Nikon D7000 help with lens choice
Discussion
Dear all
As a relative novice Im looking for some help with lens choice.I inherited my late father in laws Nikon D7000 which has a 70-300 VR Nikkor telephoto lens.Its a great camera and a great lens but man its big & heavy.Im wondering if I can get some kind of do it all lens.I used it this weekend below are a couple of pics and the lens is great but I think its probably a little overkill and obviously its difficult to take snapshots with.Im considering selling the lens to fund a new lens/lenses.I would very much appreciate any advice.
As a relative novice Im looking for some help with lens choice.I inherited my late father in laws Nikon D7000 which has a 70-300 VR Nikkor telephoto lens.Its a great camera and a great lens but man its big & heavy.Im wondering if I can get some kind of do it all lens.I used it this weekend below are a couple of pics and the lens is great but I think its probably a little overkill and obviously its difficult to take snapshots with.Im considering selling the lens to fund a new lens/lenses.I would very much appreciate any advice.
Weight is always going to be an issue....
The ultimate do it all lens for the D7000 is probably the 18-300 - it's a good, sharp lens - however it is on the heavy side!
If you go smaller, the 18-140 and 18-200 are just as good, obviously shorter on the telephoto side of things, but lighter too.
There is an excellent 16-80 or 16-85 - both good, the 16-80 is faster and a newer model - these are lighter than the 70-300.
If budget is a concern, then the 18-55 Nikon is very good considering the price - light weight too.
The ultimate do it all lens for the D7000 is probably the 18-300 - it's a good, sharp lens - however it is on the heavy side!
If you go smaller, the 18-140 and 18-200 are just as good, obviously shorter on the telephoto side of things, but lighter too.
There is an excellent 16-80 or 16-85 - both good, the 16-80 is faster and a newer model - these are lighter than the 70-300.
If budget is a concern, then the 18-55 Nikon is very good considering the price - light weight too.
The 70-300 FX is a good lens but will work as a 105-450mm due to the 1.5 crop factor, the 18-300 is a DX lens so will cover the 18-300 range.
The thing is, do you get the 18-300 or do you actually get something more useable as a daily?
You already have a good lens, if a little slow to focus, you will end up with a similar issue with the 18-300, so I personally would look at the 24-70 f2.8 to complement your 70-300.
2nd hand values for a good one will be similar to a new 18-300, and you will probably not take the 24-70 off as its a fantastic lens for just wandering around with.
The thing is, do you get the 18-300 or do you actually get something more useable as a daily?
You already have a good lens, if a little slow to focus, you will end up with a similar issue with the 18-300, so I personally would look at the 24-70 f2.8 to complement your 70-300.
2nd hand values for a good one will be similar to a new 18-300, and you will probably not take the 24-70 off as its a fantastic lens for just wandering around with.
If you think the 70-300VR is heavy you need to get some muscles on those pipecleaner arms! It's a telephoto; if you want 300mm they don't get much smaller or lighter.
So, you could either muscle up, keep it for the long-range stuff and get another lens to fill in the wide angle and midrange, or sell it and get a one-size-fits-all lens like the 18-200 or 18-300.
So, you could either muscle up, keep it for the long-range stuff and get another lens to fill in the wide angle and midrange, or sell it and get a one-size-fits-all lens like the 18-200 or 18-300.
tonyb1968 said:
You already have a good lens, if a little slow to focus, you will end up with a similar issue with the 18-300, so I personally would look at the 24-70 f2.8 to complement your 70-300.
I'd have to disagree. It's as big as the 70-300 and probably heavier, really for FX cameras (matched with the 14-24 and 70-200), and is far too expensive for a newcomer.Thanks all appreciate the advice I will take a look at the options offered.I should say not a lot wrong with the 70-300 but I was wondering if I could use it to fund a more all round use lens.I need a lens where Im not having to stand 10 feet away to even get the object in the view finder.Hope that makes sense.
Simpo Two said:
If you think the 70-300VR is heavy you need to get some muscles on those pipecleaner arms! It's a telephoto; if you want 300mm they don't get much smaller or lighter.
So, you could either muscle up, keep it for the long-range stuff and get another lens to fill in the wide angle and midrange, or sell it and get a one-size-fits-all lens like the 18-200 or 18-300.
Yes is expensive but its also very good, even though its an FX lens, it will come in 2nd hand, at a similar price to a new 18-300 DX, but there are other options, Im still going with the 70-300 being the fx and not dx, as the FX was far more widely available, it was the first one I got with my D80 waaaaaaaay back in the day.So, you could either muscle up, keep it for the long-range stuff and get another lens to fill in the wide angle and midrange, or sell it and get a one-size-fits-all lens like the 18-200 or 18-300.
tonyb1968 said:
You already have a good lens, if a little slow to focus, you will end up with a similar issue with the 18-300, so I personally would look at the 24-70 f2.8 to complement your 70-300.
I'd have to disagree. It's as big as the 70-300 and probably heavier, really for FX cameras (matched with the 14-24 and 70-200), and is far too expensive for a newcomer.This could be sold and a couple of options for all rounders wouldnt be the 18-300.
I would look at the Sigma 17-70 macro lens, great little lens for a DX camera, have one on my D7100, its a fantastic all rounder for the money and retain the 70-300.
tonyb1968 said:
Yes is expensive but its also very good, even though its an FX lens, it will come in 2nd hand, at a similar price to a new 18-300 DX, but there are other options, Im still going with the 70-300 being the fx and not dx, as the FX was far more widely available, it was the first one I got with my D80 waaaaaaaay back in the day.
Unless something's changed the 70-300VR is FX; I have one as my 'airshow' lens (ie when you need length but not aperture)tonyb1968 said:
This could be sold and a couple of options for all rounders wouldnt be the 18-300.
I would look at the Sigma 17-70 macro lens, great little lens for a DX camera, have one on my D7100, its a fantastic all rounder for the money and retain the 70-300.
I'll bet it's not a macro lens, but yes, something of that range would be an ideal partner for the 70-300. It depends how seriously the OP takes his photography - eg does he want to change lenses?I would look at the Sigma 17-70 macro lens, great little lens for a DX camera, have one on my D7100, its a fantastic all rounder for the money and retain the 70-300.
A quick look on eBay shows the 24-70mmf2.8 s/h around £800 a new 18-300mm somewhat less. If the OP wants a single lens solution (ie is not bothered by max aperture and wants to save money) then sell the 70-300VR and get a s/h 18-300.
Simpo Two said:
tonyb1968 said:
Yes is expensive but its also very good, even though its an FX lens, it will come in 2nd hand, at a similar price to a new 18-300 DX, but there are other options, Im still going with the 70-300 being the fx and not dx, as the FX was far more widely available, it was the first one I got with my D80 waaaaaaaay back in the day.
Unless something's changed the 70-300VR is FX; I have one as my 'airshow' lens (ie when you need length but not aperture)http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/product/nikkor-l...
Simpo Two said:
eltawater said:
They've added a DX specific one.
Ah thanks. Not sure why but I expect Nikon had to thnk of something to do...!FX or DX though it doesn't change the situation here.
F355GTS said:
18-200 is a brilliant everyday lens as the the 18-300 (6.3) but as said a little heavier
It is great. I have it on mine but mine is a little damaged due to me. Yes I know...Bar the 18-200 VR what other choices are there other there for the money? I really don't want to buy a replacement but then I doubt mine can be repaired. It works, just not very well (read damaged).
Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn here but .... how about a prime? I have a D7100 and the lens that is on the front of it is almost always a 35mm prime. It's GREAT for snapshots, it's small, it's light, it's fast and it makes the camera a lot easier to carry around. And a camera that is less hassle to take with you gets taken out for lots more outings, meaning that you take many more photos.
It's also as sharp as hell and makes me think much more about my photos, which are probably the two best things about it.
I also have the aforementioned 18-200mm and it's a nice thing, but I use the 35mm for preference almost all the time. I ain't no photographer but a prime lens is helping me improve with every shot I take.
It's also as sharp as hell and makes me think much more about my photos, which are probably the two best things about it.
I also have the aforementioned 18-200mm and it's a nice thing, but I use the 35mm for preference almost all the time. I ain't no photographer but a prime lens is helping me improve with every shot I take.
toohuge said:
The new DX version is an AF-P lens with a stepper motor, designed for shooting movies apparently.... Still, it'll be optically very good as most of them are.
