Hey guys, I know that these threads get annoying, but I am at a cross roads and could use some help.
I just got my D600 in the mail, and I love it. What I don't love is the lack of lenses I have.
Right now, the only FX lenses I have are my 85mm 1.8G and 70-300VR. Yup, bit jumbled on the long end .
I am looking for some wider stuff. I shoot mostly portraits, some landscapes, and a lot of stuff just for fun.
The Budget: Prefer around $1000, max of about $1200.
Lenses I have considered:
Nikon 28mm 1.8G $600
Sigma 50mm 1.4 $400ish
Sigma 35mm 1.4 A lot
Tamron 24-70 VC $1100 (Worried about it losing value)
Nikon 24-120 F4 VR $1050 Probably will holds its value the best, but worried about the F4, slowest lens of the bunch.
I also want a good macro lens. I was thinking one of the Nikon 60mm G or D, Nikon 105mm G or D, or the Sigma 105 OS version. I just want this one for pure fun. Something to do on rainy days. I don't want it for critters.
I'd vote for the 24-120. it's a great all purpose walk around lens. I have it and also the Sigma 150 non OS. I love it too. I've heard the non OS is sharper, but I don't know.
As someone else will probably say too, it depends a lot on what you shoot and your style of shooting.
sounds like a 24-120 is the anser. A wide prime could be a solution, but you'll find yourself wishing for other nearby focal lengths out in the real world. 24-120 is a really versatile lens. Get that first, then build up the primes.
I really like my kit, and it sounds like what's in my bag would fit the bill. I shoot mostly candid portraits with the occasional vacation landscape. I'd search for the following used:
Should be able to get the lot for about $800-$900. There are better choices out there (for a lot more $$ to boot), but I'm not a pro. For the money this stuff meets my needs.
the sigma 35mm is supposed (well it IS) AMAZING! There is a thread that is many pages long, and has me thinking..
You could add a 50mm 1.8G if you wanted as well..
Right now, I only have the 85mm 1.8G and the Tokina 17mm 3.5 RMC. Thinking of getting the Samyang 14mm instead of the tokina - but not sure. The kit lens that the D600 was bundled with is not a bad lens at all either.
For a mid-range zoom I'd suggest the 35-70 f/2.8. You can get it and something wider or faster and still be in your budget. For "casual" macro I'd suggest one of the old manual focus Nikons. I got the 105 f/4 for less than a hundred bucks and it works great. If you're doing macro AF does more harm than good IMO.
So far, here is what I am thinking. Tokina 16-28mm 2.8, gotta love that wide angle. This lens would be fun for indoors, landscapes, and hitting up the club or catching a concert (small venue). And then round out my kit with the Sigma 50mm 1.4. I had this lens at one point in time and loved it. It would be a great indoor portrait lens, and I could bring it to those same concerts.
How would some extension tubes work for temporary macro work? I have never used them. Like I said, I just want to play with macro, maybe shoot some toys in my game room.
When I get paid again in three months, I could pick up a mid-zoom, and a decent macro.
You seem to be a prime guy, so I'd get a shorter f/1.4.
You can pick up the older Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 non-BIM for very reasonable money, and it is great lens for the price. 85%-90% of the Nikon pro glass for 1/3 to 1/5 the money. Should keep your options open for the prime.
I like your idea of the Tokina and a 50 -- I will probably end up with the 16-28 myself and already have the 50 and 85. Lots of love for the 24-120, which seems like a great vacation lens -- but seems like its lacking on the wow factor. Not all that wide, kinda slow and half of its focal length you already have covered. I guess if you had to have one lens to do it all it would be perfect -- I rented the Canon 24-105 for that purpose when I shot Canon, which is pretty much the same jack-of-all-trades lens I guess.
Paul
.