What next?

lanyemichelle

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Hello all!

I just received my shiny new 58mm f/1.4G last Friday. I haven't been able to give it a good test run yet because I've been fighting a wicked case of bronchitis, but from what I have been able to do I'm in love with it. I purchased a refurbished SB-700 to use off camera for a steal. Along with the D600 I've got a pretty good kit so far!

I'm a little torn about what to get next. This summer I will be interning/second shooting weddings and am looking to get something that will be a good fit for it. My current collection consists of the 58mm, 50mm f/1.8G, and 85mm f/1.8G. All of the mentioned lenses will make their way into my bag within the next couple of years, but I am looking for something to get within the next few months to add some versatility for events. The contenders;

A)24-70mm f/2.8G
Pros: Lighter than a 70-200. In the store it wasn't difficult to manage. A favorite all-around zoom.
Cons: Smaller focal range than a 70-200. Doesn't add a new focal length (relative) to my current lineup.

B)70-200 f/2.8G VR II
Pros: Lots of coverage, also great for portraits, the focal lengths available isolate subject from background very well, useful for more than just events, with current promotions it is available for the same price as the 24-70mm, looks really sexy, adds quite a bit of focal range to my lineup.
Cons: Big and heavy. Definitely not something to carry around all day without calling a chiropractor (I'm tough, but I still come in at under 100 pounds)

C) Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G VR
Pros: Only way to get great shots of the rings and other tiny details, focal length is great for portraits, versatile.
Cons: will be my fourth prime lens with no zooms in my kit, not easy to find used or refurbished, adds less to the overall coverage in my kit.

Thoughts?

Note: I figure people may wonder why I purchased the 58mm f/1.4G when I could have gotten two of the lenses off of this list instead of one. I got it because of the look/feel it creates.
 
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I'm really curious: What is that look & feel that you're referring to with the 58mm 1.4G? It seems to render bokeh a little nicer, and sure it renders colours nicely (so does the 50mm 1.8G) -- but I wouldn't go as far to say a lens can "create a look and feel" aside from rendering nice bokeh & not rendering colours poorly.

To be honest for wedding photography you'll likely want all three, A, B, and C. The 24-70 makes a lot of sense. You seem to like primes, the new 35mm 1.8G or the 35mm 1.4G also makes sense.

The three lenses you've listed have very different purposes. No one can tell you which to get. They're all good. The first two are far more versatile, although a macro lens is a macro lens if that's what you need.

edit: It must be the bokeh right? I've been looking through shots of the 58mm 1.4g... that just seems to be what it is?
 
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I'm really curious: What is that look & feel that you're referring to with the 58mm 1.4G? It seems to render bokeh a little nicer, and sure it renders colours nicely (so does the 50mm 1.8G) -- but I wouldn't go as far to say a lens can "create a look and feel" aside from rendering nice bokeh & not rendering colours poorly.

To be honest for wedding photography you'll likely want all three, A, B, and C. The 24-70 makes a lot of sense. You seem to like primes, the new 35mm 1.8G or the 35mm 1.4G also makes sense.

The three lenses you've listed have very different purposes. No one can tell you which to get. They're all good. The first two are far more versatile, although a macro lens is a macro lens if that's what you need.

edit: It must be the bokeh right? I've been looking through shots of the 58mm 1.4g... that just seems to be what it is?

There's something about the way that the images look that give it this...oomph. PhotographyLife explains some of it to be "wavy field curvature" and others just call it "character." The colors ARE very nice! There's something more to it though that gives the images a more classic feel.

On the other note, I'm planning to get all three I'm just wondering which ONE for right now would be good, as my budget only allows for one at the moment. If I could find the 70-200 and the macro for $2000.00 I would snatch them both up. However, I haven't seen any deals THAT good. I don't mind used if the condition is still good, but since the 70-200 is such a pricey lens new I'm thinking it's a long shot.
 

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