"The" Workhorse Lens? - DPChallenge Forums

10/26/2009 09:25:22 PM · #1

Hi all,

This is one of those topics that have been tossed around a few times but what the heck...most of our threads are exactly those type of topics.
A friend of a friend is entertaining the idea of me being the photographer for her wedding. To go with that I am thinking of upgrading my camera to either a D300 or a D90. (Leaning towards the D300 but that's a decision I'll make on my own however.)
To go with that shiny new body I want to get a new kit lens for general shooting that I can use at the wedding along with my other lenses (well...probably just the 50mm f/1.8). The 18-55 is ok but I'd like to have something that is a little longer. Maybe in the 80-105 range on the long end. Something faster too. (Maybe f/4 on the long end?)

And for those interested on what I found when I searched before posting (a novel idea if I've ever heard one) I found this tutorial which more or less squares with what I had in mind about lenses:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=51

Basically I'm looking for second opinions I guess.

Thanks in advance!

C

Covert_Oddity

Nikon D700

10/26/2009 09:37:31 PM · #2

My 24-70 is hands down my favourite lens. It's what I have on my camera about 80% of the time, with the rest split mostly between my 50mm 1.8 and 105mm macro.

I use it for street photography mainly and I find the range fantastic (a little wider would be great but you can't have everything).

Never shot weddings though, so not sure if that helps :)

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

10/26/2009 09:43:19 PM · #3

That would probably definitely do the trick. Might be a bit more money than I ~~want~~ am allowed to spend. My wife would shoot me and it wouldn't be with a camera. But that certainly is a great lens... :)

Message edited by author 2009-10-26 21:47:42.

VitaminB

Nikon D800

10/26/2009 10:18:56 PM · #4

The Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G ED

Covert_Oddity mentioned is the next lens on my shopping list. I currently have the Nikon AF-S DX Zoom 18-70mm f3.5-5.6, but really like the 2.8. I figure that once I get it, I will be using it the vast majority of the time. I get the impression that it is very versatile.

Originally posted by Citadel:

I agree... it is a lot of money, but the way I justified it is that I will end up buying the more expensive lens eventually because of its better quality. Overall you will save money because you will avoid buying a lens that gets replaced within a few years :D

Message edited by author 2009-10-26 22:20:33.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

10/26/2009 11:01:26 PM · #5

I doubt you'll find a normal "kit lens" satisfactory for this purpose, but you are also correct that the 24-70 2.8 is a pricey bugger, even though it is worth every penny, it is still a LOT of pennies. For the wedding itself, you could simply rent a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8, since it is a one-off thing--no need to invest that much money for a single wedding. If you end up doing more weddings, for pay, you can invest in premium glass.

For a general purchase to go with your pending d90 or d300, I would consider the 85mm 1.4. It is full frame, so will grow with you, and it might save you money in the long run since you won't want to use any of your other lenses unless forced at gunpoint.

Message edited by author 2009-10-26 23:01:47.

RulerZigzag

Nikon D750

10/26/2009 11:40:15 PM · #6

18-135mm is pretty good if your too lazy to change lenses on a windy day.

10/26/2009 11:57:27 PM · #7

Originally posted by chromeydome:

That might be the best route. I get to try it out and see what's it like without forking out the big dough.

ben4345

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

10/27/2009 06:11:52 AM · #8

Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:

My 24-70 is hands down my favourite lens. It's what I have on my camera about 80% of the time,

IT IS AN awesome lens! I recommend it over everything in the FL!

ErikV

Nikon D7000

10/27/2009 07:23:23 AM · #9

Another vote for the 24-70!

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

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

10/27/2009 07:31:14 AM · #10

Originally posted by VitaminB:

The Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G ED Covert_Oddity mentioned is the next lens on my shopping list.

Okay.....I have a stupid question.....this lens is listed as a prime on this site.

I thought prime meant fixed focal.

What am I missing?

10/27/2009 09:56:10 AM · #11

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by VitaminB:
The Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G ED Covert_Oddity mentioned is the next lens on my shopping list.

Okay.....I have a stupid question.....this lens is listed as a prime on this site.

I thought prime meant fixed focal.

What am I missing?

I think in this case prime means really good. :)

Seriously though I think its an error. I see a couple of other zooms in the list that are marked as prime and aren't.

Message edited by author 2009-10-27 09:56:24.

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon

10/27/2009 10:14:08 AM · #12

Oh...for those interested, I can apparently rent this lens from The Camera Store for $25/day.

//www.thecamerastore.com/files/images/NewRentalList.pdf

Message edited by author 2009-10-27 10:27:31.

HarveyG

Nikon D800

10/27/2009 11:22:24 AM · #13

I have a D90/D80 (Small Frame Nikon DX Format) but use only Sigma DG (full frame) lenses bar one Nikkor 35-70mm:
You will be gloriously happy with a D90 Body (new prices have dropped by USD $100-00 to USD $809-00 in the past 2 weeks).
Remember D300 Body (USD $1350-00) and the new D300s Body (USD $1800-00) are still DX Small Frame Format. Only major difference is the D300/D300s have magnesium alloy body and a 51 point AF system where the D90 is a Nylon body and 11 point AF.

For budget conscious I would get:

Sigma DC for Small Frame for about USD $370-00 shipped free in USA
Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC HSM Macro Autofocus Lens

or a better glass and MFT:

Sigma DG for full frame for about USD $370-00 shipped free in USA (Full Frame Lenses with crop factor of 1.5 on small frame so 28-70mm = 42-105mm on the D80/D90/D300)
Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D

More Sigma Zoom Wide and Super Wide for Nikon DC and DG choices here:

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

10/27/2009 11:32:14 AM · #14

recent thread

Answers a different question but may have some good info for you. As I recall, some of DPCs wedding photographers weighed in.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/27/2009 11:34:25 AM · #15

If you find that you are in a low light situation any of those f3.5-4.5 type of lenses will ruin your life. Probably a bad choice, which you'll find out when you get caught missing the shot.

Weddings are no joke. Whatever you buy, make sure it shoots at f2.8 all the way through. I'd also suggest renting if you can't afford to buy fast glass, straight away.

You're getting good and bad advice here in the thread. I would actively seek out the advice of the pros (

simms comes to mind) and explain your situation and budget.

Avoid getting bit, at any cost...

Message edited by author 2009-10-27 11:38:52.

ErinKirsten

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED

10/27/2009 12:01:33 PM · #16

Another vote for the 24-70 - it is my favorite plus on a cropped sensor it is a 36-105. I have heard some wedding photogs like the 17-55, but I believe that is a DX lens and if you ever go up to a full frame body it is not a great lens for that. I am sure someone can tell you why, I just heard that full frames impact the DX line. So, you might save a bit but have to replace it in the end ;-)

bmartuch

Nikon D7200

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

10/27/2009 12:56:16 PM · #17

I just shot a wedding recently. For the reception, I used my 18-70 3.5-4.5 exclusively. For the wedding itself, the priest told me I was not allowed to use a flash and I could not move around the church. I was told that I had to pick the pew that I wanted and to stay there. That meant that I had to position myself in the middle so that I could get the father giving the bride away plus get them saying their vows. I used my 50mm 1.4 and 35mm 2.5. It made it quite difficult because I can't afford the $2000 for the 70-200 F2.8 Always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

The tutorial said to bounce the flash which is great advice. However, for the reception, I was in a conference room with very high dark ceilings so most of my shots were direct. I shot entirely in raw which gave me great latitude in processing.

If you can afford it, go for fast glass. If you can't afford it, you will get a great deal of use from your 50mm.