Cameras | |
 | Nikon D3s – a serious camera for serious photographers, the Nikon D3s is currently the king of low-light photography with an unmatched high ISO performance. Lola and I use the Nikon D3s during weddings and portrait sessions and I also heavily rely on it for my nature photography. The full-frame (FX) sensor of the camera delivers colorful images with very little noise and its 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors provides extremely accurate results for sharp photos. Whether you are shooting events in low-light situations or nature in extreme weather conditions, the Nikon D3s, without a doubt, is one of the best DSLRs Nikon has ever made. For more details about the D3s, see my Nikon D3s Review. |
 | Nikon D700 – if you asked me what the best camera in the world is, I would probably say that it is the Nikon D700. While it does not have all the features of the top-of-the-line DSLRs like Nikon D3s, it is still a very capable full-frame camera (with the same sensor as the original D3) that provides a lot of value at a good price. It has a great low-light performance and it is equipped with the same 51-point AF system that is found on Nikon’s professional D3/D3s/D3x cameras. The camera balances perfectly well on hands and both Lola and I love shooting with it. Lola also finds the weight of the D700 to be a huge advantage – the Nikon D3s is just too heavy for her, especially during weddings. For more details about the D700, see my Nikon D700 Review. |
Camera Accessories | |
 | Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Grip – not only does the MB-D10 allow you to shoot twice as many shots without charging batteries, but it also helps a lot with taking vertical images. Another nice thing about the MB-D10, is that it increases the speed of the Nikon D700 to a whopping 8 FPS, when the right type of batteries are used. |
 | Kirk BL-300G L-Bracket for Nikon D300/D700 with MB-D10 – the Kirk L-Bracket is a must-have for when you need to use a tripod. It will allow mounting your camera on your Arca-style tripod head both vertically and horizontally. The Arca-style quick release system is the best one out there and you will need to have an Arca-style tripod head to be able to use these (see the tripod info below). I have two of these (one for Nikon D700 and one for Nikon D3s) and I permanently leave them on my cameras, unless I remove the MB-D10 from the D700. Kirk makes L-Brackets of different shapes for most popular cameras, including Canon and Sony. You can get the Nikon D3/D3s/D3x version here. |
 | Op/Tech USA Pro Strap – I have tried many different straps and the Op/Tech Pro Strap is by far the most comfortable strap out there. Because it stretches, the strap won’t put too much pressure on your neck when you move around and use heavy gear. I have been buying these for every camera I own. If you are still using a stock strap, you should check these out. |
Lenses | |
 | Nikon 24mm f/1.4G – the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G is the sharpest wide-angle lens produced by Nikon. Whether you are into wedding, portrait, landscape, architecture, street or other photography, the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G will not disappoint with its clarity, colors, sharpness and background blur (bokeh). It is specifically designed for full-frame cameras like Nikon D700 and D3/D3s/D3x, but will also work on any DX camera like Nikon D5100. If you have not seen my Nikon 24mm f/1.4G Review, check it out for additional information on this gem. |
 | Nikon 50mm f/1.4G – a compact, lightweight, inexpensive and a very handy portrait lens that Lola and I use more than any other for weddings and portraiture. It works perfectly well on both DX and FX cameras and it yields beautiful bokeh at large apertures. If I were to take only one lens to a wedding, this would be it. See my Nikon 50mm f/1.4G Review for more information on this lens. |
 | Nikon 85mm f/1.4G – if you love to be able to isolate your subjects and have the smoothest bokeh, this is the portrait lens you want to own. It is regularly dubbed as the “bokeh king” by many photographers. It is unbelievably sharp from center to corner and yields amazing clarity, colors and contrast. Check out my full Nikon 85mm f/1.4G Review for more information on this lens. |
 | Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR – without a doubt, the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR is Nikon’s finest modern macro lens. Optically it is so good that many photographers employ the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR for portraiture. It is sharp wide open and has a beautiful, creamy bokeh. In addition, it comes with a Vibration Reduction/Image Stabilization mechanism, which works its magic in challenging light conditions. A full review of this lens will be posted soon. |
 | Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G – the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G is one of the best lenses ever produced. The lens is so good, that some photographers use it with an adapter on their Canon DSLR cameras. It is sharper than many prime lenses that fall in the 14mm to 24mm range and yields amazing clarity and contrast in images. I would have called this lens perfect, except it has one major pitfall for landscape photographers – you cannot use it with normal circular filters. Check out my full Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G Review for more information on this lens. |
 | Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G – every time when I review the list of lenses I used the most at the end of each year in Lightroom, I find that the Nikon 24-70mm is usually the second most used lens after the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G. While it is not as optically good as the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G and has some weaknesses (like sharpness issues in the corners at large apertures, distortion and vignetting), it is a very practical lens for landscape photography on full-frame cameras. The 24-70mm range is perfect for most landscape photography needs and the lens is very sharp when stopped down beyond f/5.6. Check out my full Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G Review for more information on this lens. |
 | Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II – if I need the flexibility of a zoom lens when photographing people, wildlife or landscapes, the Nikon 70-200mm is the answer. It truly is a versatile lens with a very useful zoom range and unbeatable performance throughout the focal range, from center to corner. The colors, clarity, sharpness and contrast are all amazing and the lens performs flawlessly on both FX and DX cameras. Furthermore, it magically works very well with all Nikon teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. Check out my full Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. |
 | Nikon 200-400mm f/4G VR – many of the wildlife images I have in my portfolio are taken with the Nikon 200-400mm f/4G VR lens. It has a very useful focal length for situations when you need to zoom in tight or zoom out when the subject is too close or too large. It works very well with the Nikon TC-14E II throughout the 280-560mm range, but unfortunately does not like any other Nikon teleconverters (mostly due to AF performance issues). Sharpness-wise, it is very comparable to the expensive Nikon prime lenses and the bokeh it yields is very soft and smooth. A full review of this lens will be published soon. |
 | Nikon 300mm f/4.0D AF-S – Every time I want to travel lightweight on an airplane and whenever I do not feel like hiking with the bazooka Nikon 200-400m f/4, I take the Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S with me. The Nikon TC-14E II is almost permanently mounted on this lens, because it performs very well with it, even in low-light. The AF performance is very fast, almost as fast as on expensive 300mm+ prime lenses and its optics are exceptionally good when compared to other lenses. Unfortunately, it has no Vibration Reduction, so you have to be a little more careful when hand-holding it in low-light conditions. Check out my Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S Review for more information on this lens. |
Teleconverters | |
 | Nikon TC-14E II – if you need to extend the focal length of your professional Nikon telephoto lens, the Nikon TC-14E II is a no-brainer. It works with every pro lens, including the slower f/4 lenses like Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S mentioned above. Unfortunately, the Nikon TC-14E II, along with other Nikon teleconverters will not work with zoom consumer lenses like Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G VR. A full review of this teleconverter will be published soon. |
