What to do?? The next lens in the stable.

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Here is the scenario. My wife has decided she wants to learn something about photography. I gave her my D5300 and the kit lens 18-55mm. She saw my 70-300mm and wanted to use it so I have, on occasion, allowed her to use it. She now would like to take full time possession of it. Ha!

I use it on my D7100 most of the time for a walk around lens in the desert. As with most of us we want to build our stable of lenses a little at a time (as money affords), so I am thinking of getting a little better glass to add to my small collection. I am looking at the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 version to replace the 70-300 which was confiscated by my wife. I am really trying to figure out what niche in photography that I like the most. Outdoor life/wildlife is what I do most of the time, but also think I might like to get a little heavier into portraits. Macro too. Ha! You can see by my signature the lenses and cameras I now have. I already have a TC14EII that I think will work with the Tamron 70-200mm, but without AF. Not sure on this, however.

Help me along this path. What do I need to buy? All questions and answers will be appreciated as I wrap my head around what I want. Ha!

Thanks
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
You already have the 200mm-500mm which has some heft to it. Even though the 70-200mm f/2.8 isn't as heavy, it still has its own weight. Have you thought about the Nikon 70-200mm f/4 VR version which would be a little lighter?

If you are considering both macro and portraits, a 105mm f/2.8 VR macro lens would cover both. Just this past weekend I used my 85mm f/1.8 which is a lens I've hardly used. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed and its smooth bokeh even when it wasn't wide open. It too is a nice portrait lens although it lacks VR. It isn't heavy though which is an added plus. :encouragement:

Your 70-300mm might be the same one I own. I love that lens. It's a great lens in its own right and will be difficult to replace with something else.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
I gotta agree here.

First, I hear lots of good things about the 70-200/f4 from people who cover events and value the weight savings while still getting great IQ with just 1 stop less light. The only problem is that Nikon’s 70-200/f4 is basically the same cost as Tamron’s 70-200/f2.8 G2...so who wouldn’t take the extra speed?

I used the 105/2.8 for this week’s flower challenge, and really like how it performed. AND, the 85/1.8 is a fantastic portrait lens, and also very light wight!

I don’t know. The 70-300 is part of my usual travel kit, along with the 24-120 and 16-35, so it would be hard to give up that lens just due to the portability and range it offers.

Maybe your wife needs the Tamron 18-400 instead, and then hands off your glass! :D


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cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Thanks Cindy @hark and Charlie @RocketCowboy for your responses. I think I am going to go with another 70-300 VR lens (used) for my wife and an 85 1.8 for me. I will still save money over the Tamron 70-200 G2 and keep my LOVED 70-300. I would have liked to have gotten the Tamron 70-200 G2 just to have for that occasion shooting an event like my granddaughter's graduation in a darkish auditorium, etc. but I think I will use the 85mm more often. The 105 macro may be down the road. Ha!
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Ordered the 85mm 1.8 (New) and a used 70-300 VR. They should be here in a couple of days (Monday I hope).
 

Texas

Senior Member
You are bad as I am when you get the urge for another lens. I've been shopping for a couple all week but trying to restrain myself. Admit that I do have one offer outstanding...
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Thanks Cindy and Charlie for your responses. I think I am going to go with another 70-300 VR lens (used) for my wife and an 85 1.8 for me. I will still save money over the Tamron 70-200 G2 and keep my LOVED 70-300. I would have liked to have gotten the Tamron 70-200 G2 just to have for that occasion shooting an event like my granddaughter's graduation in a darkish auditorium, etc. but I think I will use the 85mm more often. The 105 macro may be down the road. Ha!

Ordered the 85mm 1.8 (New) and a used 70-300 VR. They should be here in a couple of days (Monday I hope).

Sometimes trying to come up with a decision can be very difficult. There are so many options for you, Walt, that I'm glad you were able to hone on what to get. I've thought about replacing my 70mm-300mm with Nikon's 70-200mm f/4 VR, but after getting the D7200, I have been enjoying the extended reach of having a zoom lens to 300mm on a DX body.

I don't want to post pics of people taken this weekend, but this quilt photo should give you an idea of bokeh with my Nikon 85mm f/1.8. Look towards the upper right corner at the step stool. I was close to my subject, yet there is some blur going on even though this was shot at f/7.1. The bokeh seems to be a little smoother than what I get from my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR with comparable apertures.

The quilt was laid out on the back of a baby grand piano. Just a tidbit of info about the quilt, one of my church members collected church camp t-shirts and stitched them together into this keepsake quilt. It was a phenomenal gift for the recipient.

quilt low res.jpg
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Sometimes trying to come up with a decision can be very difficult. There are so many options for you, Walt, that I'm glad you were able to hone on what to get. I've thought about replacing my 70mm-300mm with Nikon's 70-200mm f/4 VR, but after getting the D7200, I have been enjoying the extended reach of having a zoom lens to 300mm on a DX body.

I don't want to post pics of people taken this weekend, but this quilt photo should give you an idea of bokeh with my Nikon 85mm f/1.8. Look towards the upper right corner at the step stool. I was close to my subject, yet there is some blur going on even though this was shot at f/7.1. The bokeh seems to be a little smoother than what I get from my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR with comparable apertures.

The quilt was laid out on the back of a baby grand piano. Just a tidbit of info about the quilt, one of my church members collected church camp t-shirts and stitched them together into this keepsake quilt. It was a phenomenal gift for the recipient.

View attachment 288700

Ah, at last the piano is getting used for a good cause. ;) Just couldn't resist this joke because of my piano service background.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Ah, at last the piano is getting used for a good cause. ;) Just couldn't resist this joke because of my piano service background.

Lol, but they DID use the piano when the choir sang some songs--and they didn't have to remove the quilt either. BTW, I've always enjoyed seeing your piano photos!
 

Danno

Senior Member
Ordered the 85mm 1.8 (New) and a used 70-300 VR. They should be here in a couple of days (Monday I hope).

Congrats on the new lens Walt. I have been thinking about the 85 mm 1.8 as well for some photos they want me to take at church. I will tell you that I do like my Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 G2. I use it a lot and it is not to bad to carry. I use it on the 700 and 7200 both.

I will add that when I walk a lot I do use the Cotton rig my wife got me for my birthday. Regardless of the lens I use, that is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The camera locks in and I have both hands free. It gives me a lot more confidence walking.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Ah, at last the piano is getting used for a good cause. ;) Just couldn't resist this joke because of my piano service background.

Looks like how my pool table gets used. No one plays pool, but the table does a good job organizing my photography gear before/after a shoot. :)


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