DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Request for *gulp* Nikon user help
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 18 of 18, (reverse)
AuthorThread
05/12/2009 01:13:04 PM · #1
My Dad is finishing up with his prostate cancer radiation tomorrow. We are throwing him a surprise party (last minute idea). My Mom asked about a gift. So he shoots with a Nikon D200, and has the venerable 18-200 and a 50mm f/1.4 (gift from me!).

I've been trying to break him of the single zoom lens habit, hence the prime. I'm contemplating the Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 or the 17-55 f/2.8 (my Mom is purchasing, not me, although I will contribute). The 70-200 f/2.8 is probably to big for his tastes and style of shooting. For now, he has no plans on the D700. I've used the Tamron 24-75 f/2.8 for Canon, and was pleased.

Any thoughts on the Nikkor vs Tamron? My Mom choked at the cost of the lens, so I'm open to a Tamron if it is of the same quality as the Canon version.

I'm at work, so I may not check back or respond to posts until the end of the day. So I'll send out my thanks right now!
05/12/2009 01:18:13 PM · #2
Hey there. I made a topic a few days back asking a similar question. Check out the replies, you can probably find your answer there:

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=900371

Also, grats to your dad!
05/12/2009 01:46:32 PM · #3
No idea, but give my regards to your Dad, he is a hero!
05/12/2009 02:22:40 PM · #4
First off BIG grats to your Dad!

secondly have a look HERE for reviews on your lenses, this site is pretty good and straight forward...

-dave
05/12/2009 03:04:38 PM · #5
The Nikkor 24-70 f2.8 would be your first choice, but if your budget is for less, all the pros I've worked with who shoot Nikon recommend the Sigma 28-70 f2.8 lenses (older models, as well as the current versions).

The most reasonable one in the current line-up is the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon. I'm not a huge fan of the way Sigma makes you use the focus ring to switch between manual and autofocus (I've got it on my 105mm Macro), but I've seen actual pros using this lens and they've told me they love it (and I've seen the shots they've taken and sold with this - it works).

It's not technically as good as the Nikkor 24-70 f2.8, but it's almost a third of the price and it takes good images. That's value for money.

I see Sigma has just released the non-macro HSM version of the 24-70 f2.8 (I think this replaces the older 24-70 they used to sell that was also non-macro, but was not HSM). I don't know anyone who has used it and it's more pricy than the macro version, but worth looking into. It still comes in at just over half the price of the Nikkor model.
05/12/2009 03:28:48 PM · #6
oh wait i can help,

I have a tamron 18-270

sweet friggin lens, i use it every day, I highly recommend it
05/13/2009 12:42:14 PM · #7
thanks all, I'm leaning toward the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. He'll like the bang for the buck quality. Again thanks for the help and nice thoughts.
05/13/2009 12:53:03 PM · #8
That Tamron lens has been my workhorse lens for three years now, it's on my camera the most. The rest of my lenses are Nikkor lenses, and the Tamron doesn't suffer from comparison at all. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
05/13/2009 12:57:38 PM · #9
Originally posted by bspurgeon:

thanks all, I'm leaning toward the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. He'll like the bang for the buck quality. Again thanks for the help and nice thoughts.


I use it and like it very much as well.

R.
05/13/2009 01:06:01 PM · #10
Originally posted by bspurgeon:

I've been trying to break him of the single zoom lens habit,

Why?

He may be quite happy with the zoom, and if he is, then why not give him a gift certificate instead?

It's just a perspective, but I'm definitely a little more than the average hobby photog, yet I abhor the whole idea of a bag of stuff.

My camera goes everywhere with me, and I often get the shot that the "Bag Owner" doesn't 'cause the bag is at home.

Anyway, wonderful idea and gesture, but IMNSHO, I'd let him decide whether or not he wants more glass.......8>)
05/13/2009 01:09:20 PM · #11
Yeah, I loved the image quality of the Canon version, I just couldn't get accustomed to the reversed focus and zoom ring.
05/13/2009 01:31:21 PM · #12
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

I've been trying to break him of the single zoom lens habit,

Why?

He may be quite happy with the zoom, and if he is, then why not give him a gift certificate instead?

It's just a perspective, but I'm definitely a little more than the average hobby photog, yet I abhor the whole idea of a bag of stuff.

My camera goes everywhere with me, and I often get the shot that the "Bag Owner" doesn't 'cause the bag is at home.

Anyway, wonderful idea and gesture, but IMNSHO, I'd let him decide whether or not he wants more glass.......8>)


Mostly because he has been less than pleased with his image quality. This began when I bought him a 50mm prime (he liked the portraits that I had been taking with a 50mm prime). He was starting to wonder if it was the body, which in my opinion it's not. As there is nothing truly sub-par with his D200, he is convinced a higher quality lens will help. Bottom line, he wants sharper images, in part because he is comparing his portraits of my kids to mine. Our shooting styles are completely different, but still he can't help but to make comparisons, and his workflow does not include post processing, etc. I've tried to convince him that a new lens is not the ultimate answer, but it may help the image quality, as does post-processing (he uses Picassa presets only). I've tried to bring this up and go through his workflow, etc., but he is convinced that he needs new glass to improve his images! However, I did convince him to download a trial version of Lightroom.

Most importantly, he is a great Dad and Grandpa, and a new lens will put a smile on his face! He has been through a lot these last several weeks.
05/13/2009 01:34:50 PM · #13
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

I've been trying to break him of the single zoom lens habit,


He may be quite happy with the zoom


Don't forget that he prefers to not change lenses when he is out and about! ;)
05/13/2009 01:38:23 PM · #14
I have the 17-55 2.8 Nikkor. It's one of the most fun lenses I have. However as Nikon seems to going in the full frame sensor direction, I'd say the 24-70mm 2.8 would be better for the future.
05/13/2009 07:40:54 PM · #15
Since you say he is not interested in moving to a FF I would think the 17-55 would offer a better range with the wide end being 17. 24 is pretty limiting on a cropped sensor.

Not sure if jettyimages is still selling it but she had one for sale recntly:

her listing

Message edited by author 2009-05-13 19:42:00.
05/13/2009 08:46:13 PM · #16
Originally posted by bspurgeon:

thanks all, I'm leaning toward the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. He'll like the bang for the buck quality. Again thanks for the help and nice thoughts.


I have that lens with my D200 and have been very happy with it overall. Even got a ribbon with it!
05/13/2009 09:18:05 PM · #17
If he likes to shoot outdoors stuff, then try to go for the wider 2.8. I started with a 24-120, and found that it was not wide enough to get good sunsets when they covered a lot of the sky. Now I shoot most of them with an 18-70. He may benefit from the 2.8 aperture by getting higher shutter speeds if he is hand holding most of the time.
It would not be a bad idea to check and make sure that the sensor is good and clean, and that his current lenses are likewise clean.
If he has been manual focusing, make sure that the diopter setting is correct for his eyesight. I shoot a lot with manual lenses, and this has caused me to miss a few otherwise excellent images due to focusing back or front. They also make split prism focusing screens that help with this problem.
Congrats on his being able to finish the chemo. That's a rough ride.
05/13/2009 10:22:41 PM · #18
Why not one of the many good ultrawide zooms? That would extend his range. Tokina 12-24 or 11-16 or Sigma 10-20? Or a macro lens like the Tamron 90? Or a "novelty" lens like the 10.5 Fisheye? Seems to me that replicating his existing range, even with higher quality might not be as exciting as something new.

Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 07:53:47 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 07:53:47 AM EDT.