D7000 purchased, now which lens on my budget?

[3In2Out]

OK, Ive moved from my D5100 with the 18-55 and a 35 1.8g. I currently have the D7000 body and have around $700 to spend on a lens or lenses for it.

In hindsight, I probably should have kept the 35, but at this point its sold and gone.

Can anyone recommend a a couple of lens I should grab up, or a good all around zoom in my price range?

I was initially looking at a 50 1.8D and possibly a 85 1.8D, but not sure if those focal lengths are really too close to be of much use to have both.

Id like to have a lens I can use for portraits, normal walk around street photogrpahy and low light events.

Obviously going with a 50 would leave me completely lacking in the wider range. That being said, I used my 35mm probably 95% of the time on my D5100. But, having the option to go wider would be nice.

Not sure if there is an affordable "fast" wide to mid range zoom and a good portrait lens I could fit in the $700 range budget? Ive looked at some many lenses at this point, Ive probably confused myself more than anything.

 

[3In2Out]

I've also been looking at the Tamron 28-75 f2.8, but Ive always used Nikon lenses and been comfortable with them. Never ventured into the Sigma, Tamron, etc world.

 

[chuhsi]

3In2Out wrote:

OK, Ive moved from my D5100 with the 18-55 and a 35 1.8g. I currently have the D7000 body and have around $700 to spend on a lens or lenses for it.

In hindsight, I probably should have kept the 35, but at this point its sold and gone.

Can anyone recommend a a couple of lens I should grab up, or a good all around zoom in my price range?

I was initially looking at a 50 1.8D and possibly a 85 1.8D, but not sure if those focal lengths are really too close to be of much use to have both.

Id like to have a lens I can use for portraits, normal walk around street photogrpahy and low light events.

Obviously going with a 50 would leave me completely lacking in the wider range. That being said, I used my 35mm probably 95% of the time on my D5100. But, having the option to go wider would be nice.

Not sure if there is an affordable "fast" wide to mid range zoom and a good portrait lens I could fit in the $700 range budget? Ive looked at some many lenses at this point, Ive probably confused myself more than anything.

This was my initial question when I bought my D7000 and got into cameras...after learning a bunch, i realized that such lens does it all unless you want to spend MUCH more money.

Look at the focal lengths that you want to shoot most...then if you need a 1.4/1.8/2.8 aperture. That will help you determine what lens to buy to fit your needs and budget.

 

[3In2Out]

Yeah, this is my third DSLR, but this really the first time Im really getting into what lens is going to suit me best, instead of a "just nice to have" type thing.

I probably do most of my shooting in the F/2.8 - 4 range.

Most of my photography is done in Jacksonville, FL...so really there isnt much as far as good landscape type views here (in comparison to other parts of the world) to worry about an ultra wide lens.

I guess I find myself most intrigued by a Tamron 17-50 2.8 or the 28-75 2.8. Its just not really in the cards to afford the Nikon version of those variations of lenses though.

 

[erikvw]

I have the Sigma 17-50 and it performs very well, sharp throughout the range and plenty quick enough to focus to catch my 2 year old in moderate light, it is on my D7000 75+% of the time. I'd look into the 17-70 2.8-4 "contemporary" Sigma which would give you really great reach for a walkaround while only giving up a stop or so (not really sure) at 50mm vs. the constant 2.8.

I've heard good things about the 28-75 Tamron but you are giving up a LOT on the wide end, I know you said you don't do much landscape work, neither do I but I find myself at 17mm quite a bit in everyday situations. The one person I know that shoots with this lens (the 28-75) primarily hasn't impressed me with the results but that may well be the person and not the gear.

Bottom line, if I had to pick only one of my lenses to keep it would be the 17-50 as it has the broadest use and, once fine tuned, produces excellent results.

 

[3In2Out]

Yeah, I think Ive narrowed it down to a Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-VC and a Nikon 85mm 1.8G. Those can be had on the used market for ~$700 together. I really wish I could afford the Nikon version, but the price jump is huge for me.

If there was one Nikon lens that I could buy in that $700-750 price range, Id rather do that. But, I just dont think there is one fast enough, or one that will work with portraits as the two lens above.

 

[EKB]

3In2Out wrote:

OK, Ive moved from my D5100 with the 18-55 and a 35 1.8g. I currently have the D7000 body and have around $700 to spend on a lens or lenses for it.

In hindsight, I probably should have kept the 35, but at this point its sold and gone.

Can anyone recommend a a couple of lens I should grab up, or a good all around zoom in my price range?

I was initially looking at a 50 1.8D and possibly a 85 1.8D, but not sure if those focal lengths are really too close to be of much use to have both.