 | Nikon TC-17E II – the Nikon TC-17E II performs very well only on fast Nikon f/2.8 telephoto prime lenses and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II lens. While it certainly does work with most f/4 lenses, it is known to impact AF performance, which may result in blurry images due to focus errors. If you shoot in bright conditions, you might like the results when coupling it with such lenses as Nikon 500mm f/4 VR and Nikon 600mm f/4 VR. However, lenses will start focus hunting in low-light conditions very often, unless you are manually pre-focusing your lens and your subject is somewhat stationary. A full review of this teleconverter will be published soon. |
 | Nikon TC-20E III – the new Nikon TC-20E III is a surprisingly good teleconverter that works very well with all Nikon prime f/2.8 telephoto lenses and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II zoom lens. It doubles the focal length of the lens it is attached to and while it certainly does effect the image quality, stopping down the lens to f/8 produces very good results. Check out my full Nikon TC-20E III Review for more information on this teleconverter. |
Lens Accessories | |
| B+W 77mm Kaesemann Polarizing Filter | |
| B+W 77mm Neutral Density 1.8 Filter | |
| B+W 77mm UV Haze MRC Filter | |
| Kirk NC-300 Replacement Lens Collar for Nikon 300mm f/4.0D AF-S | |
Memory Cards | |
| SanDisk 16 GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash Card | |
| SanDisk 16 GB Extreme CompactFlash Card | |
| SanDisk 32 GB Extreme CompactFlash Card | |
Camera/Lens Support | |
| Gitzo GT3530LS Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs | |
| Arca Swiss Monoball Z1 SP Ballhead with Quick Release | |
Studio Equipment, Flashes and Triggers | |
| Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS 1100 Watt/Second Kit | |
| Impact Air-Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand | |
| Elinchrom Ranger Free Lite A – 2400 Watt/Second Fast Duration Flash Head | |
| Nikon SB-900 Speedlight | |
| PocketWizard Plus II Flash Trigger | |
Light Modifiers and Reflectors | |
| Elinchrom 53″ Midi Octa Light Bank for Flash | |
| Elinchrom Rotalux Softbox 39 x 39″ | |
| Westcott 60″ Umbrella | |
| Westcott 43″ White Umbrella | |
| Westcott 43″ Silver Umbrella | |
| Westcott Apollo Mono 28″ Softbox | |
| Lastolite TriGrip Diffuser, One Stop – 30″ | |
| Lastolite TriFlip 8 in 1 Grip Reflector Kit – 30″ | |
Bags | |
| Kata 3 in 1 Sling Backpack | |
| Hakuba PSTC 100 Medium Pro Series Bag | |
| Hakuba PSTC 300 Extra Large Pro Series Bag | |
Storage | |
| NetGear ReadyNAS Pro | |
Computer Hardware and Software | |
| Adobe Photoshop CS5 | |
| Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 | |
Our Gear
Feb
22
2011
Hi Nasim and lola,
I hope you don’t mind, but I was hoping to get some advice about neutral density filters. I notice on your gear list you have a 1.8 ND filter. Is this the only ND you use? The reason I ask is that, being new to dslr photography, I have had a heap of advice on ND filters and there seems to be no consistency in the answers.
While some people have told me I need a ND fader, others have told me I need every coking filter on the market to cover for every possible circumstance while others still suggest 4 or 5 screw on ND filters and grads. Needless to say I am now confused!
I already have a CPL, but I spend alot of time around water (rivers mainly – in dense bush and open areas). I am keen to start blurring water in these different conditions, but would also like to be able to take longer exposures at the beach.
Now, the million dollar question(s):
1) will a 1.8 ND cover most situations? or do I really need to invest in several ND filters.
2) what are the drawbacks of these new “fader -type” filters? Am I best getting one of these?
3) if I were to get a grad, what would be a good general filter? should I be using a cokin to adjust the horizon? Or will a screw on suffice?
I would appreciate any advice you can offer me.
Kind regards,
Phil
P.S. You website is sublime. You are clearly very generous with sharing your knowledge and for this I can’t thank you enough. Your site has already helped in choosing software and it has reinvigorated my enthusiasm for taking better photos.
Some of your shots are just breathtaking!
Thanks again.
Phil, sorry for not being able to respond earlier – I somehow missed your comment.
Yes, the 1.8 ND will cover most situations. You do not really need anything less or more. If you get a darker filter, your autofocus will stop working completely… I would just buy a single 1.8 ND.
Are you asking about Variable ND filters that change the intensity as you rotate them? They are nice, but very expensive for what they do. If budget is not an issue, get one of those. Otherwise, the 1.8 ND will suffice.
