wide angle+portrait for D7000


bethpapa74

Senior Member
Jan 28, 2011
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Hi I am looking to purchase a combination of wide angle + portrait lens for my D7k, esp for low light conditions.

After reading alot of reviews, I am kinda stuck with the followings

1) AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
2) AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

I am alittle towards 14-24mm becos I am do FX in the future, so this lens can get my further. but the 17-55 can bring me much closer to my object on its longer end.

Very tough decision and I cannot convince myself to buy both (CFO will jump).

currently I am owning
1) 50mm f1.8-D
2) kit 18-105mm (use only during daytime)

Awaiting for your kind advises ...
 

Hi all I can say is that 14mm will not be as wide as some of the alternatives at a cheaper price (so when you sell it off, you don't incur that huge amount of losses).

f2.8 isn't That fast either.

For low light conditions:
1) Bump up iso.
2) Shoot wide open with faster lenses such as f1.4.
3) Use a flash.

Take note that f2.8 is only one stop faster than your kit lens (at its widest).
 

Since you are planning to move into FX in the future, it's better to buy FX lenses than DX lenses.

If you have budget to buy a 14-24mm lens, why not considering the FX combo below:

wide angle: 16-35mm f4 VR --- $1500 (2nd hand set at B&S section)
portraits: 85mm f1.4D --- $1360 (new grey set at www.artworkfoto.com)
 

you can consider 50mm 1.4g also. 50mm is a nice coverage for portrait in DX. also can use in FX in future
 

you can consider 50mm 1.4g also. 50mm is a nice coverage for portrait in DX. also can use in FX in future

My 50mmf1.8 serve me well as a prime for portrait. (though its AF depends on my D7k body ... kinda slow compared to FX body)
 

IMO for crop sensor, the two lens will not be much wider than your kit lens....only ultra wide like 12mm-24mm or lower then you can see the wow effect
 

For me, i find nikon's offering of UWAs seriously expensive.. if i were to get a UWA, I'll most probably look at 3rd party offerings like Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20.

But of course, if u're loaded with cash, get the nikkor.
 

For me, i find nikon's offering of UWAs seriously expensive.. if i were to get a UWA, I'll most probably look at 3rd party offerings like Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20.

But of course, if u're loaded with cash, get the nikkor.

If loaded with cash, better off go FF...e.g. D700/D3 + 14-24:lovegrin:
 

Hi I am looking to purchase a combination of wide angle + portrait lens for my D7k, esp for low light conditions.

After reading alot of reviews, I am kinda stuck with the followings

1) AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
2) AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

I am alittle towards 14-24mm becos I am do FX in the future, so this lens can get my further. but the 17-55 can bring me much closer to my object on its longer end.

Very tough decision and I cannot convince myself to buy both (CFO will jump).

currently I am owning
1) 50mm f1.8-D
2) kit 18-105mm (use only during daytime)

Awaiting for your kind advises ...

17-55 will cover your needs on a DX body.

If you think you would move to FX body, I suggest get 24-70 bcos 14-24 would not give flattering results as a portraiture lens.

If too expensive, don't get first. Stay at what lens you own now to make your best photography out of it.
 

For d7k, my recommendations are:

Ultra wide: Tokina 11-16/2.8 or sigma 10-20

Fast standard zoom (for events and wedding and landscapes): 17-55/2.8 or tamron 17-50/2.8 or sigma 17-50/2.8

Fast standard zoom (if you shoot more portraits): 24-70/2.8 or 28-70/2.8 or tamron 28-75/2.8 or sigma 24-70/2.8 HSM or Tokina 28-70/2.6-2.8 pro I or pro II.

Wide prime: sigma 20/1.8

Standard prime: 24/1.4 (best) or sigma 24/1.8 or sigma 30/1.4 or 35/1.8.

Long Portrait lens: 85/1.4g or sigma 85/1.4

Short portrait lens: your 50/1.8 will do. But if you want better sigma 50/1.4

All these are AF lenses. If you want MF the ball game changes.
 

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Also, my suggestion, since you just got your d7k, don't think too much about getting fx lenses and all that jazz. Get what you need. You can always sell your old stuff and buy FX lenses used when you move to FX.

14-24 is a waste on dx, I feel. The beauty of 14-24 is how well it performs as a UWA on a FX lens. Once you use a crop sensor on it, you are not exploring its full potentia. And you have to lug that huge heavy piece of glass around, and it cannot take filters. That big front element is very exposed and can get ding easily because it is bulging out. It is not a lens that is suitable for agile, on the go work.
 

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ok ... thanks for the suggestions.
I am reading more on the Tokina 11-16/2.8 and sigma 10-20

but I really really would like to stick with nikkor lenses :)
 

For d7k, my recommendations are:

Ultra wide: Tokina 11-16/2.8 or sigma 10-20

Fast standard zoom (for events and wedding and landscapes): 17-55/2.8 or tamron 17-50/2.8 or sigma 17-50/2.8

Fast standard zoom (if you shoot more portraits): 24-70/2.8 or 28-70/2.8 or tamron 28-75/2.8 or sigma 24-70/2.8 HSM or Tokina 28-70/2.6-2.8 pro I or pro II.

Wide prime: sigma 20/1.8

Standard prime: 24/1.4 (best) or sigma 24/1.8 or sigma 30/1.4 or 35/1.8.

Long Portrait lens: 85/1.4g or sigma 85/1.4

Short portrait lens: your 50/1.8 will do. But if you want better sigma 50/1.4

All these are AF lenses. If you want MF the ball game changes.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
You are tempting me to get a UWA...
 

ok ... thanks for the suggestions.
I am reading more on the Tokina 11-16/2.8 and sigma 10-20

but I really really would like to stick with nikkor lenses :)

There are many third party alternatives that perform as well, and even better than Canon or Nikon lenses. For a DX UWA I'd definitely go with Tokina 11-16, or 12-24, or Sigma 10-20. Definitely not the 14-24, as I feel it is a waste of money on DX. You can always sell off your lenses 2nd hand when you switch to FX, and buy 2nd hand FX lenses (which by that time would be cheaper too)
 

bethpapa74 said:
ok ... thanks for the suggestions.
I am reading more on the Tokina 11-16/2.8 and sigma 10-20

but I really really would like to stick with nikkor lenses :)

It is up to you, if you prefer the brand name over performance. ;) cheers.
 

hi I am in taiwan now...
was quote sgd$1063.00 (twd 24,500) for sigma 10-20 f3.5 .... is it cheap??
 

bethpapa74 said:
hi I am in taiwan now...
was quote sgd$1063.00 (twd 24,500) for sigma 10-20 f3.5 .... is it cheap??

About the same. Might as well buy in SG and get full warranty with no hassle from sigma service center in SG.
 

May i ask ... which one is better

1) sigma 10-20 f3.5 (quoted $1063.00 in taiwan)
2) Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX (quoted $1475.00 in taiwan)