Thirdy party lenses.

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Stephan Gomes Higuti

Senior Member
Hello all!

Well, I need a lens for pets portraits, however, most of them should be taken in parks and this kind of places, so I assume i need a zoom lens for that once I cant ask for a dog to stay freezed till I get the shot. The distance should be an issue as well, I cant get too close to the pets, otherwise they may think I'll be there for playing, and for the shots I need to be on a certain distance, a distance that they will not notice me.
I had a 55-300 in my mind, but considering that they will be probably running and playing around, the f/4.5-5.6G may not be enough, and I think the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II would be perfect for me, but its way too expensive for now.
The question is, is it viable coming for thirdy party lenses?

Any sugestions?

Thankz in advance!

Stephan
 
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Wolfeye

Senior Member
It's funny. Nikon made a ton of outstanding manual focus glass that goes for a song on eBay, yet all anyone ever thinks of getting for portrait work are modern, expensive AF lenses. You don't need AF for portraits. Even if the subjects are moving, where the AF will not guarantee you the focus will be on the eyes.

Take a peek at this lens, for instance... https://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor_105mm/
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Wolfeye said:
It's funny. Nikon made a ton of outstanding manual focus glass that goes for a song on eBay, yet all anyone ever thinks of getting for portrait work are modern, expensive AF lenses. You don't need AF for portraits. Even if the subjects are moving, where the AF will not guarantee you the focus will be on the eyes.

Take a peek at this lens, for instance... https://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor_105mm/
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True. But, perhaps he would like to use the lens for other applications, where AF would make his life that more easy ;)
 
S

Stephan Gomes Higuti

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I'd suggest the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS. Stateside, NIB, it will set you back around $1200 or so.

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Yes, but still expensive for my budget. I know, there is no miracle. :(


AC016 said:
Tamron has it's own variant, so does Sigma. The Sigma would be the most cost effective of the two.
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Gonna look for a used one, may fit my budget, the only issue is that I'm not from US, a friend of mine will bring me the gear, and he doesnt know too much about this, so I cant count on him to "check the product" in case of getting an used one.


Wolfeye said:
It's funny. Nikon made a ton of outstanding manual focus glass that goes for a song on eBay, yet all anyone ever thinks of getting for portrait work are modern, expensive AF lenses. You don't need AF for portraits. Even if the subjects are moving, where the AF will not guarantee you the focus will be on the eyes.

Take a peek at this lens, for instance... https://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor_105mm/
Click to expand...
Thats close to my budget, but i'll be my only lens! haha


The thing is, Im considering get a 35mm as my prime and the 55-300.
My budget for lenses is about $700/800.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
AC016 said:
True. But, perhaps he would like to use the lens for other applications, where AF would make his life that more easy ;)
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Pretty much this... ^^^

I'm all for mastering the Dark Art of manual focus, no doubt, but with today's high-MP count sensors being the norm, I see auto-focus as more necessity than luxury.

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nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
imo if you are going to shoot pets in a park you want to be close to the animal so you can interact with the animal. I watched a show dog shoot on creativelive, she was shooting within arms length.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Stephan Gomes Higuti said:
Yes, but still expensive for my budget. I know, there is no miracle. :(



Gonna look for a used one, may fit my budget, the only issue is that I'm not from US, a friend of mine will bring me the gear, and he doesnt know too much about this, so I cant count on him to "check the product" in case of getting an used one.



Thats close to my budget, but i'll be my only lens! haha


The thing is, Im considering get a 35mm as my prime and the 55-300.
My budget for lenses is about $700/800.
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B&H ships internationally. They also have this tamron for $650: [h=1]Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF Lens for Nikon AF[/h]
You can do a bit of shopping and just add one to a cart and it will calculate how much the customs/duties will be - they even taek care of it for you instead of you paying COD. That way, you are not in for a shock when it gets to your door. Good luck
 
S

Stephan Gomes Higuti

Senior Member
AC016 said:
B&H ships internationally. They also have this tamron for $650: Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF Lens for Nikon AF


You can do a bit of shopping and just add one to a cart and it will calculate how much the customs/duties will be - they even taek care of it for you instead of you paying COD. That way, you are not in for a shock when it gets to your door. Good luck
Click to expand...

Oh mate, thats what I was expecting for! haha
This case I can send to my friend, its not viable to pay the braziliand taxes, soooooo abusing, just for understanding, it will depend but I may pay almost 100% in taxes. Ces't la vie.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Stephan Gomes Higuti said:
Oh mate, thats what I was expecting for! haha
This case I can send to my friend, its not viable to pay the braziliand taxes, soooooo abusing, just for understanding, it will depend but I may pay almost 100% in taxes. Ces't la vie.
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Ouch:p Yeah, best to get a friend in the US to get it for you and have them bring it over if they are coming anyway. Hope you find what you are wanting :)
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
I use my 70-300mm VR for my out-dog shots. It's maybe not the sharpest lens available but I never had to complain about what she delivers. It's way cheaper too.
 
S

Stephan Gomes Higuti

Senior Member
nikonpup said:
imo if you are going to shoot pets in a park you want to be close to the animal so you can interact with the animal. I watched a show dog shoot on creativelive, she was shooting within arms length.
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It could work, but i guess in most of the cases the pet may want to get closer and closer and even play with the camera.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
I feel you. My youngest Pit is 4 months and when I'm too close, also very curious what the thing in front of my face is. I had to get lens hoods only because they occasionally try to lick it.
 
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