass and the 18-200 was one of my favs but when it loosened up I wanted to through it off a building. I don't know what kind of shots you like to take but I'm trading the 18-200 in for the 105mm micro VR it's sweet and has come down in price. So for what it's worth there it is.

Best of luck with the D300, I love my D200 and might consider getting the D3X as a back up camera to mine:-}

MAX!

Quigley

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

11/07/2007 11:55:00 PM · #16

I have a thread posted in the Rant about my 18-200mm Lense It will shed some light on the lense and add a bit of humour to your day(or at least it was supposed to, I think I pissed off some people. But you know what it was a rant and that's just what I did.)as well as let you in on what the TEC from Nikon says about it.

option

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

11/08/2007 01:02:16 AM · #17

I got to play with a D300 today. One word:

Legen -

...wait for it...

...I hope you're not lactose intolerant, because here comes the...

- dary!

:-P

Well, thats more like the D3, but the D300 is still damn cool.

Flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

11/08/2007 11:01:36 AM · #18

The 50 f1.8 as others have mentioned is a classic single focal "prime" lens. Nikkor has one of the best in that category.

It can be used for portraiture work as it becomes a 75mm on the Nikon, very near the optimal 80mm for that type of work.

For macro work, wide angle, and long range work, I suggest you get specific lenses for each need. Just wait and save and get what you need. The 18-70 kit lens will accomodate most of your immediate needs until you can save for what you need. Nikkor's 80-200 f2.8 is a legendary lens.

If you truly need long range reach, 400mm is the minimum required for decent wildlife (fill the frame) photography. 500mm is better and 800 is just about right. These lenses are out of your current budget.

tjbel05

Nikon Z9

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

11/08/2007 11:38:19 AM · #19

Heres a link to some rebates from Nikon for some Lenses...maybe this will help with the decision making for you?
Nikon Rebates
p.s. I have the 50mm 1.8 and love it!

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

11/08/2007 11:53:50 AM · #20

You guys are amazing - thank you so much!

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the smartest thing to do would be to go ahead and get the D300 with the 18-135mm Lens (comes with it) and the additional 50mm 1.8 for the time being? I am also ordering an extra battery (is there a huge difference in going ahead and investing in the battery pack?) and the Nexar 8gb compact flash memory card, found here. Do you think the card is sufficient for the D300 and portraiture work?

Thanks again, everyone! I have been going back and forth between the D200 and D300 because I'm impatient, but I think I'm just going to go ahead with ordering the D300 today, since it seems to have a lot of what I'm looking for, and it will take a while to learn on its own, without the lenses.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

11/08/2007 12:04:12 PM · #21

For extra batteries, I'd check out //www.sterlingtek.com. Much cheaper than the proprietary batteries. For canon anyway, the knockoffs work just as well if not better.

Maybe some of the Nikon users could pipe in on this.

Message edited by author 2007-11-08 12:04:35.

Flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

11/08/2007 12:06:04 PM · #22

After looking at your portfolio - I would like to make one clarification...

The Nikkor 50mm f1.8 can be used for portraiture work, and with reasonably good results - however, if your primary interest is in portraits, then by all means consider a specific lens for this task.

edit to add: an extra battery is sound planning no matter what system you have. The battery life on the D70 is phenominal. I have no idea on the 300. I personally like to have multiple CF cards. An 8gb would hold a LOT of files. Multiple 500's or even 1-2gb's would be my preference.

Message edited by author 2007-11-08 12:12:40.