It's heading towards the slow side on aperture though; it's f6.3 at the long end as opposed to f5.6 for the FX version. Also a few other minus points: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-300mm-vr-afp.h...So - the great Nikon DX lens debate.
The best options IMHO are :
The 35mm f1.8 lens. Yes it is a fixed lens, but it is so bright ( 16 times bigger aperture than your 70-300) , so much faster to focus and makes for such a neat package as its small and light. It is pretty much welded to my D7100. Every Nikon DX shooter should own one.
The 18-55 VR kit lens. This needs to be stopped down to f8 to get the best out of it, but it makes for a fine lightweight lens for getting landscape and "I was there" people snaps. A total no brainer, its £60 second hand to pickup.
The new Nikon DX 70-300. Nikon finally listed to the DX guys who wanted a light telephoto. its 400g, nearly half the weight of the FX version, affordable ( £270 ) sharp, accurate focusing.
Another telephoto option is the 55-200. I like this lens as it is really small and light and cheap and performs well in good light/away from the max aperture and zoom. Its not as good as the new 70-300 but it is very very cheap.
You could put together a fine 3 lens kit ( 35mm - £110, 18-55 - £60, 55-200 £85 ) for 250ish total second hand from ebay.
On the superzoom front, the general consensus is that the 18-140 is the the one to have vs the 18-200 and the 18-300. The 18-140 is sharper faster to focus and more usable at max aperture.
The next suggestion is to get a camera strap instead of the Nikon supplied one. Doesn't need to be too fancy, but this makes carrying a DLSR all day convienient.
https://www.caselogic.com/en-us/us/products/camera...
Once you have those basics, and you have been shooting for a while and getting the feel of what you like, then start to look at a specialist lens.
For portraits, Nikon 85mm f.18 is great.
For macro, Nikon 85mm DX f3.5 or 105mm f.28 for
For people shooting the 17-55 f2.8 is a solid performer on the D7000.
Telephoto the Tamron 150-600 is starting to look like an incredible bargain as a new tamron model has been released to replace it and Nikon brought out the 200-500 ( however if you can afford it, spring for the Nikon 200-500 as its fabulous )
Don't touch teleconverters, they are only for use with exotic primes like the 300mm f2.8.
The best options IMHO are :
The 35mm f1.8 lens. Yes it is a fixed lens, but it is so bright ( 16 times bigger aperture than your 70-300) , so much faster to focus and makes for such a neat package as its small and light. It is pretty much welded to my D7100. Every Nikon DX shooter should own one.
The 18-55 VR kit lens. This needs to be stopped down to f8 to get the best out of it, but it makes for a fine lightweight lens for getting landscape and "I was there" people snaps. A total no brainer, its £60 second hand to pickup.
The new Nikon DX 70-300. Nikon finally listed to the DX guys who wanted a light telephoto. its 400g, nearly half the weight of the FX version, affordable ( £270 ) sharp, accurate focusing.
Another telephoto option is the 55-200. I like this lens as it is really small and light and cheap and performs well in good light/away from the max aperture and zoom. Its not as good as the new 70-300 but it is very very cheap.
You could put together a fine 3 lens kit ( 35mm - £110, 18-55 - £60, 55-200 £85 ) for 250ish total second hand from ebay.
On the superzoom front, the general consensus is that the 18-140 is the the one to have vs the 18-200 and the 18-300. The 18-140 is sharper faster to focus and more usable at max aperture.
The next suggestion is to get a camera strap instead of the Nikon supplied one. Doesn't need to be too fancy, but this makes carrying a DLSR all day convienient.
https://www.caselogic.com/en-us/us/products/camera...
Once you have those basics, and you have been shooting for a while and getting the feel of what you like, then start to look at a specialist lens.
For portraits, Nikon 85mm f.18 is great.
For macro, Nikon 85mm DX f3.5 or 105mm f.28 for
For people shooting the 17-55 f2.8 is a solid performer on the D7000.
Telephoto the Tamron 150-600 is starting to look like an incredible bargain as a new tamron model has been released to replace it and Nikon brought out the 200-500 ( however if you can afford it, spring for the Nikon 200-500 as its fabulous )
Don't touch teleconverters, they are only for use with exotic primes like the 300mm f2.8.
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