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Nikon D800 lens recommendation

Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012.

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  1. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

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    #1 davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012
    I'm purchasing a D800 and thought I would see what the shooters here would recommend. I'm moving from a D200 and my main lens is a 17-55 f2.8 DX lens. I know I can use this lens on the D800 but there will be vignetting due to it being a DX lens. I want to use the sharpest lens I can get, but price is the limiting factor. I'm not opposed to going back to using a prime lens. If anyone with a D800 can provide some insight, I would appreciate it.
     
  2. blackwood

    blackwood Formula 3

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    #2 blackwood, Oct 3, 2012
    I don't own one myself, but a few friends do. The old staples still seem to be the favorites: 50mm 1.4 d (not g for some reason), 85mm 1.8g, 200mm 2.0, the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8.

    I've seen recommendations online to look at Zeiss Distagon lenses to unlock edge to edge sharpness, so if you don't mind paying premium for non autofocus lenses they may be with a look.
     
  3. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 msdesignltd, Oct 3, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2012
    What is your Budget...
    I have 6 Nikon Heavyweight lenses, took me years to accumulate them all ..either F 1.4 or 2.8

    70 - 200 2.8
    85mm 1.4
    105 macro 2.8
    10mm 2.8 Fish
    14 - 24 2.8
    24 - 70 2.8


    By christmas I will also have the D800...
    If I had to pick a favorite , its between the 85 1.4 and the 105 macro..always always always Tack sharp!
    Expensive glass...but I like close up portrait as opposed to landscape.
    with that camera wait till you can swing it but only buy 2.8 or lower...
    The D800 will re write the book with a good lens...please post pics when you can!!
    I see Nikon has a few new lenes I want...
    Remember the old adage...The lens is more important than the body!!!!!!

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675829-GREY/Nikon_2184_AF_S_Nikkor_24mm_f_1_4G.html

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735000-USA/Nikon_2198_AF_S_NIKKOR_35mm_f_1_4G.html
     
  4. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

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    #4 davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012
    My budget is 1500.00, so the 24-70 is out for now. I would like a 2.8 zoom, but they are pricey. I'm looking at the 24-120, f4, it's a VR lens which may work. I have a 80-200 f2.8 AF-S zoom that I'm keeping. I will probably keep this camera for a few yrs like I have with my D200. I will test it at the next car show since that has been my primary focus lately. Thanks for the advice, I still want the 105 macro but not now.
     
  5. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 msdesignltd, Oct 3, 2012
    Do you actually notice the difference with VR...

    I'll take no VR with a faster shutter speed any day...
    1.4's dont need VR , and 2.8's wide open can still achieve speeds of 400th + in the low light
    Not to mention shooting Raw with post processing..

    No Need for VR anymore in my opinion...

    when the lens goes up above F4 to 5.6 maybe then..
     
  6. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    #6 speedy_sam, Oct 3, 2012
    Nikon 24mm F2.8
    Nikon 50mm F1.8
    Nikon 80-200 F2.8 --> can be swapped for 70-200 later when you want to spend the cash
     
  7. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

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    #7 davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012
    I've never used a lens with Vibration Reduction so I can't say if it's necessary or not. I read several reviews of this lens used with the D800 and the reviews were, for the most part, positive. The first version of this lens was not very good, but this version has overall good reviews for sharpness and contrast when used with the D800. The f4 aperture is a concern as I normally would like a zoom to be f2.8 but again the reviews noted the VR helped reduced shake for sharper photos. I won't know until I test drive the lens/body.
     
  8. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 msdesignltd, Oct 3, 2012
    Did you get the D800 E or D800..
     
  9. davidgoerndt

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    #9 davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012
    I ordered the D800
     
  10. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

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    #10 Crawler, Oct 3, 2012
    Don't neglect to consider used lenses to get the most out of your budget. Reputable dealers like KEH have a rating system that lets you know what kind of condition they're in. Just off the top of my head, by buying used you can save 20%+ for a lens in like-new (Ex+) condition. It also saves the depreciation should you decide to trade down the road.
     
  11. davidgoerndt

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    #11 davidgoerndt, Oct 3, 2012
    Thanks, I'll consider that option
     
  12. alfas

    alfas Formula Junior

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    #12 alfas, Oct 3, 2012
    grab a d600 and you've just almost doubled your lens budget. my guess is the difference from the d800 to the d600 will be less than the difference in glass good vs. avg..

    look at your most used shooting range and cover that with a first purchase. Tamron and sigma seem to make viable alternatives as well.
     
