p.1 #1 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
I'm an enthusiastic amateur who shoots most days and who has finally decided that it was time to move up from my old, well loved D90. I've ordered a D600 and a Tamron 28-70mm, but would really appreciate your good advice to help me choose another couple of lenses. I shoot landscapes, animals, architecture, gardens, and some portraits.
Currently I have these Nikon lenses: 18-200, 50 1.8D, and micro 40 2.8G. I'll keep them and the D90 as back-up.
What lens do you think I should get for my wonderful new FX camera? Thanks for you help. Janis
p.1 #3 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
Get something wide for landscapes and architecture! Look at the Sigma 12-24, Nikon 14-24/2.8, Nikon 16-35/4 VR, Rokinon 14/2.8, and Tokina 16-28/2.8.
Get something long for portraits. Rokinon 85/1.4 is excellent on a budget, so is the Nikon 105/2.5 AI, but both are manual focus. If money is no object, get an 85/1.4, 105/2 DC, 70-200/2.8 VR (also good for animals), or 200/2 VR.
For animals, the 70-300VR is a great budget long lens. 70-200/2.8, 70-200/4, and the 300/4 AFS are all excellent choices as well. The 70-200/2.8 VR1 and VR2 pair nicely with TC14eII and TC20III teleconverters.
I'm looking at building a similar FX kit, and those are the lenses I'm looking at currently. Enjoy, and welcome to the board!
p.1 #4 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
Lens choice is super personal, and depends hugely on what you shoot. That said, it sounds like you dabble in a variety of "types" of photography, and from your D90 setup, it looks like you prefer to have a range of options available. If you're keeping the D90 as backup, your DX lenses (18-200 and 40 macro) will only work with that backup camera. The way I see it, your Tamron 28-70 mostly replaces the 18-200, in the sense that it's a general zoom (less focal range, but probably much better quality), so I don't see the utility in keeping it (you could use the 28-70 on the D90, but not the 18-200 on the D600). In addition, you have a nice macro lens, but it's only able to be paired with your D90. If I were you and wanted to keep the same general lens selection (large-range zoom, fast prime, and macro), I would keep the 50 1.8, and sell the 18-200 and the 40 macro, and use the proceeds from those to buy a 60 macro for your D600 (and put a few bucks back in your savings account as well, probably).
p.1 #5 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
you'll get a dozen different responses without budget numbers.
I'm partial to mostly old manual focus Nikkors - AF is overrated The D600 is perfect for old full frame nikkors. If you care about super sharp pixels in your landscapes, skip this idea. most older lenses reach their limit at or below the 24mp sensor of the D600.
On the AF side, for landscapes, save for the 14-24mm, or the new 18-35mm if $$$ does matter.
p.1 #8 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
First, keeping the D90 as backup is a great idea but why keep the 18-200 & 40 2.8 which only work for DX? You can replace them with glass that works for both.
I would sell them along with the 50 1.8D and buy the 60 2.8G macro, Sigma 35 1.4. These will cover 90% of your needs. For animals you need reach so you either get something decent without breaking the bank like the 70-300VR, or something really great but a bit more expensive like the 300 f/4 AF-S. The D90 will act as a teleconvertor
For landscape it's the same, if you have the cash I would get a Zeiss 21mm or Nikon 16-35. The new Nikon 18-35G is getting great reviews as well. There is also cheaper options like the Tamron 17-35 which is a very good lens for around $300. Finally, as others mentioned, don't forget the manual classic glass like the 105 2.5 AI/AIS & 28 2.8 AIS.
Congrats on the D600, it's an amazing body for its price.
p.1 #11 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
The 50 1.8D will works well on D600, it 's cheap and you are not getting a lot from selling it..
If you have used your D90 enough, you should know what FL you really like and used most. If you use the longer end of the 18-200, maybe you can consider a 70-300 zoom, or a 70-200 2.8.
85 1.8G would be a good inexpensive portrait lens.
If you really want a real macro lens for the D600, the Tamron 90mm is a good inexpensive option. Some would consider it is capable of being a "okay" portrait lens. Specialized lens are always better but do you need all of them?
One like to take landscape photo doesn't mean he need a lens the wider the better...
With the improved viewfinder(over ANY DX camera), you might consider some manual focus prime lens.
I would agree with frankpetronio, you don't need to rush for new lens! Use your existing gear for a while and you can tell yourself what you want and need.
Seeking gear purchase advise in this forum is inviting people to give you expensive suggestions(that might or might not really suitable for you own need and style)
p.1 #12 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
I realized today that I actually use the longer end of my 18-200 lens a tremendous amount during my daily walks, so have been looking at the great reviews for the new Tamron 70-200/2.8 VC. I will certainly have to save for it, but getting rid of my 40 macro, the two D90 kit lenses which I barely used, along with an older tripod, and a couple of unused camera bags will help start that fund
I think I want to hang on to the D90 with the 18-200 lens as my backup as I've been really happy with many of the photos I taken with that setup, and just in case I have to send my new D600 out to be cleaned. I've heard that can be a problem.
I've never used a lens that isn't Nikon before but was so impressed with the Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC in the store I decided to go with it when I ordered the D600. The reviews for it have been excellent.
I don't own a convertor but that would definitely help me get the animal shots I want and I would love to have a wider lens for landscapes. I will take all your suggestions with me when I next visit my local camera store.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to help me with your ideas. Janis
p.1 #16 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
Given that there's already so many suggestions given, I won't attempt to add to the mix.
Suffice it to say... do your homework. The 14-24 Nikkor may sound like a killer lens, but if using a CPL or VND is needed, then that really cripples an otherwise fine choice.
p.1 #17 · Choosing lenses for my new D600, I am so excited!
Depending what you tend to need most of course. Just a guess, but you may want something longer than 70mm. Nikon new 70-200 f4 looks interesting, if you don't need a faster zoom (f2.8). Or a fast prime, like the 105 VR (I just bought that one).
Perhaps a faster sharper prime within the 24-70 range? The Tamron is a very nice lens, but on par with Nikon's version. Meaning not all that sharp wide open, especially in low light. If you do that much, you may want to see what FL is most useful to you, and look there. I recently did that, and found that on my 24-70, I am typically around 35mm, or 70mm. So I am selling the big 24-70 Nikon, and have bought a Sigma 35 f1.4 and Nikon 85 f1.8G. Faster, lighter, sharper opened up (for low light). Stopped down in good light the 24-70 will be fine .. heck, even the 24-85 VR is not all that far off from the 24-70 stopped down. But in low light, these primes kill the 24-70.
