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Author Topic: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810  (Read 9875 times)

markdavisleica

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Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« on: September 25, 2014, 01:31:35 pm »

I know this has been much discussed before, but I am new to the 36MP world and would like users' practical advice about which lens to get.  My photography is a mix of family, architecture, landscape and city/street.  My current lenses are:

Nikon 16-35mm f/4, for landscape and architecture
Nikon 50mm f/1.8, for family and general use as a good ordinary lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4, superb for portraits

I am travelling to Paris next week and do not want to carry all of this around with me.  So, I am debating getting a Sigma 35mm "Art" f/1.4 or the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8.

With the Sigma, that would mean a simple two lens lineup for travel of it and the Nikon 85mm.  Two great primes.

Alternatively, the Nikon 24-70 could be a very high quality compromise as a one lens choice for a weekend in Paris (although I don't want to throw money away and want to make a sensible choice for future needs).

Any views?
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Herbc

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2014, 02:41:04 pm »

I would take the two primes, 35 and 85.  I had the 24-70 and found it a good lens, but it is pretty big.  I think for walkabout the
35 would be a lot more fun.
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2014, 02:48:59 pm »

The 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 plus either the new 20mm f/1.8G or 24mm f/1.4G, and 85mm f/1.8G  will be better choices for you given what you say you shoot.

I can't stress the following enough: The 36.3Mp Nikon D800/D810 cameras will really show up any flaws in your technique or lenses. To match the quality of the sensor it is mandatory that if you shoot using the viewfinder as opposed to live view that you test and calibrate (Autofocus Micro-Adjust settings) the bodies AF system for your  lenses, otherwise I guarantee you will be frustrated.

I really like the LensAlign Mark II and it's companion FocusTune software for this purpose (http://michaeltapesdesign.com/lensalign.html) - attached is a screen shot of just one of the ways the results can be analysed-  but there are other methods.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2014, 03:26:11 pm by Ellis Vener »
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markdavisleica

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2014, 03:20:09 pm »

Thank you.  That is very good advice, which I will follow.  I may have been fortunate so far with the lenses I have been using as they appear to be aligned, but I will check this further.  I agree that there is absolutely no point having such a high resolution camera, if the lens and body are not aligned properly.
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Petrus

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2014, 04:10:11 pm »

14-24mm Nikkor, 35mm Sigma Art, 50mm Sigma Art and 85mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 Nikkor would be my choices. Drop 50mm Sigma if only 3 lenses. Drop 35mm and 85 if only two lenses.

While doing the focus micro alignment is VERY necessary if doing full open shooting, specially close-ups, for street (usually at least f/5.6), Family (usually at least f/5.6), architecture (usually at least f/8), and landscape (usually at least f/8) is not all that critical.
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melchiorpavone

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2014, 05:15:01 pm »

I know this has been much discussed before, but I am new to the 36MP world and would like users' practical advice about which lens to get.  My photography is a mix of family, architecture, landscape and city/street.  My current lenses are:

Nikon 16-35mm f/4, for landscape and architecture
Nikon 50mm f/1.8, for family and general use as a good ordinary lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4, superb for portraits

I am travelling to Paris next week and do not want to carry all of this around with me.  So, I am debating getting a Sigma 35mm "Art" f/1.4 or the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8.

With the Sigma, that would mean a simple two lens lineup for travel of it and the Nikon 85mm.  Two great primes.

Alternatively, the Nikon 24-70 could be a very high quality compromise as a one lens choice for a weekend in Paris (although I don't want to throw money away and want to make a sensible choice for future needs).

Any views?

It depends on what you are going to want to photograph in Paris. It's hard to say otherwise.
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Jan K.

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2014, 05:34:45 pm »

... Any views?

Yeah, but you'll probably laugh out loud!  ;D

I've ended up with the weirdest (un)"Holy Trinity", so would pick the 17-35mm f/2.8 together with the old 35-70mm AF-D f/2.8...


See?   :D
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markdavisleica

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2014, 05:35:07 pm »

Mostly architecture, cityscapes, Seine night shoots...all that sort of predictable stuff.  [And the odd portrait of my wife, as it is our wedding anniversary trip.]
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melchiorpavone

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2014, 05:47:35 pm »

Mostly architecture, cityscapes, Seine night shoots...all that sort of predictable stuff.  [And the odd portrait of my wife, as it is our wedding anniversary trip.]

