This or That? | Nikon Lenses

Heather Koch · Jan 9, 2015

So the question has finally arrived...

2015 is going to be a good year for me and my little business, I just know it. This is the year where I will get the equipment I need to fulfill all my needs. I've been lingering all over the inter-web the past couple of days, researching different lenses, etc. I have found my top prospects and wish to create a poll to see everyones opinion.

To start off with some background information:
- I will be using these lenses on a Nikon D7100
- I will mostly be doing Portraits and Landscapes
- I will be keeping my 12-24mm f4 lens
- I am selling my D7000 and Nikkor 18-200mm 3.5-5.6
- My budget is whatever I need it to be, will be saving every penny
- I hope for the next few lenses I get, can last me awhile (without having the urge to get new glass every year...)
- My goal is to cover 12mm to 200mm in lenses

So my question (POLL) for you guys is what will best suit my needs, while complementing my d7100 and my 12-24mm?

Please select what you believe is best for me, based on your own decision and please provide your personal opinion on why! THANKS!

**I hope this poll will also help out others looking for the same information**

MOREGONE · Jan 9, 2015

You've got a great landscape lens and note you will be shooting portraits, but none of the above are strong portrait lenses.

Heather Koch · Jan 9, 2015

MOREGONE said:
You've got a great landscape lens and note you will be shooting portraits, but none of the above are strong portrait lenses.

I made a change to my information, I'd like to cover a wide range of focal lengths, with the sharpest pieces of glass I can afford.

As for the portrait lens, what would you recommend? Nikon 85mm?

MOREGONE · Jan 9, 2015

Heather Koch said:
MOREGONE said:

You've got a great landscape lens and note you will be shooting portraits, but none of the above are strong portrait lenses.

Click to expand...

I made a change to my information, I'd like to cover a wide range of focal lengths, with the sharpest pieces of glass I can afford.

As for the portrait lens, what would you recommend? Nikon 85mm?

Though I have never used one, the 85mm would be my recommendation based off reviews.
The 16-85 gets great reviews but not the fastest lens. I guess my vote will go to the 24-85 2.8-4 because one, it has a good reach at 85mm, it is a FX lens in case you choose to go FX, and has a reproduction ration of 1:2 for decent macro capabilities. 85mm @ f4 will still net some decent bokeh.

Heather Koch · Jan 9, 2015

MOREGONE said:
Heather Koch said:

MOREGONE said:

You've got a great landscape lens and note you will be shooting portraits, but none of the above are strong portrait lenses.

Click to expand...

I made a change to my information, I'd like to cover a wide range of focal lengths, with the sharpest pieces of glass I can afford.

As for the portrait lens, what would you recommend? Nikon 85mm?

Click to expand...

Though I have never used one, the 85mm would be my recommendation based off reviews.
The 16-85 gets great reviews but not the fastest lens. I guess my vote will go to the 24-85 2.8-4 because one, it has a good reach at 85mm, it is a FX lens in case you choose to go FX, and has a reproduction ration of 1:2 for decent macro capabilities. 85mm @ f4 will still net some decent bokeh.

Awesome, thank you so much for your opinion!!

Mr.Photo · Jan 9, 2015

Of the lenses on your list I own the following two lenses

Nikon 35mm 1.8G
Tamron 17-50 2.8 (with built in AF motor)

A note about the Tamron lens is that there are two other variants including an older style AF (screw driven auto focus which will work on you D7000 or D7100), and a VC (Tamron's equivalent of VR) version with built in AF motor.

In addition to that I also own the Nikon 85mm 1.8G that MOREGONE mentioned above. It too is a wonderful portrait lens and one that I think every photographer who does serious portrait work should own.

All the lenses I listed above are ones I would recommend. While the 35mm is a redundant focal length It has it's own strengths over the Tamron just as the Tamron has certain qualities that the Nikon does not. Another lens I would strongly recommend is some sort of 70-200 2.8 zoom. While the Nikon one can be a bit pricy both Sigma, and Tamron have more affordable versions that are extremely good. In fact Tamron now has two models of 70-200 2.8 to chose from. The original version is a non stabilized lens and can be had used for around $500-600. The newest version is a VC version that is selling for $1400 new which is $1000 cheaper than it's Nikon counterpart.

Lastly, with regards to your D7000, if it were me I would consider keeping it as a second/backup body. It is still a great camera, and will be for some time as the advancements in camera technology are beginning to slow a bit compared to just a few short years ago. Also having a second body allows you the ability to use them together with two different lenses so you don't need to change lenses as much.

Heather Koch · Jan 10, 2015

Thank you, I really appreciate your detailed advice. The 70-200mm is definitely a dream but un-realistic at this time, 1) being because it such a chunk of my money, 2) being its so large, I won't be able to carry around when I need it most.

As for keeping the d7000, that would be ideal, but I am counting on that money from the sale to purchase these new lenses and at this time I can't keep both.

wfooshee · Jan 10, 2015

For portraiture on a D7100 just get yourself a nifty fifty. The 50 f:1.8 is cheap as dirt and on a DX camera the image perspective is equivalent to a 75mm on a full-frame. I just fond an older AF version (not even AF-D!) for 70 bucks at a pawn shop.

Heather Koch · Jan 10, 2015

Yeah I forgot to add the 50mm and 85mm to the list. SO many options.

D-B-J · Jan 10, 2015

I loved the Sigma 17-50 2.8OS when paired with my D7000. Sharp, reasonably quick focus, great to have the OS and max aperture, etc.

That being said, the 85mm 1.8G was my favorite lens on the D7000. Hands down. Loved it. All the time. Great, incredibly sharp, and excellent for portraits.

I know neither are on your list.. so my apologies for the addition of two more!

Jake

pixmedic · Jan 10, 2015

most of my portraits are done with an older Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (non VC version)
If i have the room, I sometimes shoot with an 85mm f/1.8, or a 70-200 f/2.8
sometimes my tamron 28-75 f/2.8
I rarely shoot under f4 for portraits.

Heather Koch · Jan 11, 2015

Thanks y'all for you help!! I will definitely have some decision making to do.

greybeard · Jan 11, 2015

I personally use a 12-24, a 16-85, and a 70-300. with a 105 macro and a 35mm f1.8 thrown in for good measure. In your case a 24-70 and a 70-200 would meet your needs.