As for grads, it depends on what lenses you use. If you use wide-angle lenses below 28mm (full frame), I would not use regular Cokin filters, since they will vignette heavily. I personally use the larger Lee filters, but they are expensive.
I hope this helps and thank you for your feedback!
Hello Nasim
As such I wish to seek your advice , input on D700 .. Would you recommend now to buy , considering its already over two years since it was introduced.. Will it be prudent to wait or I should consider settling for D7000 .. I am aware its a DX Format and its not appropriate comparison
Nevertheless D700 is being offer at a relatively good Price now and its upgrade model will be off course expensive and may not be within my Budget .. However my concern is about is D700 technology being dated now or it really does not make material difference..
Pl enlighten
Thanks
Ajay Zaveri
Entropy, I apologize for such a late reply (gosh, did not even see your comment all the way from April).
I would buy the Nikon D700 now for two reasons – D4 and D400 will come out in August and D700 upgrade won’t be released for another 6 months+, and the price on the D700 replacement will be ~$3K. Unfortunately, due to high demand and short supply after the Japan quakes, the price of the D700 went up from $2,200 to almost $2,700 now. And it is not available in many stores. I hate to say it, but you could have gotten a D700 with a lens for less than $1800 3-4 months ago when Nikon was running the D700 + lens rebates :(
If I were you, I would look for a used D700 for under $2K. Check out eBay and Craigslist – you might find a good deal there.
Hello Nasim,
First off, I just want to say how happy I have to have found your site for info and insight to help improve my photography. It is a plus in my book that you are a fellow Nikon lover.
I have a quick question that I hope does not take you away from your busy life. I am doing more outdoor weddings and have not been truly pleased with my CP filter on most shots. My shots are in and out of the shade. The weddings I have shot out side have been at the noon-4pm sunlight. I feel I need to add another filter to my list, but cannot decide on which one to buy first. I see on your equipment list you use a 1.8ND filter. Would you advise this same filter for my situations or a UV clear filter? I want to go with B&W or Hoya brands, as I have liked them in the past. I just do not have the current budget to buy 3 different types of $90+ ND filters.
Thanks again for your time.
Grant
Grant, thank you for your feedback and I apologize for such a late response. For some reason, comments from this page are not coming over email to me and I don’t see what’s going on until I visit the page.
As for filters, why do you feel you need an ND filter? Are you shooting a lot at very large apertures and smallest ISO and your camera is maxing out on shutter speed? Or are you shooting with flash during bright sunny days and need to decrease the amount of light that is hitting the sensor? In those cases, an ND filter might be useful. Otherwise, I don’t think you need one. I have ND filters to use when photographing waterfalls (decrease shutter speed)…
Hi Nasim,
Absolutely stunning set of equipment! I hope one day to have a line-up as great as this and the skill and brains to use them properply :)
I just have a query on what size memory card would be wise to use. I use a Nikon D90 and I just have the 4GB memory card that the store gave me for free. Now I want to buy another memory card, would you say that it will be wise to get a 16GB? or two 8GBs?
I am unsure if the performance of the D90 will be affected with bigger memory cards as it is filled-up while I am shooting.
Thanks!
Sorry to bump in Martin, but maybe I can help a little.
I had a 4Gb for my D90, but upgraded to a single 16GB SANSDISK Extreme. I have had it near capacity several times while being away and have had no trouble what so ever. But this performance may be due to the very fast writing speed and may not be the case with cheaper cards.
Phil
Thank you for jumping in Phil, I appreciate it :)
Thank you for your feedback Martin and I am sorry for such a late reply – somehow the comments from this page got filtered out and I never got notified about them.
I know exactly what you mean by 2x8GB or 1x16GB – you are worried about putting all eggs in one basket. In the past, I would recommend to go with two smaller cards rather than one big card. Today, the cards are so good that they rarely fail – I own two 16GB CF cards and I would never go back to 8GB or smaller cards. If you are not doing anything critical, like shooting weddings, just go for the larger size. If you do rely on your camera for your business, then I would upgrade to something like D7000 that has dual SD cards. Then you can get two 16GB cards and use them in fail-safe mode.
