D300 and lens

[RezzShaz]

Need some help.....
Thinking of getting Nikon D300.
Is having the Nikkor 12-24, VR 18-200 and 35mm/1.8G
a good collection? Usage is potrait shots, lanscpe and everyday use...

[tanjonhan]

Good is subjective...

While the 18-200 would be convenient for everyday use, image quality will suffer a bit...if that does not bother you then its fine...of course if u dun wan to be lugging around heavy equipment, 18-200 is the perfect everyday use lens...

For portrait, depends on yr style, for 35mm it may or may not be suitable...

Majority of the ppl use 85mm for portraits....or at least 50mm under a cropped sensor...

12-24 makes a fine landscape lens thats for sure....

[alpinestars]

For DX format, how about considering Tokina 11-16mm for landscape.

[BirdRobin]

2nd the tokina. its a miracle.

[TheChef]

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Need some help..... Thinking of getting Nikon D300. Is having the Nikkor 12-24, VR 18-200 and 35mm/1.8G a good collection? Usage is potrait shots, lanscpe and everyday use...

Portrait shots -Sigma 50mm f1.4 or Nikkor 85mm f1.4
Landscape - Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
Everyday use - Nikkor 16-85mm VR or Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8

Any other answers?

[Madmax]

No horse run...D300 + 17-55 mm F2.8.

[JOHN LEE]

Originally Posted by Madmax No horse run...D300 + 17-55 mm F2.8.

Support

[Numnumball]

On a DX Body?

Portrait : 35 f1.8 or 50 f1.4D

Landscape : tokina 11-16 2.8 or Nikon 12-24 f4

General purpose : 24-70 f2.8 (gives u 36-105 becos of 1.5 DX cropping factor *wonderful lens*) However If tight on budget, a 18-200 is good.

Just my $0.02 worth

Cheers

[Blur Shadow]

I believe I have the same interest as you, and my setup is as follows:

1. Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM
2. Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]
3. Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

So if you want an all-Nikon setup, I suggest:

1. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
2. (I have a few suggestions for the dedicated portrait lens)
a. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
b. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
c. Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8D
3. AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

I've used the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and wasn't too impressed with it. I prefer the 50mm f/1.4. But it's a personal choice.

[krabbie]

Originally Posted by Blur Shadow I've used the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and wasn't too impressed with it. I prefer the 50mm f/1.4. But it's a personal choice.

Can you elaborate a bit more on your disappointment with 35mm f/1.8? IQ or Bokeh or range?

[RezzShaz]

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Need some help..... Thinking of getting Nikon D300. Is having the Nikkor 12-24, VR 18-200 and 35mm/1.8G a good collection? Usage is potrait shots, lanscpe and everyday use...

Thanks for all the views brothers....really appriciate it, however went down and tested the
D700 and fell in love with it. Make a jump for it with 24-70mm f2.8 ED(2.9x).
But still think D300 is a decent option for those interested.

[Blur Shadow]

Originally Posted by krabbie Can you elaborate a bit more on your disappointment with 35mm f/1.8? IQ or Bokeh or range?

The IQ of the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 is fine. In fact, if anything, I believe it beats the 50mm f/1.8 at apertures below f/2.8, and continues to match or supercede at at smaller apertures. Same for the bokeh. I thought it was fairly pleasing.

I did notice quite distinctive CA though. Curious, for a prime. This occurs even at smaller apertures, such as f/5.6.

The AF isn't great, but hey, if the model can stay still for a couple of seconds, the AF will work fine.

Perhaps it was a simple case of "photographer inadequacy", but I guess I wasn't used to the 35mm. I'm not keen to use this lens for portraiture work.

(Do forgive me if I am too critical against the lens; I was spoilt by the Nikon 200mm f/2 and 85mm f/1.4 just before I played with the 35mm f/1.8)

[Blur Shadow]

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Thanks for all the views brothers....really appriciate it, however went down and tested the D700 and fell in love with it. Make a jump for it with 24-70mm f2.8 ED(2.9x).

Haha! Buy Buy Buy!

[RezzShaz]

Ha Ha Buy already
Set me back quite a bit bro....

[sazabi3000]

Nice. I'm looking at a slightly different setup as I'm more for landscapes, macro, and some portraits.

Here's the setup i'm planning to get:
D300 Body
AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (5.3x) for general usage
and a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8D EX APO HSM for zoom

Is this setup any good?

[Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Thanks for all the views brothers....really appriciate it, however went down and tested the D700 and fell in love with it. Make a jump for it with 24-70mm f2.8 ED(2.9x). But still think D300 is a decent option for those interested.

Well done

This combination is dangerous.....warning to those not prepared (wallet)....better don't try or you will loose sleep every night

[TheChef]

Originally Posted by sazabi3000 Nice. I'm looking at a slightly different setup as I'm more for landscapes, macro, and some portraits. Here's the setup i'm planning to get: D300 Body AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (5.3x) for general usage and a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8D EX APO HSM for zoom Is this setup any good?

I am not sure about the Sigma. But, Nikkor 16-85mm is definitely good.

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Ha Ha Buy already Set me back quite a bit bro....

Whoa you are really very decisive. I think you had made the right choice. For your shooting interests, you should also consider the Nikkor 14-24mm and the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4. But, for now the 24-70mm should suffice. BBB....