I want a new lens and I need advice: Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business and have really been getting into photographing my clients, to the point where some of my...

dmost2

Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business and have really been getting into photographing my clients, to the point where some of my clients want to buy some of my photographs. I have a Nikon D7100 and have only been shooting with my NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G for a year. I just sold my old D5000 and the kit lenses with which I started. I am ready to purchase my second lens. I have concentrated mainly on portraiture. I need a more range....but still want to capture my fast moving, unpredictable canine clientele in the fastest, sharpest way possible. Oh, and I want to try and stay in the $400-$800 price range. Is this possible? And, does anyone know of any other place to get really good used gear? I know of B&H. What about KEH photography?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

dmost2 wrote:

Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business... (show quote)

You could use a 35mm 1.8 DX.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

dmost2 wrote:

Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business... (show quote)

Hello and welcome to the Hog. Your pursuit of used gear can lead to savings. You have hit two of the used gear houses in B&H and KEH and you can add Adorama as another. These organizations are basically run by and for photographers in order to keep quality used gear available to all who want it. In other words, we re-cycle it among ourselves. Honesty and integrity are common and this is reflected in the ratings systems each uses. Generally speaking they rate the gear lower than it actually is. Each will offer new gear and list it as such. Each will offer junk that is labelled as such. There are other companies in this business that are recommended highly by users here and you will see those listed later. There are some that are to be avoided and the folks here who have personal experience with them will relate their experiences. Warranties, service, and return policies are generally the same with all these companies. You will find the best way to see if the gear fits your need is to call the seller. They love to work with shooters. GL

dmost2

Thanks so much David!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

dmost2 wrote:

Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business... (show quote)

The discontinued Sigma 50-150 2.8 is a great lens - used about $500 when you can them ....like at KEH

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

imagemeister wrote:

The discontinued Sigma 50-150 2.8 is a great lens - used about $500 when you can them ....like at KEH

A fantastic DX lens!
I have two of the older, non-VR versions at work.
Even have and use the matched 2X teleconverter.
Build and image quality is as good as the better Nikon lenses.
KEH presently has one for sale HERE for $572.
When KEH says it's in excellent condition, it will probably look brand new.
They are very conservative with their ratings.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

They also have several of Nikon's older 80-200 AF lenses HERE.
I would get the two ring version- had the one with sliding zoom ring for years and would never go back to that again.

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

I recommend a used Nikon 28mm. W high quality sensors, you can always crop an image and 28 is good for interiors, street photography and travel in general. Might consider a 90mm or 85 next for portraiture and for sports and such! Zooms are also very good and will cover a wider range in one lens, but are generally slower unless you spend a lot! Primes in the f2.8 range are affordable.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

dmost2 wrote:

Hello everyone. I have my own dog walking business... (show quote)

I have the same two cameras as you. I sold the kit 55-200 & gave the D5000 & 18-55 kit lens to my husband. When I got the D7100, I opted for the kit 18-140 lens and I really like it. For portraits, I have an 85/1.8. GREAT lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I try to buy all my lenses used from KEH. You mention longer reach and faster ... It's not going to fit your budget nor add reach, but the most amazing DX lens I've used is the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 DX. It will give you speed. For reach that fits your budget, look at the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX or the 18-140. As you're experienced with primes, look too at the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S. Every review makes this lens read like a dream come true.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

CHG_CANON wrote:

I try to buy all my lenses used from KEH. You mention longer reach and faster ... It's not going to fit your budget nor add reach, but the most amazing DX lens I've used is the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 DX. It will give you speed.

Agreed!
Nikon's best DX zoom lens- made when Nikon didn't yet make a full-frame digital camera!
The first time I used one and saw the results, it was a religious experience: an OMG! moment.
KEH has a couple HERE.
:thumbup:

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

GrandmaG wrote:

I have the same two cameras as you. I sold the kit 55-200 & gave the D5000 & 18-55 kit lens to my husband. When I got the D7100, I opted for the kit 18-140 lens and I really like it. For portraits, I have an 85/1.8. GREAT lens.

I did the same thing. I bought a factory refurb 18-140 from Adorama. I like it a lot. Sharper than the kit lenses which came with my D7100 and feels like a quality lens.

jepisa

RGreenway wrote:

I recommend a used Nikon 28mm. W high quality sensors, you can always crop an image and 28 is good for interiors, street photography and travel in general. Might consider a 90mm or 85 next for portraiture and for sports and such! Zooms are also very good and will cover a wider range in one lens, but are generally slower unless you spend a lot! Primes in the f2.8 range are affordable.

In regards to 28, just purchased a used 28 f/1.8 G from Keh for 549.00 no box but can not find a smudge on it anywhere and checking serial its fairly. I think new they are 699.00

BillieG Loc: Oklahoma

I have an 18-200 and I absolutely love it. I can get really close in and can zoom out. It is not too heavy and I never change my lens unless I add macro rings.

CO

I have the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR lens. It's sharp, has great build quality, and has half the distortion of Nikon's superzoom lenses. Ken Rockwell did a comparison of the Nikon 16-85mm and 18-200mm lenses at this website.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/16-85mm-vs-18-200mm.htm

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Now why, from the title of this post, did I know, immediately, that it was a Nikon user?