Lens selection

[BobJones]

I'm looking for some alternatives for lens selection for a Nikon body.

I do landscapes, a bit of macro and some zoom shots (cricket/rugby/birds/wildlife).

I'm thinking:
Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 for landscapes, wide shots
Nikkor Micro 105 F2.8 VR for macro and portrait
Nikkor 70-300 F4.5-5.6 for zoom work

Any comments?

 

[koffiejunkie]

I'm thinking:
Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 for landscapes, wide shots

I vote for this one. Have it. Love it.

Dunno about the rest.

 

[BobJones]

How does it perform with a polarizing filter?

Can you use it as an everyday lens at 20mm for snapshots (*gasp*) at the braai etc?

 

[bwana]

I'm looking for some alternatives for lens selection for a Nikon body.

I do landscapes, a bit of macro and some zoom shots (cricket/rugby/birds/wildlife).

I'm thinking:
Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 for landscapes, wide shots
Nikkor Micro 105 F2.8 VR for macro and portrait
Nikkor 70-300 F4.5-5.6 for zoom work

Any comments?

Does Nikon do a nice fast 50mm? At an effective 80mm they're fantastic for portrait work on a crop sensor camera and usually (at least for us canon shooters) they're pretty inexpensive.

 

[BobJones]

They do a 50 F1.4 and a 35 F1.8 that was just released.

The 35mm sounds interesting since I'm not on a full frame sensor. Now to find someone with stock...

 

[BigAl-sa]

How does it perform with a polarizing filter?

It's actually a bit too wide to use with a polarizing filter at the lower focal lengths. You end up with a darkening gradient across the sky towards the optimum direction for the filter. However, under the right conditions, it can work:



However, the coatings on the lens do act as fairly efficient "polarizers" (no polarizer here):

Can you use it as an everyday lens at 20mm for snapshots (*gasp*) at the braai etc?

You mean like this?

 

[koffiejunkie]

How does it perform with a polarizing filter?

Just fine although if the filter frame is thick enough (most are) you get some extra vignetting. There are slimmer filters though.

Can you use it as an everyday lens at 20mm for snapshots (*gasp*) at the braai etc?

Of course! Gives you that "been there" feeling if you stand nice and close to your subject. I've actually done portraits with it. It's different, but I like it.

They do a 50 F1.4 and a 35 F1.8 that was just released.

They do a 50mm f/1.8 too.

 

[BobJones]

Nice shots. Looks like you need to spend some time on the composition and checking the corners with this lens.
I've decided that it makes sense to spend a little bit extra on higher quality filters, esp ND or UV filters used for protection. Why spend R10,000 on lens and then skimp the last couple of hundred on a filter that could potentially ruin every shot.

I need to see what the differences are between the 50mm F1.4 and F1.8. I think the older one doesn't have a focussing motor... have to look it up.

Any views on the 70-300?

 

[koffiejunkie]

I need to see what the differences are between the 50mm F1.4 and F1.8. I think the older one doesn't have a focussing motor... have to look it up.

Correct, it's manual focus on the D40 and D60. Fortunately, at f/1.8 it's reasonably bright, so not too bad, even with those dinky little viewfinders.

Any views on the 70-300?

There isn't too much to choose from for you, really. Canon and Nikon's offerings are much better than any of the 3rd party ones.

 

[bwana]

Nice shots. Looks like you need to spend some time on the composition and checking the corners with this lens.
I've decided that it makes sense to spend a little bit extra on higher quality filters, esp ND or UV filters used for protection. Why spend R10,000 on lens and then skimp the last couple of hundred on a filter that could potentially ruin every shot.

I need to see what the differences are between the 50mm F1.4 and F1.8. I think the older one doesn't have a focussing motor... have to look it up.

Any views on the 70-300?

That's my opinion of filters in general. I only use polarising filters and when I do they need to be of a decent quality. My UV filters have been relegated to my camera bag only to see the light of day when I'm shooting in unfriendly conditions like at the beach.

 

[BobJones]

So I got the Sigma 10-20 and snapped some shots in line today.
A bit of motion blur on the right, but this looks better than I expected.