What have I done? I think I got a bit carried away
Discussion
It's all your fault you lot, after much lurking, thoroughly enjoying the photos posted by some very talented people I had to do it.
I've just ordered a D200, Nikon 17 - 55 AF-S f/2.8G IF-ED Dx, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f4/5.6G IF-ED plus Hoya UV filters, Delkin sun shade and Sandisk 2GB Extreme 111 Compactflash all to be delivered to my local Jessops.
Having checked various other offers this was the best for me using a local retailer but buying off their website, they have promised to price match from another retailer.
Delivery is next Wednesday, ooh I feel a bit sick, was it a bit too OTT?
Hard choice between the Nikon D200 and Canon 30D now I have to learn to use it!
I've just ordered a D200, Nikon 17 - 55 AF-S f/2.8G IF-ED Dx, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f4/5.6G IF-ED plus Hoya UV filters, Delkin sun shade and Sandisk 2GB Extreme 111 Compactflash all to be delivered to my local Jessops.
Having checked various other offers this was the best for me using a local retailer but buying off their website, they have promised to price match from another retailer.
Delivery is next Wednesday, ooh I feel a bit sick, was it a bit too OTT?
Hard choice between the Nikon D200 and Canon 30D now I have to learn to use it!
rustyspit said:
Interesting choice of the 17-55 and 70-300VR - I think personally I'd have gone for the 18-70 and 70-200VR, but I guess you know what you want and what you'll be using them for...
Oops - just realised that sounded a bit negative, sorry! Sounds great - I wish I could justify upgrading my D70!Rusty,
My interest lie between gardening, plants and insects through piccies of our rather large family where I can use the 17-55 and the 70-300 for candid shots as well as landscapes (the photos on Steve's site are inspiring) through to the occcasional motorsport and wildlife.
I had the opportunity to buy what I thought would be a best match without compromise, time and my ability will tell. I'll need plenty of practice but I have had many years using film in my old Pentax ME super and S2 so I understand basic principles
Many thanks for the observations.
Ray
My interest lie between gardening, plants and insects through piccies of our rather large family where I can use the 17-55 and the 70-300 for candid shots as well as landscapes (the photos on Steve's site are inspiring) through to the occcasional motorsport and wildlife.
I had the opportunity to buy what I thought would be a best match without compromise, time and my ability will tell. I'll need plenty of practice but I have had many years using film in my old Pentax ME super and S2 so I understand basic principles
Many thanks for the observations.
Ray
rustyspit said:
Interesting choice of the 17-55 and 70-300VR - I think personally I'd have gone for the 18-70 and 70-200VR, but I guess you know what you want and what you'll be using them for...
The 17-55 is in a totally different league to the 18-70, it's one of Nikon's very best lenses.
I got a D200 on Tuesday, fantastic camera and absolutely loving it. I've spent £300 today on bits and pieces I need associated with it (battery, memory, new HDD (my existing one is going to fill very quickly at 5+MB a shot 
), but haven't yet bought another lens.
I've currently got the 18-70, and thinking of an 80-200 f/2.8 next.
Hope you enjoy it when you get it
), but haven't yet bought another lens.I've currently got the 18-70, and thinking of an 80-200 f/2.8 next.
Hope you enjoy it when you get it
imperialism2024 said:
Yellabelly said:
...gardening, plants and insects...
Maybe pick up an extension tube set while the credit card's still hot? 
I think I'll concentrate on learning how to use it before I get into using tubes.
Good thought though.
Yellabelly said:
Rusty,
My interest lie between gardening, plants and insects through piccies of our rather large family where I can use the 17-55 and the 70-300 for candid shots as well as landscapes (the photos on Steve's site are inspiring) through to the occcasional motorsport and wildlife.
I had the opportunity to buy what I thought would be a best match without compromise, time and my ability will tell. I'll need plenty of practice but I have had many years using film in my old Pentax ME super and S2 so I understand basic principles
Many thanks for the observations.
Ray
Sounds like you've got just what you need. I don't generally do so much in the way of landscapes or motorsport, but I've fallen in love with the 70-200 f2.8 (although only a Sigma unfortunately) for candids and portraits.My interest lie between gardening, plants and insects through piccies of our rather large family where I can use the 17-55 and the 70-300 for candid shots as well as landscapes (the photos on Steve's site are inspiring) through to the occcasional motorsport and wildlife.
I had the opportunity to buy what I thought would be a best match without compromise, time and my ability will tell. I'll need plenty of practice but I have had many years using film in my old Pentax ME super and S2 so I understand basic principles
Many thanks for the observations.
Ray
Steve - those really are some fantastic pictures. It must be great to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
Interesting comparative views above. I did a count and got as far as 15 lenses in the cupboard, all Nikons going back to AIS ones, but more pertinent is that I have the 18/70 which came with the D70 and the 17/55 which I bought with the D2X. If travelling I always take the lighter gear and find that value for money the 18/70 is hard to beat. Yes the bokeh is great at f2.8 on the better lens but at three times the cost? Hmm.
Then there is the 70/200 which also came with the D2X. A lovely lens but why oh why do I prefer the older 80/200 when doing portraiture? It just seems better balanced is the conclusion I cmae to plus perhaps - just perhaps - it is a tad sharper too. The price isn't that far off the 75/300 either and it is a superb lens.
Given your interests you'll get good shots with the 75/300 (the rather old 70/300 is still in the cupboard but still works fine on either camera) and you'll really enjoy the 17/55 although it does get heavy after a while. I'd just consider changing the 75/300 for an 80/200 and probably Jessops being a big chain will probably have one second hand but here they always have a few in stock:-
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secon...
Whatever, best of luck and most of all - enjoy!
Then there is the 70/200 which also came with the D2X. A lovely lens but why oh why do I prefer the older 80/200 when doing portraiture? It just seems better balanced is the conclusion I cmae to plus perhaps - just perhaps - it is a tad sharper too. The price isn't that far off the 75/300 either and it is a superb lens.
Given your interests you'll get good shots with the 75/300 (the rather old 70/300 is still in the cupboard but still works fine on either camera) and you'll really enjoy the 17/55 although it does get heavy after a while. I'd just consider changing the 75/300 for an 80/200 and probably Jessops being a big chain will probably have one second hand but here they always have a few in stock:-
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secon...
Whatever, best of luck and most of all - enjoy!
lowdrag said:
Whatever, best of luck and most of all - enjoy!
Many thanks, I thought long and hard about all of the permutations of lenses, manufacturers and prices and took on board the various comments about buying the best glass you can afford.Luckily I am able to buy these two superb lenses whereas if I had bought either the kit lens or from another manufacturer, good as they are by the praise given to them, I would always have the nagging thought as to why I hadn't bought them in the first place. I may be proven wrong but they are bl--dy good lenses to start out with.
I intend to fully enjoy this set-up and can't wait to get started.
YB
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