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Forums > Back > D800 lenses
#1
Hi all,



I pulled the trigger and decided to buy a D800 a bit earlier than I originally expected, but since they seem more affordable in Switzerland than anywhere else (2640 chf), I didn't want to wait and take the risk of a price rise like in the UK.



I'd like to have opinions regarding the following lenses on a D800. I realize the sensor will be quite demanding given it has the same density as a D7000 while being FF, therefore prone to corner issues.



- Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4: is it worth something on the D800? From the review here it looks excellent on the D200. Granted the test won't be very representative as it was APS-C and 10mp only.



- Nikkor 20mm f/2.8: seems like a good compact UWA, even on the D800



- Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8: they are many versions of this lens. How do they fare and differ optically? Anything I should be aware of? I read the pull/push versions are slow as dog to AF, but coming from Pentax I don't think it would be much of a problem. Speed is not very important, but I want very accurate AF though. I'd shoot it mostly wide-open.



- Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM: the latest and more expensive Sigma version of this lens. Anyone has tested it, at least on a D3X? How is it wide-open, especially at 200mm?



- Tokina 80-200 f/2.8: any good? Being and old 3rd party design, I suppose it's outclassed by the recent Sigma, but I might be wrong.



Thanks in advance for your feedback!
--Florent

Flickr gallery
  Reply
#2
I would prefer the Voigtlander 20mm f3.5 SL II over the Nikon 20mm f2.8. Very compact, but no AF of course. And actually very nice optics.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cv20/



The Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 OS HSM is a good lens, but just mind the big focal breathing towards MFD, so depending on what you use it for it might not give what you want. Wide open it is not sharp from corner to corner, but depending on subject wide open that does not always matter. Something to keep in mind, though. Stopped down it improves a lot.

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma_70-200_2p8_os_c16/5

Maybe not what you are looking for.
  Reply
#3
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1332849181' post='17092']

Hi all,



I pulled the trigger and decided to buy a D800 a bit earlier than I originally expected, but since they seem more affordable in Switzerland than anywhere else (2640 chf), I didn't want to wait and take the risk of a price rise like in the UK.



I'd like to have opinions regarding the following lenses on a D800. I realize the sensor will be quite demanding given it has the same density as a D7000 while being FF, therefore prone to corner issues.



- Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4: is it worth something on the D800? From the review here it looks excellent on the D200. Granted the test won't be very representative as it was APS-C and 10mp only.



- Nikkor 20mm f/2.8: seems like a good compact UWA, even on the D800



- Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8: they are many versions of this lens. How do they fare and differ optically? Anything I should be aware of? I read the pull/push versions are slow as dog to AF, but coming from Pentax I don't think it would be much of a problem. Speed is not very important, but I want very accurate AF though. I'd shoot it mostly wide-open.



- Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM: the latest and more expensive Sigma version of this lens. Anyone has tested it, at least on a D3X? How is it wide-open, especially at 200mm?



- Tokina 80-200 f/2.8: any good? Being and old 3rd party design, I suppose it's outclassed by the recent Sigma, but I might be wrong.



Thanks in advance for your feedback!



[/quote]





Please take this as constructive.....



Don't buy an expensive car and put cheap fuel in it!



The camera is designed for AFS Nikkors



That is what you'll buy - (if you're serious enough to have 36MP) - after you've lost money on the lenses you are thinking about.
  Reply
#4
[quote name='AAC7man' timestamp='1332855098' post='17097']

Please take this as constructive.....



Don't buy an expensive car and put cheap fuel in it!



The camera is designed for AFS Nikkors



That is what you'll buy - (if you're serious enough to have 36MP) - after you've lost money on the lenses you are thinking about.

[/quote]



I don't think it's always necessary to spend tons of money to fully take advantage of the 36MP. For instance the Nikkor 50mm 1.8G that can be had for ~200 USD seems to deliver. The same is true of the 85 1.8G. Both of these lenses are "cheap". For a trans-standard zoom, things seem a bit different and it seems only the Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 seems to be up to the task (the 24-120 is already not fantastic on the D3X). I suppose the old 28-70 and even 35-70 may be okay even (?).



From what I've read, it still seems the Nikkor 80-200 is a very good lens optically. The optical design before and after the AFS version doesn't seem to have changed (correct me if I'm wrong).
--Florent

Flickr gallery
  Reply
#5
Many lenses will do a good job, 36mp is not crazy high. Of course, when a lens performs much worse on corners, it will be noticable when the subject is in a corner. But that usually is not the case anyway.



The Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 will be able to give good results, as will the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM.

The by you mentioned 50mm f1.8 AF-S is fine. Voigtlander 20mm I mentioned will do too, and the 35mm f1.4 from Samyang. Most macro lenses will perform very well, especially the Sigma 70mm f2.8 and 150mm (and probably the new 105mm OS).



And anyway, realize that if one can get good results with a lens on the 12mp D700, one can get at least equally good results with the D800, if one will print at similar sizes. Only when you are after much bigger print sizes, extra sharpness will be important.
  Reply
#6
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1332857905' post='17099']

Many lenses will do a good job, 36mp is not crazy high. Of course, when a lens performs much worse on corners, it will be noticable when the subject is in a corner. But that usually is not the case anyway.



The Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 will be able to give good results, as will the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM.

The by you mentioned 50mm f1.8 AF-S is fine. Voigtlander 20mm I mentioned will do too, and the 35mm f1.4 from Samyang. Most macro lenses will perform very well, especially the Sigma 70mm f2.8 and 150mm (and probably the new 105mm OS).



And anyway, realize that if one can get good results with a lens on the 12mp D700, one can get at least equally good results with the D800, if one will print at similar sizes. Only when you are after much bigger print sizes, extra sharpness will be important.

[/quote]



Thanks, Brightcolours.

I agree with you, people seem to worry way too much about the extra MP. That's the problem when we have the opportunity to see results on screen at 100% magnification (at the pixel-level). People tend to forget to take the output format into consideration.



I think it's a bit of a shame there is no good 24-70 f/2.8 alternative from 3rd party manufacturers. The Tamron is not too bad, but it starts at 28mm. The Sigma has a very unpleasant bokeh and questionable IQ at f/2.8. The Nikkor is very expensive.



The Voigtlander 20mm seems pretty good, but I don't want to use MF. My eyes are not that fantastic although for landscapes, AF doesn't really matter anyway. I just like the ability to have an AF in case I wouldn't have time to focus every shot.



It seems the Sigma 70-200 is a descent alternative and a very good value (half the price of the Nikkor 70-200).



Thanks.
--Florent

Flickr gallery
  Reply
#7
With respect to the Nikkor 20mm f2.8 it is great on a D700, fine in the centre from f2.8 and sharp all through by 5.6. I like the colour rendering very much. I would look at the 24-120. I don't know where you got the info that it is not a great lense! It is every bit as sharp as a 24-70 and has a better focal range. I sold my 24-70 to get a 24-120. I agree with you on the 50 and 85mm AFS f1.8. They are great and not expensive. I use the 85mm AFD f1.8, which is optically as good and with an AF that is good enough for me.

Maybe wait for the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC. It might be a very good choice if you really want a 24-70! If you need a 70-200, then buy the Nikon, either the 80-200 AFD, (new for 1000€) or the VRII. That is one area where I would not go "cheap"!
  Reply
#8
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1332863967' post='17101']

The Voigtlander 20mm seems pretty good, but I don't want to use MF. My eyes are not that fantastic although for landscapes, AF doesn't really matter anyway. I just like the ability to have an AF in case I wouldn't have time to focus every shot.

[/quote]

Understandable. But do keep in mind that the camera does confirm focus with it, and the big bright view finder makes judging focus a lot easier than you are used to with your Pentax.



One little tip if you would start to look for a 35mm lens... the Nikon 35mm f1.4 Ai-S (MF lens) can at times be found 2nd hand for very reasonable prices. It is compact and light weight for an f1.4 lens, and what makes it special is its lovely bokeh rendering. MUCH nicer than the current AF-D/AS-S 35mm's (f2, f1.4). Great lens to keep in mind, as a little "insider" tip.
  Reply
#9
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1332849181' post='17092']

Hi all,



I pulled the trigger and decided to buy a D800 a bit earlier than I originally expected, but since they seem more affordable in Switzerland than anywhere else (2640 chf), I didn't want to wait and take the risk of a price rise like in the UK.



I'd like to have opinions regarding the following lenses on a D800. I realize the sensor will be quite demanding given it has the same density as a D7000 while being FF, therefore prone to corner issues.



- Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4: is it worth something on the D800? From the review here it looks excellent on the D200. Granted the test won't be very representative as it was APS-C and 10mp only.



- Nikkor 20mm f/2.8: seems like a good compact UWA, even on the D800



- Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8: they are many versions of this lens. How do they fare and differ optically? Anything I should be aware of? I read the pull/push versions are slow as dog to AF, but coming from Pentax I don't think it would be much of a problem. Speed is not very important, but I want very accurate AF though. I'd shoot it mostly wide-open.



- Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM: the latest and more expensive Sigma version of this lens. Anyone has tested it, at least on a D3X? How is it wide-open, especially at 200mm?



- Tokina 80-200 f/2.8: any good? Being and old 3rd party design, I suppose it's outclassed by the recent Sigma, but I might be wrong.



Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[/quote]



Lenstip has reviews of the Nikkor AF-D 80-200mm f2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and comparison of them. If I am right the tests were done on D3x. Both are comparably good, and the Nikkor is slightly better.



While for the 24-70mm, I remember that Tamron is going to release a 24-70mm f2.8 with VC.



Regards,

Frank
  Reply
#10
[quote name='Frank' timestamp='1332899947' post='17114']

Lenstip has reviews of the Nikkor AF-D 80-200mm f2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and comparison of them. If I am right the tests were done on D3x. Both are comparably good, and the Nikkor is slightly better.

[/quote]

You are wrong <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Tongue' />

The Nikon 80-200mm D was tested in 2006, and there certainly was no D3x in 2006. The lens was tested on a D200 APS-C. The Sigma is new, and has been tested on a full frame. So, you can not compare them with the lenstip tests.
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