  13. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 msdesignltd, Oct 3, 2012
    How could Photography get any better...Tell Me
    Than the D800
    Society has reached the Pinnacle of performance , with this one...
    I test held it at B and H a few weeks ago...It is smaller and Lighter than my D300s
    How could it get any better..
    Maybe if they fill the lenses with inert gases...it would feel lighter...thats about it!
     
  14. blackwood

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    #14 blackwood, Oct 3, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2012
    1) Higher bit depth. With a 14 bit raw, we have an absolute maximum dynamic range (without down sampling) of 14 stops. Many scenes exceed that.

    I'd take a 20MP 16 bit camera over the D800E or the rumored 46MP canon.

    2) Backside illumination (like the sensors used in many cellphones), ie most of the sensor electronics are on the back rather than lens side of the sensor, improving quantum efficiency (less stuff in the way of the pixels).


    Body weight doesn't really bother me (considering glass weight), and smaller isn't necessarily better. For crop sensors, I can't think of a better performing camera than the D7000, however it's uncomfortably small for me to hold.
     
  15. blackwood

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    #15 blackwood, Oct 3, 2012
    Wide open isn't always desirable. Landscape shooters tend towards 8ish (larger format photogs can stop down further than SLR people) for max DOF without diffraction. And even when it is, VR is nice. I was shooting 1.4 at the long beach aquarium a few weeks ago and had to go up to ISO1600 and shoot 1/60 for adequate exposure.

    With increasingly high pixel densities, the rule of thumb of 1/focal length is quickly becoming 1/2(focal length).
     
  16. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 msdesignltd, Oct 3, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2012
    I agree wih you... I have 2 -4/3 cameras as well When the event calls for lightweight work..
    but when you can get a full frame device such this...

    there is no match

    Actually , my 300s has the battery /portrait addition on the bottom so the 800 felt smaller to me...I would get the winder for the 800 as well.
     
  17. blackwood

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    #17 blackwood, Oct 3, 2012

    Within in the SLR form factor, the D800E is probably the best for a given couple applications (particularly those in which the photographer can control or wait for the light, and can use a tripod). It's certainly not the best for sports or fast wildlife (Canon 1Dx/5D3, Nikon D3s/D4 are four examples of cameras that more than match the 800 in those conditions).

    Outside the SLR form factor, mid format digital is likely better for the studio/landscape environment.
     
  18. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

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    #18 davidgoerndt, Oct 4, 2012
    Just for giggles, I was searching DPReview.com yesterday and ran across a screen grab that supposedly was from B+H showing a D4x at 56 MP! It was probably a hoax, but you never know. In my photography, I needed a push to a higher level so I decided to go ahead an get the D800. Now I will have to really pay attention to the basics to get the best out of this camera. I have had a D100 and D200 which both produced acceptable results but there was always a little too much noise, plus I missed the full frame of my Nikon F-4 but do not miss film at all. Now I just need to sell my D200 and get better glass.
     
  19. blackwood

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    #19 blackwood, Oct 4, 2012
    I'd keep the 200. I doubt you'll get much for it. To me, having a backup handy is worth not selling something for a couple hundred bucks.
     
  20. davidgoerndt

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    #20 davidgoerndt, Oct 4, 2012
    You're probably right about the 200. I had a rude awakening regarding selling my F4. When I looked on ebay and see they are selling for next to nothing, maybe 400 tops and I paid 1200 for it. It still is in mint condition too. My 17-55 DX lens should be worth a bit more, but I might just keep it for the 200. D800 will be in my hands tomorrow, ya. The whole weekend to play.
     
  21. alfas

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    #21 alfas, Oct 4, 2012
    enjoy the new kit...
     
  22. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 msdesignltd, Oct 4, 2012
    I sold my perfect F4 to b and H for $150.00..
    In Retrospect , I should have kept it for posterity!


    It seems the F4 was not Nikons best attempt at 35mm superiority, although the F5 was definitly a keeper.
     
  23. davidgoerndt

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    #23 davidgoerndt, Oct 5, 2012
    When I bought the F4, the F5 was the new king and pricey so I got the F4 used, but mint. I can't sell it for a fraction of what I paid so I'll keep it. I would have loved to get an F5, still might for nostalgia purposes.
     
  24. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 msdesignltd, Oct 5, 2012
    I could have written that exact post Myself!
    The F4 was a good challenge!

    Did We actually send film out to be printed/ Developed..How Prehistoric in Retrospect

    Remember those drive in Film Kiosks???

    OMG! I have Dated myself Now!
     
  25. davidgoerndt

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    #25 davidgoerndt, Oct 5, 2012
    I used to shoot only Kodachrome, so shoot, mail, wait, look for the yellow box in the mail, then see how many keepers there were. I do not miss that at all. Something to be said for instant gratification! The D800 is on the UPS truck for delivery, should be here shortly.
     
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