General Purpose/Walkabout lens - Nikon FX

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I'm thinking about upgrading my old D5100 to a full-frame body (D610 probably). One thing I'm slightly struggling with is finding a good general purpose lens. So far the best fit (on paper) I've found is either the Nikon 24-85mm or the Sigma Art 24-105mm f/4. Can anyone give any input on either of these, or suggest a better alternative?

My current general purpose lens is the Nikon 18-140mm DX, I realise I probably won't get anything that flexible in FX format but I wonder if there's something close.

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Thanks for that, good to know.

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Thanks all for the input, some useful insight there.

Anyone got/familiar with the Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4 D? Apart from the different aperture, what are the other differences between that and the later 3.5-4.5 G version?

Another question - what would the advice be around upgrading from DX to FX - get a new body first, get new lens(es) first or wait until funds allow both?

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So the rationale for upgrading to an FX camera was based on a few things. My D5100 suffers a bit in low light due to ISO grain and I like shooting in low light. I also like doing stuff using the Brenizer method and that's hard on a crop sensor because you have to take way more shots than with a full-frame or risk gaps in the stitch later on. I've also got a load of images I like but wish had a shallower DoF - I know this can be faked in post but I prefer to minimise post processing.

The context for the original post was in part about what to do with the existing camera if I do upgrade. The D5100 + 18-140mm is a good combination for every day stuff, family days out, shots of the kids etc. It may make some sense to keep that, particularly if there's no decent option for a general-purpose lens for FX, and just use the full-frame system for stuff it's better at.

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RobDickinson said:

8bit said:

I also like doing stuff using the Brenizer method and that's hard on a crop sensor because you have to take way more shots than with a full-frame or risk gaps in the stitch later on.

Absolutely not a dx-fx issue. Shouldnt matter at all, the problem is overlap and focal length.

The issue isn't due to the sensor difference strictly speaking but it is definitely harder to get the right amount of overlap on a cropped camera. I have tried both.

RobDickinson said:

8bit said:

I've also got a load of images I like but wish had a shallower DoF - I know this can be faked in post but I prefer to minimise post processing.

Your using a slow superzoom, £100 on a nifty fifty will get you very shallow dof, or an 85/1.8

Yes but I'd rather not end up with a big bag of prime lenses. I do have a 50mm f/1.8G but it's not suitable for every eventuality.

RobDickinson said:

8bit said:

My D5100 suffers a bit in low light due to ISO grain and I like shooting in low light.

That can happen and be improved with a FX sensor but a lot is down to technique (exposure/ettr) and getting a faster lens and/or flash

Faster lens granted, flash - I do have one and I do use it but again they're not always the answer unless you have a selection of modifiers etc. to hand.

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@Simpo - interesting, why did you go back to DX? What sort of photography do you do?

@conkerman, I don't really do macro or wildlife, if I did then I probably wouldn't consider full-frame either.

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eltawater said:

More importantly, what sort of photography so you do?

I have a tamron 17-50 2.8 as my walkabout with the sigma 70-200 2.8 for airshow and bird photography on my d7000. Can't say I've ever wanted for shallower DOF in those ranges.

Excuse the Facebook munged photos....

Lovely shots

I did explain some of the sorts of things I want full-frame for on the previous page.

@Simpo Two - thanks for that, useful insight.

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Just to round out this thread, on the basis of cost to replace the lenses I have now I decided to stick with DX for the time being. Thanks all for the input.

I did treat myself to this - still DX but I got a cracking deal on it so I figured I'd be able to sell for what I paid if/when the time comes and so far I love using it...



(shot with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G)

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I did, it worked fine. This happened over the weekend. fk you very much, Photobucket.

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Anyway, so this is what I bought instead: