Nikon D7000 - Lenses

[LizardKing]

Hello everybody

After reading lots of opinions, reviews, comparisons and all sorts of information all over this forum and other pages on the internet; I'm almost sure to go with the Nikon D7000. First, I thought it would be a good idea to go for the D300s. But now I realized I could save some bucks and use that money for glass or accesories.

This thread is basically to ask a couple of questions regarding lenses, but first I'd like to say that in the future I'd like to upgrade this D7000 to a FF camera. That being said, it's important to me that the lenses bought now for the D7000 also work for one of the FX cameras. I realize that means more $$, but as long as I can afford it, that'd be the plan. I rather prefer to buy the lenses more slower, but of better quality.

Let's start with my needs and likes, which are pretty simple: Travel & Portraits. Also like Macro and Close-Ups, but don't have the money now to buy one of those lenses. I will probably use to record some Full HD videos, but that's not the main goal here. I also really don't plan on working on weddings and social events. Nor use it for action and sports.

Travel: I usually like to travel light and backpacking, most of the times. Big fan of landscapes, buildings, night photography, candids, situations, etc.
Portraits: Really love those portraits shots where the subject is isolated and the background is blurry (i.e.: Strangers Project). I'm not looking to shoot portraits inside a studio with lots of lights and stuff... I'm more of a real-life (outdoors) photographer, and love those pictures with extreme details on the faces of the subjects.

Unfortunately, my knowledge when it comes to lenses is really basic and only theoretical, so that's why I'm asking for your advise. Please don't think I haven't searched through the forum for similar threads, because I did. And have to say I learned so much. Thank you for that :thumbup:... But I wanted to have your input in my particular case, besides all I learned from reading other people's doubts.

Since this will be my first DSLR, and I don't have that much money to spend, I'm planning on starting with the camera + 1 lens. And buy 1-2 more in the near-future, depending on my saving skills.

Telephoto and wide-angle lenses are off the table right now (I think), because if I'm going to have just 1 lens, I rather look for something more multi-purpose, I think. Something that allows me to get a little more familiar with operating a DSLR and the different aspects of photography. Not sure if it's important at this point (probably not), but I recently had the chance to play for a couple of hours with manual focus for the first time and looooved it.

So, any suggestions?

I know prime lenses (those are the fixed ones, right?) are a great option, and I'd really love to have one of those with a small aperture to use for portraits... but not sure if it's the right choice when you'll only start with 1 lens. You tell me

Some of you will probably tell me to go with one of the kit lenses, and I've thought about it (haven't discarded the idea yet). The biggest problem I see with that, is their aperture. As I said before, I really like those portraits with minimum DOF and I won't be able to shoot those with a kit lens.

Budget for this one lens is 1000U$s top. Although I'd appreciate spending less than that... it all depends :mrgreen:

Hope I explained myself well and didn't bore you with this. Thank you very very much for reading up to this point and thank you in advance for any advise, comment or recommendation you might have. Have a nice day!

edit: I tried to provide you with all the information I could think of, but should you have questions please let me know.

Regards,
LizardKing

 

[cgipson1]

I really like my walkabout lens (Nikkor 28-300 - about $900), and have used it for all the things you mention. Does it do as well as my 24-70 2.8 or my 70-200 2.8? NO.. but the IQ on it is far better than any kit lens I have seen, and the convenience of the wide range on a single lens is wonderful! I leave it on my D7000 most of the time. I would be happy to post some images if you would like.....

For a single do it all lens, I think it can't be beat!

Amazon.com: Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR: Camera & Photo

 

[Destin]

For the first lens on a d7000, that would also work on an FX camera, I would recommend a 24-70 2.8. Great, great lens. It's over $1000, but if you look for a used one then you may be able to find something, or consider the older but still great 28-70 2.8. That's if you want to buy just one lens though.

With $1,000, you could get a 24mm f2.8 prime, a 50mm 1.8 prime, and an 85mm 1.8 prime. That would be a great 3 lens combo, and provide great bokeh (put of focus backgrounds) as well as pretty amazing low light ability when combined with the d7000. That's the route I would take if I was you. Down the road you can add in a wide angle (nikon 12-24) and a a telephoto (nikon 70-200 2.8).

 

[cgipson1]

These were all shot with the 28-300.. went and dug up the link http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...o-ponds-nwr-comments-welcome.html#post2333651 Bokeh is pretty good, don't you think? Pretty sharp too...

Also took these... http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Kili-Face-closeup-hf.jpg and http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Mauser-6-.jpg

 

[Destin]

These were all shot with the 28-300.. went and dug up the link http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/macro-photography/255364-dragonflies-i-shot-today-two-ponds-nwr-comments-welcome.html#post2333651 Bokeh is pretty good, don't you think? Pretty sharp too...

Also took these... http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Kili-Face-closeup-hf.jpg and http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Mauser-6-.jpg

Nothin against that lens, but the OP stated they want to start with the highest quality lenses possible. Having only one lens, and having that lens with a 4.5-5.6 max aperture is VERY limiting.

OP, I reccomend that whatever you go with, you try to maintain a max aperture of f4 at least, and preferably 2.8. Youll be much better off with less of a zoom range, and a wider aperture.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

On my D7000 I bought glass considering i'll be going FF too. I bought the Nikkor 24-70 and 70-200 and couoldn't be more pleased.

 

[cgipson1]

These were all shot with the 28-300.. went and dug up the link http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...o-ponds-nwr-comments-welcome.html#post2333651 Bokeh is pretty good, don't you think? Pretty sharp too...

Also took these... http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Kili-Face-closeup-hf.jpg and http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Mauser-6-.jpg

Nothin against that lens, but the OP stated they want to start with the highest quality lenses possible. Having only one lens, and having that lens with a 4.5-5.6 max aperture is VERY limiting.

OP, I reccomend that whatever you go with, you try to maintain a max aperture of f4 at least, and preferably 2.8. Youll be much better off with less of a zoom range, and a wider aperture.

Yes.. but he also listed a budget of < $1000. Cheapest used 24-70 I found in a quick search was $1400-1500. The 28-300 is considered a pro-sumer lens.. not a beginner / kit lens.... it does pretty well! And it is in his budget.. and has the advantage of being very versatile....

no big deal....

 

[2WheelPhoto]

These were all shot with the 28-300.. went and dug up the link http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...o-ponds-nwr-comments-welcome.html#post2333651 Bokeh is pretty good, don't you think? Pretty sharp too...

Also took these... http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Kili-Face-closeup-hf.jpg and http://www.thephotoforum.com/photos/data/500/Mauser-6-.jpg

Nothin against that lens, but the OP stated they want to start with the highest quality lenses possible. Having only one lens, and having that lens with a 4.5-5.6 max aperture is VERY limiting.

OP, I reccomend that whatever you go with, you try to maintain a max aperture of f4 at least, and preferably 2.8. Youll be much better off with less of a zoom range, and a wider aperture.

Yes.. but he also listed a budget of < $1000. Cheapest used 24-70 I found in a quick search was $1400-1500. The 28-300 is considered a pro-sumer lens.. not a beginner / kit lens.... it does pretty well! And it is in his budget.. and has the advantage of being very versatile....

no big deal....

oops, didn't see his budget lens stipulation, thanks

 

[cgipson1]

On my D7000 I bought glass considering i'll be going FF too. I bought the Nikkor 24-70 and 70-200 and couoldn't be more pleased.

Yes.. and you had $4k to spare, too.. the OP doesn't! How are you liking the 70-200 "beast" btw? Shoots nice, don't it? Wish it was lighter sometimes .....

 

[Destin]

The 28-70 can be had for less than a grand used.

As can the Sigma 24-70, which I'd take over the 28-300 ANY day. Sigma makes some darn good stuff for the money.

There is also a 3 prime combo, which I listed above (24 2.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.8) that could be had for under a grand, and would be a very good start. I have nothing against that 28-300. I bet it's a nice little walk around/scouting lens. I'm just saying it's not even close to the best way to spend $1,000 on glass.

 

[cgipson1]

The 28-70 can be had for less than a grand used.

As can the Sigma 24-70, which I'd take over the 28-300 ANY day. Sigma makes some darn good stuff for the money.

There is also a 3 prime combo, which I listed above (24 2.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.8) that could be had for under a grand, and would be a very good start. I have nothing against that 28-300. I bet it's a nice little walk around/scouting lens. I'm just saying it's not even close to the best way to spend $1,000 on glass.

Interesting. Not to be rude or nosy, but you are what, 19? Shooting a D80, and own one inexpensive nikon lens... so what are you basing your opinions on? What you have read? Have you used (actually shot with) the nikkor 24-70 2.8 or the nikkor 28-300?

