Just Thanks! - Nikon D200

the id

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Finally jumped in at the deep end after advice from members. (original post)
:smashin:

New Kit

Camera Nikon D200,Lens Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm,Grip Nikon MB-D200,Bag Lowepro Slingshot AW200,Printer Canon ip4300,Memory Sandisk Ultra's x3

Ordering within week

Lenses Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO & Tamron 90mm Di Macro 1:1 f2.8,Tripod Head Manfrotto 486 Compact Ball Head + Quick Release Plate, Nikon MC-30 Remote Cord.

When I get over the shock of paying for all this maybe I'll take some photo's. :rolleyes:
 
Camera Nikon D200,Lens Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm,Grip Nikon MB-D200,Bag Lowepro Slingshot AW200,Printer Canon ip4300,Memory Sandisk Ultra's x3

Ordering within week

Lenses Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO & Tamron 90mm Di Macro 1:1 f2.8,Tripod Head Manfrotto 486 Compact Ball Head + Quick Release Plate, Nikon MC-30 Remote Cord.

When I get over the shock of paying for all this maybe I'll take some photo's. :rolleyes:

I guess you're not bothered by the size of the D200 if your putting a grip on it. Out of interest, what will that big boy weigh? What will you be shooting with all this gear as it seems pretty Hardcore? (I assume macro is your big thing but you said general in your original thread).

Will the Nilon and Sigma lenses be replaced soon? I ask only cause most of the advice was to invest in the glass and the Tamron is the only serious lens you bought, but pretty specialised.

Can't wait to see the pics though.
 
Some fine choices, but the D200 will want better than the 70-300mm you list.

Are there any Long and Short Zooms on a modest budget (up to £300-£400)?

Am I being to optimistic.:rolleyes:

Still trawling the web for recommendations!
 
You might be able to pick up one of the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8's - which will destroy the Sigma, albeit giving up 1mm of reach.

Or a 70-200 Sigma HSM EX 2.8, or a 300mm f4 Nikkor prime.
 
I'd suggest that if you're getting the Tamron 90mm macro, you'll never use the macro capability of the Sigma. The Tamron will also be SUPERB as a general purpose short tele :thumbsup:

The Nikon 70-300 VR seems to be performing well, and is apparently optically superior to most of the other consumer stuff (it's significantly better than the 18-200VR in the 70-200 range). It's also nicely in your £300-£400 range.

Ultimately, the smart money gravitates towards the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR, but you'll need to save a lot more pennies!
 
I just bought myself a Nikon 70-300 VR.

I really got to use it this weekend and i must say, it is fantastic.

The reviews i read b4 buying this lens commented on distored image quality at 300mm, but i have to disagree.

I have used this range on many of my shots this weekend and the the quality is great.

The VR range give you the flex to zoom out in hand and not get the blur from hand movement.

The photo attached was taken using this lense

451101343_a8e88373a1.jpg


451084830_6280afa8b6.jpg


Got my lense online for only £326
 
Just a thought, if I return the Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm under the 30 day no quibble money back guarantee (Jessop purchase, insured with another company) I could use it towards exchanging for a better lens (maybe the ones recommended by yourselves). Any thoughts, could I do this...? :rolleyes: :confused:
 
Just a thought, if I return the Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm under the 30 day no quibble money back guarantee (Jessop purchase, insured with another company) I could use it towards exchanging for a better lens (maybe the ones recommended by yourselves). Any thoughts, could I do this...? :rolleyes: :confused:

I wouldn't panic too much about the Nikon 18-70 - it's a rock solid performer, and one that'll take quite a lot of money to better significantly. I hope you don't mean returning the 17-70 to help fund a 70-300 zoom incidentally, because unless you ONLY do long zoom work, that would be a crazy idea!

The lenses most commonly used by the D200 crowd are the Nikon 17-55 2.8 and Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR. These will cost you about £2000 for the pair :eek: :eek: This is "pro" glass, and by the sounds of things, beyond your current budget

You can get similar optical results with the 3rd party Sigma, Tamron (and very soon Tokina) 2.8 zooms in the 17-50, 17-70 ish region for far less. You can also exceed the performance of the f2.8 pro zooms by using the Nikon primes. Obvious choices would be the Nikon 50mm 1.8 and Nikon 35mm f2
 
I wouldn't panic too much about the Nikon 18-70 - it's a rock solid performer, and one that'll take quite a lot of money to better significantly. I hope you don't mean returning the 17-70 to help fund a 70-300 zoom incidentally, because unless you ONLY do long zoom work, that would be a crazy idea!

Thinking of Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED to replace Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G. (I am crazy by the way ;) )

The lenses most commonly used by the D200 crowd are the Nikon 17-55 2.8 and Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR. These will cost you about £2000 for the pair :eek: :eek: This is "pro" glass, and by the sounds of things, beyond your current budget

"Pro" glass, yes beyond my budget. Trying to be sensible with choices!

You can get similar optical results with the 3rd party Sigma, Tamron (and very soon Tokina) 2.8 zooms in the 17-50, 17-70 ish region for far less. You can also exceed the performance of the f2.8 pro zooms by using the Nikon primes. Obvious choices would be the Nikon 50mm 1.8 and Nikon 35mm f2

Will look into this?
 
