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Archive 2014 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4

  
 
Defy
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Ok so my wife wants to buy me a really =) nice gift and said I could have one nice new lens or body. So should I get a D4S, 200mm F/2 or the 500mm F/4? Should i look at other gear? Might be able to swing a used 200mm V1 and a D3S....

I mostly shoot portraiture so I am leaning towards the 200mm. The D4S is very tempting because I have never owned a full blown pro body. But then there is always the big glass envy but I don't get to bird as much as I used to so it would sit a lot.

Current gear:

D700/D800 (my D700 still makes great photos!)
Nikon Lenses :
16 fish
16-35mm
24-70mm
50mm 1.4G
50mm 1.4D
85mm 1.4G
70-200mm Vr2
300mm 2.8 Vr2
Lots of Alien Bee lights (like 8 i think)
Couple speed lights (900,910,700,600)



Apr 06, 2014 at 09:08 PM
pdp123
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


200 F2


Apr 06, 2014 at 09:17 PM
John Skinner
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


D3s/D4/D4s is going to require a memory commitment. And won't help you out in studio seeing as the D800 already lives there.

Unless you have a lot of things to shoot that fly.. or can't be approached, the 500mm is a total waste of cash seeing as you have a 300 2.9 now.. A tele will grab you more distance if needed.

The 200 is nice... BUT, do you really need it?

The D3s is a really good bargain presently. At around 3K (I;-'d look for low actuation's) you could see if the PRO line its your needs as a second body for all around work. The FPS and buffer will leave you wondering why you hadn't looked at one before.

But looking at your kit... You're pretty well covered there dude.



Apr 06, 2014 at 09:20 PM
Gregg Heckler
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


The D4s and get her to thrown in a TC-17 for your birding, if you'll do the laundry for the next year.


Apr 06, 2014 at 10:01 PM
Defy
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Gregg Heckler wrote:
The D4s and get her to thrown in a TC-17 for your birding, if you'll do the laundry for the next year.


Forgot I have all three. When we bird (lately only at the Omaha zoo a newborn is pretty demanding, hence the portraiture) I get the 300mm, 1.4 or 1.7 on the d800 and my wife takes the 2x and the 70-200mm on the d700 because it's lighter. As long as you stop it down its a neat setup (cheap 200-400).

The 200 is nice... BUT, do you really need it?

I think I am past the really need stage..... And into the spoiled stage! As long as I get great shots of the kids my wife tolerates my photo hobbies.

I have until June to think on this.



Apr 06, 2014 at 10:21 PM
James R
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Not sure the 200mm does much for you, considering your current kit. The 500 f/4 is 8K+, but do you need that length? I'd go for the D4s and sell the D700. The D4s combined with the D800 would make a killer one-two punch. D4s is great for shooting events and family gathering, especially with little kids running around.


Apr 06, 2014 at 10:44 PM
JakeB17
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Despite how great the 200 f/2 is it doesn't really add much to your current kit. You would gain a lot more with either the 500/4 or D4s.




Apr 06, 2014 at 10:53 PM
MazeRunner
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


500/4. You can cover portraits with your 70-200/2.8 and your 300/2.8 VR II...

And this is coming from a 200/2 VR II owner.

Now, if you plan on selling your D700, then the D4S could possibly make the sense, if you use for work, birding, sports.



Apr 06, 2014 at 11:07 PM
Shepherd_in_CO
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


I was going to say the 200 f/2. Just picked up a version 1 myself. Then I took a look at your site, nice work, and your style lends itself to the 70-200 & 85mm. I have to think MazeRunner hit the nail on the head with the advice there about the D4s. The D4s with the 1.4 TC and 300 f/2.8 will get your birding fix, be a work horse for portraits, and fast for sports.


Apr 06, 2014 at 11:46 PM
Frogfish
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


So you don't bird much now but are considering the 500/4 ?
You have a D800 and are really into Portraiture and studio yet are considering a D4s ?

Both of those are superfluous to your shooting style and needs.

The 200/2 is the only one of your suggestions that actually meets your style of photography. However you already have the 70-200 VR II so you should be asking yourself how much use does it get and will the 200mm improve on it ?

There's not much (anything ?) missing from your kit. I'd spend the money on a holiday with the wife to somewhere exotic you can both enjoy She will probably really appreciate your selflessness and next time something you really want comes up she might not object, rather than just spending the cash because it's there.



Apr 07, 2014 at 12:05 AM
4mpx
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


I vote for the 200/2 VRI, considering your current gear.
If you need to shoot birds from time to time, you still could add one (or two) TC on the 200/2 and get a "very light" combo for birding (easily handhold able).

An example :

D4s, 200/2 VR+TC-20EIII+TC-17EII, 1/400", 1600 ISO, handheld. VR On & manual focus.
http://s16.postimg.org/6ujq96o05/4_SA6777.jpg




Crop 50%
http://s8.postimg.org/59883jhdx/4_SA6777_crop50.jpg



Apr 07, 2014 at 06:56 AM
Grantland
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


I suggest getting a 200 f/2.0. It is an amazing lens.

Some have mentioned you have the 200mm range covered. However . . . I do not know anyone who has the 200 f/2.0 who doesn't also own a 70-200.

The D800 w/200 f/2.0 is a great combo!




Apr 07, 2014 at 07:46 AM
Jason_Brook
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


This thread is very relevant to me as well as I'm in a similar predicament. Saving my pennies towards a D4 and wondering if it's really the right choice. I don't do sports, but kids, especially indoors, are brutal on AF.


Apr 07, 2014 at 08:03 AM
VinnieJ
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Use the money to take the kids and wife to Kruger National Park for a Safari.


Apr 07, 2014 at 08:09 AM
Ryder
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


"Some have mentioned you have the 200mm range covered. However . . . I do not know anyone who has the 200 f/2.0 who doesn't also own a 70-200."

Completely true imho.




Apr 07, 2014 at 08:17 AM
Andre Labonte
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Based on you stated uses, I would go with the 200 f/2 ... it is a wonderful portrait lens.


Apr 07, 2014 at 09:35 AM
Frogfish
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Jason_Brook wrote:
This thread is very relevant to me as well as I'm in a similar predicament. Saving my pennies towards a D4 and wondering if it's really the right choice. I don't do sports, but kids, especially indoors, are brutal on AF.


If it's for your family/home then save your money and get the D3s.



Apr 07, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Jorge Torralba
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Glass before body. ALWAYS !!!


Apr 07, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Jason_Brook
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Sorry for hijacking.

Frogfish wrote:
If it's for your family/home then save your money and get the D3s.


But I do a good bit of landscapes, I'd prefer the DR increase of the D4. Plus that whole nifty facial recognition thing. I've never used any "auto" mode of AF, but if it makes it easier, I'm game.



Apr 07, 2014 at 12:23 PM
MazeRunner
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · D4S or 200mm f2 or 500mm f4


Haha, I'm sure every 200/2 owner has a 70-200/2.8... including I.

But to be honest, I haven't touched my 70-200/2.8 since I got my 200/2... (just a warning!)

That and he does have a 300/2.8 VR II.

The vacation idea sounds nice.



Apr 07, 2014 at 02:01 PM
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