New to Nikon, just switched, need lens info

[MattZ]

Hey all just switched from Canon 50D to Nikon
The noise in High ISO drove me nuts So After 10 years with Canon I made a decision to switch to D700
What a camera
I had a 20D than a 50D on the digital Side and some film ones before that

Now, need some good lenses
can you all help
I bought today 70 to 200 VR 2.8 ( Love this lens It feels heavier than my than my old 70-200 2.8IS ) and the pictures at the arena at ISO 1600 and 3200 look amazing

Next will be 50 1.4 or 1.8 (for portraits) ?????

and then something to walk around with

On the way to Pittsburgh for 4 days next week so I may hit some stores there

[Frog]

The 50 is a good choice.
The 18-200 vr is most favored for walk around but you have the 70-200 so it might be redundant.
I've heard good about the 18-55vr

[Dylan8i]

just fyi pittsburgh doesn't have good camera stores for anything above consumer stuff.

[AgingEyes]

Next will be 50 1.4 or 1.8 (for portraits) ?????

You've got a full-frame D700, right? So it's like the same film size back in the film days? If so, traditionally for portraits the recommended focal lengths is from 70mm to 105mm. The 50mm can be used as a portrait lens in DX format because on a DX Nikon, it becomes a 75mm. Not the case for your D700. It stays as a 50mm, which is a-jack-of-all-trades-but-good-for-nothing other than it's cheap I never own a standard lens myself. Ok, ok, it's just me and I know many people have a standard lens as its first lens...like the kit lens these days

Anyhow, for portraits, get the 85 f1.8 or if you have the dough to help the economy a bit more, the 85 f1.4.

But then, you already have the 70-200 f2.8, why do you need another lens for portraits?

[Franglais]

The 50 is a good choice.
The 18-200 vr is most favored for walk around but you have the 70-200 so it might be redundant.
I've heard good about the 18-55vr

He's bought a D700 which is a FX (24x36) sensor. All the DX lenses we usually recommend like the 18-200, 18-55 won't cover the sensor.

There are a lot of Nikon FX lenses, many of which were designed for film. I have a bunch of them. If I was going to invest in lenses today then I would say to stick with the very latest generation like the 24-70 f2.8 and the 14-24 f2.8 or primes. The sensor on the D700 is "only" 12Mpix and it's not too demanding on the lenses. The next generation of FX is likely to be 24Mpix and that may hit the resolution limits of older lenses.

[Frog]

He's bought a D700 which is a FX (24x36) sensor. All the DX lenses we usually recommend like the 18-200, 18-55 won't cover the sensor

You're right......didn't take that into account...my bad!

[Old Timer]

I have the D700 and am using my 28-70 f2.8 as the standard lens. It is a bit heavy for general walk about so I also bought the 24-120VR f3.5-5.6 to use for the everyday pics. It does not get the highest review but so far (I've only had it two weeks) it's preforming well for me.

[Len J]

For me, the 3 lenses that I want if I get the D700 are:

17-35 f/2.8
24-70 f/2.8
85 f/1.4

But I shoot mostly landscapes.

I have a D300 now and the lens most often on the camera is the 17-55 DX f/2.8....even walking around........hence thinking about the 24-70 for the FF.

My complete Kit for the D700 would be:

- 17-35 f/2.8
- 24-70 f/2.8
- 70-200 f/2.8
- 85 f/1.4
- 50 f/1.4
- 35 f/2.0
- Tamron 28-300 f/3.6-6.3 or equivilant as the vacation lens

[Franglais]

I would go for the 14-24 f2.8 rather than the 17-35 f2.8. I have the 17-35 f2.8. Great lens, great reputation. It's just that on the D300 it's outclassed by the humble 18-70DX that came with my D70, at least in terms of resolution. And by the 16-85DX VR. The 14-24 is reputed to be the best.

[MattZ]

I have the D700 and am using my 28-70 f2.8 as the standard lens. It is a bit heavy for general walk about so I also bought the 24-120VR f3.5-5.6 to use for the everyday pics. It does not get the highest review but so far (I've only had it two weeks) it's preforming well for me.

Yes looking for something light with modest range and
24 to 120
its light and it fits the bill
I think it may be much better than my old 28-135 from canon that I sold with my camera

....unless there is something else with vibration control from Sigma or Tamron

[MattZ]

OK
Picked up 24-120 VR and AF 50mm f/1.4D
Wow nice wide angle on 24 now need some dry weather so I can start using it

[Old Timer]

OK
Picked up 24-120 VR and AF 50mm f/1.4D
Wow nice wide angle on 24 now need some dry weather so I can start using it

I'm anxious to see how you like the 24-120, (I know you'll love the 50mm) I just spent the whole Thanksgiving weekend shooting with it. I had three grand kids running around the house and I put the 24-120 on the D700 and didn't take it off all weekend. It was very versatile and the quality was above average for the type images I was taking. It will not be my first choice for macro or other specialty shooting but for walk abouts and general family stuff, I can see it having a very prominent place in my arsenal.