What to Buy Next?

TylerF · Jun 22, 2011

So I have been trying to decide on what I want to upgrade next. I have been getting more people asking me to do shoots and have scheduled 2 weddings for next summer.

My current gear:

Nikon d40 + kit lens and 55-200mm
Nikon d7000 + kit
nikon 35mm 1.8
SB-600
1 shoot through/into umbrella
1 5-in-1 reflector.

SOOO, I am having trouble deciding whether or not I want to get more lighting equipment and a battery grip or a new lens.

I am looking at the 24-70mm 2.8 i have heard nothing but good things about this lens. would it be a nice first lens to add for portraits and weddings?
I want to end up with the 12-24, 24-70, and the 70-200. let me know if thats a bad idea lol.

also, i have been toying with the idea of getting the d700. I could sell my d7000 and d40 and only have to add a small amount. The d700 would cost me $2000.

idk my mind is all over the place haha.

sorry for rambling, I am just looking for advice to get me in the right direction

2WheelPhoto · Jun 22, 2011

TylerF said:
So I have been trying to decide on what I want to upgrade next. I have been getting more people asking me to do shoots and have scheduled 2 weddings for next summer.

My current gear:

Nikon d40 + kit lens and 55-200mm
Nikon d7000 + kit
nikon 35mm 1.8
SB-600
1 shoot through/into umbrella
1 5-in-1 reflector.

SOOO, I am having trouble deciding whether or not I want to get more lighting equipment and a battery grip or a new lens.

I am looking at the 24-70mm 2.8 i have heard nothing but good things about this lens. would it be a nice first lens to add for portraits and weddings?
I want to end up with the 12-24, 24-70, and the 70-200. let me know if thats a bad idea lol.

also, i have been toying with the idea of getting the d700. I could sell my d7000 and d40 and only have to add a small amount. The d700 would cost me $2000.

idk my mind is all over the place haha.

sorry for rambling, I am just looking for advice to get me in the right direction

I ordered one for my D7000, should be here tomorrow.

tirediron · Jun 22, 2011

If you're going to shoot weddings, you need a second speedlight for sure. Fast glass is also essential. The 24-70 is a bit of an awkward focal length range on an APS-C sensort, but it's an amazing lens. You might also want to consider swapping the 70-200 for the 80-200; very nearly as good optically, and much cheaper. If I were you, my buying priority would be: Second speedlight, 24-70, and 80-200.

Kerbouchard · Jun 22, 2011

If it wasn't for the fact that all your lenses are DX, the D700 would be my recommendation. As it sits, I would go with the 24-70 2.8.

mrpink · Jun 22, 2011

For what a 24-70 2.8 goes for you can get a 17-55 2.8 AF-S (~$900) and 80-200 2.8 AF-D (~$800), gently used of course but great glass for sure. Sell the 55-200 to offset some of the cost.

I would recommend a SB-900 for your "second" speedlight. The refresh rate alone would make the additional cost worth it.

Also, a good tripod should be somewhere on your list.....

p!nK

TylerF · Jun 22, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I want to make sure my lenses from here on out are fx just so when I do upgrade my body, it's easier. I can sell the d40, d7000, 55-200, and the 35 for a decent price I'm sure. But the d7000 is nice and I feel like upgrading lenses is more important. I am planning on a sb900 and possibly a sb700 or something.

What about the 12-24? Not worth looking at yet? For some reason I love the 24-70. And I REALLY want a d700 but I don't know if I need it lol. Grrr

Derrel · Jun 22, 2011

HOW ABOUT THIS course of action. Do a usayit, and sell all your current gear, then buy a little 4/3 sensor camera and a handful of odd lenses for that? OR, sell all your gear, and you'll have enough money to buy one of those $3,999 Leica 50mm lenses, and then in five years, you'll save up $8,000 for a digital M-9 body on which to use it?

Or do an overread, and sell all your current gear, and buy two Sigma macro lenses, an MPE-65 2x-5x manual focus macro, and a Canon Rebel body?

Sound like a plan?

2WheelPhoto · Jun 22, 2011

2WheelPhoto said:
TylerF said:

So I have been trying to decide on what I want to upgrade next. I have been getting more people asking me to do shoots and have scheduled 2 weddings for next summer.

My current gear:

Nikon d40 + kit lens and 55-200mm
Nikon d7000 + kit
nikon 35mm 1.8
SB-600
1 shoot through/into umbrella
1 5-in-1 reflector.

SOOO, I am having trouble deciding whether or not I want to get more lighting equipment and a battery grip or a new lens.

