thanks for the links, ill read through them, this is what i was reading earlier:

http://nikonrumors.com/2010/10/24/nikon-24-120mm-f4g-ed-vr-vs-nikon-28-300mm-f3-5-5-6-ed-vr.aspx/

and

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-120mm.htm

dexterwaggles said:
I was going to grab the new 24-120mm lens but all reviews say the 28-300mm is the same optically.

I think I'm sensing a glitch in the Matrix ;)

Checkout this thread for a recent 24-120 vs 28-300 discussion:

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=6324

Also this link, provided by donaldejose, for a comparison of the two lenses (click on lens comparisons):

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-24-120mm-vr-review

Im not a huge fan of kenrockwell but him and a review form this site lead me to believe that the 28-300mm is a relatively good lens, for $1000 if its what ive read it worth it. I see tamron has a 28-300mm for $670, Im thinking get a beater tamron for 670 and pick up the nikon 24-70mm which seems to be the best zoom lens around, i would get the 70-200mm but on a full frame 200mm is not long enough. I was going to grab the new 24-120mm lens but all reviews say the 28-300mm is the same optically.

Im leaving this thursday and find myself torn. I usually don;t shoot wide or long but now that my son (7 month old) is getting more active I know I will value a descent telephoto.

I used to use the 24-70mm on canon, i used the L version one and the new tamron so I know it will spend most of the time on the camera, although I find this 50mm very comfortable. Any pro type zooms that cover a longer range than the 200mm? I will consider a prime.

I have sold most of my canon gear and haven't taken a real hit yet. Is the grip available yet? Im planning on getting the grip if and when available.

Im so glad I was able to get a brand new nikon 50mm f/1.4 D lens, Kohs was out of stock on the G and actually had a D in stock, I have read many reviewers stating the older D is better in some ways to the G.

Very happy, again I know i have posted this but Im really happy with the D800 over my 5dmk3.

The 24-70mm is on my sights, I picked up the 16-35mm f/4 today as more of an impulse buy. I love it super wide, I was concerned about f/4 but I took some indoor low light shots and with the d800 I was able to bump the iso and got very satisfying results.

As a cheap (well not so cheap) travel lens Im going to grab the 28-300mm, Im going away for the 4th and while I dont expect the results my old canon 70-300mm f/2.8 gave me I have read very good articles comparing it to the 24-120 and most people prefer it as an all purpose lens. I plan to use it out doors in plenty of light, mostly shooting my family while on vacation.

Im think im off to a good start, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 D, Nikon 16-35mm f/4, and will most likely grab the 28-300mm nikon tomorrow. I know I will end up getting the 24-70mm but Im so happy with the results of the 50mm Ill use my legs vs. a zoom lens.

dexterwaggles said:
I finally got my nikon D800 today! I picked up local to me at Kohs Camera in Bellmore. I picked up a Nikon 50mm f/1.4D so i can decide which lens to go with, thanks for all the info, this has provided me with a lot of info.

A lot of us have shot thousands of photos with a 50mm lens. An absolutely great way to start.

I'd grab the 24-70mm 2.8 almost instantly if I were you. The 105mm VR is outstanding as well. The 70-200mm VR2 is pricey and harder to find but really works well with the D800 and might be the best lens for it from what I have heard. I have the D800e and can't wait to try the 14-24mm on it. You don't seem to be a fan of wide angles though? The 50mm 1.8 G is also great on the D800/800e as well. All the new G lenses 28,35,50,85 have great optics and 3D details.

I finally got my nikon D800 today! I picked up local to me at Kohs Camera in Bellmore. I picked up a Nikon 50mm f/1.4D so i can decide which lens to go with, thanks for all the info, this has provided me with a lot of info.

Im find the 100 or so test shots I took needed little to no post processing vs. the 5d mark III where I found myself tweaking way to much. I feel the nikon has a more natural look in my photos that i was missing.

Re the macro lens: I've tested the 105mm, and that one is perfectly fine. I can't say a bad word about it. That said, for me, the 200mm f/4 is miles more useful. The extra working distance and the 1:1 ratio bails me out time and time again.

A good macro lens will double as a "regular" lens, and both these lenses will do the business there, but where I have the 85mm 1.4D and the 135mm f/2, I happen to prefer the macro lens farther away from there. Either of the 105 or 200 will of course overlap with the 70-200mm if you buy that. It would not overlap with the 24-120, which is highly praised on these boards (though I cannot speak to it myself much).

The 200mm is $700 more expensive than the 105. That's an obvious consideration, but I'm not shy about bringingup the 200mm because you appear to want to use high-end glass. It's not always in stock, but before you buy the 105, think about giving the 200 a look.

Canon's 28-300mm is very, very different from Nikon's. In comparison Nikon's is more of a consumer level lens vs. Canon's quite pro level of the same length. As long as you realize that, and you are looking for an all-around lens, all reports have it being a good lens for that. I have used the 24-120mm VR F4 and it is a stellar performer as well.

FYI - Any lens with a Gold Ring denotes a higher grade lens.

