p.2 #1 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
I found a kit on cameta with tripod, remote, etc & I'm going to buy it this weekend and post pics as soon as it arrives . I had bought a 60mm because I was expecting to buy the d800e but now after some great knowledge about cameras, I'm buying the d7100 . I'm going to buy a tamron 17-50 and later a flash & a lot of books
p.2 #2 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
In my experience, those kinds of kits are usually filled with useless junk. You are better off just buying a camera body without the junk or, even better, buying a used camera from the forums here (from a reputable seller). If you buy used, and it turns out that the camera is not for you, you can re-sell it and upgrade etc.
For example, the "remote" is available on Amazon for all of about $8:
and the Amazon Basics remote will most likely work a lot better than the generic "Precision Digital" remote that Cameta will pack-in. Likewise, a tripod & ballhead that you carefully choose yourself will serve you much better than the crap tripod w/ pan/tilt head in the Cameta pack-in.
Also, I would consider the D7000 (recommended earlier in this thread) over the D7100, personally. It's a lot cheaper in the used market, and the sensor is very nice (more DR than the D7100 sensor). You lose a few megapixels and the autofocus is arguably a bit worse, but those things make very little difference in practice (I have both).
p.2 #4 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
you may want to consider a decent condition 35-70 f/2.8 push pull zoom. That is a good & cheap starter lens. it is faster than usual kit lens, built like a tank and work as a mini macro lens as well.
if you keep an eye for it, you may find it for ~$200-$250
p.2 #6 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Sal picasso wrote:
The refurbished at cameta is 919.00 with a 1 yr USA warranty and kit with no lens , just tripod , sd card and reader for 969.00
You don't actually want the tripod, SD card, or the reader though-
-Tripods are another thread in another forum (expect a ~$500 investment for something that you'll actually want to use that will last).
-SD Cards are cheap and always on sale, but you have to do your research- it's not about GB/$, it's about making sure that whatever you buy has a fast enough WRITE speed to keep up with your camera's buffer.
-The readers are more or less unimportant, but you want one that's solid and that makes full use of the USB3 interface if you need to deliver quick previews or quick turn-arounds and minutes count (as they may).
It's understandable to want to 'cheat' and get a kit, and it sounds like a good deal (and it is, to some), but if you intend to do paid work, investing in decent equipment can very well be a make or break thing.
p.2 #7 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
It's one thing to start off into this with a middle of the road body. But glass is another issue.
The D7000 you are in could be a place that you decide to stay with (the DX line). Or, you could go FF in the future. Either way, investing in good glass is never a bad thing. Your resale on it, should you decide to dump it, will retain much more value than kit lenses or off brands.
The workhorse here on the DX line was, and always will the the 17-55 f/2.8
It's an everyday, every place, every event, 9 rounded blades of complete sharpness.
p.2 #8 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
John Skinner wrote:
...complete sharpness.
Not at f/2.8, which is why you'd want such a lens in the first place. This is one of several lenses that Nikon really needs to get around to updating (the 17-35/2.8G is another).
p.2 #9 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Be wary of that tripod. It's probably made of aluminum as thick as a beer can. It will be usable if you are really careful with it and use only your camera and a small lens.
I did get a pair of tripods for $50 each. They weigh 8 pounds and if somebody attacked me I could beat them silly with the tripod and still use it to take his picture. Sadly, they are out of business now. That tripod will never happen again.
p.2 #10 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
+1 on the D7000 and Sigma 17-70 "C" for both walkabout and weddings. I'm into my second wedding season with this combo, and have done three hiking vacations with it. Very sharp, quick response, and relatively light. I'd also second the Tamron/Sigma 17/18-50 2.8 option - not quite as good for walkabout (the Sigma's pseudo-macro is great). IMHO, they are as good as the Nikon 17-55 - some say the latter is better, but it's not 2x weight and 4x price better! Just my $0.02 worth. Regards, Ron
p.2 #11 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Just a heads-up for Sal Picasso the OP - if you are looking for the D7100, Adorama Camera on eBay has the Nikon D7100 For $799 with free shipping. Refurbished by Nikon with a 90 day warranty - lowest price I've seen in a while. http://alturl.com/tre42
my kit for the D7000 is simple:
Tokina 11-16/2.8 II (hasn't seen much use so far)
Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 C (used all the time. hardly ever off the body)
Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR II (shared from my FF tools along with the TCs)
p.2 #13 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Sal..... welcome to all the fun and games !!!
It shows quantities are limited for that D7100 refurb that dhou listed in their post. If you are able to do it now, I'd do it because my experience with Ebay showing "limited quantities" means they know the number listed as available and it's getting close.
