Originally posted by mikeSF thanks for this info - when i go "shopping" for Nikon gear, i never know what glass is comparable.
I only shoot primes and wonder what Nikon and Canon have that compare well to say the 31/43/77 limiteds and the corresponding prices...do you know?? anyone?
You going Nikon? Back in the 70's I had 4 Nikon F's and 3 Nikonos. Also shot Hassleblads 500c and SWC. All great cameras.
This is the top dog of WA's...the standard by which all others are measured.
Amazon.com: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens: Camera & Photo
Get a D800 and one of their top mid range zooms and you are pretty set. Maybe a macro prime as well. Check out Photozone for the IQ tests.
I wished Pentax had copied Nikons legendary 14-24 and made it about 95% as sharp and priced it about $1100. But according to Pentax's upgraded pricing, it would be right up there with Nikons glass if they had made one.
Before buying a Nikon system for $24,000 I decided to go for a Pentax since I could use 4AA batteries. (At least in their older models) If Nikon had continued with their AA compatibility that they started with with their first dslr's I would have spent a load of dough with them. But don't like the idea of spending $300-$400 for special batteries just so the company's can screw me to the wall.
Proprietary batteries are more powerful no doubt. But, AA's do a good job and I am not dissatisfied at all with their performance.
You young guys will see how complex you life can get when you have a dozen different chargers that run all these special batteries you must stock. The companies are fudging you cause they want to to buy their high priced batteries and you get locked into them. That is the reason I wont shoot with Nikon or Canon and wont go above Pentax 12 mp cams. They are all in the same boat of fudging the customer.
It is a wonderful feeling to know every damn thing you got runs on AA or AAA batteries. In the past I had to stock every type of battery from D's, C's, Lanterns and all the assorted proprietary batteries. On day I had enough and said fudge that. Made up my mind to never buy anything that wont run on AA's or AAA.
Now, I am not 100% successful with this strategy, but about 95% successful.
This wont run on AA's.
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ttp://www.policemag.com/_Images/articles/M-Arsenal-82.jpg
My rad detector runs on 9v. Also few smoke detectors are 9v My garage door openers run on wafer batts...but that is it!
Now Nikons loss in one area may mean their gain as well. Maybe some of the Nikonians don't want to have a camera run on 4 AA's and only like high performance batteries. In any case, Nikons screwing over the AA battery devotee like myself produced $24,000 less in sales for them. Sure, not even a drop in the bucket for Nikon...just saying though.
So, in the place of the $24,000 Nikon system I have 6 older Pentax bodies and a ton of the finest glass I can get to fuel the bodies. Very happy with the system. Just wish I could get my hands on a few more lenses such as the legendary Sigma APO, Ziess and Voigt glass.
Good luck with your relocation to the other side and send us some pictures when your settled!!