Id like to have a lens I can use for portraits, normal walk around street photogrpahy and low light events.

Obviously going with a 50 would leave me completely lacking in the wider range. That being said, I used my 35mm probably 95% of the time on my D5100. But, having the option to go wider would be nice.

Not sure if there is an affordable "fast" wide to mid range zoom and a good portrait lens I could fit in the $700 range budget? Ive looked at some many lenses at this point, Ive probably confused myself more than anything.

The three-lens kit I have for my D90 is a 18-105mm, a 35mm f/1.8G, and a 50mm f/1.8D. My two cents would be to recommend the same for your D7000. Buying all three new will put you over your $700 budget, but you should be able to meet your budget if you buy used. (Getting the 50mm f/1.8G instead of the D is also a possibility if you buy used or are willing to blow your budget.)

If you made heavy use of the 35mm on your D5100, then that's a good reason to get another copy for your D7000. As for the 50mm, my experience is that the 35 and 50mm focal lengths are not too close at all.

I've found the 18-105 to be a good fit for the D90 (when I don't need the low-light performance of a prime), and from what I've heard it's a good fit for the D7000 as well. You might find it a bit big for a walk-around lens, but you might also find yourself really appreciating the extra focal length over the 18-55.

 

[3In2Out]

Well, just picked up a Tamron 17-50 2.8 on eBay. Now I need to decide if I want to go with the 85mm or not.

A 50mm D would be a whole lot cheaper for a fast lens, but I think the 85mm G would be the better portrait lens in the long run. Doesnt seem like there is a big enough price difference between the 85 D and the 85 G to warrant not just going ahead and getting the G, no?

 

[rubicon]

3In2Out wrote:

OK, Ive moved from my D5100 with the 18-55 and a 35 1.8g. I currently have the D7000 body and have around $700 to spend on a lens or lenses for it.

In hindsight, I probably should have kept the 35, but at this point its sold and gone.

Can anyone recommend a a couple of lens I should grab up, or a good all around zoom in my price range?

I was initially looking at a 50 1.8D and possibly a 85 1.8D, but not sure if those focal lengths are really too close to be of much use to have both.

Id like to have a lens I can use for portraits, normal walk around street photogrpahy and low light events.

Obviously going with a 50 would leave me completely lacking in the wider range. That being said, I used my 35mm probably 95% of the time on my D5100. But, having the option to go wider would be nice.

Not sure if there is an affordable "fast" wide to mid range zoom and a good portrait lens I could fit in the $700 range budget? Ive looked at some many lenses at this point, Ive probably confused myself more than anything.

3in2out;

For a zoom? I highly recommend the newest Sigma 17 70 2.8 4.0, I have had mine a couple weeks and every photo is sharp! sharp! and very contrasty its a super lens for $499.00 at Adaroma, its your choice on primes.

I use my Sigma on my D90, take the time to look at it?

Rubicon:

 

[EKB]

3In2Out wrote:

Well, just picked up a Tamron 17-50 2.8 on eBay. Now I need to decide if I want to go with the 85mm or not.

A 50mm D would be a whole lot cheaper for a fast lens, but I think the 85mm G would be the better portrait lens in the long run. Doesnt seem like there is a big enough price difference between the 85 D and the 85 G to warrant not just going ahead and getting the G, no?

If the Tamron 17-50 works for you, then it works for you. My own preference is for something faster than f/2.8 in low light conditions, which means using primes and then not worrying about my zoom being slow. ("The zoom is for use with flash, or outdoors in daylight.") But lots of people do like f/2.8 zooms, and if you turn out to be one of them then enjoy your new lens.

I agree about just going ahead and getting the 85 G (rather than the D) if you want an 85mm prime. I'd find an 85mm to be long for a portrait lens on DX, but (a) you are not me, (b) the 50mm is a bit short for a portrait lens, and (c) it depends on what you mean by "portrait." The 85mm could easily turn out to be just what you want.

 

[3In2Out]

Yeah, I got a good enough deal on the Tamron that if I decide its not working out well, I can possibly end up selling it at a small profit or at least break even. Tis why I usually go used.

Well, most of the time when I am taking pictures of family and such, I just step aside or fall back from everyone. I hate being up in peoples grill with a camera and I like when people are acting naturally and not posing for pictures. Catching lifes moments instead of staged pictures type thing. I think its probably easier to get that with more reach on the lens.

I'll hold off on getting the 85G until I can get some time with the Tamron at 50mm. If I feel the 50mm range is too close, then Ill go for the 85G. If it works out, I can always just pick up the 50D for a faster lens.