CGrindahl Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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Sorry about that packerfan... I'm 49ers fan...
I'll offer some advice nonetheless. For the uses you list above, the best value for money are manual focus lenses, not the latest and greatest AF lenses. Granted, using MF lenses requires that you use the fingers of your left hand to turn the focusing ring. It also requires peering through the excellent viewfinder of the D700 to make certain when you depress the shutter button that the image is in focus. Were you a photojournalist or sports photographer, taking the time to do these simple things may not work. Or if you have kids running around, it can be helpful to have a quick AF lens. Perhaps that is the case for you. If not, you would be wise to at least consider the amazing assortment of Nikon manual focus lenses that are surely the equal of modern lenses for most applications.
For example, how about a 35-70 f/3.5 AI-s for $185? Or how about a 50-135 f/3.5 AI-s for $150?
I have 32 manual focus lenses in my kit and the most expensive lens cost $625. But I bought eight or nine for less than a hundred dollars. You will note on the Nikon forum that the busiest thread is the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread. There are photographers from around the world using these lenses for practically every application and enjoying them a great deal. This is not to say you need to use only MF lenses, but rather, since you've jumped into Nikon waters, it makes sense to check them out. I did exactly that after moving from Canon and have been having the time of my life with these gorgeous lenses. Here's a sampling...
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http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oU_y0EGBYGs/UGzO9mdJKhI/AAAAAAAAQbQ/u1EPkJMzpp0/s1200/50.1.2.PreAiCollection.jpg |
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These are my OLD lenses... all around forty years old. The most expensive, a 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI'd was $375 and the cheapest, a 50 f/2 H AI'd was $56.
Good luck sorting it out.
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