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Please Don't Kill Me

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MomEngineer said:
Hi Mebyon,

I shoot kids ;-) (pictures of kids). I photograph everything from family gatherings, sporting events, toddler at play, etc... I am really only concerned about sport since I will be moving from a crop to FF (FX).

However, with the d700's low-light capability, I was wondering if the Nikon 80 400mm VR f4.5 - 5 be a good choice, or should I go for the faster Nikon 80 200mm f2.8 with a teleconverter. The 70 - 200mm f2.8 VR seems very pricey to me right now.

I mostly use a monopod, so weight shouldn't be an issue. And I was thinking that the 80 - 400mm wouldn't be a bad choice because of its range and VR capability.

Any thoughts?

Happy Shooting,
Pam
Click to expand...
Hi Pam,

Sorry about taking so long to reply. The reason I was able to reply so quickly before was that I have been at home getting over a bout of flu. Now back at work during the week and out most of today. The 80-400 will work well with the D700, but the thing is it is an older type with first generation VR and no built in motor, therefore it will focus more slowly. Again there are persistent rumours that it will be updated this year to AF-S and VRII.

I was interested to see that you mostly use a monopod as I do this with my 80-200 AF-S f2.8, which has no VR, when outdoors. Indoors using flash it is not an issue as the short duration of the flash freezes movement anyway. Given that the new 70-200 has been introduced you may well find that a number of 80-200 AF-S lenses now appear on the secondhand market. It is important to get the AF-S version as this was/is optically superb. From early test results the new TC20III 2x converter appears to be capable of results almost equal to the lens without converter and I am going to try this combination as soon as I can get my hands on a TC20III. The advantage of a 70/80-200 F2.8 + 2x converter is that you will have the advantage of the wider aperture to isolate a subject when taking portraits and a very good 140/160-400 for the sports side.

The thing to remember is that Nikon may well be introducing a number of lenses to 'fill in' some of the gaps and updating others this year and it may well be worth waiting at least until March to see what happens.

Hope these thoughts help.
 
Hey Mebyon,

Thanks for the reply. I went ahead and put in my rental order - which I have posted in another thread. Anyway, I ordered the following:

1. Nikon D700
2. Nikon SB600 flash
3. Nikon 24 - 70 mm f2.8
4. Nikon 80 - 400mm f4.5 - 5.6

One major reason that I ordered the 80- 400mm is that I was looking for something more affordable Nikon lens. But, I have heard alot of good things about the TC20III, so if I actually make the change, I might get the 80 - 200mm f2.8 with the TC20III. ;-)

The Nikon 70 - 200mm f2.8 VR II is just so expensive. ;-)

I am excited about get the Nikon gear and having it for a week. I should receive it on Wednesday. Even if I don't make the change, I think the experience will be worth it.

Happy Shooting,
Pam
Mebyon K said:
MomEngineer said:
Hi Mebyon,

I shoot kids ;-) (pictures of kids). I photograph everything from family gatherings, sporting events, toddler at play, etc... I am really only concerned about sport since I will be moving from a crop to FF (FX).

However, with the d700's low-light capability, I was wondering if the Nikon 80 400mm VR f4.5 - 5 be a good choice, or should I go for the faster Nikon 80 200mm f2.8 with a teleconverter. The 70 - 200mm f2.8 VR seems very pricey to me right now.

I mostly use a monopod, so weight shouldn't be an issue. And I was thinking that the 80 - 400mm wouldn't be a bad choice because of its range and VR capability.

Any thoughts?

Happy Shooting,
Pam
Click to expand...
Hi Pam,

Sorry about taking so long to reply. The reason I was able to reply so quickly before was that I have been at home getting over a bout of flu. Now back at work during the week and out most of today. The 80-400 will work well with the D700, but the thing is it is an older type with first generation VR and no built in motor, therefore it will focus more slowly. Again there are persistent rumours that it will be updated this year to AF-S and VRII.

I was interested to see that you mostly use a monopod as I do this with my 80-200 AF-S f2.8, which has no VR, when outdoors. Indoors using flash it is not an issue as the short duration of the flash freezes movement anyway. Given that the new 70-200 has been introduced you may well find that a number of 80-200 AF-S lenses now appear on the secondhand market. It is important to get the AF-S version as this was/is optically superb. From early test results the new TC20III 2x converter appears to be capable of results almost equal to the lens without converter and I am going to try this combination as soon as I can get my hands on a TC20III. The advantage of a 70/80-200 F2.8 + 2x converter is that you will have the advantage of the wider aperture to isolate a subject when taking portraits and a very good 140/160-400 for the sports side.

The thing to remember is that Nikon may well be introducing a number of lenses to 'fill in' some of the gaps and updating others this year and it may well be worth waiting at least until March to see what happens.

Hope these thoughts help.
Click to expand...
 
Hello Pam,

well if you intend to buy used -should you switch to Nikon- then you've picked one of the best times to do so! The new 70-200 VR II means that the "old" 70-200 VR will be available used in larger numbers for lower prices. From what I've seen from the new lens, it's a bit better optically but a lot more expensive. If the rumors of a D700 replacement are true a used D700 will drop in price too and ditto for the 80-400. Pretty soon it'll definitely be a buyers market!

Jarno
--

˙ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ oʇ ƃuıʎɹʇ pɐǝɥ ɹnoʎ ʇןıʇ noʎ uǝɥʍ ʎuunɟ sʞooן ʇı
 
MomEngineer said:
... I should receive it on Wednesday. Even if I don't make the change, I think the experience will be worth it....
Click to expand...
We'll all be interested to hear your opinion of the body and lenses.

Show us the pictures.
 
Hi Dwight3,

I should receive the gear on Wednesday. I am excited to try it out. Who knows, though - my pics may not be up to par. There are some really great pictures taken with the D700. :-)

Happy Shooting,
Pam
dwight3 said:
MomEngineer said:
... I should receive it on Wednesday. Even if I don't make the change, I think the experience will be worth it....
Click to expand...
We'll all be interested to hear your opinion of the body and lenses.

Show us the pictures.
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

Did you play with D700? What have you finally decided? I am awaiting for your response to decide on my switch !

Thx

--
Ajimon
 
16-35/f4 VR
24-120/f4 VR

So yeah, Nikon has and f4 series, just no 70-200/f4 (yet).

--
I'z lovez my AiS'ez
 
Lenses were my reason for switching to Nikon. Canon is famous for it's tele lenses, but the rest, even the Ls, are just a tad over mediocre. The question is if it will matter to you and if you will notice it. Maybe with the upcomig 24-70L II they might have a nice lens.

--
I'z lovez my AiS'ez
 
She switched back in January 2010 about the time of this thread.. Check her posting history.
ajimon said:
Hi,

Did you play with D700? What have you finally decided? I am awaiting for your response to decide on my switch !

Thx

--
Ajimon
Click to expand...
--

-> > "Oh, and since we're on the subject of advice, you may want to be a little leery of some of the advice you see on this, or any other, message board. If someone is giving you advice ......make a determination about how much weight you'll give that advice. You may find that sometimes there are 'serial-posters' on the internet that should read more and type less."
-Brian Blanco, Sarasota Florida

I include myself in that quote
Chris, Broussard, LA
 
SixDasher said:
Lenses were my reason for switching to Nikon. Canon is famous for it's tele lenses, but the rest, even the Ls, are just a tad over mediocre. The question is if it will matter to you and if you will notice it. Maybe with the upcomig 24-70L II they might have a nice lens.

--
I'z lovez my AiS'ez
Click to expand...
Sorry that's not true. Canon lens are as good as any manufacturer.
--
Nature and Landscape Photographer
http://www.pbase.com/jdf
http://www.flickr.com/jdfeos
 
Pam, (wow this thing is from around yr ago)

If you still have 7D....just think what you can do with the upcoming Canon's 200-400/4 + 1.4 extender =840mm. Assuming you may need the reach. Not sure of the IQ, but the price ought to be quite astronomical. Nikon's 200-400 doesn't take well to 1.4 extender (opinion of wildlife pro).

I kind of figured that you'll like the D700. What's not to like ?

Leswick
 
MomEngineer said:
Hi Marcello,

Thanks for your comments. I have been wondering if the problems are me or actually the camera. I am a bit afraid to make this comment because I get some interesting comments when I do. Even though I am not a pro, I have been shooting my kids for 16 years. I just don't think these cameras are that complicated - isn't the whole idea of technology to make things a bit easier? ;-)

Happy Shooting,
Pam
Click to expand...
So, you have a 16years old kid, but your comment and especially your subject "Please don't kill me" make me feel that you like a 16years old boy..
 
MomEngineer said:
Hi Jarno,

Thanks for the extensive reply. I moved from a Canon Rebel Xti to a Canon 7D expecting to see some major differences. I have been using digital cameras for several years and thought I was ready for the jump. There is just something about the 7D that isn't satisfying my expectations. It could be me, it could be the camera. Right now, I am unsure. I do know that if the 7D isn't the answer for me, then my only real choice is Nikon. I do not want to get into the 5D series because I like the higher fps for sports.

Thanks again,
Pam
Click to expand...
You know too little about other camera system to assume that your 7D is better camera..like the spot metering link to all 51 AF points, you are missing customizable continue shooting speed. For example, D300s 7fps top burst rate can be customize to 6fps, 5fps, 4fps to 1fps. You not necessary to always go top speed to fill up your memory card with some rubbish images.
 
My guess is that the OP, as well as the others, have long since moved on...

By the way, other than measurebators (similar to mental masturbation), the first response to the OP was probably the most useful...

Technolgy in both camps has been updated with more alternatives. Positions have changed - check out where Steve Bingham was then and where he is now for example.

Too much going on to revisit year old threads...
 
Equals amount of Pros use Canon and Nikon, to be honest most of my pro collegues use Canon but that aside, no diferance at all.

As already said, there is nothing in it, just personal prefs. On the lens side you find Nikon does better WA optics, Canon makes better teles. Nothing in it.

Besides, I would not invest in any 12MP camera nowdays, there are times when more pixels can come very handy.
 
Nikon lenses, size for size and quality for quality are no more expensive than Canon's. Good grief, the 18-55 kit lens is only Cdn $ 179.99! If you have a Nikon with the built in focus drive, you can buy great used lenses like this $49 Nikkor 18-80:



 
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