I agree with runamuck zooms are just too big and slow.

I use primes on my d700...50mm1.4 80% of the time and 85mm1.8 some times

Mike John wrote:
FYI, With the d700 and 24-70 I just tried moving the zoom by rolling it on my left forearm, it moves very easily and mine is a new lens.

Good luck,
Mike

Good news. Thank you!

I prefer to shoot street with a tele, like the 70-300VR. If I could shoot a prime, and money was no problem, then I'd go for a 135 F2. If size/weight wasn't a problem, I'd use a 70-200VR.

onearmivan wrote:
Mike John wrote:
FYI, With the d700 and 24-70 I just tried moving the zoom by rolling it on my left forearm, it moves very easily and mine is a new lens.

Good luck,
Mike

Good news. Thank you!

Actually I thought your nick was "One Armi Van"

I tried using my left arm for zooming as well. With a shirt on it was a little tricky (if rolling up and down the arm) - but turning the camera from horizontal to portrait zoomed from 24 to 70 in one twist.

The zoom action on the 24-70 is "solid" and precise with no unwanted play - unlike my superzoom, which is way to sensitive (tamron 28-300 vc.)

My left arm needs some weight training though !

For street photography.. I like shooting wide angle a lot... so I find myself using the 14-24 a lot for this style of photography. I also use my 28-70 for longer range.

Think like a photo journalist. On FX most would use a 24-70 or something similar most of the time and have a 70-200 on a second body.

For DX, swap out the 24-70 for the 17-55.

Mocca wrote:
Actually I thought your nick was "One Armi Van"

I tried using my left arm for zooming as well. With a shirt on it was a little tricky (if rolling up and down the arm) - but turning the camera from horizontal to portrait zoomed from 24 to 70 in one twist.

The zoom action on the 24-70 is "solid" and precise with no unwanted play - unlike my superzoom, which is way to sensitive (tamron 28-300 vc.)

My left arm needs some weight training though !

lol @ "one armi van". Wish my nick was that - lol. :P

From what I can see that 24-70 with the upcoming D700 definitely looks like the winning combination. Especially since two of you told me it's easy to move the zoom ring using the forearm. Thanks.

Andre Labonte, thanks for the advice. That's what I was thinking also.

Even though it might sound a bit weird to you guys, bigger body and lens actually is easier for me, with one arm, to handle than the smaller ones.

Thank you all again for the help!!

Ivan, here's a couple of primers on hyperfocal distance focussing:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/hyperfocal-distance.htm
http://www.dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html

And a link to show you how to use the hyperfocal distance markings on your lens:
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/hyperfocal-focusing.html

You're welcome. I find the same thing, I like a larger body and lens over the small ones.

Wide. And Fast. A Zeiss 28mm f2, a Nikon 20mm 2.8, or the 35mm 1.8 on the d700 will net you some sweet vignetting. Teles just make you look like a creeper, and completely ruin the sense of intimacy that the greats like Winogrand strove to establish in their street photography.

I usually shoot in the street with my Tamron 17-50 2.8 during the day and my Sigma 30 1.4 at night. Since these are both midrange focal length lenses, it's doubtful that they would be useful on FF even if they were FF lenses.

The D700 really isn't a good street camera. It's too conspicuous. If I went FF, I would keep a DX body and lenses for street shooting too.

Avi B wrote:
Ivan, here's a couple of primers on hyperfocal distance focussing:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/hyperfocal-distance.htm
http://www.dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html

And a link to show you how to use the hyperfocal distance markings on your lens:
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/hyperfocal-focusing.html



Thank you, Avi B. Great links. I'll experiment with it for sure. Thanks.

Thank you all. I've been reading and watching samples/photos of the various lenses and beginning to understand the differences and pros and cons of them all.

Cause of my disability longer lens (with bigger body) is actually more usable, even though I'll have to compromise on the "being discreet" part obv.

You've all been very helpful. Thank you.

luminosity wrote:
My 17-55 2.8 works well. Combine it with the Tokina 50-135 and you're in business.
This is the exactt kit I have

i have 2 D700's and a D90, and while the 35/1.8 was great, i prefer the f2.0 D version in use, with both cameras. It focuses faster and closer, and is smaller. The 35/2D is a fantastic daily carry lens on the D700!

Any rentals available in Serbia & Montenegro? If so then you could try before you buy.