 

[Destin]

The 28-70 can be had for less than a grand used.

As can the Sigma 24-70, which I'd take over the 28-300 ANY day. Sigma makes some darn good stuff for the money.

There is also a 3 prime combo, which I listed above (24 2.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.8) that could be had for under a grand, and would be a very good start. I have nothing against that 28-300. I bet it's a nice little walk around/scouting lens. I'm just saying it's not even close to the best way to spend $1,000 on glass.

Interesting. Not to be rude or nosy, but you are what, 19? Shooting a D80, and own one inexpensive nikon lens... so what are you basing your opinions on? What you have read? Have you used (acutally shot with) the nikkor 24-70 2.8 or the nikkor 28-300?

Yes, I'm 19. I fail to see how that has ANYTHING to do with this thread. Grow up man. I've shot with the 24-70, but not the 28-300. I've also spend a good amount of time with a Nikon D700, and D300s (owned my my friend). I don't need to base my opinions on anything other than raw fact here... an f4.5-5.6 zoom lens is going to be too slow for many situations. The OP said he wants the best quality he can get for the money; the 28-300 doesn't fit the bill there. He also stated that he plans to purchase a telephoto in the future, and just wants a standard lens with a wide max. aperture for the time being. Once again, that's not the 28-300.

 

[jdag]

24-120 f/4 VR. A bit over the $1,000 budget new or refurb, but you could likely find a used copy.

 

[LizardKing]

Wow... It's nice to get back home and see all these responses. Thank you guys! :thumbup:

I really like my walkabout lens (Nikkor 28-300 - about $900), and have used it for all the things you mention (...) the IQ on it is far better than any kit lens I have seen, and the convenience of the wide range on a single lens is wonderful! I leave it on my D7000 most of the time. I would be happy to post some images if you would like.....

For a single do it all lens, I think it can't be beat!

It is indeed a good option to analyze. I really appreciate first-hand opinions (not sure how you say it in english, but I mean opinions from people who actually uses/used the gear)
​

BTW, the bokehs are pretty good, and I like the close-up to the cat's face. Thank you for sharing them with me :thumbup:​

With $1,000, you could get a 24mm f2.8 prime, a 50mm 1.8 prime, and an 85mm 1.8 prime. That would be a great 3 lens combo, and provide great bokeh (put of focus backgrounds) as well as pretty amazing low light ability when combined with the d7000. That's the route I would take if I was you. Down the road you can add in a wide angle (nikon 12-24) and a a telephoto (nikon 70-200 2.8).

This sounds like a really good idea, too. I've been looking around and found two pretty good 50mm from Nikon: f/1.4G ($400) and d/1.8G ($200)... Both seem to be really quality lenses, and I think it would probably be a good idea to throw one of those in the set... Probably the f/1.4G since the difference in the price is not that big.
If you were only to buy 1 prime lens, which will it be? 35, 50 or 85?

​

Nothin against that lens, but the OP stated they want to start with the highest quality lenses possible. Having only one lens, and having that lens with a 4.5-5.6 max aperture is VERY limiting.
OP, I reccomend that whatever you go with, you try to maintain a max aperture of f4 at least, and preferably 2.8. Youll be much better off with less of a zoom range, and a wider aperture.

That's basically the reason why I'm not sure about that lens... 28-300 sounds great, but I'm not sure if I'll feel confortable with the aperture...
​

On my D7000 I bought glass considering i'll be going FF too. I bought the Nikkor 24-70 and 70-200 and couoldn't be more pleased.

If I had the money, I woudn't doubt one second on buying those 2. :thumbup:
Unfortunately, it's not that easy to find good used lens here in Buenos Aires.​

As can the Sigma 24-70, which I'd take over the 28-300 ANY day. Sigma makes some darn good stuff for the money.

It's tempting to have a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for half the price of its Nikon counterpart.​

​

I really like the idea of buying a good 50mm... But I'm not sure if it'd be best to complement it with other 2 prime lenses, or by one multi-purpose like the 28-300 or something like that.
I'll keep looking around while I wait for more answers. But you basically got the idea: "Based on my needs, what's the best way to expend 1000-1500U$s" :thumbup:


Thank you all again.

Regards,
LizardKing

 

[KmH]

In lieu of the AF-S 24-70 f/2.8 you could get the much less expensive, though still quite good, Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
which also has a 1:2 Macro close focus capability from 35 mm to 85 mm.