Lens Envy

I need a lens that has snob appeal, one that every Nikon shooter drools for. I already have the 400mm, but it's too heavy to carry around all day. I need a shorter lens to show off. Which one do you recommend?

Edit: This is just for fun. Don't take it seriously.  I would say the 24-70mm? Thank you.

Waaay to inconspicuous.... If you want a short show off, you want something that really grabs attention. Just because you want short focal length doesn't mean you can't still go big.

I think the 6mm f/2.8 is way snobbier, not sure about usefulness, but an attention grabber for sure. And if the use itself doesn't warrant envy, the fact you had money to throw at something so ridiculous surely will.

Here it is next to the lowly 24-70

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/fisheyes/6mm_FisheyeNikkor-Manual/index.htm

If you want smallish but with eye catching size, pickup a 200 f2 with the hood and go do some street shooting. See if you do not get busted with most every shot.

That 200mm (103.4 oz) is a very lovely portrait lens. Unfortunately, I sold that one.

It's twice as heavy as the 70-200mm (54.3 oz)

Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M on a Nikon F mount as a macro lens. Portable, pointless and insanely expensive.

14 24 it just looks mad

also the exposed element says i don't care how much damage i do to the lens

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_clinch/

The problem with this task is that there isn't a single answer. If you want snob appeal from a "Joe-Shmoe" on the street, just go for the biggest lens you feel comfortable carrying. If you want to impress the PROs, leica f/0.95, Noct f/1.2, nikon 200f/2, any modern Zeiss, will work except zeiss 85f/1.4, because people in the know, know that nikon 85 f/1.4G is better (exception to the rule).

According to several posts over the last couple of days, the most lustworthy lens out there is the Tamron 70-300 VC.

It seems to take amazingly sharp pictures of boxes.

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What you know imprisons you

True. It immediately renders all other wide angle lenses pointless.

Sort of like showing up to a MINI meet in a Veyron.

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What you know imprisons you

lmao

And eyeballs. Don't forget eyeballs...

It looks too plain.  No one will ever notice.  

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Gary -- Some Nikon stuff -- and a preference for wildlife in natural light
www.pbase.com/garyirwin
http://photographersonlinemagazine.blogspot.com

The new 135 f/2?

For me it would be Nikon 200f/2

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"You're guaranteed to miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
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If you were not limited to nikon mount, you might also consider the:

Canon 5200mm F14 Prime.

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRq18WpQZC0

Or if you want something more portable

1200mm Canon 5.6 L

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0E-nZOlY_k

I'm surprised I'm the first to think of the 58mm f/1.2 Nokt. Rare, hand ground, expensive, exceedingly well corrected (it was made for astrophotography which is basically shooting a difficult test chart), outstanding out of focus renderings, and quite expensive when you can find one.  It's also nice and light at 16oz.

LOL.

See the 7th post in this thread...

Aha, didn't read carefully enough.  Well that or the 13/5.6 (if you can find one) would be my choice.

Traveling around Europe I get a LOT of stares and positive comments on the Nikon 24-70 f2.8.

Nikon shooters instantly recognize it as part of the trinity and as Nikon's top-of-the-line midrange zoom. Obviously the 14-24 and 70-200 equally proclaim the God-like genius of its owner.

Funny thing is, some gear heads on this site are the most petty whiners I've ever read, but the photographer I have quick exchanges with in real life in cities from Paris to Florence are always pleasant and friendly and just want to compare equipment for a few minutes.

I've sometimes wondered if these same people transform into creeps when they get online.

I hope not.

I try to get close enough to see what their gear is without staring. I don't want them to think they're about to get mugged.

How about a fisheye. It will attract the curiosity of the plebs and when they've stopped staring you can fit them in your pictures without them realising it.