Hope this helps.
I have been thinking about getting a lens that can have a higher aperture for DoF. Currently with my D90, I only have the 18-105mm, f/3.8 lens. I am thinking of a 50mm f/1.8 lens. They have a AF 50mm f/1.8, but also coming out with AF-S 50mm f/1.8.
Since I am not a professional photographer, would I be missing out much if I go with a f/1.8 (vs f/1.4)? Also, would I be better of paying extra for the AF-S or would AF suffice?
Thank you for taking time to share the info with everyone. I hope to make big one day, just like you folks :)
–Ash
Ash, I will soon publish the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G lens review – I think you should wait before you make the purchase on the older AF-D version.
Hello Nasim,
Just wondering if you already posted your review somewhere else or are it’s upcoming?
Thank you
Ash
Not yet, I’m working on the review and hope to publish it later this week/early next week.
Dear Mr. Nasim Mansurov,
Hi! I am a fairly good amateur photographer who is graduating from initially a Nikon FE to a Nikon N70 and now to a DSLR. I love B&W photography and develop/print my own films. Am not able to decide between a D5100 and a D7000. I have a classic 50mm f1.8, a 28-80mm and a sigma 70-300 mm lens. What would you suggest?
Regards,
Gautham
Gautham, go with the Nikon D7000 – it is a phenomenal camera.
Thank you for making my choice easier! I actually had my mind on the D7000, but was contemplating on the D5100 only for its swivel screen. Does it actually matter to have a swivel screen? Does it not give some kind of an advantage in certain situations? On the other hand, I feel that this is a delicate piece and prone to breakages!
Gautham, the swivel screen does not make a huge difference – the D7000 is still a better camera.
Thanks once again!! The D7000 it is then!!
Thank you for such a beautiful and informative site!
I pose the same question as a prior writer about the Nikon D700 – would you recommend buying it now or waiting for its replacement?
Thank you.
Ibis
Ibis, I would get the Nikon D700 now. The price is great and the D700 replacement is not going to come out until December/Q1 of 2012. Why wait, when you could be taking pictures with it now? :)
Thanks for the posting, it is interesting to see what you use, and when for when I make up my Father’s Day list.
I use the Crumpler neck-strap which I love. I have a bad neck and it allows me to carry my 700 for hours without strain…highly recommended.
Interested in the 24-120 f4.0 for my trip in the fall…good all-around lens.
Enjoy the site, keep posting.
Steven, thank you for your feedback! The Crumpler neck strap looks very similar to the Op/Tech neck strap, so I am sure it is very comfy. The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is a wonderful all-around lens, I really enjoyed testing it.
Just bought it yesterday, hoping to get out this weekend. It is nice and compact, will fit in most of my bags which I like.
The store clerk indicated that in 2 weeks Nikon is making announcements and that the supply of D700s has dwindled to nothing. I would expect the D4 and D400 to come first, but we will see.
A great selection of gear! I have noticed with myself that as years goes on I start using less and less equipment. I could easily do a wedding with two D700′s and 50mm plus 24mm 1.4 – I don’t use anything else on 99% on wedding jobs I do!
Martins, I agree – I am also getting old for walking around with heavy gear :) Last year I carried a D3s, 70-200mm, 85mm, 24-70mm and 24mm in one bag during a wedding and I will not do it again. My back and my neck hurt for weeks!
Hello from Almaty!
Best choice! I love Nikon age 15 years.
Welcome for friends
Thanks for such an informative website. Your website, Thom Hogan and Neil van Nikerk are my most favorite photography blog. I’m curious, what gears will you bring for travelling?
