lense advice for D7000

[FFemtRN5287]

Please excuse if this has been asked a million times before. I've done some rooting around with the search and have come to a few conclusions. Just looking for some more educated opinions.

I've been shooting with my D40 and 18-55 and 55-200 Nikon kit lenses for the past four years and produced some ok shots. After reading on here for a few days, I've understood I need to spend some mroe time working on my composition, amongst other things.

The majority of my photos are landscape and nature photos in New England. The most I do in the way of portrait is of our german shepherds, and some family events. I also take a decent amount of photos at my fire department, mostly during drills.

So on to my question. My D7000 arrived today. I ordered a Nikon 18-105mm with it as a general day to day lense. I figured this would be a good lense for oportunistic, spur of the moment photos. I plan to get more serious about my photography, including dedicated outings simply to take photos. I've also been lucky enough to pair up with a guy from my volunteer fire department who is an avid photographer and has agreed to mentor me. I'm looking to compile some better lenses. From my short few days reading here, I've dispelled my previous myth that I need to cover every possible mm of focal length. I'm looking towards picking up the following lenses and accessories over the next 6 months or so as available funds not being put towards a house allow. Please comment and make any recommendations for or against, it would be very much appreciated.

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR
Nikon full size tripod with quick detach 3 way head
Nikon SB-700 flash
Nikon MB-D11 grip battery

Thanks to all in advance,
Brandon

 

[MLeeK]

The 70-300 isn't going to be much improvement over the zoom you have now. The 10-24 is a nice range to have for landscape.
The 50mm is almost a must have for it's price. You don't need the AF-s version on that camera.

Personally? I'd start looking toward professional lenses of a fixed f/ of 2.8 or better if you are wanting improvement over the lenses you already have. The flash and grip are always handy and a tripod is a must for much of landscape. A quick release, fluid GOOD ball head on that tripod is also a real need.

I'd also consider a Neutral Density filter, Circular Polarizer and a skylight filter. The skylight is extremely handy in the fall. THe ND for water, snow... The polarizer for glare among other things.

 

[flatflip]

Congrats. That is a great camera. You might want to go to the Buy and Sell section and look for the 70-300 that jritz is selling. He is good to trade with. I'm not sure where his post is now but you can find him through his D7000 for sale thread. I think his 70-300 was three hundred and something dollars. Take a look at my Tamron 28-75 f2.8 too. If you want to save some money you might consider a 50mm f/ 1.8D instead of the "G". I do like the G myself but It is twice as expensive.

 

[FFemtRN5287]

MLeeK: So for a wide zoom, is there a better quality lense available? Also, any suggestions on a good, fluid, QD ball tripod?

flatflip: A foolish question I'm sure, but does the presence of an aperature ring on the lense mean manual adjustment of aperature is necessary? Or does that lense just have to be added into the memory bank in the camera to adjust aperature automatically?

Thank you both for the input.

 

[D-B-J]

Do you need an MB-D11? I mean, I use mine incessantly. But, might that money be better spent on something else?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I went through a lot of lenses, both prime and several kit zoomers for my D7000. Ultimately I ended up with these and am thrilled.

nikkor 24-70 2.8
nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII

 

[flatflip]

MLeeK: So for a wide zoom, is there a better quality lense available? Also, any suggestions on a good, fluid, QD ball tripod?

flatflip: A foolish question I'm sure, but does the presence of an aperature ring on the lense mean manual adjustment of aperature is necessary? Or does that lense just have to be added into the memory bank in the camera to adjust aperature automatically?

Thank you both for the input.

Are you referring to my Tamron lens? There's no Ap ring. Just zoom & focus. The AF 50mm f/1.8D does not have to use ap ring. It will adjust auto.

I went through a lot of lenses, both prime and several kit zoomers for my D7000. Ultimately I ended up with these and am thrilled.

nikkor 24-70 2.8
nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII

As the saying goes; "two out of trinity ain't bad".

 

[FFemtRN5287]

Do you need an MB-D11? I mean, I use mine incessantly. But, might that money be better spent on something else?

Do I need it? Probably not. However, before purchasing, I went to a few local shops and handled various cameras, including a gripped D7000 that was on consignment. I held it side by side with a non-gripped model and liked the feel of the gripped version much better.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

gripped <---once you feel it you'll never want to go ungripped again! plus it will take regular convenience store batteries for the camera if you get in a pinch somewhere with no charge

 

[FFemtRN5287]

Are you referring to my Tamron lens? There's no Ap ring. Just zoom & focus. The AF 50mm f/1.8D does not have to use ap ring. It will adjust auto.

I was referring to the 50mm f/1.8D AF lens. Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens 2137 B&H Photo
I'm assuming the numbers at the ring at the base of the lens represent the aperture, no?

 

[andrewleephoto]

Are you referring to my Tamron lens? There's no Ap ring. Just zoom & focus. The AF 50mm f/1.8D does not have to use ap ring. It will adjust auto.

I was referring to the 50mm f/1.8D AF lens. Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens 2137 B&H Photo
I'm assuming the numbers at the ring at the base of the lens represent the aperture, no?

The aperture will be adjusted automatically depending on what number you select with your dial. The aperture numbers are just there because this lens is really old and it's not the updated version (that would be the G lens). I have a 50mm 1.8D with a D7000 and it works great!

 

[FFemtRN5287]

Are you referring to my Tamron lens? There's no Ap ring. Just zoom & focus. The AF 50mm f/1.8D does not have to use ap ring. It will adjust auto.

I was referring to the 50mm f/1.8D AF lens. Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens 2137 B&H Photo
I'm assuming the numbers at the ring at the base of the lens represent the aperture, no?

The aperture will be adjusted automatically depending on what number you select with your dial. The aperture numbers are just there because this lens is really old and it's not the updated version (that would be the G lens). I have a 50mm 1.8D with a D7000 and it works great!

Gotcha,
Thank you!

 

[nickzou]

But if you want to do cheap zero dollar macro, the aperture ring is a lifesaver.

 

[TheInformer]

I have an older Nikon 35-70 F2.8 D which is the preceeding lens to the Nikon 28-70 f 2.8... It is beyond sharp on the d7k and the bokeh is amazing..

 

[djacobox372]

A fast 50mm is a must have, however your camera has a crop sensor so u might want to consider the 35mm f.8g instead.

If u do go with the 50mm keep in minf that the new g version has improved optics and performs MUCH better wide open then the older afd version.