Blank list that needs filling

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Lawrence

Senior Member
Not sure why I can' seem to shake this need but ...

assuming you had no lenses at all and ...
you had a blank piece of paper with 4 lines on it that needed filling.

On those four llines you could write down the 4 lenses you would buy for your Nikon D7100 knowing what you know now.

What would your 4 choices be if you had a total budget of around $2,000.00?

I know you are all going to say depends on what you want to shoot;

Let's assume some more:
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Street photography
Might shots
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
That 2k limit messes with it a bit, but I'll get as close as I can without picking the uber-expensive lenses. Prices listed are US dollars, and very close approximations.

Tokina 11-16 pro2 (landscapes!!) - $410
Nikon 105mm Macro (Macro/Portrait in one package) - $850 (can sub in the Sigma for about $100 less, but I'm in love with the Nikon)
Nikon 18-140 (walkabout street/landscape/night) - $400
Nikon 70-300 VR (longer range without going huge telephoto, still easy to walk around with) - $450

Would LOVE to make this the zoom on this list instead of the 70-300, but it kills the budget in every way from Sunday.

Sigma 150-600 Contemporary (LONG RANGE Street Photography) - $1000

Again, this is my budget limited consideration. :) I'd replace the 18-140 and 70-300 with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 if I had the cash.
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Pretzel said:
That 2k limit messes with it a bit, but I'll get as close as I can without picking the uber-expensive lenses. Prices listed are US dollars, and very close approximations.

Tokina 11-16 pro2 (landscapes!!) - $410
Nikon 105mm Macro (Macro/Portrait in one package) - $850 (can sub in the Sigma for about $100 less, but I'm in love with the Nikon)
Nikon 18-140 (walkabout street/landscape/night) - $400
Nikon 70-300 VR (longer range without going huge telephoto, still easy to walk around with) - $450

Would LOVE to make this the zoom on this list instead of the 70-300, but it kills the budget in every way from Sunday.

Sigma 150-600 Contemporary (LONG RANGE Street Photography) - $1000

Again, this is my budget limited consideration. :) I'd replace the 18-140 and 70-300 with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 if I had the cash.
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hey big fella - that's an awesome list and one i would lean towards.
In fact it is sort of my dilemma. I am close but not quite there.

I need (scratch that and replace with "want") a wide angle so for the Tokina or similar - tick.
I have a 90mm Tamron - not quite the Nikon 105mm but - half tick?
I have an 18-105 walk about and the 70-300 but feel the same way as you do about the 24-70 and the 70-200.

Oh and I have a Nikkor 35mm f1.8

Time to do some serious saving ...
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I'd suggest the following trifecta:

  • Tokina 12-28mm f/4 @ $450
  • Nikon 35mm f/1.8G @ $200
  • Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ $1,500 (go grey and save $500).

Seriously, you could do sooooo much with just those three lenses.

As I'm fond of saying, at some point you have to stop asking yourself, "What lens do I need to get the shot I want?" and start asking yourself, "How do I get the shot I want, with the lens I have?"
....
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I'd suggest the following trifecta:

  • Tokina 12-28mm f/4 @ $450
  • Nikon 35mm f/1.8G @ $200
  • Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ $1,500 (go grey and save $500).

Seriously, you could do sooooo much with just those three lenses.

As I'm fond of saying, at some point you have to stop asking yourself, "What lens do I need to get the shot I want?" and start asking yourself, "How do I get the shot I want, with the lens I have?"
....
Click to expand...

Paul that is an awesome list - chuck in my existing Tamron 90mm and i would definitely be set.

I am struggling with "How do I get the shot I want, with the lens I have?" and therein lies my problem.
For some unknown reason I feel I am not getting the best out of my 18-105 and 70-300. Would different lenses solve this? I truly don't know.

I have no issue with going grey. Not here in New Zealand anyway.


 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
... chuck in my existing Tamron 90mm and i would definitely be set.
Click to expand...
Agreed.


Lawrence said:
I am struggling with "How do I get the shot I want, with the lens I have?" and therein lies my problem.
For some unknown reason I feel I am not getting the best out of my 18-105 and 70-300. Would different lenses solve this? I truly don't know.
Click to expand...

In my estimation, no... Neither more, nor different, lenses will solve your "problem" (I have it too, btw).

I could say more but I'd probably start waxing philosophical and I'm too much of a student of photography myself to be trying to "enlighten" others!
....
 
C

cbay

Senior Member
Given what you already have and type of photography i would look seriously at the Tokina 11-16 or 11-20, Tamron 70-200 2.8, and the Sigma 18-35 art. I know it's over budget so sticking to that it would have to be the 11-16 and the 70-200.
Personally, if i were using the focal range i'd find a way to get the 70-200. If i had the money i'd buy the 18-35. :)
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
cbay said:
Given what you already have and type of photography i would look seriously at the Tokina 11-16 or 11-20, Tamron 70-200 2.8, and the Sigma 18-35 art. I know it's over budget so sticking to that it would have to be the 11-16 and the 70-200.
Personally, if i were using the focal range i'd find a way to get the 70-200. If i had the money i'd buy the 18-35. :)
Click to expand...

Interesting choices there Chris.

Assuming I had one of the recommended Tokinas why go for the Sigma 18-35 art? Seems a duplication.
 
C

cbay

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Interesting choices there Chris.

Assuming I had one of the recommended Tokinas why go for the Sigma 18-35 art? Seems a duplication.
Click to expand...