I am looking at the 24-70mm 2.8 i have heard nothing but good things about this lens. would it be a nice first lens to add for portraits and weddings?
I want to end up with the 12-24, 24-70, and the 70-200. let me know if thats a bad idea lol.

also, i have been toying with the idea of getting the d700. I could sell my d7000 and d40 and only have to add a small amount. The d700 would cost me $2000.

idk my mind is all over the place haha.

sorry for rambling, I am just looking for advice to get me in the right direction

Click to expand...

I ordered one for my D7000, should be here tomorrow.

Counting down the hours, according to UPS tracking its going to be here in about 10. On a side note, sold my 35mm F/1.8 on Craigslist tonight

Vtec44 · Jun 22, 2011

I just looked up the 70-200mm f/2.8 and I think I'm going to save my pennies for that.

2Wheel, did you get it yet?

2WheelPhoto · Jun 22, 2011

Vtec44 said:
I just looked up the 70-200mm f/2.8 and I think I'm going to save my pennies for that.

2Wheel, did you get it yet?

The 24-70? No sir, UPS tracking it "before 10:30 am".

And I don't have the 70-200mm yet, I'm still a newB and in trauma over spending that money on a 24-70

itsbenniblack · Jun 22, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
If it wasn't for the fact that all your lenses are DX, the D700 would be my recommendation. As it sits, I would go with the 24-70 2.8.

yes the d700 is an awesome piece of equipment i totally agree but the glass does not come cheap, i rent until i can afford

lol

usayit · Jun 22, 2011

Derrel said:
HOW ABOUT THIS course of action. Do a usayit, and sell all your current gear, then buy a little 4/3 sensor camera and a handful of odd lenses for that? OR, sell all your gear, and you'll have enough money to buy one of those $3,999 Leica 50mm lenses, and then in five years, you'll save up $8,000 for a digital M-9 body on which to use it?

Or do an overread, and sell all your current gear, and buy two Sigma macro lenses, an MPE-65 2x-5x manual focus macro, and a Canon Rebel body?

Sound like a plan?

Your true immature colors show in vivid color and contrast. Grow up... Tantrums only look cute on toddlers.

Unlike this poster, I am so beyond doing weddings..... so your post is no help. Especially from a nikon expert like yourself.

btw... I still have most my gear including micro 43... and

IMGP4914 by usayit_2000, on Flickr

Enjoying every minute with it... and thats all that matters to me

Get a life. No need to get all mad because I dont shoot nikon. I shoot what fits me not according to brand.. you fan boy

TylerF · Jun 23, 2011

I didn't expect this to start arguments. I am honestly looking for advice. I would love a leica lol but it would be pure street photography with that. I think I'm goin to buy the 24-70, grip my d7000, get 1 or 2 more speedlites then a d700 in the future(or whatever is out at that time)

Kerbouchard · Jun 23, 2011

TylerF said:
I didn't expect this to start arguments. I am honestly looking for advice. I would love a leica lol but it would be pure street photography with that. I think I'm goin to buy the 24-70, grip my d7000, get 1 or 2 more speedlites then a d700 in the future(or whatever is out at that time)

Sounds like a good plan. If I may throw one more twist into the puzzle...You can get a 35-70 2.8 and an 80-200 2.8, both pro lenses a decade ago for less than the price of the 24-70 2.8. They hold their value very well, so if you were to buy used, you could probably sell them for the same amount that you bought them for when you are ready to upgrade. Might get you a bit closer to your goals a bit quicker.

Derrel · Jun 23, 2011

usayit said:
Unlike this poster, I am so beyond doing weddings..... so your post is no help. Especially from a nikon expert like yourself.

btw... I still have most my gear including micro 43... and

IMGP4914 by usayit_2000, on Flickr

Enjoying every minute with it... and thats all that matters to me.

Glad to know that you are "so beyond doing weddings,"usayit. You must be a world-class shooter, well above mere weddings.

I find your little gear porn shot there of your Leica equipment very telling!!! What is that, big boy? $13,000 in two camera bodies and $24,000 or so in lenses? Snort. You're amusing. Typical New Jersey type...just filled with east coast boast, aren't ya! I absolutely LOVE how your cameras have their own little pedestals to sit upon while you do happy snaps of 'em!!! Kinda like little thrones!!

I am unimpressed with your Leicaphile attempt at showing some kind of bonafides by posting a boastful shot of your e-penis, errr... I mean your Leica setup... BTW...remember to take off the lens cap when you shoot. Talk about a fanboy--regaling us with gear porn pictures of your Leicas on pedestals!