Nikon Lens HELP!

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thenameislui

Senior Member
I was wondering what your guys' thoughts were on these two lenses to have as a prime lens. the 50mm f1.8 g and the 85 mm f1.8g. I'm interested in all aspects of photography (portraits, sports, weddings, head-shots, landscape) so i wanted to get some input on some of the other lenses i was thinking about purchasing outside of the prime lens.

Nikon 70-200mm VR II AF_S GED
Nikon 28mm f/1.8 G
AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5 f/2.8 G ED

Speed light 600,700,800?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP AND INPUT
 
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Mike150

Senior Member
For portraits and head shots, I'd go with the 50 or even the 35. I think the 85 is a bit too long.

I have the 50 and often find the need to back up in order to get a good shot.
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
The 70-200mm is a very good lens...An alternative to it is the 80-200mm which does a good job..About $1000 cheaper..

I have the SB600 and find it OK...The Sb700 is probably a better option...
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
I have the 50mm 1.8G and 1.4D and I find myself using the 50mm 1.4D more often on my D7100. Overall I think I get a little better performance from the 1.4D. The 85mm 1.8G is my favorite lens but is always seated on my D600. On my D7100 the effective focal length is a little awkward for my shooting.

The Nikon 70-200 is pretty much the pinnacle in its range. I'm actually opting for the Tamron 70-200 2.8 vc. For me, I don't feel that I'm giving much up and saving $800 in the process is a plus.

The speedlights are all priced and spec'd accordingly. I'd go through the features and figure out what works for you and go from there.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I have the 35mm f/1.8G the 50mm f/1.8G and the 85mm f/1.8G and of the three, I'd let go of the 50mm first. I'm not saying the 50 isn't a great lens but, of the three, that's the one I'd let it go first if I had to.

The 10.5mm fisheye is a bit too specialized in my opinion while the 28mm or the 70-200mm I think would be excellent additions though I'd probably find myself using the 35mm over the 28mm by a large margin.

As for flash units, I'd bypass Nikon altogether and get a Yongnuo YN-565EX or YN-568EX and pocket the extra couple hundred bucks.

.....
 
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singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
If you're thinking about the 70-200 and can afford it, buy it. It's fantastic. Maybe a tad long for some portrait work on the 7100, but it is an awesome lens. And, it will hold its value better than an after market lens. It's not my most used lens (24-70), but it is my favorite. I use SB-800s, which are not as user-friendly as the 700s, 900/910s, but are around $300 on the used market. The SB-800 is the most powerful Nikon flash available if you're looking for power.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
All of those lenses are great, buy them. Probably the easiest flash to use is the SB700, if I can understand it in less than a day, anyone can.
 
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ShootRaw

Senior Member
Mike150 said:
For portraits and head shots, I'd go with the 50 or even the 35. I think the 85 is a bit too long.
Click to expand...

The 35 is not a portrait or head shot lens..Even on a DX..The 50mm on DX can work as a portrait lens..And the 85mm is even better..The longer the lens the better compression you get.
 
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Brian

Senior Member
The 50/1.8 with a 1.5x crop camera gives a good portrait focal length. The 85mm focal length on a 1.5x crop sensor pushes the longer end of "traditional" focal length for portraits, but will certainly make it easier to get head-shots at reasonable distance.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
thenameislui said:
Nikon 70-200mm VR II AF_S GED
Nikon 28mm f/1.8 G

Speed light 600,700,800?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP AND INPUT
Click to expand...

Nikon 70-200mm VR II AF_S GED
Nikon 28mm f/1.8 G or 24-70mm f2.8G

Flash:
Effective range
SB 910 200mm
SB800 105mm
SB700/600 85mm

I would get the SB 910 to match the reach of the 70-200mm f2.8 VRII.
 
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thenameislui

Senior Member
thanks for all the input! and happy new years everyone!

just purchased the SB 800, the Nikkor 50mm 1.8g, Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye, and the Nikon 70-200mm VR II AF_S GED. i also have an Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5g

now that I'm pretty much broke, I'm happy with what i have. any other suggestions for future purchases or perhaps trades i should make, so i may have a versatile selection of lenses for all aspects of photography with the minimal amount of lenses.
 
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