You are right about that. It is apparently the best of the best in terms of IQ (DX), a useful range, and faster f/1.8. Thinking about street photography, portraits and some landscape it just seems like a lens that would lend itself well towards creativity.
But really no defense except to say my name is Chris and i'm addicted to IQ. lol
 
kevy73

kevy73

Senior Member
TBH a nikon 24-70 f2.8 could do all you need except the macro.

Pick one up 2nd hand in Aus for around $1500. With the new version out expect to see that price fall a bit. that leaves you enough for a decent macro and a simpler kit to carry around.
 
B

Blacktop

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Not sure why I can' seem to shake this need but ...

assuming you had no lenses at all and ...
you had a blank piece of paper with 4 lines on it that needed filling.

On those four llines you could write down the 4 lenses you would buy for your Nikon D7100 knowing what you know now.

What would your 4 choices be if you had a total budget of around $2,000.00?

I know you are all going to say depends on what you want to shoot;

Let's assume some more:
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Street photography
Might shots
Click to expand...

Ok, this is fun. I'm not going to read everyone's recommendations before I put my own list down. Then it will be interesting to see if anyone else recommends the same or close to it.

Tokina 11-16mm ( the older version, because it's pretty much the same as the more expensive one, just without the built in focus motor that you don't need on the 7100)

(If you don't do a lot of super wide angle shooting then I recommend the 18-140mm instead)

Tamron 90mm or the Tokina 100mm Macro lens, that could double as a portrait,flower and butterfly lens

70-300mm VR Nikon.

50mm 1.8

If you have anything left, spend it on guitar lessons.
 
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D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Keep what you have and buy a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8. I thought mine would be a nice lens to have but only for special occasions. I have found that I use it more than I ever thought I would. I think it will get a good workout next month when I am in Utah shooting in all those national parks


 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Blacktop said:
Ok, this is fun. I'm not going to read everyone's recommendations before I put my own list down. Then it will be interesting to see if anyone else recommends the same or close to it.

Tokina 11-16mm ( the older version, because it's pretty much the same as the more expensive one, just without the built in focus motor that you don't need on the 7100)

(If you don't do a lot of super wide angle shooting then I recommend the 18-140mm instead)

Tamron 90mm or the Tokina 100mm Macro lens, that could double as a portrait,flower and butterfly lens

70-300mm VR Nikon.

50mm 1.8

If you have anything left, spend it on guitar lessons.
Click to expand...

Whats a good make guitar for a complete novice?

I have a 35mm 1.8
I have a Tamron 90mm macro (might need to add the Raynox 250 ;) )
I have the 70-300mm VR nNikon

Seems I just need that Tokina - well that and possible the Raynox.

I wonder if there is a local guitar teacher.
 
B

Blacktop

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
Keep what you have and buy a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8. I thought mine would be a nice lens to have but only for special occasions. I have found that I use it more than I ever thought I would. I think it will get a good workout next month when I am in Utah shooting in all those national parks
Click to expand...

You have no idea how jealous I am right now.
Oh , the things that I would do with the D750 and the 20mm D lens . Arches, Bryce, Zion etc.... Think about doing a sunset shot out in the middle of the canyon lands. ..WOW!!!!...
 
B

Blacktop

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Whats a good make guitar for a complete novice?

I have a 35mm 1.8
I have a Tamron 90mm macro (might need to add the Raynox 250 ;) )
I have the 70-300mm VR nNikon

Seems I just need that Tokina - well that and possible the Raynox.

I wonder if there is a local guitar teacher.
Click to expand...

Ever think about a 18-140mm lens? That was my most used lens on my D7100.

About a beginners guitar? Yamaha makes a nice acoustic for a nice price. I also like Epiphone as well. If you have money to burn, buy a Martin. It's the D4s of acoustic guitars.
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Blacktop said:
Ever think about a 18-140mm lens? That was my most used lens on my D7100.

About a beginners guitar? Yamaha makes a nice acoustic for a nice price. I also like Epiphone as well. If you have money to burn, buy a Martin. It's the D4s of acoustic guitars.
Click to expand...

I have an 18-105mm

If I had money to burn i would also have a D750 ...
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Blacktop said:
You have no idea how jealous I am right now.
Oh , the things that I would do with the D750 and the 20mm D lens . Arches, Bryce, Zion etc.... Think about doing a sunset shot out in the middle of the canyon lands. ..WOW!!!!...
Click to expand...


WE fly into LasVegas and drive to Zion first for a couple of days. Then on to Moab and while there we visit Arches, Dead Horse, Canyonlands and then we leave there and drive to the Grand Canyon where we have a private tour starting early morning and go till after sunset. Just the guide and Gloria and I. Then the next day we are on our own shooting in the area. Then back to LasVegas and then fly home.

We re also looking forward to possibly getting together with the Lady and Gentleman Moab and friend from that area while we are here and getting to shoot with them in Moab. I think I may get a few shots off in the 16 days we are gone
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
WE fly into LasVegas and drive to Zion first for a couple of days. Then on to Moab and while there we visit Arches, Dead Horse, Canyonlands and then we leave there and drive to the Grand Canyon where we have a private tour starting early morning and go till after sunset. Just the guide and Gloria and I. Then the next day we are on our own shooting in the area. Then back to LasVegas and then fly home.

We re also looking forward to possibly getting together with the Lady and Gentleman Moab and friend from that area while we are here and getting to shoot with them in Moab. I think I may get a few shots off in the 16 days we are gone
Click to expand...

Sounds like one heck of a trip.

Can we misbehave in your absence or will there be a few deputies around? :)
 
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