Lens advice

sdavlaws · 19 Dec 2012 at 08:47

I am currently in the process of upgrading from my relatively basic sony dslr to a nikon D7000 and am trying to get a good complement of lenses to get going with the D7000.
the lenses i am set on atm are:

35mm f1.8g
50mm f1.8d (I spent 75% of the time with this on my sony)
18-105mm kit lens

Now i would like something in the 70-200mm kind of range that dosnt cost the earth and a flash.

Could you please suggest some budget/second hand things to look for that would fill this gap i am realistically looking at £450 for the pair but wouldnt mind waiting longer to get a more exspensive lens if everything in this price band is rubbish.

Thanks

An Exception · 19 Dec 2012 at 09:05

I would swap out the 50 1.8d for the 1.8g.
Other than that, it looks good to me.

sdavlaws · 19 Dec 2012 at 09:27

Ok ill look into a 50mm g then.

Richdog · 19 Dec 2012 at 14:54

sdavlaws said:
I am currently in the process of upgrading from my relatively basic sony dslr to a nikon D7000 and am trying to get a good complement of lenses to get going with the D7000.
the lenses i am set on atm are:

35mm f1.8g
50mm f1.8d (I spent 75% of the time with this on my sony)
18-105mm kit lens

Now i would like something in the 70-200mm kind of range that dosnt cost the earth and a flash.

Could you please suggest some budget/second hand things to look for that would fill this gap i am realistically looking at £450 for the pair but wouldnt mind waiting longer to get a more exspensive lens if everything in this price band is rubbish.

Thanks

The Sigma 18-250mm Macro OS HSM is very well regarded and probably the best overall superzoom available at the moment. Costs around £380.

leaves enough for a serviceable flashgun, check out Amazon, there are some well reviewed units on there for £50 or less.

D.P. · 19 Dec 2012 at 15:18

sdavlaws said:
I am currently in the process of upgrading from my relatively basic sony dslr to a nikon D7000 and am trying to get a good complement of lenses to get going with the D7000.
the lenses i am set on atm are:

35mm f1.8g
50mm f1.8d (I spent 75% of the time with this on my sony)
18-105mm kit lens

Now i would like something in the 70-200mm kind of range that dosnt cost the earth and a flash.

Could you please suggest some budget/second hand things to look for that would fill this gap i am realistically looking at £450 for the pair but wouldnt mind waiting longer to get a more exspensive lens if everything in this price band is rubbish.

Thanks

You can get a second hand previous generation 70-200mm f2.8 vr1, a new 70-200mm f4.0 VR, you can buy new or second hand Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-d, or second hand 80-200mm AF-S. these ar all very similar optically.

TheNikon 70-300mm has a slower aperture but is nice and sharp.

Richdog · 19 Dec 2012 at 17:31

Same as the OP im looking at a prime too... I take it the 35mm is a better all-rounder for street walking and portraits than a 50mm due to the greater length on the DX system? Plus then will work better for landscape shots than the 50mm too I guess.

sdavlaws · 19 Dec 2012 at 22:43

Thanks for the advice

That sigma sounds interesting.

RussD · 20 Dec 2012 at 09:07

I would forget about the 50mm if I was you and buy something like the Sigma 17-70mm.f2.8/4
Most photographers I know hate the Nikon 7000. JMHO and what I been told.
I use Canon.

Richdog · 20 Dec 2012 at 09:08

RussD said:
Most photographers I know hate the Nikon 7000. JMHO and what I been told.
I use Canon.

An Exception · 20 Dec 2012 at 09:10

I would stay away from the Sigma 17-70 2.8/4.

It's from Sigma's dark past and has terrible back focus issues at the wide end (at least with Canon). Stick with the 50.

An Exception · 20 Dec 2012 at 09:10

Richdog said:

Must be a disgruntled Canon troll, otherwise I don't know why he would recommend that Sigma.

9designs2 · 20 Dec 2012 at 11:15

An Exception said:
I would stay away from the Sigma 17-70 2.8/4.

It's from Sigma's dark past and has terrible back focus issues at the wide end (at least with Canon). Stick with the 50.

Quite sure I have a 17-70 on my old 400D, way better than the old kit lens, makes a good walk about on a crop body. Not noticed any "back focus" issues.... but then how big is that issue, or is it more internet scare stories ?

An Exception · 20 Dec 2012 at 11:34

Mine was horrendous on a my 550D. Only back focused at the wide end though.
Sure it's sharp etc. but a Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a much better option imo.

9designs2 · 20 Dec 2012 at 11:41

I'll have to test mine to see.....
I have 50mm Contax lens with a random Front focus issue as I think the mech needs a service as it's very slow and variable... Believe it had little use and been stored when I bought it.... So need to check that out as well.

Daze · 20 Dec 2012 at 12:01

Has anyone used the Sigma 70-300mm? Any opinions on it if so? I'm thinking of getting one in the new year.

An Exception · 20 Dec 2012 at 12:02

@9
It wasn't like a calibration issue either, when it locked on it was great. Basically it always seemed to focus on a background element rather than the actual subject even with the focus point placed right over someone's face. It seemed to be a particular nuisance if the background had more contrast than the subject.

Sigma's recent lenses have been very good however (aside from the standard but easily fixed calibration complaints), so maybe new batches of the 17-70 have Sigma's updated AF algorithms.. who knows.

sdavlaws · 20 Dec 2012 at 13:27

I am going for the D7000 as out of the canons and nikons i can afford it is by far the most comfortable in my hands the canons just didn't feel "right" to me.

So a rule of thumb to go with is avoid old sigmas?

An Exception · 20 Dec 2012 at 15:06

Modern Sigma's, especially the latest primes 35 50 85 etc. are very good.