Whatever you choose, if it is a "G" series lens, they all perform superbly. Nikon really hasn't released any poor level FX lenses in quite some time (6-10 years).

I own the 28-300. Corner sharpness is not great compared to the others listed. On the other hand, the zoom range is really nice. I use the 28-300 when I want to travel light and bring a good camera "just in case". I posted a photo on the Nikon Rumors Photo-A-Day (PAD) forum on page 16 which was taken with the 28-300. As you can see, it does a reasonable job. However, given what you are accustomed to, it might not meet your expectations.

The 28-300mm is really good at the centers, almost as good as those 2.8 zooms, but much worse at the corners compared to those 2.8 zooms, but still usable.

Welcome dexterwaggles

another vote for the Nikon 24- 120 f4 VRII great every day lens

it is sharp wide open whereas the super zooms may need stopping down a bit

the Nikon 24 -70 f 2.8 gives you an extra stop but less range and no VR

The Nikon AFS 105mm VR micro f2.8G is one of Nikon'sharpest lens

The Nikon 70- 200 f 2.8 is great lens but a bit heavy

Seven

SkintBrit said:
Welcome to the forum dexterwaggles, fortunately for you, all the lenses you mention have exact Nikkor alternatives.
Nikon AFS 24-70 f2.8G
Nikon AFS 70-200 VR2 f2.8G
Nikon AFS 50mm f1.4G
Nikon AFS 105mm VR micro f2.8G

So it is really down to you to decide which ones you would like to replace. All would be excellent on the D800.

I would go as far to say all but the telezoom Nikon counterpart is better than the comparable canon lens you have. (the 70-200 2.8is and 70-200vr2 are about equally good) They are newer with better technology in them, but they are also more expensive.

Not that the 28-300 is terrible, but just like any super zoom it is what it is. Great because it is one lens and not great because it is one lens...

On the other hand the 4 lenses you mentioned in the Nikon counterpart are all very awesome lenses. I don't think you would be disappointed with any of the fast primes (1.8 or 1.4), F4 or F2.8 lenses really. The variable aperture zooms can be decent, but build quality usually isn't the same although performance wise some are pretty good.

Im going to burrow a friends 17-35mm when I first pick it up. Thanks for the heads up on the 28-300mm, I'm going to sell my canon 70-200mm is ii and replace it with a Nikon, I'll do some research before pulling the trigger on anything.

I appreciate all the replies and info.

I think you would be disappointed with the 28-300...maybe not, I haven't seen any reviews of it with the D800. The glass you are mentioning and the Nikon counterparts are kind of on a different level then the 28-300. Not sure how much you are willing to spend though.

There are some other choices.....24-120mm f/4.0 VR Nikkor, 16-35mm, f/4.0 VR Nikkor. The 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2.0, some very sweet lenses. For telephoto the 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is great and when paired with the TC-14EII or TC-20EIII one gets out 400mm.

Look over this thread, the latest posts with photos and you will see the telephoto results with the TC.
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3549

Thanks for responses, I hear good thinks about the 28-300mm, I was thinking of easing into the switch and getting it as a walk around, if the quality is what I hear it seems to be a steal at around 1000.

I used to shoot events, wedding, bar/bat, sweet 16 etc, now I prefer to shoot as a hobby and spend my time chasing (following someone holding) my 7 month old around.

On my canon I had my 24-70 mourned mainly, when I had a cropmanon it was the 17-55 so it seems to be my preferred range.

Thanks avian looking to make the switch this week, great site plan to hit the boards and soak up all the postss

Welcome to the forum dexterwaggles, fortunately for you, all the lenses you mention have exact Nikkor alternatives.
Nikon AFS 24-70 f2.8G
Nikon AFS 70-200 VR2 f2.8G
Nikon AFS 50mm f1.4G
Nikon AFS 105mm VR micro f2.8G

So it is really down to you to decide which ones you would like to replace. All would be excellent on the D800.

dexterwaggles - Welcome!

I can't speak to any of the non-Nikon glass except for Sigma. I have had some good Sigma glass.

On the Nikon side the lenses:
24-70 f/2.8
70-200 VR f/2.8
50mm f/1.4 G
100 mm Micro VR f/2.8

are are the equivalent lenses, and they are all excellent.
Something else to consider is the really excellent 14-24 f/2.8.

Its hard to make a recommendation as to where to start without knowing where your interests lie, but you can't go wrong with any of those lenses.

Hi,

Im new to forum will search for seom guidance on the forum but wanted to toss this out there. Im selling my canon gear and going nikon. Can someone suggest Nikon counterparts I should look at:

Im geting the D800, this is my lens lineup:

Canon 24-70mm L
Canon 70-200mm IS II L
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 100mm L macro

When I make the switch I will sell all my above lens and probably grab one to start, maybe two nikon lens.

Can someone recommend a good comp to the 24-70mm f/2.8 L, i was considering the new tamron.
I may hold off on a telephoto for now, 200mm isnt enough reach for my needs, i love the lens but hoping nikon may have an alternative with similar image quality and longer reach.

Thanks!

looking forward to getting back into nikon, i use to shoot film and had all nikon gear but married into a canon family and they outlensed me :)