My Dilemma

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Rick M

Senior Member
The timming of the D600 and it's immediate availability has put me in an interesting spot. I have decided to go Fx and have begun selling off my Dx glass to fund the upgrade. My goal is to get a 24-120 for the D600, but I do not want to charge it so I will get it about a month after. I will get the 50mm1.8G when I pick up the D600. I also already have the 70-300vr.

In two weeks I leave on vacation to various spots to shoot waterfalls and foliage. Before the D600, I would have gone with the D5100 and 16-85. I will have to sell those to fund the D600. I like wide shots, but the Fx and 50mm should be a killer combo quality wise.

It comes down to going on vacation with a D600 and 50mm 1.8 or hold off on the purchase and go with the D5100 and 16-85, which gives me a lot more flexibility.

What would you do?

Thanks!
 
C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
cnyram said:
The timing of the D600 and it's immediate availability has put me in an interesting spot. I have decided to go Fx and have begun selling off my Dx glass to fund the upgrade. My goal is to get a 24-120 for the D600, but I do not want to charge it so I will get it about a month after. I will get the 50mm1.8G when I pick up the D600. I also already have the 70-300vr.

In two weeks I leave on vacation to various spots to shoot waterfalls and foliage. Before the D600, I would have gone with the D5100 and 16-85. I will have to sell those to fund the D600. I like wide shots, but the Fx and 50mm should be a killer combo quality wise.

It comes down to going on vacation with a D600 and 50mm 1.8 or hold off on the purchase and go with the D5100 and 16-85, which gives me a lot more flexibility.

What would you do?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Take 2 vodka sours and call me in the morning!

Seriously, take the D5100 and the 16-85. Why you ask?

Because you already know how to use it. Save the D600 for after the vacation and take your time learning her.

If you get the D600 now, it'll be like a torrid affair that will end badly. You want to romance that little lady. :devilish:

BWTHDIK?
 
ohkphoto

ohkphoto

Snow White
Rick, I concur with everything that Pete said . . . except I'd prefer two strawberry margaritas.

Take what you're familiar with . . . you've made some killer shots with it D5100.
Save the D600 for when you get back and have plenty of time to play with.
 
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stmv

Senior Member
wow,, you are an optimistic, to think that you will get the D600 within 2 weeks, if you rush I suppose, you could get the D600,, amazon is listing it as in stock and you could have it by sept 19th! , just think the FX could be within reach within minutes of reading this post,, just one click away,,, and ..... lock one up..

After all, I am sure the community is dying to hear how great the photos are going to be! One thing I noticed is that there is no pre review of the camera withe extensive shooting prior to the cameras shipping. So,, it really is like a blind purchased if you are the first in the queue.

One note, the 24-120 is so so zoom, you might want to consider other used zooms that have sharper results. The FX sensor deserves the best glass possible.

I recommend the 35-70 zoom or 28-105 (not as good as the 35-70), but better. but, suppose the 24-120 new lens might be better then the original 24-120 (which I sold and I don't sell lens too often).
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
stmv said:
One note, the 24-120 is so so zoom, you might want to consider other used zooms that have sharper results. The FX sensor deserves the best glass possible.

I recommend the 35-70 zoom or 28-105 (not as good as the 35-70), but better. but, suppose the 24-120 new lens might be better then the original 24-120 (which I sold and I don't sell lens too often).
Click to expand...

I almost fell off my chair. You've got to be kidding me right? Unless you are talking about the older 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 VRI, then I would agree with you.

Obviously you had a bad copy or you haven't used the 24-120mm f4 VRII lens and you just based your suggestion from what you've heard on the net. You don't suggest the 24-120mm but yet you recommend older optical formula lenses that doesn't even perform at the level of the 24-120mm f4 lens.

On topic: I would charge it and pay for it within 25 days which should fund the cost. But that's just me. I just prefer FX and there isn't much to learn after using Nikon for a while.
 
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stmv

Senior Member
maybe, I'll give it another go some time,, I'll wait a couple of years until the 24-120 VRII have some used lower cost. I have just had lower results on my D800 with the zoom lens, and mostly stick to Primes, and well these older zooms. Yes, I noticed better pictures with my 35-70 versus my copy of the 24-120 (which I wanted as a walk around lens), I also tried the 24-85 which I heard was strong, but not totally sure yet. These High Pixel FX sensors need solid glass.

but I was talking about the Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED ,, and not what you are referring to -> Nikon 24-120mm f/4G which is twice the cost. I have not tried the F4 yet, maybe its a really good lens, but for that price it better be, that is serious cash for not that fast of a lens.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
What wide primes do you guys recommend for these high res sensors? The 20's and 24's from Nikon (under $600) don't get great reviews when used on the D800. The next widest and affordable is the 28 1.8G, which I like, but reviews complain about mid frame softness just outside the center and some focus shift issue?
 
