Lens recommendations for D800 beginner

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Lens recommendations for D800 beginner

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Started 11 months ago by Peter.Schmitz
Latest reply from itsnotmeyouknow
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bossa

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Hi folks, I'm new here and thought I'd like to say a few things that may help the OP.

I have a D800E and have had it for a couple of months and it's been hell trying to find decent lenses that do justice to the sensor. I've been through a few lenses that had big reputations but were 'found out' by this camera. My nightmare continues as I have been through 4 copies of a Sigma 150 OS macro due to two falling apart inside and the rest severely back focusing at distances greater than a few feet. The maximum adjustment of -20 isn't quite enough to solve it and it kinda needs a different adjustment up close anyway. If it weren't one of the sharpest lenses I've seen I wouldn't be bothering with it. I still may return though it as I really don't want to send the camera and lens away interstate for calibration at this time.

I ended up choosing a Zeiss 21/2.8 Distagon, Sigma 50/1.4 (the Nikon 50 /1.4 was just horrible, Sigma 85/1.4 (amazing lens, Sigma 150 OS Macro (?) and a 70-200 VR2.

My recommendations based on my research would be:
Nikon 14-24
or
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 + Zeiss 21/2.8 + Samyang 35/1.4 (or Nikon 35/1.4) I'm still unconvinced about the new 28/1.8G

Tamron 24-70 (depending on copy)
or
Tamron 28-75 (better optically than the Nikkor 24-70 after F4)

Tamron 70-300 VC
or
Nikon 70-200 VR2 (stay away from TC's - DON'T believe that the new 2x is OK with this lens. I tried it and it was horrid)

Nikon 50/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4 or 60mm Macro ( I had the Nikon 50/1.4G and it was useless wide open)

Sigma 85/1.4 or Nikkor 85/1.8G

Sigma 105/2.8 OS Macro, Sigma 150/2.8 OS Macro or Tamron 90 Macro

Sigma 150 OS Macro or Nikon 180/2.8 (if you only want a telephoto)

Nikon 300/4 (old or new will do).

I agree with previous posters who say that this is not a walk around camera though. I wish I'd stuck to me previous plan of just using it as a studio camera as it really gets to your upper back after holding the zoom config' up to your face for a few hours.

I have been shooting 2 Pentax K-5's up until recently and the 'equivalent' lens is the DA*50-135/2.8. The K-5, that zoom and a grip is probably just as sharp as the VR2 (albeit not the detail of the 36MP sensor) and weighs a fraction. I sold my two K-5 bodies in anticipation of a 24MP replacement and will probably try to buy at least one body if that comes along as I have too much invested in lenses to just ignore it. (Sorry I know this is a Nikon forum but just trying to give an idea of where I'm coming from).

I hope my lens recommendations were helpful

Cheers

Posted 10 months ago #
Gabbb

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I agree with most of what you wrote, I just wonder have you tried the 16-35?

bossa said:
Hi folks, I'm new here and thought I'd like to say a few things that may help the OP.

I have a D800E and have had it for a couple of months and it's been hell trying to find decent lenses that do justice to the sensor. I've been through a few lenses that had big reputations but were 'found out' by this camera. My nightmare continues as I have been through 4 copies of a Sigma 150 OS macro due to two falling apart inside and the rest severely back focusing at distances greater than a few feet. The maximum adjustment of -20 isn't quite enough to solve it and it kinda needs a different adjustment up close anyway. If it weren't one of the sharpest lenses I've seen I wouldn't be bothering with it. I still may return though it as I really don't want to send the camera and lens away interstate for calibration at this time.

I ended up choosing a Zeiss 21/2.8 Distagon, Sigma 50/1.4 (the Nikon 50 /1.4 was just horrible, Sigma 85/1.4 (amazing lens, Sigma 150 OS Macro (?) and a 70-200 VR2.

My recommendations based on my research would be:
Nikon 14-24
or
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 + Zeiss 21/2.8 + Samyang 35/1.4 (or Nikon 35/1.4) I'm still unconvinced about the new 28/1.8G

Tamron 24-70 (depending on copy)
or
Tamron 28-75 (better optically than the Nikkor 24-70 after F4)

Tamron 70-300 VC
or
Nikon 70-200 VR2 (stay away from TC's - DON'T believe that the new 2x is OK with this lens. I tried it and it was horrid)

Nikon 50/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4 or 60mm Macro ( I had the Nikon 50/1.4G and it was useless wide open)

Sigma 85/1.4 or Nikkor 85/1.8G

Sigma 105/2.8 OS Macro, Sigma 150/2.8 OS Macro or Tamron 90 Macro

Sigma 150 OS Macro or Nikon 180/2.8 (if you only want a telephoto)

Nikon 300/4 (old or new will do).

