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Which 2 lenses for press work?

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I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.

I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go with or

if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
 
I would have suggested the same two lenses. Whether you would go for the "S" or non-"S" version of 80-200 depends on whether you need the extra focusing speed of the "S" - and what you are prepared to pay (the non-"S" version is almost $1000 cheaper, but still has very good optics and built quality). The 17-35 only comes in the "S" version, so here you have no choice.
JP said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go
with or
if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently
all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
Click to expand...
 
If you can afford only two lenses, then those focal ranges are the right ones.

Anyway you´ll problblyl find sometimes that you need something between 35 and 80 mm., but almost always you´ll able to solve it goig closer or farer.

In my poor opinion, if you are not shooting sports, the S series doesn´t worth.
--
Gabriel Lago
Madrid
 
I agree with Leif and I would add that the S on the 80-200 comes handy if you're shooting indoor and/or in low light conditions.

Since you are making a living with those glasses, the extra bucks for the S are easily justified .

As for the 17-35, you won't regret it! But, other fellow photographers may recommend the 28-70 AFS!!! The focal range is entirely up to your own needs and in the end you have to see what best fits them!!!
my $ 0.02!

--
Nicola (mr)
(Amateur Photographer)
http://www.pbase.com/nicola/galleries
 
I think those 2 lenses you mentioned are a great combination.Though most of the times I'm shooting with the 28-70 AFS on my camera. I really love this lens. I think it's very depending on what your shooting exactly.

You can also wait for the 70-200 AFS VR 2.8. This one should be at least as good as the 80-200 AFS and even a little bit cheaper.

Frans...
--
Nikon D1X
Nikor 17-35 AFS 2.8
Nikor 28-70 AFS 2.8
Waiting for Nikor 70-200 AFS VR 2.8
Nikor 60 micro 2.8
Nikon SB-80 DX
http://www.jagtveld.nl/gallery/
 
JP said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)
Click to expand...
With regard to AF-S versus "non-S" version of the 80-200, I would pick the "AF-S" version because

(1) it has 5 ED elements vs 3 for the non-S

(2) faster and much quieter AF

(3) easy to remove tripod collar (clamshell design)

From pictures I've seen of the soon-to-be-released VR70-200, its build quality is more like the VR80-400 with lots of plastic, and apparently only the tripod-collar foot can be removed. Who needs VR in a 200 mm lens anyway.
 
The "S" lenses has a built in motor driving the autofocus. This makes for faster and nearly silent ("S" for Silent) AF operation. The non-"S" lenses has no built in motor, but uses the AF motor in the camera body via a mechanical coupling. It's a bit slower and is audible (though I wouldn't call it noisy - but that of course depends). For fast moving subjects, such as in sports, the "S" version usually is preferable. Since the "S" lenses are newer designs, they may be marginally better optical performers, but in my point of view (not all agree with me) the difference really is marginal, provided you compare the "S" lenses with pro grade non-"S" lenses. If you compare with some of the cheaper consumer level lenses, a significant difference is likely to be seen. In the real world price is an issue. A "S" lens cost 2-3 times as much as the equivalent non-"S" lens.
Gary Vatal said:
Leif Olstrup said:
prepared to pay (the non-"S" version is almost $1000 cheaper, but
still has very good optics and built quality). The 17-35 only comes
in the "S" version, so here you have no choice.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Leif Olstrup said:
The "S" lenses has a built in motor driving the autofocus.
Click to expand...
OK...all my lenses are 10+ years old...105 micro...85 f/1.8, 60 micro etc...and I thought they said AI-F.

Are the "consumer" lenses the G series (with no aperture control?) How about the D series...(can you tell I'm reading my D-100 instruction manual?)
 
If your work demands the equipment to be small, light, fast, simple, then 28/1.4 and 85/1.4.

Just pick one, and shoot at real fast shutter speed, no worry about camera shake (D1x has 1/16000 shutter speed), and do OK even in low light, or super-low light with ISO pumped up to 6400.

