Ok so i've been trying to decide if I'd rather have a bag of primes. Or some variable focal lenses. I'm a nikon shooter, so if i were going to get some glass like that it'd be the Nikkor 80-200 2.8 and 18-50 Sigma 2.8, and the 50-135 2.8 from tokina. Yes it's quite a bit off brand. But honestly guys, I can't afford to drop more than 800 max on a lens, it's just not possible at this point.

I was thinking i could go with a bag of primes to keep a nice bit of sharpness and great edge to edge with no distorion. I was thinking Tokina 17 3.5,Nikkor 50 1.8 (already have it), Nikkor 85 1.8, Sigma 180 3.5

If you were on a very very tight budget what lenses would you get? Imagine that you had $1700 total to spend on lenses and you wanted a good range from wide to reasonably telephoto. (Oh and no fisheye please I abhor that look!)

Here we go. Tamron 17-50 2.8 Di II. Really sharp, good close focus, 499.99. Nikkor 85 1.8 399.99. In August (or so) pick up the Tamron 70-200 2.8, it'll be about 600.00. Your all set. Three fast sharp lenses on you budget. The only shortcoming of the Tamrons is no AFS. I've learned to live without it. It's really good glass for a good price.

I shoot Nikon. Started with 2.8 zooms. Now almost exclusively primes other than the 12-24 I use rarely. The Nikkor 18mm 2.8 and 50 1.4 could almost be welded on my cameras. Once in a while I'll crack out the 85. I do use my old 70-200 for ceremonies, but that's about it. 90% or more is with the 18 prime and 50 prime.

Marc

Love my Nikon 2.8 17-55. It's a MUST have.

Hmmm, i think i'd rather get the 80-200 from nikon for 150 more but that looks like a good list. Thanks for the advice!


Awesome. Thanks so much for weighing in on this one!

yes. Do the primes.

you won't regret it.

Thanks so much for the advice Eric!

Hey Bryce, I have an older (screw on hood style) 80-200 2.8 very sweet lens, Ultra Mint cond, hardly used I will sell you for 600, you pay shipping.

I thought you were a Canon guy? Is this the AF-D or just the AF version?

I am, but I was Nikon my whole life, until about two years ago. ED-AF

Wow yes. Definately interested. Sent you a pm about it.

My baby has just been adopted.

Wish you a lot of luck with it Bryce!

I know you are going to love it! Magic included, so I can't wait to see what you do with it.

I am most certainly going to be a very very proud father, and it's quite the steal, especially with the magic included!

Thanks so much again. I'm soo excited to get this one! I've been wanting it since I first bought my camera.

ha ha, good for you bud!

Now you can buy something else too.

You want my 20 2.8, or 60 2.8 macro?

Primes vs. Zooms is a very personal issue. I strongly suggest renting some primes and seeing if it fits your style. One way is NOT better than the other. Plenty of awesome photogs use primes and plenty use zooms, one is not superior to the other. I am always leary of any photog that says to only use zooms or that primes are "better." Why not use both? One or the other will not make you a better photographer but using each to their strengths will allow you to maximize your creative decisions.

Personally, I use both as different situations call for different tools. I use a full frame 5D and a 1.6x crop factor 20D so the conversion factor gets a bit complicated but here's how I generally do it, take it for what it's worth:

Getting ready- 5D with a 16-35 or 24-70, 20D w/85 1.8. The 20D/85 has great reach so people across the room have no idea I am shooting them. It small and not so in-your-face as a 70-200.
Ceremony- 5D w/24-70 2.8 or 16-35 2.8 if it's a tight venue, 20D w/70-200 2.8IS for some really tight shots.
Reception- 5D w/ 24-70, 20D w/70-200
Dancing- 5D w/28 1.8 This is the perfect focal length for me and the 1.8 allows lower iso's than the 24-70.
Portraits- 5D w/70-200 2.8 IS as I shoot in very dark situations often. I also like the 85 1.8 and the 24-70 for more enviromental shots.

BTW, I reserve the right to change this kit at any time

There are lots of ways to do this but one thing to keep in mind is that the 1.5 crop Nikon sensor only utilizes the center of a lens so edge to edge sharpness isn't as big an issue as it is with a full frame sensor camera.

I had no idea you had this fantastic gear around, you've completely solved my lens buying issues!!! Another PM sent!


That's a whole lot of great advice in there. I did actually try out a whole bunch of primes and I absolutely loved it.
Your setup between your 20d and 5d sounds awesome and makes tons of sense. And that is another great point that edge to edge sharpness is going to be a significantly smaller issue for me as I'm using a 1.5x crop sensor. That sort of sharpness wiggle room is nice. That was an awesome read, definately thanks so much for sharing it!

I'd think about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, it's fantastic on crop bodies (won't work on full-frame).

Also, the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a super sharp lens.

I love shooting with primes most of the wedding day, but I like a zoom for portraits to get them done quickly. I'm using the 24-105mm IS on a 5D for that.

I do use primes for non-wedding outdoor portrait sessions. I like my 50mm and 135mm for those sessions.