Newbie, Need help with Nikon Lens

Thanks for the replies so far, very helpful.

I was also thinking of getting this lens below, for wide angle city landscape photos.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=520635&is=GREY&si=rev#specifications

What do you guys think?

I would use the first lens I posted as my general purpose lens and then the one I posted ^^ above as my city landscape lens and nature landscape. Since its wider

hjfok is a Nikon shooter, I believe, and knows more on certain lenses. I can tell you that you should also invest in a very good tripod if you want to do city/landscapes, especially during sunset, sunrise, and night time. A good tripod and head can set you back some.

You do have good tastes for high quality zoom lenses. I've been a Canon user for the past few years, only have used Nikon film SLR years ago. Some of my friends are Nikon users and so I have tried the Nikon D-SLRs on a few occasions, definitely not a Nikon D-SLR expert by any stretch.

Actually jump has recently crossed over to Nikon D3 and can probably give you some insights.

However, one does not need to be an expert to know the high pro quality of the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 and 14-24mm f/2.8 lenses. If you don't mind the price and bulk, these are top quality zoom lenses with raving reviews, and you can only top these with the best prime lenses. Having said that, you should be careful in choosing to use an ultra wide angle lens which is by no means a novice lens. The most challenging aspects are getting a good composition (with interesting focused foreground) and controlling alignments of your camera and subject. The "distortions" of a high quality ultra wide lens are usually not due to technical problems but rather due to the fact that ultra wide lenses tend to exaggerate any slight misalignment of your subject and camera.

The Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II are 3 top quality zoom lenses, that will complement the D700 or even the D3s nicely.

14-24 F2.8 Nano, 24-70 F2.8 Nano, and 70-200 F2.8 VRII Nano are the best zoom lenses that cover almost every shooting range. These are the 3 lenses you won't regret. But, it'll cost you quite a bit. Another good one ? I'm waiting for 24 F1.4 Nano.

Here's a useful link for Nikon you may want to view his personal comment:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/index.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-best.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-worst.htm


Good luck.

thanks for all the help guys,

I think I am going to get the two lenses I listed seems like the best choices for my needs.

Again thanks,

Cnet forum always helps!!

Cheers

I use this lens frequently in a professional setting and it's a great performer, but I would be hesitant is using as my 'one and only' lens. Ultra-wide angles such as these are difficult to master and best suited for landscape and architectural photography. This is NOT a good lens for any kind of portaiture as it renders people with strange proportions due to the extremely wide angle. Another word of caution with this lens: its big, and also delicate. The front element is bulbous and therefore can't accept a protective filter, and is very easy to damage. If you want a wide-angle lens that is more resistant to being dragged around I would suggest the Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8. Its an older lens, but has great performance and durability

another upcoming 16-35mm F4 VR Nano is also another alternative so that you can put on more ND and CPL filters. The newer lense is better in term of lense coating against flare and ghosting effect. 17-35 was an outstanding lense, but doing not good enough against 180 degree lighting. Nevertheless, 14-24 isn't that fragile. My 14-24 lense's cover was accidently removed in my Thinktank Speed Demon when I was walking and shooting. I was so scared when I saw the scratches, but things went okay after cleaning. Any way, you need a proper care for 14-24, such as putting in a small tying bag while backpacking or so. Trust me, Canon 17mm TSE frontal design is even more scary, but provide the better lid cover design. Wide angle is not good for portrait ? I don't think so, much to do with the composition. Visit my website :

http://yuth1127.multiply.com

I also shot many portrait pictures using 14-24 F2.8 Nano.

Well I am going to use the 24-70mm for portraits, and everyday photographs....and the 14-24mm for when I go out to take photos of landscape and city landscapes...as well as architecture....

also I am very protective of my stuff, and especially stuff like this, that costs almost 2000 a piece hehe.

I just bought Carl Zeiss Makro Plannar 100 F2ZE and tested on my Canon EOS 5D mark II. The outcome is outstanding. Here are some results:

http://yuth1127.multiply.com/photos/album/70/Snapshot_at_Paragon#

I love Canon skin tone at most for portrait shooting. And, I just felt in love with Carl Zeiss. The only trouble so far is the manual focusing, I must learn to live with. Not good when you're hasting, but optimal the outcome. Enjoy shooting pictures.

Very nice lens.