seeking opinions on a new lens

amadeus

I have a Nikon D700 and want to get a decent FX lens. currently using a couple of old film lens's. with decent results but I want something better. I know the 80-200 F2.8 will fit the bill for my outdoor dirt bike shooting but I shoot a lot of indoor motorcycle subject matter. I bought the cheapo straight 50 mm lens for like $140 but 50 mm is too close, a bike really fills and overwhelms the frame unless you stand back. there seem to be a lot of "wide angle" type lens and I'm wondering if they would be ok for shooting mostly single motorcycle sized subject matter. like this one.



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735453-REG/Tokina_ATX168PROFXN_AT_X_16_28mm_F2_8_Pro.html

the price is certainly right but I'm wondering if the "ultrawide zoon" from Nikon is better?
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/16-35mm.htm

or are these wide zooms not what I should be looking at for the application I'm describing?

any input appreciated.

taken with a 28-80 film lens on the D700

ziggy53

When you use a super-wide zoom lens perspective distortion can become a problem with close proximity to the subject. The distortion can be used to your advantage if you are trying to emphasize something, but otherwise it can be disconcerting.

It would be best to rent the super-wide to make sure it works for you first, and then purchase the lens if it meets your needs.

amadeus

another question.

by the way I bought the 17-35 F 2.8 lens. see it works!



for my sports shooting.

Nikon 80-200 F 2.8 @ $1100 or thereabouts.

Nikon 70-200 F 2.8 @ $2200 or thereabouts.

please tell me why I do or don't need to spend the extra $1000 for shooting kids flying through the air or busting berms on dirt bikes?

thank you.

ziggy53

amadeus wrote: »

...
for my sports shooting.

Nikon 80-200 F 2.8 @ $1100 or thereabouts.

Nikon 70-200 F 2.8 @ $2200 or thereabouts.

please tell me why I do or don't need to spend the extra $1000 for shooting kids flying through the air or busting berms on dirt bikes?

thank you.

The Nikkor AF-D 80-200mm, f2.8D ED is a Nikon screw-drive AF lens and, as such, it is somewhat dependent upon the host body for AF speed. The Nikon D3 series bodies appear to have the strongest AF screw-drive motors, followed by the D700 and then the D300, and D90/D7000.

The Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f2.8G ED VR/II has an in-the-lens AF drive motor and one of Nikon's best AF motors at that. AF motor speed should be consistent regardless of body. Obviously the VR indicates lens-based stabilization which can be a consideration as well. I believe that these lenses also have somewhat better weather seals than the 80-200mm above. The version II also has better edge and corner definition on FX (FF) bodies.

The AF electronics will also impact AF speed, but should be the same component speed with either of these 2 lenses.

A Sigma 70-200mm, f2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS FLD might also be a consideration in that it has a pretty fast, in-lens AF motor plus stabilization. I do think that all of the Nikon lenses mentioned are sharper, especially at maximum aperture, but stopped down a little bit and in strong light the Sigma is a contender.

Renting should give you the best opportunity to test each of these lenses for suitability to task.

The safest recommendation is, of course, the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f2.8G ED VR II as it has the best of all that Nikon currently offers in the range and configuration.