Opinions on lenses for NYC trip

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eurotrash

Senior Member
So I'm going to NYC in December to see all the pretty lights and stuff.
I currently have a D7000 with a 16-85vr and a 50 1.4 in my bag. (Yes, can you believe that's it?! :p)

I know that the 50 would be great for bokeh shots of the Christmas lights and portraits of my girlfriend, but fear that it'll be a bit long on my crop camera for cityscape photos that probably are going to occur ALL the time walking around the city.. I was contemplating buying the D600 up there at Adorama before nightfall on the day of my arrival. I know the 16-85's VR is excellent, but I fear that it simply won't be enough with 16mm @ f.3.5.

I could rent a lens, but I'm generally against that as the money could be used to simply purchase said lens.
I've been thinking of going full frame before the end of the year for a while now and I don't want to buy a lens that I won't use on a FF camera when I eventually go that route.
I could ask to borrow a friends' 35mm 1.8, but still, that focal length I fear won't be wide enough for 80% of the shots I plan. I guess I just need some advice as to what I should do. :concern:
 
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Mark F

Senior Member
You could look at a tokina 11-17. excellent lens for wide angle shots like cityscapes, but its not for FF cameras.
I believe your only choices for an FX lens would be 14-24. Great lens on a FX camera... but not that much wider than your 16-85.
Sigma has a 12-24 you might also give that a look see.
I only have experience with the tokina 11-17 when i had dx... Now I shoot with a tamron 17-35 for wide on FX.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Truthfully, the two lenses you mention are pretty much all you'll need for your trip. If you want to take "longer" shots, maybe a 70-300 or a 55-300 lens would be in order. Other than that, I don't see a problem with what you have right now. Enjoy the trip. Lots to see in NYC. :)
 
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eurotrash

Senior Member
I'm fine with a refurb to be honest.

I was just not planning on bringing a tripod and thought that the 16-85 speed wasn't up to snuff for f/8 type landscape shots
 
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skene

Senior Member
Those two lenses will be fine for NYC... There is too much to take in and a good wide lens with mid range focal length will get you around with no problem.
I shoot in the city whenever I can and I stay with no more than a 35mm and that gets me through most of the streets without wanting too much.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
fotojack said:
Truthfully, the two lenses you mention are pretty much all you'll need for your trip.
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Agreed, big time. Don't sweat having every mm of focal length covered, focus on your technique instead. Those are two excellent, very versatile lenses you've chosen and will give you plenty to work with.

.....
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Question: why would you consider buying a D600? Wouldn't you be better off getting the D610 and avoid the "troubles" the D600 has? Just wondering. If you're going for a discontinued full frame camera, why not the D700? I'm sure it would be a whole lot cheaper. The D700 is built a whole lot better, too, in my opinion.
 
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Mark F

Senior Member
fotojack said:
Question: why would you consider buying a D600? Wouldn't you be better off getting the D610 and avoid the "troubles" the D600 has? Just wondering. If you're going for a discontinued full frame camera, why not the D700? I'm sure it would be a whole lot cheaper. The D700 is built a whole lot better, too, in my opinion.
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I actually tried trading my d600 straight across for a d700 with a guy I knew at work. No dice. He really likes that d700 and says it will be the last camera he will ever own.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Mark F said:
I actually tried trading my d600 straight across for a d700 with a guy I knew at work. No dice. He really likes that d700 and says it will be the last camera he will ever own.
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hehehe...yeah, can't blame him, right? :) That D700 is an awesome camera!
 
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Mark F

Senior Member
fotojack said:
hehehe...yeah, can't blame him, right? :) That D700 is an awesome camera!
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Yeah... I played with one a few years back, but decided on the d300s. Now I wish I would have either went with the d700 or kept my d300s. Both awesome cameras.
I like the d600... and I like the quality of the shots that come out of it... but for build around the coastal range and winter in the high desert areas... the d700 shines. And I am still looking for a d700 to replace my d600 with. Couple that with the 24-70... I'm set for landscaping


Back to topic... I think the 16-85 on that camera will do all you need it to do. I suggested wider DX but if you are going to update your camera anyway... I wouldn't buy it. If you are buying a refurb or used D600 at Adorama in New York, maybe they will pair it with a decent wide lens for you.. like a 24-85 or 24-120 f/4
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Mark F said:
Yeah... I played with one a few years back, but decided on the d300s. Now I wish I would have either went with the d700 or kept my d300s. Both awesome cameras.
I like the d600... and I like the quality of the shots that come out of it... but for build around the coastal range and winter in the high desert areas... the d700 shines. And I am still looking for a d700 to replace my d600 with. Couple that with the 24-70... I'm set for landscaping


Back to topic... I think the 16-85 on that camera will do all you need it to do. I suggested wider DX but if you are going to update your camera anyway... I wouldn't buy it. If you are buying a refurb or used D600 at Adorama in New York, maybe they will pair it with a decent wide lens for you.. like a 24-85 or 24-120 f/4
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??? I'm not the one going to NYC, bud. :) You're mixing me up with the guy who is. :)
 
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