I agree with previous posters who say that this is not a walk around camera though. I wish I'd stuck to me previous plan of just using it as a studio camera as it really gets to your upper back after holding the zoom config' up to your face for a few hours.

I have been shooting 2 Pentax K-5's up until recently and the 'equivalent' lens is the DA*50-135/2.8. The K-5, that zoom and a grip is probably just as sharp as the VR2 (albeit not the detail of the 36MP sensor) and weighs a fraction. I sold my two K-5 bodies in anticipation of a 24MP replacement and will probably try to buy at least one body if that comes along as I have too much invested in lenses to just ignore it. (Sorry I know this is a Nikon forum but just trying to give an idea of where I'm coming from).

I hope my lens recommendations were helpful

Cheers

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 63
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Gabbb said:
I agree with most of what you wrote, I just wonder have you tried the 16-35?

No I haven't tried it yet but I am interested in taking a look.

This Sigma 150/2.8 OS Macro has back focused by about the same amount with every copy (apart from the very 1st one I tested at another store) on the D800E whereas every other Sigma lens I've tried has been fine. I'm returning it tomorrow and will ask for either a refund or to put the money on something else. I might ask the store to order in a Sigma 105 to test and if that fails I'll give up I think. I have a Tamron 90 in Pentax mount (but no K-5's anymore) so I'm prepared to wait for the K-5 replacement to work out if I'll hang on to the glass in that mount or move on.

I don't know if you've seen this list?

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/d800-lens-selection

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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Joined: Mar '10
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A couple of comments... first, try a Black Rapid strap and it makes almost any camera a "walk around" as it takes all the weight off one's neck. I carry a D4 with the 70-200mm f/2.8 and it is really not a problem.

And the 26-35mm f/4.0 VR....a must. Here is an image to examine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7300836788/sizes/o/in/photostream/

1/200 sec f/7.1, ISO 200 focal length 32mm on my D4

I have found this an excellent short "walk around" or the 24-120mm is also good. My personal thinking is to stick with Nikkor glass with something like a D800 or Zeiss...

And, the 70-200 w/ the new 2X...read this thread where i compared my using the 400mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 w/ TC-20EIII, and the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6. You may be quite surprised with the real life use of these and the question of whether the "Big Bertha" is worth the extra bucks.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3549

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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msmoto said:
A couple of comments... first, try a Black Rapid strap and it makes almost any camera a "walk around" as it takes all the weight off one's neck. I carry a D4 with the 70-200mm f/2.8 and it is really not a problem.

And the 26-35mm f/4.0 VR....a must. Here is an image to examine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7300836788/sizes/o/in/photostream/

1/200 sec f/7.1, ISO 200 focal length 32mm on my D4

I have found this an excellent short "walk around" or the 24-120mm is also good. My personal thinking is to stick with Nikkor glass with something like a D800 or Zeiss...

And, the 70-200 w/ the new 2X...read this thread where i compared my using the 400mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 w/ TC-20EIII, and the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6. You may be quite surprised with the real life use of these and the question of whether the "Big Bertha" is worth the extra bucks.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3549

Cheers, I have two Black Rapid straps (a dual and a single) but I haven't been using them lately because I have a back injury - I've have been mainly walking around the yard and the street outside the house (I did used the strap today and it felt good). I was more referring to holding the camera to the eye a fair bit, but then I have a lousy flu and am pretty weak right at the moment so.... ..point taken LOL

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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I will never recommend a TC-20E III after buying one and returning it the other day. It turns a great lens and camera into junk IMO.

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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bossa said:
I will never recommend a TC-20E III after buying one and returning it the other day. It turns a great lens and camera into junk IMO.

Just out of curiosity.... what lens was it that you tried the TC-20EIII with? I have been quite impressed with mine and possibly either you received a poor example or some other issue was present. I think most of these work best when the primary lens is stopped down a stop or so, e.g, the 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII shooting at f/8 or f/11 with a TC-14EII or TC-EIII.

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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I too have seen good results with the TC-20E III with the 70-200 VRII. Definitely agree with Msmoto about stepping it down.

I am not sure why everyone is poo-ppo-ing the 28-300. I got a grey market version from B&H. Man is it sharp. I must have got a good sample. I used it recently on a trip to the Roger Williams Park Zoo. I needed the 300 range since many of the exhibits are further away. I got some excellent shots. My son used the one Snow Leopard pic as his desktop. Got some good shots of the Bald Eagles too! I love my 28-300 + D800 for walking around all day. Much easier than carrying multiple lenses...

