new setup advice

Will Gill

Will Gill

Will Gill

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
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Location
Cornwall
hi guys, just asked this on TP but thought I'd ask here too as I know you lot :p

I am looking for advice on a new setup, I sold my old d300s a while back and have regretted it ever since, I would primarily be taking photos of wildlife (birds of prey ideally), on-board boats and yachts and alpine sports (mainly freestyle).

I have nearly pulled the trigger on a huge range of setups but thought I'd hold back and speak to you guys first

previous setups I considered

d3
70-200 2.8 vr1 or 2
50mm 1.8

d7100
same glass

d610
same glass

d800
same glass

as you can see I really have no consistency or direction, I have around £2000 to spend so would love to hear your opinions about where I should be investing my money

thanks in advance
 
D7100 would by my recommendation, it can run at 7fps in 1.3x crop mode which is decent for Wildlife and Sports and has a very good sensor.
You'll also benefit from the extra reach that the crop sensor will give.
 
My thinking would be that the D3 doesn't give you much cropability for your birds of prey which you'll need with 200mm on FF and it lacks video which might be useful on the odd occasion skiing.

D7100 gives you plenty of pixels and extra reach of the crop sensor. Fast FPS and quick AF probably makes it the best all rounder of the bunch. 70-200mm is a great range on crop for skiing in my experience. Probably swap the 50mm 1.8 for the 35mm 1.8.

D610 has quite limited frame coverage with it's autofocus which would be a big turn off for me if I was concentrating on moving stuff.

D800 has huge resolution for cropability and great AF but the frame rate isn't the fastest but certainly not a deal breaker.

I don't think the benefits of full frame outweigh the benefits of the D7100 in your case.
 
thanks :)

the d7100, was the avenue I was going down, so I'd probably buy the mb-d15 too as I prefer the feel of a gripped unit, with regard to glass and my budget what would you recommend?
 
Well the 70-200mm f2.8 VR is a great bit of kit and provides some stunning images.

However after I'd used the VR1 for nearly a full day earlier in the year I wanted to throw it away simply because of the weight of it, after 7 hours of carrying it I felt like I'd had my daughter round my neck & shoulder all day.

That may not be an issue for some people though and with a different strap such as a Black Rapid it might have been a different story.

The beauty of the 70-200 is that it will take a TC very very well, the friend I borrowed it off uses it nearly exclusively with a Nikon 2x and the images he gets are stunning.
 
thanks again :)

that mirrors what I was thinking, I'm fine with the weight and like you say a good strap or even bag to carry it in means it's not a huge concern.

how about at the other end of the spectrum, 1.8 glass, I would like something which gives me nice low light photos without having to bother with a flash, any recommendations for that?

:)
 
Will Gill said:
thanks again :)

that mirrors what I was thinking, I'm fine with the weight and like you say a good strap or even bag to carry it in means it's not a huge concern.

how about at the other end of the spectrum, 1.8 glass, I would like something which gives me nice low light photos without having to bother with a flash, any recommendations for that?

:)
Click to expand...

Well on crop the Nikon 35mm f1.8 is a decent shout but the new Sigma 30mm f1.4 ART is excellent by all accounts and is brighter, wider but more expensive than the Nikon.

There is also the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 which has no direct comparison as it's not like any other lens and I'd love to get my hands on one.

It's perfect for crop, sharp, fast, well built and focuses quickly. It's pricey though.
 
I got myself a 50mm 1.8g on my D3100 and have been really impressed with the results. You could always splash a bit more cash and go for the 50mm 1.4g but when I was reading up on the 2 lenses there did not seem to be a great deal of difference infact some said the 1.4 gave the photo's a softer look.
 
awesome, I wasn't aware of the 18-35 that sounds perfect

so my thinking is this, new 7100 & grip

second hand vr1 or 2 and a new 18-35 1.8

anything else I'll need? you mention straps etc.. maybe a bag recommendation given this setup?

hugely appreciate your help :)
 
Not a problem Will.

For straps I'd look at at a Black Rapid or Opteka as I've read nothing but good things about them although I've got a Hama Quick Shoot strap now and it's so much better the stock ones.

Bags are a minefield, do you want a backpack, sling, sidebag? Weatherproof or not? Large or small? etc etc.

I personally use a Lowepro 400AW and it's massive! It quite happily fits in my A77 + Grip, 6 lenses, 2 flashes, filters, batteries, cards, tripod, monopod etc.
Although I have to say that it generally stays in the boot and I just take out of the bag what I need and stick in my Red Snapper Duo bag to carry around with me.
 
I reckon a backpack would be best, do they offer a good amount of protection? I'd be skiing with this setup, whilst I'm a very good skier (modest with it!) you cant account for other people and off piste snow conditions so something that could withstand a few knocks would be ideal :)
 
Will Gill said:
I reckon a backpack would be best, do they offer a good amount of protection? I'd be skiing with this setup, whilst I'm a very good skier (modest with it!) you cant account for other people and off piste snow conditions so something that could withstand a few knocks would be ideal :)
Click to expand...

Check out Dan Carr's backpack reviews.

Mindshift or F-Stop are the bees knees.

http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2013/04/05/mindshift-gears-new-rotation-180-pro-full-review/

http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2011/06/01/f-stop-bag-review-index/

Dakine do a range of photo bags too http://eu.dakine.com/w/backpacks/photo-backpacks
 
oohh i like the dakine one, i wonder if they have one which is compatible with my ABS airbag system, now that would be awesome!

thanks for the suggestions :)
 
All purchased - d7100, mb-d15, 70-200, sigma 18-35, 2 x 32gb sandisk ultra cards, manfrotto 732 carbon tripod, black rapid strap and for a bag in the end I went with a kata 3n1 25 backpack. Thanks again for your help :)

looking forward to snapping away again :D

oh one last thing, what UV filters do you recommend?
 
Will Gill said:
I reckon a backpack would be best, do they offer a good amount of protection? I'd be skiing with this setup, whilst I'm a very good skier (modest with it!) you cant account for other people and off piste snow conditions so something that could withstand a few knocks would be ideal :)
Click to expand...

Definitely get an F-stop bag! made for exactly this kind of work.
 
Will Gill said:
All purchased - d7100, mb-d15, 70-200, sigma 18-35, 2 x 32gb sandisk ultra cards, manfrotto 732 carbon tripod, black rapid strap and for a bag in the end I went with a kata 3n1 25 backpack. Thanks again for your help :)

looking forward to snapping away again :D

oh one last thing, what UV filters do you recommend?
Click to expand...

I don't often use UVs but when I Do I prefer the B&W F-pro MRC uv protector
 
D.P. said:
Definitely get an F-stop bag! made for exactly this kind of work.
Click to expand...

I ended up getting the kata 3n1 25 for free from a guy I work with, it seems fairly robust, nice solid aluminium case and perfect size for all my new toys :cool:

Also it look fairly nice and the yellow interior seems very sensible given everything I own that is photography related; is black - so it will show up well :D
 
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