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Eye-level

Banned
Better to stick with the guns you know...by that I mean the focal lengths you like to use. Look for that same thing in FX. I don't think you should cheap out here we are talking about lenses remember. That would suck to have a cool body and a lens that just doesn't do it for you.

I've recently read good things about the fast Sigma 50 and it is FX I believe. 50 is different on a full frame. Completely totally normal. Not exactly your style though I know.
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
FX is the future Rick, go with it. FX has better dynamic range as well as larger coverage. Do not be dissuaded from what your gut is telling you. Once you start shooting full frame you'll never go back. For me it was the best decision I've made in a long time. Couple the D600 together the 50mm 1/8g you'll be unstoppable!
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
cnyram said:
What wide primes do you guys recommend for these high res sensors? The 20's and 24's from Nikon (under $600) don't get great reviews when used on the D800. The next widest and affordable is the 28 1.8G, which I like, but reviews complain about mid frame softness just outside the center and some focus shift issue?
Click to expand...

Nasim's original review of the 28mm has been updated, if that's what you're referring to. Apparently he had received a bad copy and after many people, including myself, wrote to him saying something didn't seem right, he revisited the lens and found that indeed his first impression was off. Granted, it's not as perfect a lens as the 24mm f/1.4 but it's also 1/3 the price. I love the heck outta my 28mm and maybe I'm not looking in the right places or I have an excellent copy because I don't see any of the aberrations he mentioned in his first review.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
I'd like to see a new 20 1.8 come out under $500, but I suppose they don't want to compromise slae of the more expensive 1.4's and wide zooms
 
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Eye-level

Banned
I don't think the 28 is going to be comfortable to you Rick. I'm thinking 24 is gonna fit your style way better than 28. 28 is going to be tight on a waterfall shot and there is no room at all for cropping if you do that. Heck you may even be a 20mm guy. (We posted at the same time but see you're on the same page as me. :) )
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Ya, on Dx I really like the 12-16 range, so 18-24 will be my favorite Fx range. The 16-35 f4 has been crossing my mind at the same time and price of the 24-120 f4. Eventually that will be my primary combo. Time to stop thinking and start buying :)
 
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Eye-level

Banned
So if you have the wheelbase go ahead and pull the trigger on the body and both lenses. Then you'll have a "completely enjoyable" vacation because you had your new rig with you. Then when you come back you'll be a broke d!ck but at least you lived! You have the wheelbase? Do it all and get it done now!
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
Eye-level said:
So if you have the wheelbase go ahead and pull the trigger on the body and both lenses. Then you'll have a "completely enjoyable" vacation because you had your new rig with you. Then when you come back you'll be a broke d!ck but at least you lived! You have the wheelbase? Do it all and get it done now!
Click to expand...

What do you mean by a "wheelbase"?
 
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Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
The only lens I have used on my D800 is my 50 f1.8, very nice compared to using it on my DX body. I will be trying my 28 soon just haven't had too much time to play with it.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
The 16-35 f4 VR is a very nice and sharp lens. Combined with the 50 1.8, you'd have a very usable setup since you already have the 70-300. But the 24-120 is nice also but not as nice as the more expensive 24-70 2.8. I almost used the 24-70 exclusively when I went to the fashion shoot in Malta.

But you'll just love the resolution and quality files that FX does. Just go for it, life is so short.
 
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stmv

Senior Member
It has been my experience that my D800 makes a lens better than worse. I have discussed this with a couple of other D800 users and both have stated the same things. I know on the net, they make big deal of lens differences and such, but often are just splitting hairs. I bet the D600 will be the same.

So, second the notion of tuning the lens selection to your type of shooting and budget. Since this camera can drive any auto focus lens and any manual lens so your selection is vast.

so, for example, 60 mm macro D is a good deal. for fun, can buy a used 50mm 2.0 manual (sweat lens), yes, the latest G lens are high quality, but if your budget is tight, don't be afraid of buying older lens.

One lens to consider is the 85 1.8 lens, quite sharp. frankly, your choice is so broad,,, that it is like a kid in a candy store.

that is the joy of Nikon.
 
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Eye-level

Banned
wheelbase = purchasing power...it is a car dealers/car lot term...if you have the wheelbase you can do a bunch of crap.

Me...I don't have hardly any wheelbase...I'm stuck driving a compact instead of a F250...my options are limited. And I would LOL except for it is not really that funny...LOL :)
 
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