No muss, no fuss.

James
JP said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go
with or
if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently
all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
Click to expand...
 
Zoe James said:
If your work demands the equipment to be small, light, fast,
simple, then 28/1.4 and 85/1.4.

Just pick one, and shoot at real fast shutter speed, no worry about
camera shake (D1x has 1/16000 shutter speed), and do OK even in low
light, or super-low light with ISO pumped up to 6400.

No muss, no fuss.

James

JP wrote:
Click to expand...
cheers everyone, I think the S range is for me.

James - u are right in a way, fixed lenses are ok for lightwieght PJ work where you can move yourself into the right position/distance from the subject.

I actually referred to press work where you have to try and frame the subject from a fixed position as often you are in a press pen or behind a rope, by the time u have changed lenses you will miss the shot and the subject can come close or decide to keep a distance.
James Haskell said:
James Haskell said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go
with or
if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently
all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I'd say you're just about right - those are by far my two most used lenses. I might also suggest picking up a 50mm f1.8D - it is a very inexpensive model compared to the other two (~$100USD) and can save you in really dark areas. It also gives you something in between your two lenses. I know you said only two, however a UV filter for one of those lenses would cost more than this lens ;)
JP said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go
with or
if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently
all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
Click to expand...
 
I have both these lenses and they completely cover the range for press work, unless you are doing sports.

The 17-35 lets you get wide inside which is often a problem in tight quarters - press room, scrum, etc.

The 80-200 is long enough for most of these situations as well, particularly if you are stuck at the back of the room, and the speed bcomes even more valuable in this application.

I use the 24-85 for my "everyday" lens, but wouldn't be without the other two when the needs calls.

Cheers,

Rich

Rich Wile
All digital - all the time
JP said:
I am buying a D1x , I can afford to buy 2 decent lenses.
I will be doing press photocalls, premieres and grab shots so speed
is quite important.

Which 2 lenses would you recommend?

I am thinking of the 17 - 35 (2.8) and the 80 -200 (2.8)

I have no idea of the different lens model numbers I should go
with or
if this is the best focal range considering 2 lenses is currently
all I will be getting.

thanks

JP
Click to expand...
 
Well, I was hoping you were talking about ambush PJ, no time to even zoom. Just aim and shoot (and run like hell, ha, ha).

James
JP said:
Zoe James said:
If your work demands the equipment to be small, light, fast,
simple, then 28/1.4 and 85/1.4.

Just pick one, and shoot at real fast shutter speed, no worry about
camera shake (D1x has 1/16000 shutter speed), and do OK even in low
light, or super-low light with ISO pumped up to 6400.

No muss, no fuss.

James

JP wrote:
Click to expand...
cheers everyone, I think the S range is for me.

James - u are right in a way, fixed lenses are ok for lightwieght
PJ work where you can move yourself into the right
position/distance from the subject.

I actually referred to press work where you have to try and frame
the subject from a fixed position as often you are in a press pen
or behind a rope, by the time u have changed lenses you will miss
the shot and the subject can come close or decide to keep a
distance.
Click to expand...
 
The "G" lenses are AF lenses without an aperture ring, so they can not be operated in totally manual mode, and and therfore can not be used on older cameras. Some "G" lenses are consumer lenses, but the new AF-S 70-200/2,8 will also be "G", and Nikon says it will be professional quality like the present AF-S 80-200/2,8. There are also several non-"G" lenses that must be labelled consumer lenses. In other words: It's quite bewildering.
Gary Vatal said:
Leif Olstrup said:
The "S" lenses has a built in motor driving the autofocus.
Click to expand...
OK...all my lenses are 10+ years old...105 micro...85 f/1.8, 60
micro etc...and I thought they said AI-F.

Are the "consumer" lenses the G series (with no aperture control?)
How about the D series...(can you tell I'm reading my D-100
instruction manual?)
Click to expand...
 
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