New York Auto Show Lens for D700

[Todd Jones]

I'm going to attend the 2011 NY auto show with my family & D700 & I'm looking for a lens for this event. The only lens I currently have is a 85mm f/1.8 which I love but feel the focal length is to large.

I have been looking at the Nikon 28mm f/2.8D or Nikon 35mm f/2.0D. I would like to stay under $400 US as the Auto show is costing me a fortune already!
I do lean towards primes, but that's not a must.
Any Suggestions?
Thank You in advance!
--
Todd

 

[David nz]

My suggestion is Nikkor AF 20mm 1:2.8D

 

[NaturePhotoman]

I would be looking at the 20mm or 24mm 2.8 lenses ... either would do a great job for you.

The 24 is in your price range while the 20mm is a couple of dollars higher than your budget.

Good luck and make sure you post some images from the show.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/1913/AF-NIKKOR-20mm-f%252F2.8D.html

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/1919/AF-NIKKOR-24mm-f%252F2.8D.html
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We suffer from so little individualism, we are so quick to replicate rather than innovate.

 

[jalcanites]

When I attended the 2011 Washington DC auto show, the only thing I had with me was the D700 and my 50/1.4 lens.

 

[Robin Casady]

What do you want to shoot? Is it to record entire cars in a journalistic way? Or, take artistic shots to capture the flavor of the cars? Or perhaps, you just want to catch the female models showing the cars. ;-)

The 85mm would be fine if you are interested in the more artistic elements of the cars.



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Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

 

[vaxn8r]

I agree, anything from a UW wide to 85. I think the 85 would be most limiting. I guess the 1.8 would fit the budget. I think a 50 would work just fine and give you a normal lens. The 20's will give you that unique point of view. Depends on what you are looking for. A 50 1.8 would be cheap, fast and would definitely work indoors at those distances.

35 would be good too but would you get a 2.0? I wouldn't (I'd rather save for a 1.4) I've heard the 1.8 works on FX OK but can't vouch for that.

 

[Todd Jones]

Thanks for the input!

I shot a show (for myself) a few years back with a Nikon D40 & Kit lens & was pretty happy with the results, mostly close ups of the body lines & detail. That was here in Pittsburgh though where you could get right up to the cars.

--
Todd

 

[stanginit]

wht not rent a lens for the day ?

 

[Ingrid M]

wht not rent a lens for the day ?

Yes, I agree. If you're buying a lens to use at one show and you're not selling your work, then you're not looking at the big picture. What are you going to use the lens for on the days or weeks after the show?

My experience with auto shows is that it depends completely on the amount of spectators standing close to the cars and how closely the cars are parked together. If it's a 'close/busy' show, I always use the 14-24 (which as you've stated is out of your budget) because it has the ability to 'go wide and isolate the subject' and if I have a bit of 'working room' I use the 24-70 because it doesn't distort the subject as much. I wouldn't consider shooting a car show with a prime, it doesn't give me enough working range.

I would look closely at one of the 'not so expensive' zooms but nothing starting narrower than 24mm.

--
Ingrid

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence ....
WATER YOUR OWN LAWN !!!
http://www.ingridmatschkephotos.com.au

 

[Todd Jones]

But I would like to add a wider lens anyway, so I probably wont rent..

A few shots from the old Nikon D40 & Kit lens...





























--
Todd