Lens dilemma, help me out purlease

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Lens dilemma, help me out purlease

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bmxdad

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ukreal1 said:
Wow thanks for all your replies, now I am more confused than ever LOL
Yep, I am not too hulked up, can carry a car or two :o)
Well, this is the thing, my fav lens is the nifty 50 for FOV BUT the 85 I could maybe pick up for $700 mint so if I ever went FF that would be my 50...I actually don't like too much the long reach with the 85 1.8 (on the D300) and was thinking of the 1.4 as more of an investment in case FF one day, is that crazy? I wish I had a 1.8 and 1.4 to compare side by side...
I don't think I would like the 70-200. I rarely shoot people with my 55-200. I think I am getting caught up in the iconic status of the 'cream machine' and the nice used price. I dunno!
But, def. the 50mm is my fav on my D300...

Alright to sum this up:
You don't like a larger and heavy lens
85mm on your d300 is a bit past your limit
You already noticed that a faster 50mm lens is not any sharper, that 50mm F1.8 is actually on of the best lens deals you can get, the canon is crap in comparison
So if you need to get something new maybe get this one
"AFS Micro-Nikkor 60 mm f/2.8 ED G N"
This lens is sharp, it has a mm size that you like, you would have macro and it would also work on FX

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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bmxdad is right, the 60/2.8 macro would be your best bet, plus it's a great lens that handles beautifully and isn't intimidating. The Tamron 60/2 is a DX lens, but the faster speed might be interesting.

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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I am happy user of a 50mm Nikon wonder lens. I tried new AF-S 60mm as something new but I really do not see much difference, IQ is about the same, 60mm is not notably longer, I am using extension tubes for macro and you could not use AF for really close ups so I decided to spend my money on something else.
On the other hand I think that 700$ is a very good price for 85 f/1.4 in a mint condition, so if you can sell your current 85 f/1.8 for a couple of hundreds it would be a good deal.

Posted 3 years ago #
ukreal1

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OK guys, here's my crazy update...
I bought the 85mm 1.4 this morning, I figured I wouldn't see it mint for $700 on this island again or anywhere maybe and now I am going to sell the 1.8.
I think my next lens will be the 35mm 2.0. The guy is also selling the 17-35 and am tempted but only if I knew I was going FF very soon, which I am not...
He is also selling the 105 micro...
I do want the 60mm micro BUT I am gonna try some reversing of the nifty 50!
I should be done then LOL
Thanks for all your help, I will let you know how I like the 1.4

Posted 3 years ago #
kanuck

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Have you considered the 135mm portrait lens? Sucker's got Amazing Bokeh!

Posted 3 years ago #
ukreal1

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I am done for the telephoto range I think, I like to shoot quite close!

Posted 3 years ago #
PatMann

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You have a great portfolio. I suggest that your current lenses are serving you very well, and you don't seem to use the widest aperture much; why go to f/1.4 as the maximum aperture when your style seems to benefit from shooting at f/2.8 or f/4 a lot?

I think you would love having the 24mm f/1.4 when it comes out. Portraits in context can be fun as well. It's a 37mm equivalent on DX, and 24mm is pretty dramatic on full frame.

Please keep shooting!

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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ukreal1 said:
OK guys, here's my crazy update...
I bought the 85mm 1.4 this morning, I figured I wouldn't see it mint for $700 on this island again or anywhere maybe and now I am going to sell the 1.8.
I think my next lens will be the 35mm 2.0. The guy is also selling the 17-35 and am tempted but only if I knew I was going FF very soon, which I am not...
He is also selling the 105 micro...
I do want the 60mm micro BUT I am gonna try some reversing of the nifty 50!
I should be done then LOL
Thanks for all your help, I will let you know how I like the 1.4

Please keep us posted on how you like that lens, how does on MF/AF on your camera.

I have thought about getting one also

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I would have waited for the rumored update to the 1.4 85mm, but good luck with your new lens Pamela.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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NikoDoby said:
I would have waited for the rumored update to the 1.4 85mm, but good luck with your new lens Pamela.

How long, and would it be that much sharper, cost? Remember she paid $700

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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True but think of how much "better" the new 70-200 is over the older model. Besides AF-S is something I want in that lens not just VR or new coatings. Besides at that price I'm certain it was used.

PMA 2010 in Feb. It's sooner than you think ;^) maybe perhaps.

Posted 3 years ago #
kanuck

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hummm quite close eh? So we are talking Macro then. You must have considered the 60 or 105 VR I assume then right? Closeup photography is something that has spiked my interest as well over the past few months. I have been thinking about switching ballheads and getting a micro positioning plate for sliding ability to get more accurate positioning. I'd like a DR-5 right angle adapter for the viewfinder eyepiece for shooting from very low poistions as well.

I know what you mean telephotos don't excite me much either. I have the 70-200mm VR I but I love the 16-50 range. Wideangles and closeups do it for me.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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ukreal1 does portraiture kanuck

Posted 3 years ago #
ukreal1

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Pat, I am not sure I could afford that 24mm lens, but sounds like something I would like. Most of my shots on the 50 are taken between 1.8 - 2.8 range usually. If there is more than one person, I tend to stop down...
The wide angle is 3.5...Plus, I like to not use the widest sometimes because the lens will be sharper a few stops down...
Pete, auto focus is much smoother than the 1.8. Haven't tried MF yet
I sold the 85mm 1.8 within a day, so that was good.
I am sure I wouldn't be able to afford the new version anyways. This was used but MINT, the guy had only used it 2 times! And he gave me a Nikon clear filter for it too :o)
Here's the first photo with it, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukreal1/4157677234/
It was at 2.2, I zoomed all the way in and the eyelashes were razer sharp. I also used it on 2 shoots this weekend, along with the other lenses...
P :o)

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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You should post it in the animals section, great picture

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #