You can all see what I have at present, so I won't bother you with listing my lenses. However, I find that I use certain lenses less and some more. For instance; - I find the 85 f1.8 somewhat superfluous in that I have the 105, which gives as good if not better results for portraits. I'll probably sell it, allthough I love it's small size and weight.
- I am wondering whether to sell the 35mm f2. It is covered by both the 24-70 and the 16-35 and the 24-70 is optically superior. Again, I love the small size, but.........!
- For the time being, my 70-300 does a very respectable job a longer focal distances, but a 135mm would be so nice or a 70-200! I am half way to the 70-200 if I sell the 35 and 85!
- I find that the D700 really needs the best opticts out there, so.......?
Constructive thoughts are welcome.
At the end of the day you know best what you use, or don't use. The two lenses you shortlisted for selling do offer a faster aperture than your stated alternatives, so be sure you don't need them.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.
You are right and I don't like selling primes. They don't cost much and they are fast, but......... and this is why I am throwing it around. It may seem stupid, but I also don't want to amass a number of lenses that I never use.
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1306700497' post='8909']
You are right and I don't like selling primes. They don't cost much and they are fast, but......... and this is why I am throwing it around. It may seem stupid, but I also don't want to amass a number of lenses that I never use.
[/quote]
Probably good idea would be getting the 70-200mm and then deciding whether 85mm (or even 105mm and 70-300mm for that matter) is still needed. Personally I find 70-200 2.8 to be one of the best all-rounders.
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1306700497' post='8909']
You are right and I don't like selling primes. They don't cost much and they are fast, but......... and this is why I am throwing it around. It may seem stupid, but I also don't want to amass a number of lenses that I never use.
[/quote]
Hi VL,
[url="http://forum.photozone.de/index.php?/topic/816-nikkor-af-85mm-f18-d/page__p__7332__fromsearch__1#entry7332"]A whole thread on the 85mm/f1.8[/url]... and now you're thinking of selling it..?!
Any particular reason that you don't use it? You know I just went to a friend's wedding yesterday, well of the shots I'll keep and send to my friends, probably 2/3 or more are on this lens <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' /> but then its 130mm on APS-C, so maybe that's the difference and, as you say, you're using the 105mm (the 2.8 VR micro?)...
Me, the more I use this lens, the more I like it <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' />
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1306688522' post='8903']
You can all see what I have at present, so I won't bother you with listing my lenses. However, I find that I use certain lenses less and some more. For instance; - I find the 85 f1.8 somewhat superfluous in that I have the 105, which gives as good if not better results for portraits. I'll probably sell it, allthough I love it's small size and weight.
- I am wondering whether to sell the 35mm f2. It is covered by both the 24-70 and the 16-35 and the 24-70 is optically superior. Again, I love the small size, but.........!
- For the time being, my 70-300 does a very respectable job a longer focal distances, but a 135mm would be so nice or a 70-200! I am half way to the 70-200 if I sell the 35 and 85!
- I find that the D700 really needs the best opticts out there, so.......?
Constructive thoughts are welcome.
[/quote]
You keep on buying/selling, as if THAT is your hobby, not making photographs! And you still feel like you do not make acceptable enough photos to show...
It might be a better idea to just start making photos with one or two lenses that attract you the most for now, and stop the gear-craze... and only think of buying any new lens when you have really discovered a new need.
The 85mm f1.8 you only just now got... give the lens a chance, maybe, until your photography progresses and you actually will know if this focal length will start to suit your style or not.
135mm maye be too close to 105mm again... you may then find yourself preferring the 135mm even. And then the 105 should be ditched, and a 85mm would then be nice.
The 35mm... you were telling you use it when you don't want to lug the heavy bricks along... not a good idea to sell it then? I think you should stop looking at spec sheets and reviews.. It does not matter that the 24-70 f2.8 on paper might do a better job marginally, when it is cumbersome/heavy to take along.
The D700 does NOT need the best optics... it needs an inspired photographer.
On the 70-200mm f2.8 VR... are you sure you will use it much, with its 1.5 kilos?
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1306688522' post='8903']
You can all see what I have at present, so I won't bother you with listing my lenses. However, I find that I use certain lenses less and some more. For instance; - I find the 85 f1.8 somewhat superfluous in that I have the 105, which gives as good if not better results for portraits. I'll probably sell it, allthough I love it's small size and weight.
