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10-03-2012, 09:40 AM   #1
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Lens choice for a D800.

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I'm planning on buying a D800 in a couple of weeks, and I've spent a long time researching lenses to go with it having no real knowledge of the Nikon line-up. I can only really afford two lenses to start with, one of which will be the 50mm 1.8. I'd like a zoom to go with it is well and I'm tied between the Nikkor 24-120 f4, Nikkor 24-70 2.4 and Sigma 24-70. I've got the last one on my K5 and it's my most used lens as I like the focal range, sharpness and contrast it gives. Of course, on the D800 the equivalent range would be 35-105 so the first zoom listed would be closest. I rarely want anything outside of the Sigma's range, and hardly ever fit a lens longer than it to my K5.

My thought was to go with the (not especially fast) 24-120 at first and then later add an 85mm, and then a 12-24, 24-70 and 70-200 as funds allow, does that sound like a good plan of action?

10-03-2012, 11:38 AM   #2
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This Nikon D800/800E Technical Guide has a list of recommended lenses.

Wanting is one thing, affording is another.
10-03-2012, 01:28 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by wildweasel Quote
I'm planning on buying a D800 in a couple of weeks, and I've spent a long time researching lenses to go with it having no real knowledge of the Nikon line-up. I can only really afford two lenses to start with, one of which will be the 50mm 1.8. I'd like a zoom to go with it is well and I'm tied between the Nikkor 24-120 f4, Nikkor 24-70 2.4 and Sigma 24-70. I've got the last one on my K5 and it's my most used lens as I like the focal range, sharpness and contrast it gives. Of course, on the D800 the equivalent range would be 35-105 so the first zoom listed would be closest. I rarely want anything outside of the Sigma's range, and hardly ever fit a lens longer than it to my K5.

My thought was to go with the (not especially fast) 24-120 at first and then later add an 85mm, and then a 12-24, 24-70 and 70-200 as funds allow, does that sound like a good plan of action?
The 24-120 seems like a no brainer for you then. I'd get the new Sigma 35/1.4(assuming the reviews pan out), the Nikkor 85/1.8 and the Sigma 12-24(or the Nikkor 14-24 if you can afford it).
10-03-2012, 01:55 PM   #4
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I'm sorry to interrupt this thread and I don't mean to divert it but I am mulling over the same question since I'll likely be getting a D600 over the next 2-3 days. They are sold with the 24-85mm lens as a kit here but I'm wondering whether this lens is worth it?? The somewhat affordable alternatives for me are the Sigma 24-70mm or the Nikon 24-120mm.

After that I am thinking of getting the 85mm G and probably the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR or the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 as my funds won't run to the fancy 1700-buck lenses. This will also mean disposing of all my Pentax gear but my dealer offered pretty generous trade-in terms in an email today and it is seriously tempting.

10-03-2012, 02:00 PM   #5
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Looks like this thread will be starting point for me in couple months when I'll get my hand on a Nikon FF body.

The good thing is I have a quite a few MF Nikon lenses to get me started
10-03-2012, 02:09 PM   #6
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Thanks for the advice guys, but I've decided to go for this beauty instead Nikon Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm F2.8. Fabulous and exceptionally rare 220-degree lens. | eBay.

Mecrox, no worries, the more people bumping this thread up and getting advice the better it is for me. The D600 looks good to me, but for the difference of a couple of hundred quid I decided that the '800 has a few more features I'd find useful. Don't know if you've noticed but the D800 has dropped by a good few hundred quid in the last few weeks, since the D600 came out. I can say that the Sigma 24-70 2.8 (not 2.4 like I said in my 1st post) is a great lens, at least on the K5. Fast and accurate to focus in all but the lowest light - which with the Nikon focus system should be less of a problem - solidly built and an all round lovely lens. I'm considering a second one in Nikon mount as the best part of 1k difference for WR seems a little steep.
10-03-2012, 02:29 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by mecrox Quote
...
but I'm wondering whether this lens is worth it??
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Go to slrgear.com and look at the tested Nikon lenses. Pick the 3D graph test with the FF camera option when given.

10-04-2012, 01:28 AM   #8
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Nikon have 24-70 f2.4, i would like to have that for sure
10-06-2012, 05:51 AM   #9
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I used the AF50/1.8D for, if my memory serves me, eight years and found it very sharp as everyone tends to describe it but at times too sharp producing images with a very busy feel about them. It's nothing like the Pentax 50mm primes I've used over the years. A few years ago I traded the lens for the AF50/1.4D and I like the slightly softer open aperture image quality better. Even then, I'll add a short close-up filter to it for close shots just to make the backgrounds a little more pleasing. I'd describe the 50/1.8 as having a clinical feel about it. Strangely, the Nikkor prime I've found most pleasing for backgrounds has been my 60/2.8 Micro. Keep in mind I shoot DX.

I know of a couple of folks shooting D3's with the 24-70/2.8 who love that lens. The 24-120/4 sure seems like a good choice though. I'd suggest viewing images shot using both on any of the many web sites hosting Nikon shooters' images. I'd like to see some outstanding images shot with that 24-120 Nikkor because the results from the older version were rather average. The current 24-120 is a completely new fixed aperture design though.

Lastly, the issue of weight comes into play here. Don't undervalue how much weight you will lug around even with just the D800 and one of these zoom lenses you're considering. I was ready to buy the 17-55/2.8 but my friend at my favorite camera store actually downsold me to the 16-85 because she knows I shoot mostly while hiking and I'm glad she did. For shooting sports events and high-quality low light stuff, yes, go for the F2.8 zooms but for anything else consider the constant F4 zooms or even the high quality variable aperture lenses. With the current batch of Nikon cameras having such improved high ISO results the advantages of F2.8 over F4 aren't what they were in the past.
11-21-2012, 03:55 AM   #11
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Well, I bought the D800 a couple of weeks ago, and so far I love it. I ended up with the 50mm 1.8G and 85mm 1.8D (wanted the aperture ring for macro reversal) and the Tamron 24-70 2.8. The Tamron's been the real surprise - much better than I was expecting.

In case anyone's interested, I'd say the switch has definitely been worth it for me. I know the Nikon's quite a bit more than a K5 but it really is so much more of a camera. The large file sizes aren't a problem on my fairly old and battered laptop, focus is just out of this world in comparison for speed and accuracy, metering is excellent and I love the built-in flash controllability. Oh, and that viewfinder is worth the price difference on its own - so much larger, brighter and clearer. I fitted split focus screens in both my Pentaxs but even when they become available for the D800 I won't bother as I don't think there's any need for one for manual focusing.
11-21-2012, 07:58 AM   #12
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I recently bought a D600 and was mulling the same lens choices. For me, the 50mm f1.8 was a no-brainer. It's everything I would want in a 50mm. It's cheap, sharper than most of its competition, light, fast and silent focusing and has a rubber ring around the mount for some degree of weather sealing. I would highly recommend it.

The 24-70 was a more difficult decision. For me, it was between this and the Tamron. The Tammy is almost as good optically, has VR and is $300 cheaper. But in the end, I bought the Nikkor for the peak performance and resale value. I'm gambling that Nikon will come out with a VR version to upstage Canon. If they do, I should get a higher price for the Nikon when I want to upgrade.
11-21-2012, 08:06 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by mecrox Quote
They are sold with the 24-85mm lens as a kit here but I'm wondering whether this lens is worth it??
Photozone was lukewarm about it.

QuoteQuote:
So, in summary, the lens delivers solid performance regarding sharpness, at least when stopped down, but fails to impress regarding other image parameters. Most of the issues mentioned here can be resolved with in-camera correction (or in post processing), however from a consumer zoom carrying a price tag close to 500 EUR we expected a little more.
11-21-2012, 08:19 AM   #14
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I am curious what the overall feeling is about the Tamron 28-75? I know it works quite well on our Pentax cropped sensor cameras, but since it is made for full frame, where is the love or is it only "ok"?

Also, if you want to save some $$$, Cameta is selling the D800 refurbs for a decent deal...Nikon D800 Digital SLR Camera Body - Factory Refurbished includes Full 1 Year Warranty Saves you $500.

Jason
11-21-2012, 08:35 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Jasvox Quote
I am curious what the overall feeling is about the Tamron 28-75? I know it works quite well on our Pentax cropped sensor cameras, but since it is made for full frame, where is the love or is it only "ok"?


Jason
I like my Tamron 28-75/2.8 (Without Built In Motor) a lot on my D600 and previously on a D700. I also took some test shots with it on a D800, and it seemed plenty sharp.

A good copy of this lens is a great value, IMHO.

EDIT: In fact I like this lens along with my Tamron 17-35 / 2.8-4, which is also a great value.

Last edited by apisto; 11-21-2012 at 08:41 AM.
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