Nikon Lens Recommendation

I switched from Canon to Nikon last year and have so far had 0 qualms about it and for the first time I'm starting to regret it over one single lens. Right now I have a D7000 and the kit 18-105mm, which I'm perfectly happy with, I wanted a single lens and camera that could do almost everything and I very rarely ever want something past 105mm.

That said, I had a Canon 100mm f2, it cost me $325 and it was by far the best lens I've ever had. Very cheap, incredibly sharp and perfect for automotive photography. Nikon has nothing even close, 85mm just doesn't feel right although it should since I was using a full frame Canon with the 100. Is there a lens I'm overlooking, I can't find anything in that range for <$1k? I can deal with the 18-105mm at that length and the sharpness is good enough, but I really miss that f2.

 

Nikkor 105mm f/2 DC

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36858-GREY/Nikon_1932_Telephoto_AF_DC_Nikkor.html

Nikkor 85mm f/1.8

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/84151-GREY/Nikon_1931_AF_Nikkor_85mm_f_1_8D.html

 

If you're going really cheap, look for the Samyang 85mm 1.4 (also sold as Rokinon and other bradns). Optical quality is fantastic for the price.

 

The 85 wouldn't necessarily "feel right" as it's roughly a 125 full-frame equivalent, considerably longer than your old Canon 100. It seems that what you're really looking for is a 70mm lens.

Sigma has a 70mm f/2.8 that's been quite highly rated. It sells for around 500 bucks. As a bonus, it has very good macro capability. Granted it's not f/2, but 2.8 should work well for you, and is a lot better than your kit lens' 3.5-5.6.

http://www.photodo.com/topic_213.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444462-USA/Sigma_270306_70mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html

 

The 105 F2.0 DC lens is considered by many as Nikons best portrait lens. Not often that this is even in stock...I may have to grab one.

 

The weird part is that when I had 85mm on a crop it seemed so much shorter than the 100mm on FF, that combination was just perfect and I'm not sure how to match it on crop. That said, I think I will have to go with the 85mm, at least to try it.

I saw that one and want one, but it's 4x what I want to spend.

 

Weird yes, also physically impossible. You have me confused.

 

To me, both seem rather long for still car photos, and rather short for motorsports. But if it was working for you, I hope you find what you're looking for.

The math is simple. Assuming you are standing the same distance from your subject and want to fill the frame the same way, Dino's suggestion for a 70mm lens is accurate (70*36/23.6=105, which is close to your 100).

Also note that for the same framing, you'll have a wider depth of field with your D7000 (since you don't have to get as close to the subjects as with a larger frame).

 

4RE, are you 100% sure that your Canon had a full-frame sensor?

 

The math obviously works out, but for some reason it just didn't seem right.

Positive, 5D.

Well I'm going to give the 85mm another try, just got one for $315 shipped, if I don't like I can resell and probably make money off it.

This is what I loved about the 100mm.
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True, sort of. That lens will probably hold it's value or go up over time. Look on ebay, the prices for used ones are the same as new. More than likely, you would buy it, then, if you need to free up cash or are not using it, sell it easily.

I did that with the 24-70 F2.8, I owned it for 2 years for a net cost of about $35.00. Not bad, considering the banks are paying .25%.

 

True, but I wouldn't use it enough to justify the $$$, even if I'm guaranteed to get it back at a later date.

 

Love My Nikkor 105 2.8
Ideal for automotive...stand back and fire..

Except for Nikons 85 and 50 1.4 autos..The 105 has Highest rating.
Matches the 70 - 200 2.8...98% approval

and thens theres light room
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It's just too much for my uses, I got the 85mm for 1/3 of that.

 

Is yours the 105 Micro VR or the older 'D' lens?

 

I picked up the 85mm 1.8D used for $300 about a week ago and have it mated up with my D7000. So far, I loooooooove it.

Granted, I'm doing a slightly different kind of automotive photography - closer to portraits actually - but I still can get mind blowing images of just the car. I'll post a couple samples when I get back to my laptop.

Good luck with your choice.

 

I think I've fired off close to 1,500 frames with the Nikkor 85mm 1.8D - it took some getting used to for sure (was previously using Nikkor 18-200 3.5-5.6) but now I'm just in love. I would suggest trying the new lens for a week or two (hide the old one) and see if you warm up to it.

Here are a couple sample shots...basically un-retouched (Ok, I confess, I took care of a few blemishes on Chrissy's face).
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Very nice, it got shipped out this morning and I'll have it on Monday. I'll be interested in how it performs and if I could replicate some of my previous shots.

On another topic, how is the 18-200? I've been thinking of replacing my 18-105 with it, but I worry about lenses that have that large of a range.

 

The 18-200 is a wonderfully versatile lens; I didn't shoot with anything else on my D40. The Nikkor version gives you spectacular images but it's spendy - I recall paying ~$900 for it new. I switched to the 85mm prime lens due to the "fit" with the nature of my shots and the desire for really 'fast glass' and amazing bokeh.

If you haven't already, read up on Ken Rockwell's review of the lens. He always does a nice job.

 

How the sharpness of it at both ends? I always read Rockwell's reviews of lenses because of the technically depth he goes to, but I take all of his opinions with a large grain of salt.

 

I'll be honest, I'm not really so much into the specs, facts and figures, etc. I don't even know quite how to answer your question. What I do know though is "what I like" and I can say that I was never disappointed with the results from my 18-200 Nikkor.

That said, I am in awe of what the 85mm prime lens has done for my images. When I get it right, the subject leaps out the frame. Apples to coconuts comparison though...since they are different tools meant for different jobs.

 

+1 regarding Ken Rockwell. Good reviews and lots of tips. He has kept me from spending money unnecessarily on over hyped stuff.

As for me I use 18-200 VR exclusivly.

 

He (KR) is a bit of a blowhard, though.

 

Just got the 85mm, my kitchen at night is hardly an ideal testing environment so I'll play around with it tomorrow.

 

How do you like the lens so far, Chris?