The 18-200VR is nice :thumbsup:

It's about the same optical quality as the 18-70, but the VR is a lifesafer. I use one as my "kit lens", as I don't do a lot of action shots. For static low light shooting, frankly it'll knock the 2.8 pro glass into next week, as the VR gives you about 3-4 extra stops to play with. No use whatsoever for low light moving shots of course.

If it helps, my D200 lens set is:
Nikon 18-200VR f3.5-5.6
Tokina 12-24 f4
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR Macro

The little 50mm is my low light action lens, but it's only good for portraits really, as it becomes a short tele on a cropped sensor. A better general purpose fast lens would be the Nikon 35mm f2, or even the Sigma 30mm f1.4 (though apparently you have to be careful to get a good 'un with the sigma, as the quality control can be a bit suspect).

If you get the 18-200VR, I'd be tempted to skip a 70-300mm lens for now. Be aware that 200mm is a bit short for wildlife though. I'm fancying getting something for birds etc, and I'm thinking of something that goes to 400 or 500mm (perhaps the Sigma 50-500).
 
Thinking of Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED to replace Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G. (I am crazy by the way ;) )

If you really are thinking of swapping I currently have a hardly used 18-200 for sale in the classifieds.
 
Just a thought, if I return the Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm under the 30 day no quibble money back guarantee
I'm trying to build a small range of quality lenses - but for every day routine shooting I would recommend you return your 18-70 and get the 18-135. This will give you a lightweight and more flexible lens for the day to day stuff.

It may seem better to go for the 18-200 but if you want the best you will end up getting the unbeatable 70-200VR anyway which will make the 18-200 redundant.

EDIT - Sorry inkinoo you hadn't posted when I wrote this. So my comments weren't intended to knock the 18-200 which is a very good lens.
I just think that from what Id stated earlier he will probably end up wanting the 70-200VR.
 
I'm trying to build a small range of quality lenses - but for every day routine shooting I would recommend you return your 18-70 and get the 18-135. This will give you a lightweight and more flexible lens for the day to day stuff.

It may seem better to go for the 18-200 but if you want the best you will end up getting the unbeatable 70-200VR anyway which will make the 18-200 redundant.

Not entirely true Steve. Find me another 18-70 lens with VR :D
 
Not entirely true Steve. Find me another 18-70 lens with VR :D
Me too :D

Don't want to hi-jack the thread here but can you tell me if there is a signifant advantage with the Nikon 50mm f1.8 against the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR Macro. Do I need to add the 50mm to my wish list too ?
 
Me too :D

Don't want to hi-jack the thread here but can you tell me if there is a signifant advantage with the Nikon 50mm f1.8 against the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR Macro. Do I need to add the 50mm to my wish list too ?

Well, obviously the 1.8 gains you a stop in low light, but the main advantage is the field of view. When you can't take a few more paces backwards (eg indoors), the 105mm aint much use. The same is true of the 50mm, hence why I mentioned the 35f2 or 30 1.4 as they're closer to the classic 'standard lens'. The fast 30-50mm primes are the best lenses for available light people shots.

For the plant portrait work I tend to do a lot of, the 50 1.8 offers nothing over the 105VR, as I rarely run out of room to work.
 
Finally jumped in at the deep end after advice from members. (original post)
:smashin:

New Kit

Camera Nikon D200,Lens Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm,Grip Nikon MB-D200,Bag Lowepro Slingshot AW200,Printer Canon ip4300,Memory Sandisk Ultra's x3

Ordering within week

Lenses Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO & Tamron 90mm Di Macro 1:1 f2.8,Tripod Head Manfrotto 486 Compact Ball Head + Quick Release Plate, Nikon MC-30 Remote Cord.

When I get over the shock of paying for all this maybe I'll take some photo's. :rolleyes:



Very nice setup.
Dont forget if you use Ilford paper on the 4300 to download the profiles from ilford. The 5200 profiles work brilliantly.
 
Some fine choices, but the D200 will want better than the 70-300mm you list.

I used to have the Nikon version (70-300 ED) worked pretty well but was let down by the woefull AF speed. Nice sharp lens though. Upgraded to the 70-200AFS VR which of course is excellent, which balances verynicely with the D200 and grip...

Didn't notice any flash on your list, don't rely on the built in Speedlight.

Dave
 
Didn't notice any flash on your list, don't rely on the built in Speedlight.

Dave

Nikon SB-600 Speedlight in the pipeline :) , trying to sort out my lens choices first.

Changing the original Kit lens to a Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G Dx VR + two of the recommended optics from members advice (with a little bit of web research thrown in). :smashin:
 
Congrats on the D200 crackin' camera :devil: - Before you start changing lanes on the lenses you need to decide how wide & long you want or need - Radiohead mentions the f2.8 80-200m which is a "Pro" lens - I tried one when I was waiting for the VR version of the 70-300mm to come out - Quality is excellent at the expense of size though - Its huge & I found too heavy to carry around all day - the 70-300mm is much more portable and imho quality is very good (sample below)
The 18-200mm is a great "one lens" solution but I found I missed the 200-300mm range & have now 3 lenses [12-24 / 35-70 / 70-300 & a 70mm dedicated macro]
HTH ... Paul

tit1 800.jpg
 
I wish I could but the "Pro" glass is out of my league, therefore my shortlist:

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Changed to Tokina 12-24 f4 advice from members (see below)
Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO
Tamron 90mm Di Macro 1:1 f2.8

I know there will be critics but I'm happy. :hiya:
 

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