Nikon D7200 lens
May 9, 2018 11:08:09 #
I'm new to this site, so looking for some good advice! I'm also fairly new to photography, but improving! I have Nikon D7200 with the following lenses: Nikon 18-140 mm, Nikon 55-300 mm and Sigma 10-20 mm
I'm planning a trip to Germany with my main focus on visiting castles and shooting landscapes. I would like some advice on what lens to use and best camera settings. I'm open to buying another lens, such as a 18-200 mm, 18-400 mm, 70-200 mm, or 24-70 mm. Of course, I'm not limiting myself to only these lenses, only a few that I have researched.
My photos are not as sharp as I would like to see them. I'm trying different apertures and focus modes, with not great results. Any advice to lens choices or camera settings would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Eddie
I'm planning a trip to Germany with my main focus on visiting castles and shooting landscapes. I would like some advice on what lens to use and best camera settings. I'm open to buying another lens, such as a 18-200 mm, 18-400 mm, 70-200 mm, or 24-70 mm. Of course, I'm not limiting myself to only these lenses, only a few that I have researched.
My photos are not as sharp as I would like to see them. I'm trying different apertures and focus modes, with not great results. Any advice to lens choices or camera settings would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Eddie
May 9, 2018 11:20:00 #
If castles and landscapes are your main interest you don't need a lot of reach. The 18-140 will do just about everything that you might want to do, plus you can keep the 10-20 handy for indoor and close-up shots that the 18-140 can't quite manage.
As I remember it, the 18-140 performed very well in DXOmark's sharpness test. If you're having a persistent problem with softness I suspect that the answer lies elsewhere, possibly using too slow a shutter speed for hand-held shots, or using too-high ISOs or too low f-stops, or not watching where your camera is focusing. A monopod or tripod may be what you need, or a quick lesson in pressing the shutter release without tilting the camera.
As I remember it, the 18-140 performed very well in DXOmark's sharpness test. If you're having a persistent problem with softness I suspect that the answer lies elsewhere, possibly using too slow a shutter speed for hand-held shots, or using too-high ISOs or too low f-stops, or not watching where your camera is focusing. A monopod or tripod may be what you need, or a quick lesson in pressing the shutter release without tilting the camera.
May 9, 2018 11:30:15 #
Awesome advice! Thanks! I'll practice in my backyard and try different settings using the 18-140 mm.
May 9, 2018 11:35:55 #
My wife has a Nikon d5100 and I bought her a Sigma 18-250 HSM Macro a couple years ago. I used to have to beg her to use it with my Nikon d7100. It performs very well. I recently bought the new Tamron 18-400. It will probably always be on my camera except when I use my 10mm.
May 9, 2018 11:37:30 #
fasteddie323 wrote:
Awesome advice! Thanks! I'll practice in my backyard and try different settings using the 18-140 mm.
You're welcome. A common rule of thumb is to use the inverse of (one over) the focal length for shutter speed. EG focal length = 100mm, so shutter speed = 1/100 sec. Some say the inverse of double the focal length.
(If you can post a few shots with download enabled and EXIF data intact you may get more specific answers).
May 9, 2018 11:41:30 #
May 9, 2018 11:44:19 #
Thanks! I'll try and download a few photos. I appreciate your information and willingness to help!
May 9, 2018 11:47:16 #
fasteddie323 wrote:
I'm new to this site, so looking for some good adv... (show quote)
I shot all the images for a German Castle Tour book in April of 2000, on film of course. My main lenses were the Nikon 17-35mm F2.8 and Nikon 35-70mm F2.8. Never was I wanting for a longer lens even though I did have my Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 along for the ride.
Your 10-20 and 18-140 should cover all your needs perfectly with your crop sensor body.
Oh, and if you have "protective" filters on your lenses, take them off!
May 9, 2018 11:54:22 #
May 9, 2018 13:35:23 #
67skylark27
Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI
This is all great advice. The d7200 with the 18-140 lens is capable of very sharp images.
Practice a bunch before you go and you will do just fine. Lightroom can help you get some
extra sharpness and get your pics to the next step also. Please post some pics you are
not fully happy with and we can point you in the right direction. The most common mistakes
are too high of an iso (outside you should lock it in at 100,200 or 400) using too slow of
a shutter speed even when on a tripod (turn image stabilization off on a tripod) and not using
the correct aperture like f8,f9,f11,f16 for landscapes allowing to much out of focus area. I also
see a lot of focus errors due to using the wrong focus settings. Practice with different focus
settings it is crucial to sharpness. Steve Perry's Secrets to the Nikon autofocus e-book is essential reading.
Practice a bunch before you go and you will do just fine. Lightroom can help you get some
extra sharpness and get your pics to the next step also. Please post some pics you are
not fully happy with and we can point you in the right direction. The most common mistakes
are too high of an iso (outside you should lock it in at 100,200 or 400) using too slow of
a shutter speed even when on a tripod (turn image stabilization off on a tripod) and not using
the correct aperture like f8,f9,f11,f16 for landscapes allowing to much out of focus area. I also
see a lot of focus errors due to using the wrong focus settings. Practice with different focus
settings it is crucial to sharpness. Steve Perry's Secrets to the Nikon autofocus e-book is essential reading.
May 10, 2018 06:31:20 #
I am sure that you can do very well with the 18-200 BUT you have to do your part so that the lens will do its part.
May 10, 2018 07:50:02 #
N97972
Loc: Chelan County, Washington
I spent 2 months in Thailand and Cambodia last Dec and Jan with my D7200 and the Nikor 18-140, I would use the same combo again as I was personally happy with what I came back with (3000 images).
Here is a link to a number of those photos, if you click on each photo you'll be able to see the EXFI data.
https://500px.com/n97972
Pete Karp
Cashmere, WA
Here is a link to a number of those photos, if you click on each photo you'll be able to see the EXFI data.
https://500px.com/n97972
Pete Karp
Cashmere, WA
May 10, 2018 08:38:55 #
On our trip to Europe two years ago, including a river trip along the Rhine, I used my D80 with a 18-200. I purchased it for the trip so I would only need to take a single lens, I found it to be excellent and it fulfilled all my requirements from fairly close in and low light to distance shots of castles along the river. I have subsequently upgraded to a D7100; however, the 18-200 remains my lens of choice for the vast majority of my shots.
As you have the 18-140 I would see no need to spend additional money for the slight increase in power (unless your 18-140 is not VR). For interior and low illumination shots the 10-20 could be handy.
You don't mention a flash, if you are I would look at the SB400 as it is very compact; however, my recollection is that most everywhere we went flash was not allowed.
As you have the 18-140 I would see no need to spend additional money for the slight increase in power (unless your 18-140 is not VR). For interior and low illumination shots the 10-20 could be handy.
You don't mention a flash, if you are I would look at the SB400 as it is very compact; however, my recollection is that most everywhere we went flash was not allowed.
May 10, 2018 08:54:23 #
Totally agree! I would suggest that the OP upgrade their firmware and if they shoot jpeg apply the distortion control checkbox. Take some shots of tall buildings at 18MM and see how they look (relatively straight?).
R.G. wrote:
If castles and landscapes are your main interest y... (show quote)
May 10, 2018 08:59:24 #
Fasteddie; you can use any Nikon lens made with the D7200. We usually carry an 18-200mm VR or an 18-135mm and a 70-300 AF-P, which is light focuses instantly and noise free. If you are open to Tamron lenses, their 55-200mm VCII and the older 18-300mm AF are very sharp, fast and can help you make great photos (and won't break the bank). Happy travels, sv.
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