My suggestion is to get the newest body you can afford to purchase. The D7000 will be two models back when the D7200 is introduced, probably later this year. If that D7100 isn't in the budget, look here for a nice used D7000. I have seen some here near the $500-ish price point.
What you want to think about is how long this gear your buying can last you. That low dollar tripod and slow zooms just won't cut it, when and if you really get into this. I think to start out that 16-85 zoom is a good suggestion. I just would look for a used copy instead of paying new price. That way when you go to upgrade, if you keep it nice, you should receive almost all your investment back again. A fast prime, that you can keep as long as you are using the format. There will always be a place and time when a 35 or 50 f1.8 comes in real handy to have in your bag. One of those I'd buy new as used ones don't appear to be much less. Also, Nikon gives a 5 year warranty on their lenses, making a new $200 ish prime purchase pretty much a no brainer.
The tripod, seriously, you really don't want to fight with a cheap tripod. I bought several used Manfrottos in the $125-200 range and can't seem to kill them. The thing with a tripod and glass, those should last through several camera body upgrades. If you have $1000 in gear do you want to trust a Chinese made tripod to hold it that only cost you about $50. Put the tripod on your Christmas list after you get a better handle on the photography end.
My last suggestion, consider an upgraded strap like a Black Rapid or one of the variants. That's one thing you could add now and enjoy the benefits, even if you haven't got the rest of photography down pat yet.
p.2 #14 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
I'm dropping the "wedding" part of the header. The advice you are getting is good. Put the money in good glass and a good tripod if you need one. First thing you need to decide is what you are planning to really shoot. If you don't know yet, then buy the 7100 and a 50 1.8 or 35 1.8. Shoot the heck out of it and develop your style and preferences. What you really need will become evident. Be careful about impulse spending early on in this journey.
If you do, photography becomes an enjoyable hobby, and maybe something you can make a buck or two.
p.2 #15 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
johnctharp wrote:
Not at f/2.8, which is why you'd want such a lens in the first place. This is one of several lenses that Nikon really needs to get around to updating (the 17-35/2.8G is another).
I have no idea what the shape of the copy you have owned, but in the DX line up here, put on a 16MP body, I have had the slightest...and I do mean slightest edge reduction at f/2.8. Otherwise it's flawless for sharpness.
The sweet spot for distortion is between about 20mm - 35mm. Otherwise a touch of post on the lens correction will sort you out. I have a hard time understanding why a lens like this would need "updating".. It took remarkable photos since it's release...and it still does. Did I miss an 'update me' memo along the way?
In point of fact, this is one part of the 'Holy Trinity' of Nikkors back when the only kid on the block and top of the line was a D2x(s).
I'm failing to see any point in fixing something that doesn't need fixing. And for the now selling price point. It's a steal.
p.2 #16 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
If you are new to photography you don't need to jump from D7100 to D800. I suggest you look for refurbished D600/610 which are nearly in same price range as D7100 and go with 50mm/f1.8G
p.2 #18 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Two23 wrote:
How well does using your feet for zoom work when you are doing paid weddings? What if the room is too small or too crowded to move quickly enough to get the shot?
It works just fine if you know what you're doing. I've shot plenty of weddings and events with primes and the very best and most successful wedding photographer I know shoots 30+ weddings a year with a 35mm and a 135mm on Canon and an 80mm on a Contax 645 and he has a wait list of brides.
If zooms work better for you, that's great, but blanket statements and condemnations like that are pointless.
p.2 #19 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
Well personally, if I wanted to learn wedding photography, technique, gear used, etc. I would get over to the Wedding Photographer and the People Photography boards as a starting point. I would study images, pm certain members, ask questions... A lot more focused than generalist discussions and opinions within the Nikon board. I wanted to learn wildlife photography so I went to Nature and Wildlife where the first class shooters post their stuff. Perhaps you don't even know those exist?
Here, you will get some educated opinions, but often gear opinions mean little in the real world. Heck many are given by people that don't even shoot weddings, they just read silly lens reviews all day and post opinions based on those, yet we never see their photography. Who knows what they know?
p.2 #20 · Best lens for nikon d7100 for walk around and wedding
johnctharp wrote:
Not at f/2.8, which is why you'd want such a lens in the first place. This is one of several lenses that Nikon really needs to get around to updating (the 17-35/2.8G is another).
Slight diversion to the topic at hand, but the my copy of Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8G was sharp @2.8 at all focal lengths, on a D2Xs. Till I dropped it on my hardwood floor. Now it's a paperweight. I don't shoot enough to get it fixed though.
Back to the topic though. I believe a used D7000 along with a tamron or sigma 17-55 f/2.8 range zoom is the way to go for both general purpose photography and for wedding photography. You will also want a 35/1.8 for low light shots and fun walkaround.
