Heavy lenses vs Utility
Feb 19, 2013 16:12:52 #
I'm still putting together a system from scratch and I've read a lot about the heavy but awesome Nikon lenses like the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, and the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, that provide a lot of flexibility and sharpness in shooting--especially in low light. But I've also read that many of you who own these lenses use a slower, say, 28-300mm lens, for the vast majority of your photography. Would it be a mistake for me to make my initial lens investments in a heavier quality lens and just deal with the inconvenience of size and weight while using it as an initial walk around lens, or would it be better to get a lighter, more user friendly lens like the 28-300mm? I guess I just wonder how inconvenient a relatively heavy lens is if used routinely, and how much the weight of that lens would impact the joy of photography? If you had to start with one lens, which path would you choose?
Feb 19, 2013 16:20:29 #
I recently bought a d7000. All by itself the purchase would have been pretty much useless. So, I had to choose a lens to go with it. I decided on the 28-300 for several reasons. One, it was well reviewed and people seem to like that lens. Then there was the fact that it is an FX lens so if I ever go to FF I don't have to buy a new lens. I love the lens although it is a bit heavy and somewhat cumbersome. It is nowhere near as large as the 70-200 2.8 though. I'm a big guy with large hands. The lens fits me well so far. Hope some of this is useful.
Feb 19, 2013 16:23:20 #
sbesaw
Loc: Boston
Clynro wrote:
I'm still putting together a system from scratch a... (show quote)
If I was shooting primarily outside from 9:00 to 4:00 and shooting Football and soccer or street photography or midday landscapes, or outside portraits I would probably opt for the 28-300mm, have it, love it. If I was also shooting a significant amount at dawn or dusk or inside, Basketball, Hockey, indoor Lacrosse I would opt for the 24-70 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8, own them both and they provide umparrelled performance in all conditions including low light. The 24-70 currently has a $ 200 savings and the 70-200 2.8 currently has a $300 SAVINGS. The 28-300 currently has a $150 savings, all good to 3/2. While Nikon often will offer lens dicounts when purchased with a Body these are stand alone discounts and that doesn't happen very often. Great time to get any or all of them as this discount on these lenses doesn't occur often
Feb 19, 2013 18:13:57 #
I feel like I'm to the point now where I understand what lenses are good for what, and what sacrifices I will have to make for low light (hefty lenses, etc.). I know I can't have it all now, and am looking for a good place to start. I guess since I haven't carried one of these larger lenses around all day yet, it' hard for me to know how much weight to place on the weight! Thanks for the thoughts so far!
Feb 19, 2013 19:11:59 #
It depends on what you want. The 28-300 is a great, versatile lens. It will cover just about every need that you have and is pretty sharp as well. Throw in a 10-24mm wide angle and you've got everything that you need if you're shooting crop sensor cameras. However, once you move up to a full frame camera and the resolution that something like the D800 can provide, you'll want lenses that are as good as the camera. I am encouraged that SwampGator uses a Nikon 300mm f.4 quite a bit (not the outrageously expensive f2.8) with a 1.4 teleconverter.
Feb 19, 2013 20:09:50 #
Sorry to see you are still beating yourself up. Sbesaw sums up pretty well everything said when you asked this question a week or so ago. Go back and read the response from him above then go back to your previous post and PM's. You have all the revalent facts in hand. At this point only you can decide what is best for you. As before, good luck whichever way you go.
Feb 19, 2013 20:40:22 #
Rent one of them and carry it around for a day. Then you'll know.
Feb 19, 2013 22:04:12 #
I'm planning to make the D600 my body--entry level full frame. I'm the kind of person that always tends to buy more than I will use, though I'm pretty serious about making photography a serious long-term hobby--hence the full frame body and fx lenses. I had convinced myself that I would eventually need the best lenses, and so I began planning the series of lens purchases based on that alone. Then I started seeing feedback of people returning lenses I thought would be the most desired ones to have, and many times it was because they were too big and heavy. I guess I have trouble imagining how inconvenient it might be to have a heavy lens. I've also considered getting into an f/4 aperture set, as they are less expensive and less weight, but I just don't know if I'll wind up replacing everything, feeling that I'm missing out without the fast glass--an expensive way to go. I'm practical enough to know that though a f/2.8 lens offers things an f/4 lens doesn't, I may not use the f/2.8 like I would an f/4, so maybe the f/4 lens with good VR will get me where I want to be.
Feb 19, 2013 22:08:33 #
I think my problem is that I'm waiting around for my birthday for this purchase, and so all I have to do is keep reading and rethinking everything. I just need to get there and take the plunge. I'm sure I'll be happy no matter what I choose, as with all I've learned, I won't make a bad decision. In all reality, there's probably no perfect one either--which is why there are so many lenses to choose from anyway! I just hadn't considered the weight issue before, it had always been about lens quality and capability.
Feb 20, 2013 05:59:13 #
Radioman
Loc: Ontario Canada
sbesaw wrote:
quote=Clynro I'm still putting together a system ... (show quote)
*******
Nikon have just announced some significant 'instant rebates' on some of their DSLR lens.
Feb 20, 2013 06:54:31 #
If your getting a Brand new camera/D600 I would get the F/4 version of the quality glass. The newer cameras have such good results with the higher ISO you will not miss the advantage of the F/2.8 lens.
Clynro wrote:
I'm planning to make the D600 my body--entry level... (show quote)
Feb 20, 2013 07:15:42 #
Consider the 28-300 as your first step. Its a good all-around lens. If and when you settle on what interests you most to shoot you can then take a look at the lens(es) most suited for the best shots of what it is you want to shoot.
Feb 20, 2013 08:17:01 #
Personally, I'm just glad I've kept my older manual focus & auto focus lenses (pre VR). I don't feel a need to have the latest & greatest since I already have most all focal lengths covered. I did, however, get a Sigma 10-20mm F4/5.6 as I shoot with a crop camera & the super wide angle was the only focal length I didn't have covered with my older Nikkors & 3rd party glass. The old adage to "get the best you can afford" holds true here. While you may get results that are perfectly acceptable to you now with one of the "superzooms", bear in mind that the greater the focal length range, the more compromises they will have... That said, I say go with the 70-200 F2.8 lens
Feb 20, 2013 08:24:43 #
I haven't seen anyone mention build quality in this post, there is a reason why they are big and heavy, glass, metal and weather proofing.
Feb 20, 2013 08:31:19 #
I started my digital photo hobby with my retirement and used kit lenses or whatever came my way. In time, I progressed to full-frame and pro lenses because they are better.
But I was able to sell all of my "beginner" lenses on ebay and Amazon (seller account) at nearly what I had paid originally, so fear not the financial risk. Start small if you must or if you are unsure. The risk of being stuck with junk is not great because there are plenty of followers in the game of equipment acquisition.
But I was able to sell all of my "beginner" lenses on ebay and Amazon (seller account) at nearly what I had paid originally, so fear not the financial risk. Start small if you must or if you are unsure. The risk of being stuck with junk is not great because there are plenty of followers in the game of equipment acquisition.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.