A 35 and an 85, is my first suggestion.
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rogan

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2014, 06:21:51 pm »

If you have a great hotel I might take the new 800 5.6 and not leave the bar at the hotel. If weight is a problem consider the 600 f4 with a 1.4 converter
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David Anderson

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2014, 06:25:52 pm »

Have a look at the 28 1.8 as well.
It's an amazing lens for the price.
Sharp corner to corner and light.

I also like the 60 macro as a standard lens - it's also very light and sharp.

Last, the humble 85 1.8 doesn't get much press these days, but is a very good lens and cheap compared to the 1.4
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2014, 06:45:36 pm »

After my initial enthousiasm, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 I own remains very sharp and excellent technically but look/image rendition is, in the end, only average (not bad but not great either).

Overall the Nikkor 35mm f1.4 may be a better bet if you are looking for subject isolation with a wide lens.

Prime vs zoom is IMHO more a question of shooting philosophy rather than technical lens excellence. I sold my 24-70 f2.8 because I was hardly ever using it, but my copy was overall excellent technically on the D800.

Cheers,
Bernard
« Last Edit: September 25, 2014, 06:47:32 pm by BernardLanguillier »
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markdavisleica

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2014, 06:55:25 pm »

Thanks Bernard.  Interesting.  I've come from Leica M (digital and film), where zooms are not an option and primes are viewed with awe and reverence.  My natural leaning is towards primes, but I do not necessarily want to fall into the prejudice some have against zooms as some of the Nikons seem to be excellent.  The only one I have, the 16-35mm has really impressed me so far.
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Walt Roycraft

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2014, 08:57:34 pm »

The 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 plus either the new 20mm f/1.8G or 24mm f/1.4G, and 85mm f/1.8G  will be better choices for you given what you say you shoot.

I can't stress the following enough: The 36.3Mp Nikon D800/D810 cameras will really show up any flaws in your technique or lenses. To match the quality of the sensor it is mandatory that if you shoot using the viewfinder as opposed to live view that you test and calibrate (Autofocus Micro-Adjust settings) the bodies AF system for your  lenses, otherwise I guarantee you will be frustrated.

I really like the LensAlign Mark II and it's companion FocusTune software for this purpose (http://michaeltapesdesign.com/lensalign.html) - attached is a screen shot of just one of the ways the results can be analysed-  but there are other methods.

Ellis, thanks for the edit. You really had me confused for a minute :)
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Walter Roycraft
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synn

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2014, 09:20:08 pm »

If it's only for a week, rent a copy of each. Renting is always a good way to make a decision when you're confused.
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Schewe

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2014, 01:53:24 am »

Alternatively, the Nikon 24-70 could be a very high quality compromise as a one lens choice for a weekend in Paris (although I don't want to throw money away and want to make a sensible choice for future needs).

Any views?

Not for nothing but I recently switched from Canon to Nikon D810. This is what I chose for the first 3 lenses; Nikon 14-24mm, 28-300mm and the 105 macro. So, is this optimal Don't know (yet) but based on what I've learning from my Nikon friends, it's a good start. No primes as of yet...
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David Anderson

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #16 on: September 27, 2014, 01:59:10 am »

and the 105 macro.    No primes as of yet...

The 105 is reasonably prime.. :P ;D

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Simon Garrett

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2014, 03:34:12 am »

Mostly architecture, cityscapes, Seine night shoots...all that sort of predictable stuff.  [And the odd portrait of my wife, as it is our wedding anniversary trip.]

I recommend you change the order of those two sentences in case your wife reads this.   ;)
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AFairley

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2014, 10:15:23 am »

I likely would pick the 35mm and 85mm primes.  The 24-70 is nice, but it weigts a ton and is huge.  Right now my urban go to lens on the D800E is an old 35mm f2 AIS, I love the silkiness of the way it draws and I can focus well enough given that I usually shoot at f8.  The thing even with hood attached is tiny compared to current primes.
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markdavisleica

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Re: Lens line up for Nikon D800/800E/810
« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2014, 12:23:40 pm »

thanks everyone for the helpful responses.  I have I think concluded that I will not get the 24-70mm at this point as I prefer something lighter for city photography.  I am very pleased with my 85mm/f1.4 and believe that something wider would make a good two-primes solution for city travel.  I am leaning towards the Sigma 35mm Art, but am now reading very good reviews of the Nikkor 28mm/f1.8G.  I am used to the 28mm focal length with the Ricoh GR and think it could be a generally useful travel lens.  Has anyone had experience of both the Nikkor 28mm and the Sigma 35mm?
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