DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I received a number of suggestions on which lens to begin with for my new Df. I appreciate your (plural) thoughtful advice. I can't wait to try the body, but since well recommended lenses are pricey and I am still mulling choices over, I decided to order an AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D. This is inexpensive and will help me become familiar with the Df and also test the camera in-body focus motor. My other DX lenses all have SWM focusing. I can play with the camera and still plan for the big dollar purchase of a lens. Choices other than the Nikon brand include a Sigma 24-105mm F/4 DG OS HSM ART Lens for Nikon SLR and a Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 F1.8 Art lens - a 53 oz. whopper. No one mentioned the Nikkor 24-85 f2.8-4 lens. Is this one a dog? As always, thank you all for your help.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

A post script on the Df delivery. My postal carrier has a nasty habit of never even coming to the door for a signature. She just drops the package notice in with the mail and allows me to wait and go to the PO later to pick up my package. I hate waiting 3 hours to get my hands on my Df.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The Sigma 50-100 is for "crop-size" cameras!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Thank you !! Guess that's why I should stick with Nikon so I can understand their nomenclature.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

The more recent 24-85 ED 3.5-4 G is a better lens and will surprise you with its image quality.

BebuLamar

I use the non vr version of the lens on my df almost all the time

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

No, just do some investigation.
Sigma makes some great lenses now*- don't let a naming issue keep you away.

(* they used to be pretty crappy in the beginning)

BlackRipleyDog

Well, "Crop" is not a Nikon-specific term. You just dropped how much that Df?

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I dropped about half of retail for a "I can't tell from new" Df with 600 shutter actuations. It now has about 650 since I finally got the slightly mangled package out of the hands of the USPS. I didn't mean that I would be buying anymore crop (DX) lenses. It's just all I have on hand at the moment. I ordered a 50mm f1.8 D lens because it is cheap, I can test the Df's focus system and it's compact. That will do for the next period while I am deciding on what FF lens to start with. FF lens are a major purchase, at least for me. Like many DX beginners, maybe I should have started with FF lenses. But it is what it is now. I will start fresh, but at the prices for FF, a whole lot slower and more carefully than before. I am trying to remember what film lenses I used the most and which ones remained in the bag. Thanks for any help fellow "hoggers" can offer.

olsonsview

The 24-85 in VR and the earlier nonVR are both good lenses for the money. But the nonVR is dirt cheap in comparison on the used market. The nonVR will fill all your needs at first, without breaking the bank. I am 66 yr old and do not find VR needed in that focal range usually, maybe in another few years I may change that statement? For me: A tripod works with low light/long exposures better than any VR. IMHO

BlackRipleyDog

Ok, you are now in full-frame territory so any legacy lens, either prime or zoom from the film days are fair game like the AF-D's. The 50 is a great place to start. At some point you are going to encounter advocates for sticking with Prime lenses and those who say zooms are the way to go. Personally, I started with zooms but soon replaced everything I had with primes. 85mm and below and I made the choice to buy only AF-D primes as they averaged about $300 each. I did this because I felt it gave me better results for my landscape work, the glass and construction was first-rate if older and it saved me tons of money that I used to justify another body and a bigger printer. I have a couple of bigger zooms for other things. But on the whole I am a fanboy of primes. But you need to determine where your happy place is and don't let the mob dissuade you. I have found that photography as an art-form is not a team-sport. All I can recommend is read; a lot. Both books and online blogs. Take some classes if available in your area. UHH is a good source if used in moderation but it tends to become an echo chamber.
You have the one camera I wish I had. It is a purist's tool if used correctly and it will be something you pass onto your kids along with all those lenses. Have fun.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Thank you. Please take this as a compliment. I copy some of the better comments into Word docs to keep for study. I have saved yours. And, I have been reading a lot. However, I missed the Sigma designation for a crop sensor, hence my comment about at least understanding Nikon nomenclature. Thanks for your help.

BlackRipleyDog

Thank you. That means a great deal.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Unless I'm doing something specific that calls for a different lens, the 50mm f/1.8D is the one that's on my Df. Great lens.

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

Great minds!