[/quote]
For my taste, the 105mm VR micro (on FX), might have one advantage for portraits over the 85mm: the FL. It might be sharper than the 85mm in the center and borders of the frame, but I believe it is too contrasty for portraits and a portrait lens should be as fast as possible (with a decent optic performance) to control the shallow DoF. But in the end, if you are not a meticulous portrait shooter, you can live with the 105mm VR. That said, I find it's bokeh rather nervous for longer background distances (@f/2.8-5.6)
Quote:- I am wondering whether to sell the 35mm f2. It is covered by both the 24-70 and the 16-35 and the 24-70 is optically superior. Again, I love the small size, but.........!
For what purpose you are using the 35mm? In case of street photography, 24-70 (or 16-35) are not as handy as the 35mm. Besides, although I agree that it has very good optics, I think the 24 - 70mm focal range is not the best choice for portraits and and also for lanscapes (at least for my taste). E.g. for landscapes, an UWA zoom with focal length range in between 12 - 35mm + a fast prime between 24-35mm with a short MFD and a decent bokeh + 70-200/300mm would be a very nice set... But as I said, these choices are subjective... But at least I hope I could mention my reasons <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' />...
Quote:- For the time being, my 70-300 does a very respectable job a longer focal distances, but a 135mm would be so nice or a 70-200! I am half way to the 70-200 if I sell the 35 and 85!
I think the Nikon 70-200mm VR is an exceptional lens in terms of zoom range, speed and contrast. It is very heavy (in weight and price), but a 135mm would not do what it does. That said, if you still would like to have a 135mm, I've recently bought an older MF Nikon lens: Series E 135mm f/2.8. It is light, small and have very good optics. A second hand copy in a very good condition was 120€.
Quote:- I find that the D700 really needs the best opticts out there, so.......?
Especially when it comes to UWA lenses (as all FF formats do). The light fallof in the borders/corners should be watched I think. And the usual suspects are fast primes and UWAs
Serkan
If you barely use a lens then it's indeed time to sell it <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' /> But then whether 85 or 105 or 135 FL suits better you style of portraiture - only you can tell <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' /> I find more useful the 85mm becouse I prefer to work in a closer distance and get not-too-close framing at the same time, but I know a lot of people swearing that 135mm prime (f 2.0 DC) is the best thing for portraits ever.. I'd also agree with Serkan that the 105 macro might be too contrasty for a portrait lens..
On the 70-200 theme - absolutely great lens, weight is a PITA though, not a carry all day long item ..unless it goes in a backpack <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' /> The cheaper but optically very good alternative is Nikon's 80-200 2.8 (also heavy, no VR, but half the price). My friend has on of those and its' IQ is really good, way better than the 70-300 VR (which I had some time in the past).
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1306688522' post='8903']
You can all see what I have at present, so I won't bother you with listing my lenses. However, I find that I use certain lenses less and some more. For instance; - I find the 85 f1.8 somewhat superfluous in that I have the 105, which gives as good if not better results for portraits. I'll probably sell it, allthough I love it's small size and weight.
- I am wondering whether to sell the 35mm f2. It is covered by both the 24-70 and the 16-35 and the 24-70 is optically superior. Again, I love the small size, but.........!
- For the time being, my 70-300 does a very respectable job a longer focal distances, but a 135mm would be so nice or a 70-200! I am half way to the 70-200 if I sell the 35 and 85!
- I find that the D700 really needs the best opticts out there, so.......?
Constructive thoughts are welcome.
[/quote]
I think you can answer most of your questions yourself!
The primes you are considering selling will not raise a lot of €€€, I'd keep them. But that's me talking.
Regarding the 70-200VR2, it is a fabulous optic. It is also a back-breaker, believe me. The quoted weight tells you one thing; what you need to know also is that the lens/camera centre of gravity is quite far in front of you, very hard work. You have to make a mental effort to leave home with it. Yes. It is heavy enough to kill you but not heavy enough to absolutely require a monopod.
But I still love it.
Thank you for all your good advice, except for Brightcolours morality lecture, which I do not need! I am not sure what I am going to do, maybe nothing, but I like the idea of hearing other peoples opinions. For instance, the fact that the 105 may be too sharp for portraits is good input. In checking my portraits, I have to admit that some of the details could well be left out. But then it is easy to remove with NX2 as well.
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