I don't normally do these kinds of posts, but I'm feeling a little stuck. After waffling back and forth between the Canon and Nikon camps I have pretty much decided to go back to a D700. I shoot hand-held 99.9% of the time and like using available light.
I shoot a little bit of everything but we just had our first child a few weeks ago so she will be my main subject for quite some time I'm sure. I have been shooting her with a mix of lenses on a Canon T1i and am just not happy with the noise. Even with lower iso and bounce flash it's challenging to get shots close to what I could do with no flash on the D700. This will come as no surprise to most of you considering the difference in pixel density, etc. It was a question of economics when I sold the D700.
I briefly considered a 5D Mark ii but spending more than a D700 for resolution I don't need and inferior handling (opinion) doesn't seem to make sense. Half my current Canon lenses are EF-S anyway, so I would be replacing them as well.
So here is where I need the help-- Selling all of my current Canon gear will get me close to the price of a D700 body, I can kick in the rest. The problem is I won't be able to afford replace the assortment of lenses I have right away. I'm ok with that, I can live with 1 great portrait lens that can double as my walk-around. I can't afford a 24-70 right now, and I actually tend to prefer primes especially on full-frame. I would prefer to spend about $800 or less if possible.
I know this is a long way around for another "which lens should I buy" thread, but I thought the background would help.
Sigma 28mm 1.8, Nikon 50mm 1.8, and the Nikkor Ai-S 105mm 2.5 shouldn't cost you more than $500 combined. You could add a 85mm 1.8 in there for that. Full kit too.
That's great advice; I've never used the Sigma but loved the 105 2.5 when I had it. The 50 1.8 is a great little lens too. Hard to justify 4x the price for the af-s
A thrifty fifty is a must. Here's what I'd buy for a D700 with $800 as my budget:
$100 used: 50mm f/1.8 AF-D
$300ish used: 35mm f/2 AF-D or 24mm f/2.8 AF-D
$330ish used: 85mm f/1.8 AF-D or $100-200ish used: 105mm f/2.5 AIs
$100-300 used: 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-D as a walkaround zoom
At this stage of the game, go for the 50 f1.8, or the Sigma 28MM. You will mostly be shooting very close with an infant, including whoever is holding the child. 85 and 105 will be too long. They can come later.
I think the D700 would be the perfect camera high iso and fast AF..I would get the sigma 50 f/1.4 and a nikon 85 f/1.8..Both fast glass fast AF or you could get a 35 f/2 instead of one of those lenses..I like the 85 f/1.4 but the af is slow when your kids starts walking and just go for the 105 f/2..This is what I use around the house for my kids who are 1 1/2 and 3 1/2..
Hi guys, well... I have the D90 and D700... and the D700 kicks major butt in the high ISO realm. I did some hand-held shooting back in the winter in an old mill which was very dark inside with only available window light as a source. I dialed up to 6400 ISO and was amazed at the results! I was quite worried that there would be too much noise in my images, but I was pleasantly surprised at the result.
I shoot with three main lenses for my D700. I have the 14-24mm, 28-70mm, and 70-200mm lenses. Additionally I also have the 70-300VRII for nature hikes when I don't want to lug my 70-200 with me. I also have a 60mm macro - but hoping one day to upgrade to the 105mm macro.
Anyhow... my 2 cents, and if you can afford it.. the 28-70mm is a very nice range on FX... and a fast zoom with AFS. And they are very affordable if you can find one used for a nice price. I bought mine for $800 Canadian, and in excellent shape. I just had to have it overhauled due to an accidental drop, which was entirely my fault.
. I have been shooting her with a mix of lenses on a Canon T1i and am just not happy with the noise. Even with lower iso and bounce flash it's challenging to get shots close to what I could do with no flash on the D700. This will come as no surprise to most of you considering the difference in pixel density, etc. It was a question of economics when I sold the D700.