Later,
Jeff

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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msmoto said:
Just out of curiosity.... what lens was it that you tried the TC-20EIII with? I have been quite impressed with mine and possibly either you received a poor example or some other issue was present. I think most of these work best when the primary lens is stopped down a stop or so, e.g, the 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII shooting at f/8 or f/11 with a TC-14EII or TC-EIII.

I tried it on my 70-200 VR2. I found it to be just too damaging to the image overall but I wouldn't mind trying the 1.4x though. I've had good success with a Tamron 1.4x on my Pentax lenses. But it would have been interesting to see how much of an improvement the new D800 firmware for lens distortions could have made as there are TC profiles included.

The TC20III may be fine on a D700 or D3 but I bought this camera for the super resolution and don't see the point in ruining that. It's probably a better idea to just run it in crop mode and use that as a pseudo TC in the end.

PS: I did try stopping down to F8-F11 and it made some difference but not enough for me. In fact, I only used it in that range as I'd already read about that.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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JForhan said:
I too have seen good results with the TC-20E III with the 70-200 VRII. Definitely agree with Msmoto about stepping it down.

I am not sure why everyone is poo-ppo-ing the 28-300. I got a grey market version from B&H. Man is it sharp. I must have got a good sample. I used it recently on a trip to the Roger Williams Park Zoo. I needed the 300 range since many of the exhibits are further away. I got some excellent shots. My son used the one Snow Leopard pic as his desktop. Got some good shots of the Bald Eagles too! I love my 28-300 + D800 for walking around all day. Much easier than carrying multiple lenses...

Later,
Jeff

Do you have links to pictures? I still need something like a 300 or 400 but I'm now broke after all this.. LOL

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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After 4 copies of the Sigma 150 being broken or back-focusing beyond help I decided to order a Micro Nikkor 105. I hope that works out as this BS is getting old.

Posted 10 months ago #
sevencrossing

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I agree with bossa

The TC-20E III with the 70-200 VRII is "OK" with a D700 but the weakness of the combination starts to show on a D800

I have read some good reviews on the Nikon 300mm f/4.0 IF-ED AF with the x 1.4

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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bossa said:
Do you have links to pictures? I still need something like a 300 or 400 but I'm now broke after all this.. LOL

I uploaded a shot of a flamingo I got.

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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Darn. Not sure how to get it a clickable link so you can see the full size one...

Maybe this will work...

Posted 10 months ago #
Gabbb

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JForhan said:
I uploaded a shot of a flamingo I got.

Can not click on the flamingo :(

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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@JForhan

If you upload to Flickr....a nice size perhaps 2000px on the wide side, then click on the photo in your photostream, and in the upper left will be a "share" tab. Click this, and copy the HTML code for the medium or 800 px size. Then paste this on PAD and you should be able to click on the photo and it takes you to Flickr where with a progression of clicks one can see the original upload of 2000px.

Msmoto, mod

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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Try the next post below that one..

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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JForhan said:
Try the next post below that one..

Not only is it working...your photo is really nice....Very sharp. I know how long it takes to upload the 2000px size....must have taken a long time to get the full size up there. But, thank you....so very nice. Looks like it could have been taken with a Hasselblad:)

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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It id not take long since I have Comcast DOCSIS 3.0...Besides the JPEG I uploaded was only 12MB. I exported the NEF with LR4. Has basic LR4 processing for lens, etc.

I think it is a great shot too. Like I said, I guess my 28-300 was a good sample. And a gray market one at that. Got lucky!

:-)

Later,
Jeff

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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Nice shot but the only sharp part is the eye really. At least at 100% that's the only sharp part of the image that I can see. That's not meant to be a criticism but an observation. The DOF is so thin anyway that it's hard to judge the lens combo. If you had some shots of buildings it would be more helpful. Your image has less CA than I was getting though.. maybe I had a dud TC.

PS: Was that pic taken with a 70-200 + TC or a 28-300?

PS2: I must be having a bad day understanding text.. I see that it is the 70-300.

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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Sorry Bossa, it was taken with my 28-300.

If the weather cooperates tomorrow I will try to get some shots with the TC + 70-200...

Later,
Jeff

Posted 10 months ago #
JForhan

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Was able to get a few shots. I added them to a set on Flikr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81843262@N06/sets/72157630462101792/

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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JForhan said:
Was able to get a few shots. I added them to a set on Flikr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81843262@N06/sets/72157630462101792/

Thanks Jeff.

Posted 10 months ago #
Prathap

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Hii all..

I am planning to buy D800 this weekend. with it I will be buying 50mm f1.8G. I wanted to know how is 'Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED' lens on D800?

Thank you.

Posted 9 months ago #
msmoto

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A couple of threads which deal with this

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2425

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=274

Posted 9 months ago #