D3000 to D7000 Newbie

J

JCNelson

New member
Hello all,

I recently moved from a D3000 to a D7000. My D3000, for all of it's flaws, was a great entry level camera to get me acquainted with the ins and outs of what does what and how to get the photograph out of my head through the camera. I started finding myself limited in what I'd like to do and also wanted to move up a bit into the mid-level and chose the D7000 based on endless reviews.

Alas, I am in love with the D7000, with the exception of the auto-focus/AF Fine Tune issue(s). I have used the Fine Tune feature to make the proper adjustments and now I am set.

But, I am running into a cunundrum with the debate of lenses. I shoot two types of photography: portrait and conceptual. With the former types of shots, I stick with either, or both of, these two lenses

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens

Both of these work very well for single-subject portraits, giving excellent sharpness, detail, and creamy bokeh. I have yet to do a family shoot, engagement, or wedding as I fear that the focal length on my two choice lenses would kill out more context that I'd like to show with family, engagement, or wedding.

Also, I haven't dared to do any of the conceptual photographs that I'd love to do because I am thinking I certainly need a wide-angel lens based on how the image is imagined.

The issue: Researching lens choices is an absolute rabbit hole of links, choices, reviews, and pricing. I'd like to get a wide angle lens that is crisp, compliments the D7000 DX sensor, and within a reasonable price range.

From fellow D7000 folks, what would your suggestions be?

I appreciate your help and looking forward to sharing some work as I get this D7000 out and about.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Those are both excellent lenses that would serve you well. The difference in focal length, meaning between 35 and 50 mm, is about three steps, so I really don't see that as much of a consideration. Some people have this odd notion that you need to have every millimeter of focal length covered by a bevy of lenses. I think that's ridiculous, myself.

Personally, I'd suggest you get the 35mm f/1.8G now and save up for an 85mm f/1.8G in the future.
 
P

piperbarb

Senior Member
Welcome.

I went from the D3000 (as my entry into the digital world from over 30 years in the film world) to the D7000. I love my D7000 but still use the D3000 at times. One of the things I love about the D7000 is that it can use ALL Nikon's autofocus lenses, including the early ones from the F4 era (of which I have a significant number). Also, it can use all the AI lenses but you do have to focus them. :)

​ My two favorite lenses are the AF 85mm f/1.8 and the AF 105 microNikkor. I have also found that the non AF AI 35mm f/1.4 is a very handy lens to have. I do a lot of nature photography so my needs are different than yours.
 
S

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I've used the Nikon 17-55 2.8 and the Tokina 11-16 2.8 on my D7000 with good results. The 17-55 was my walk around lens on the D7K before it became a backup to my D600. Both have great build quality and super IQ. Depends on how wide you want to go.

For portraits, the suggestion of an 85 is probably a good one, although it's equivilant to 128mm on DX. I like using the 70-200 when I'm shooting portraits and will break out my 50 1.4 if I encounter a low light, no flash situation. It's expecially awesome on the D600, where I can crank the ISO up to 6400!
 
E

Englischdude

Senior Member
I upgraded also to the D7K a short while ago and im having a blast! took the 18-105 kit lens, and also have the 35mm 1.8G which stays on the camera most of the time now. I think my next investment will be the 85mm 1.8. I also was torn between the 35mm and the 50mm prime lenses, a good indicator for me of what lens to get was to take tons of shots with a zoom lens (in my case the kit 18-105), and then checking the exif data of the pics to see what the focal length was most of the time. The pattern indicated that I need the 35mm!
Good luck anyway with your new toy!
 
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