Advice on lenses and camera body(s)
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Hi everyone. I need some advice on what body/lenses I should be looking at. I mainly do landscape work, however, I also want something for weddings, portraits and such as the professional level. I have some money to spend and want to spend it wisely.
For lenses, I am looking at the following (I am not adverse to considering Sigma and/or Tamron lenses as they make some good products as well):
70-200mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
24-70mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
14-24mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
For camera bodies, I am looking at the following:
Nikon D700
Nikon D300
I've used my dad's D3 on multiple occasions and just love the FX sensor. I've heard that the D700 is better in low-light too (the dust removal system of the sensor on the D700 is a big plus as well). Right now I have two D80's and numerous prime lenses for low-light. Although I love the quality of the prime, I'm tired of changing lenses for so many different situations. Also, obviously, anywhere I can save money would be great as this is going to be a major chunk of change! :wink
I know my stuff quite well with equipment, however with the wide gamut of choices out there, I figured I'd get advice from people with more experience than I.
For lenses, I am looking at the following (I am not adverse to considering Sigma and/or Tamron lenses as they make some good products as well):
70-200mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
24-70mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
14-24mm AF-S f/2.8 VR Nikkor
For camera bodies, I am looking at the following:
Nikon D700
Nikon D300
I've used my dad's D3 on multiple occasions and just love the FX sensor. I've heard that the D700 is better in low-light too (the dust removal system of the sensor on the D700 is a big plus as well). Right now I have two D80's and numerous prime lenses for low-light. Although I love the quality of the prime, I'm tired of changing lenses for so many different situations. Also, obviously, anywhere I can save money would be great as this is going to be a major chunk of change! :wink
I know my stuff quite well with equipment, however with the wide gamut of choices out there, I figured I'd get advice from people with more experience than I.
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I believe that you can think of the D700 as a "slimmed down" D3, and with the addition of the vertical grip it doesn't lack in shooting speed.
Since you were happy with the D3, you would probably also be happy with the D700.
Yes, the:
Nikkor 70-200mm, f/2.8G AF-S VR ED-IF
Nikkor 24-70mm, f/2.8G ED AF-S
Nikkor 14-24mm, f/2.8G ED AF-S
... are all very sweet lenses and together would make a fine wedding and landscape kit. (Only the 70-200mm has VR however.)
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How does the Tokina 11-16mm or 12-24mm fair in comparison?
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Polarizing filters are not as effective on lenses with extremely wide field-of-view. The result usually looks kinda wierd.
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Thanks Ziiggy!
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It's not so much vignetting with the polarizers, there are strategies around that.
It has more to do with how polarizers work.
With really wide angle lenses and polarizers it's hard to get a good looking effect because the angle of the sun changes so much across the field-of-view.
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Package #1
2 D300's
17-55 f2.8 DX Nikkor
11-17 f2.8 tokina
70-200f2.8 VR Nikkor
1.7x TC-17 II Nikon Teleconvertor
Battery grip for D300
+ approximately $1500 extra cash
Package #2
D700
14-24 f2.8 Nikkor
24-70 f2.8 Nikkor
70-200 f.28 VR Nikkor
1.7 TC-17 II Nikon Teleconvertor
Battery grip for D700
+no extra cash
Package #3
D3
70-200 f2.8 VR Nikkor
1.7 C-17 II Nikon Teleconvertor
1 of the following lenses:
14-24 f2.8 Nikkor
24-70 f2.8 Nikkor
+no extra cash
I really love the FX format and its high ISO capabilities. I tried a D300 and really am not impressed with it at all. I feel it is a remade DX version of the 5D. After careful review of the D700 and trying it out for a day I am of the view that its 3299.00 asking price is way too much considering the following:
- it has an average shutter life of 100,000 actuations. The D3 has way more and costs 4999.00. Why should I pay significantly more than half the cost of a D3 for a camera that won't last me nearly as long? (the D3 has an average of 300,000 shutter actuations)
- the D3 has about 1-stop better high ISO capabilities
- the D3 has dual CF slots (not a high priority, but nonetheless an advantage)
- after the 299.00 battery grip, 75.00 battery, and 75.00 charger (the battery in the grip uses a different charger than the battery in camera)... the camera really costs close to $4000.00 after tax. The D3 uses the same battery in a built-in battery grip (also uses the same charger).
I really need help as I am at a cross-roads. I would like to start to apprentice as a second shooter in weddings this summer, however, I want my money to go into the correct areas. I am really leaning against the D300's as most photographers in the area shoot large-sensor cameras and rarely need to use flash (that would put me at a significant disadvantage).
I am open to all advice. If I am misinformed on any of the things I have said, please feel free and correct me. Also, if anyone has other lens suggestions, I am open to hearing them. Thanks everyone!
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If you are a second shooter, the D300 is fine. The only time you might need the D3 or D700 quality is for the formals.
If you think you don't need flash for the D3 and D700, you are mistaken. Flash allows you to control the light. Accepting ambient light is usually not practical or sometimes not even possible. Controlling the light is the only way to control the results.
Lighting is my first priority at a wedding. Staging the subjects and background selection is the second priority. Accurate autofocus and proper choice of lens is the final priority.
Actual resolution and ultimate noise levels wil play a part in final results but not as much as the above details.
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Oh and about light - light is everything for a photo. Take care of the light and the rest kinda falls into place!
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Depending upon the lenses available, they would be better for backing up the D300 since they would offer a similar FOV with the same lens on either body.
There are a lot of wedding shooters using the D300 so you would be in good company. (For that matter people also use the D80 as primary.)
Responsiveness is another valuable quality in a camera because sometimes the action just won't wait. I think the responsiveness of all the cameras discussed is enough for a wedding.
You could always rent some equipemnt as a second shooter before committing to purchase.
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