Reading mode: Light Dark

Best next lens?

Go to last post
L

lamed

Member
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

I'm a student photographer looking to buy a new lens, and I'm looking for some input as to what kind of glass a photographer should have in his camera bag. Here's my current equipment:
  • Nikon D300
  • Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2.0 (manual focus)
  • Leica Summicron-R 135mm f/2.8 (also manual focus...)
  • Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
I don't have a boatload to spend, but I do have savings from this summer that I'd like to use to buy new equipment. I don't shoot a lot of landscapes, mainly just people. Any advice you can give a student (even in addition to just purchasing lenses) I'd appreciate.

Thanks in advance.
 
Non-lens stuff to considerL flash, tripod, software, classes/books (education)

For shooting people, handheld, you might consider an 80-200F2.8 (or 70-200vr if you come into a lot of money).

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net
 
The best lens and most used in your bag would be a Nikon 17-55 2.8. You won't find a better walk around lens.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

 
I had both the 17-55 and the 24-70. I only kept the 17-55 but I wish I had kept the 24-70, instead. Even on DX.
 
lamed said:
lamed said:
what kind of glass a photographer should have in his camera bag.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
None I’d say. Photographer doesn’t get built of the bricks but from his/her vision side. It’s more like what he must have in his bag instead the "should have".

Concentrating on his vision and developing his practice towards that is the very best buying guide. It feels like you come to ask a stage o two earlier. Besides, a few good photographers are kit collectors. It may be that only lens you will ever need is in your bag already. If just swapped for an AF Nikon version, for example. Money aside wont evaporate their potential, something else needs usually to materialize.

Good luck,

Hynek

--



http://www.sunwaysite.com
 
PHXAZCRAIG said:
Non-lens stuff to considerL flash, tripod, software, classes/books (education)

For shooting people, handheld, you might consider an 80-200F2.8 (or 70-200vr if you come into a lot of money).

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net
Click to expand...
^What he said.^^^

I might throw in an additional suggestion as well... I have a Sigma 50-150/2.8 and greatly enjoy it's value as a portrait lens. It's also one of my most used focal length ranges when shooting sports. A good used copy (either V1 or V2) in the $450-600 range IMHO is the best DX lens for the money on the planet. JMHO.
 
From your existing kit I'd assume you were a portrait shooter with those fast lenses. If you choose to go a freelance route, wide latitude of assignments, a wide angle zoom and a tele zoom would cover a wide range of focal lengths. As others have stated above, flash and accessories and of course, what is your photographic vision (style).
--
http://www.cpetridis.com
http://www.onyxstudios.ca
 
Well you've not exactly given many clues.

Which lens do you use most (if any) and how often do you find you can't fit enough in the frame or can't get close enough? Macro is another area you may or may not wish to play with, though reversing rings and extension tubes are a cheap and fun solution to that.

Is portability a factor? Big zooms are heavy to lug around.

Once you decide on the focal length you want its down to budget and max aperture plus whether VR is a bonus to you or not - depends on how good you are hand holding.
--
http://www.johnleechstudio.co.uk
http://www.johnleechstudio.blogspot.com
 
I would second the recommendation on something in the 70-200 2.8 range. I think all the makers offer a pretty good product including tokina. I also really find a lot of use for my macro lens (tamron 90 2.8). Otherwise I think you have a pretty good arsenal..

It's always fun to get a new lens...
 
I sure wonder why Nikon hasn't made a little 50-150 F2.8 DX lens. It's the DX equivalent of an 80-200. I never liked the 80-200 range much on my DX cameras, but I love it on FX.

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net
 
PHXAZCRAIG said:
I sure wonder why Nikon hasn't made a little 50-150 F2.8 DX lens. It's the DX equivalent of an 80-200. I never liked the 80-200 range much on my DX cameras, but I love it on FX.

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net
Click to expand...
I may be no genius, but I think there would be a HUGE market for a Nikon AF lens in that focal length range. Sigma has sold a ton of them; even though current models are discontinued, they are supposedly gearing up for their "VR" equivalent version.

I am truly baffled why Nikon doesn't have one offered. Even Pentax partnered with Tokina to sell a 50-135/2.8. Either way, that range is FABULOUS for portraits and indoor sports.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top