[bossa]

The MSRP launch price is $2,999 like the D700.

In about 24 months it will fall.

The D700 may fall before that.

Sorry, I didn't read your post accurately.. I should have realized that.

[Chex]

I read somewhere that the D700 has recently had it's low price limits remove by Nikon (I'll try find the link).. but it's new MSRP is around $2199.. so in theory, it could be picked up for cost if you have a friend who works/owns a store that is a Nikon dealer.. if this is the case, I might end up with a D700 and a 24-70 f2.8 instead of a D800.

[jsherman999]

I read somewhere that the D700 has recently had it's low price limits remove by Nikon (I'll try find the link).. but it's new MSRP is around $2199.. so in theory, it could be picked up for cost if you have a friend who works/owns a store that is a Nikon dealer.. if this is the case, I might end up with a D700 and a 24-70 f2.8 instead of a D800.

Buying a new or used D700 and some good glass for the price of the D800 might be a very smart option.

You should price out used lenses as well, though. $1700 (price of new 24-70) can get you a lot of sweet glass...


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[dgaies]

You should price out used lenses as well, though. $1700 (price of new 24-70) can get you a lot of sweet glass...

Totally agree. I picked up the 24-70 (used) a few months back. It's a great lens, no doubt, but it's really expensive and in terms of value it can't touch the Tamron 28-75/2.8 (IMO). I shot with both last weekend and the 28-75/2.8 does pretty well on the D700. Plus, you can find copies of the 28-75 for $250-300 (used) if you shop around, so it's certainly worth considering for less the one-fifth the cost.

I also picked up a mint Sigma 180/3.5 macro lens this week for $400. Outstanding value IMO. The focus is pretty decent (it has an HSM motor and a three position focus limiter switch). IQ is outstanding and it gives you a pretty decent working distance for macro stuff. I sold the Pentax mount version of the lens a few months back for more than twice the cost of the Nikon version (another advantage of buying third party glass for Nikon, it tends to be a lot cheaper than the more scarce Pentax mount versions of the same lens)

Also, as I'm sure Jay would agree, it's hard to go wrong with the sub $100 50/1.8D. So for under $800, you could have a pretty good lineup consisting of a 28-75/2.8, 50/1.8D and 180/3.5 macro.

[Chex]

as much as I would love the 24-70, the 28-75, 50 1.8D and 180 3.5 would be great.. I would just also be looking at the 20-24mm range as well.. and of course a 70-200 f2.8 would be awesome as well.. but I can get an older 80-200 f2.8 for a decent price that just needs a cleaning. We'll see what the next month or so brings.. I might have a line on a good used D700 near mint for a decent price with Grip..

[dgaies]

as much as I would love the 24-70, the 28-75, 50 1.8D and 180 3.5 would be great.. I would just also be looking at the 20-24mm range as well.. and of course a 70-200 f2.8 would be awesome as well.. but I can get an older 80-200 f2.8 for a decent price that just needs a cleaning. We'll see what the next month or so brings.. I might have a line on a good used D700 near mint for a decent price with Grip..

Depending on how fast you want/need the AF to be, the older 80-200/2.8 lenses can be had for pretty good prices ($400-500). Even the newest two versions with faster AF (the 80-200/2.8D and AF-S version) can be found for around $800 if you shop around.

Both the 20/2.8D and 24/2.8D (or the non-D versions for that matter) make pretty good choices if you want something compact and wider than the 28-75. Again, if you shop around and buy used, you can get the 20 for around $300 and the 24 for around $225.

[Chex]

Nice, thanks for the info!

[dgaies]

Nice, thanks for the info!

You're welcome. I figure I might as well make good use of my extreme LBA and help advise others

[jsherman999]

You're welcome. I figure I might as well make good use of my extreme LBA and help advise others

It's the least we can do, huh?

Of course, are we helping.... or infecting?

BTW these are from the Tamron 28-75 wide open, taken a few hours ago -

first at 28mm f/2.8 (he's looking down the lens watching the mechanism, always finds it fascinating)



Crop:



48mm f/2.8



75mm f/2.8


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[bossa]

Thanks.. I thought I was cured until I saw some of Sherm's shots. I'll wait a few months and make up my mind then.

[dgaies]

It's the least we can do, huh?

Of course, are we helping.... or infecting?

BTW these are from the Tamron 28-75 wide open, taken a few hours ago -

Helping, infecting... it's a fine line

Here are a few taken with the D700 + Tamron 28-75 from this past weekend at the aquarium (also take wide open, except the last jellyfish shot that was taken at f/4).

[Ash]

The 28-75 is such a fine zoom on the K-5. It would be nice to see on a Pentax FF...

[bossa]

Helping, infecting... it's a fine line

Here are a few taken with the D700 + Tamron 28-75 from this past weekend at the aquarium (also take wide open, except the last jellyfish shot that was taken at f/4).

Impressive quality Dan and not all that expensive either when you consider the alternatives.

[Chex]

Yeah the Nikon 24-70.. for about $1800... that 28-75 looks pretty damn fine.

[thibs]

Totally agree. I picked up the 24-70 (used) a few months back. It's a great lens, no doubt, but it's really expensive and in terms of value it can't touch the Tamron 28-75/2.8 (IMO). I shot with both last weekend and the 28-75/2.8 does pretty well on the D700. Plus, you can find copies of the 28-75 for $250-300 (used) if you shop around, so it's certainly worth considering for less the one-fifth the cost.
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Mmm thought the Tammy was very good on APS but very mediocre on Full frame?
I know this is photozone take on it but I mostly read comments in the same way...