Nikon Full Frame - Lens Recommendations?

[wenrob]

I have the Tamron 28-75 and while it was very nice on the D700 the Nikon 24-70 blows it away. It's fast and it's SHARP. It's by far my favorite lens and was perfect with the 50 1.4 at Disney. If you can swing it, just do it, you won't regret it. The 14-24 is next on my radar.

 

[wenrob]

That 24-70 is big, heavy, expensive, and lacks VR. I'm patiently waiting for my D800 to be delivered. My old AF-D Nikkors will be going back into service, unfortunately they also lack VR. I'm eventually going to get a consumer level Nikkor FX zoom with VR.

It's fast and sharp, it doesn't need VR and it's worth every penny. If I with the tiny hands and weak wrists can hold it steady on a D700 anyone can.

I'd highly encourage you to rethink a consumer grade lens to put on a D800, especially with 36 mega pixels. As John said, you will see every single flaw and find yourself disappointed. I've never been one to feel I need the best but when you step up to full frame it's a whole new game, IMHO.

 

[rossb]

I've seen plenty of D800 24-120 F/4 VR shots that look great. I am not interested in the 24-70.

 

[gruZ]

Tom, I've had a D700 for a while now with the Nikon 24-70. I used to own a Sigma version and was consistently less than pleased. The Nikon version is outstanding glass. Yes it's heavy. Yes you might have superhuman strength. Yes it's expensive.

And yes, it's worth every penny you spend and ounce you carry.

 

[wenrob]

I've seen plenty of D800 24-120 F/4 VR shots that look great. I am not interested in the 24-70.

I don't think that's considered consumer grade. When you said that I imagined lenses of much less quality. Wasn't trying to talk you into a 24-70 was just saying you'd probably be disappointed in cheap glass on a D800. I've considered the 24-120 myself but considering what I already have it would be redundant.

 

[rossb]

I don't think that's considered consumer grade. When you said that I imagined lenses of much less quality.

Nah, something like the 24-120 F4 VR or maybe the 28-300 VR. I just want a lens with VR as I have a bag full of AF-D glass from back when I shot film and they all lack VR.

 

[WDWFigment]

Thanks for all the recommendations on the Nikon 24-70mm. I purchased the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 yesterday (my D700 plus the 14-24, combined, were less than a new D800! I think I made the right call there) and my next big purchase lens will definitely be the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. I might buy an obscure prime first, but we'll see.

I may be frugal, but I wouldn't have gone full frame if I didn't intend to step it up with my glass. Just my personal opinion, but I don't see the point of moving up to full frame only to pair it with average lenses or a super-zoom, even if the super-zoom gets decent reviews. I'm moving to full frame because I want full frame quality, not "decent."

 

[rossb]

Sounds like that last post was directed at me. I have numerous fast primes and short range zooms when I need top quality. I don't enjoy carrying a bag of lenses when I'm out for the day, thus I'm looking for a wide range zoom with VR. I'll probably get the 24-120 F4.

 

[WDWFigment]

Sounds like that last post was directed at me. I have numerous fast primes and short range zooms when I need top quality. I don't enjoy carrying a bag of lenses when I'm out for the day, thus I'm looking for a wide range zoom with VR. I'll probably get the 24-120 F4.

It wasn't directed at you since you've mentioned a couple times that you have some nice primes, but at the indirect recommendation of the 24-105 or 28-300 for me.

 

[rossb]

but at the indirect recommendation of the 24-105 or 28-300 for me.

I didn't say that you should get them. They are certainly not for someone that wants maximum quality.

 

[rossb]

Check the lens list on page 16:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_US/o/Y6wrkA9OU_z04IreazIXl_22UII/PDF/D800_TechnicalGuide_En.pdf

 

[YesDear]

Rossb

Just curious why you feel your lens need vr?

 

[Gdad]

Tom: I have a Nikon 50mm 1.2 MF lens that Jeff put me on to. It is amazing on the D700. Pretty easy to find on Ebay.

Yeah that's a good one too.

Rossb

Just curious why you feel your lens need vr?

Why not? I can easily shoot handheld at 1/8 sec with the 24-120/4...1/2 sec with the 16-35/4

 

[WDWFigment]

After reading a bit more about the 24-105 VR, I have to say that I'm a bit shocked by its quality. Mind you, the quality doesn't seem the same as the 24-70mm f/2.8, but it also doesn't seem like the (DX) 18-105mm VR or a standard "kit" lens.

My impression was that it was kit lens+ quality based on something I had previously read. Clearly that isn't true. I may have to give that a hard look, as I often find myself shooting handheld when a tripod is inconvenient. While I can do 1/8th second about 1 out of 3 times with a fisheye handheld, my success rate drops to near 0 for focal lengths around 105mm. That VR could be huge.

As much as I hate the idea, I may actually have to rent the two lenses to find out. In any case, that's a bit down the road. I should have the 14-24mm f/2.8 in my hands by the end of today!!!

 

[traylorc]

I should have the 14-24mm f/2.8 in my hands by the end of today!!!

You are going to love that lens....

 

[wenrob]

As much as I hate the idea, I may actually have to rent the two lenses to find out. In any case, that's a bit down the road. I should have the 14-24mm f/2.8 in my hands by the end of today!!!

Green with envy! Please post a review and pics when you can.

 

[rossb]

After reading a bit more about the 24-105 VR, I have to say that I'm a bit shocked by its quality.

Are you talking about the 24-120:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Produ...s/2193/AF-S-NIKKOR-24-120mm-f%2F4G-ED-VR.html

 

[WDWFigment]

I've had the chance to use the 14-24mm lens all weekend and...wow. I'm in love. Ever since Mark Barberi informed me that the Tokina 11-16 wasn't the ultimate wide angle lens because that crown belonged to the Nikon 14-24 in the early pages of the UWA Cult thread, I've wanted this lens. The mystique has grown and grown in my head. A lot of times when you build things up over long periods of time, the real thing is a letdown.

Well, I'm happy to say that wasn't at all the case with this lens. This lens is everything I expected and more. I really think it will change my photography for the better.

I don't know how I'm going to wait on taking it to the parks!!!

I'll post a review and plenty of photos when we return from our next trip for those who are curious.

Are you talking about the 24-120:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Produ...s/2193/AF-S-NIKKOR-24-120mm-f%2F4G-ED-VR.html

Yes, sorry. Typo.

 

[TC09]

I've had the chance to use the 14-24mm lens all weekend and...wow. I'm in love. Ever since Mark Barberi informed me that the Tokina 11-16 wasn't the ultimate wide angle lens because that crown belonged to the Nikon 14-24 in the early pages of the UWA Cult thread, I've wanted this lens. The mystique has grown and grown in my head. A lot of times when you build things up over long periods of time, the real thing is a letdown.

Well, I'm happy to say that wasn't at all the case with this lens. This lens is everything I expected and more. I really think it will change my photography for the better.

I don't know how I'm going to wait on taking it to the parks!!!

I'll post a review and plenty of photos when we return from our next trip for those who are curious.



Yes, sorry. Typo.

Can't wait! Congrats again on the D700... and now the 14-24!

 

[Experiment_626]

I know I want to go full-frame at some point, but one of the things holding me back is that no matter what sort of great deal I might find on a full-frame body, I automatically add $2000 to the cost for the 14-24 Nikkor lens. It's one of the main reasons I want to make the move in the first place.

SSB