Thank you for your feedback Albert! I typically either take the D700 or the D3s (depending on weight limitations). As for lenses, it depends on what I shoot. For landscape photography, my choice is 14-24mm f/2.8G + 24-70mm f/2.8G or sometimes just the 24mm f/1.4G.
Hi nasim,
your website is really good and very informative. it is a bummer that i’m using a canon, but i still go back to your website for your tips. i own a 550d and thanks to your website, im enjoying it. i only have the 18 – 55mm kit lens. im still saving for a 50mm. Now when i buy a 50mm, what other things do you suggest i get? i like taking portaits and some night landscapes. Thanks
Often a good macro lens is also a good portrait lens and is always a good investment. The Canon 60mm or 100mm are two good macro lenses (f2.8) and the 60mm is a great portrait lens with the 550d.
I think a good kit would include a general telephoto such as the 70-300mm of which Canon has 3 that I know of with varying prices. If the Canon is too expensive, also look at the Tamron.
PS Its not too late to switch to Nikon :-)
A lot of people told me to switch as well :D i’m just a beginner and still learning, if i decide to upgrade my gear, then maybe ill consider. :D (twas my first choice anyway, just got a really good deal with the 550d)
Logan, don’t switch – Canon is as good as Nikon and in some ways even better. Please see my Nikon vs Canon vs Sony article to see what I mean…
Logan, I would get the 50mm and spend some time shooting with it before considering another lens ;-)
hey Nasim,
thanks for the reply. i think i’ll buy 50mm f1.8,(it’s relatively cheaper, and i think it’ll serve it’s purpose well, then i’ll save again for another lens☺). I would just like to say that part of the decision to consider the lens was because of your site, as ive said, although your gears are nikon,the information you post are easy to understand and are really helpful,i definitely learned a lot from here and thank you so much for putting this site up.
and BTW: i decided to stick with my canon. but it doesn’t mean that i’ll start ignoring this site (hehe). Thanks!!
I can only drool at this list of cameras and lenses! Maybe someday…
DaniLew, start with the basics and I am sure you will get there! My first DSLR was Nikon D80 with the Nikon 18-135mm kit lens…
Thank you so much for putting this page together Nasim. I love every single one of your articles and I’ve learned so much from your website already. Yours is always the first website I direct friends to who are looking to learn more.
I have a couple of questions (and hope this is the correct thread to ask both).
1. What is the “correct” way to focus and compose a shot? I have been acquiring focus (on my children, my usual subjects) and then recomposing the shot. Following the “rule of thirds” when appropriate, I often don’t keep them in the centre of the frame which is where my autofocus is. I find this to be faster than trying to move the various autofocus points around. Is this an appropriate technique or should I be learning how to toggle between the different AF points instead? Given that my subjects are often my children, who are often moving, which AF modes would you suggest given the way I compose shots? I have been using the Single Point AF-area Mode with the AF-C Focus Mode.
2. My husband just found out that he has the opportunity to attend an Arctic cruise expedition as the ship’s emergency physician. Sadly I can’t go with him because we have young children. He’s not a photographer at all – I set up the shots he takes or he uses the Auto mode. Well, technically I’m not a photographer either but I’m a big enthusiast and know a fair bit now (much of that thanks to your website). I’ve acquired some nice gear over the last couple of years and I’m wondering what you would suggest he take along. Here is what I have:
- D90 body
- D700 body
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
- Nikon 24-120mm f/4 G
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4G
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II
And what I can borrow (from my enthusiast brother)
- Nikon 300mm f/4.0 AF-S
- Nikon TC-20E III teleconverter
- Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 HSM
- circular polarizing filter forthe Sigma lens
I don’t have a good tripod (a $100 cheapie) and I’m not at all opposed to getting additional gear (hey…what better excuse, right?), but no bazooka lenses ;)
Your advice as to what he should take along would be greatly appreciated!
Jane, I apologize for a late response – been too busy lately.
1) The correct way to compose shots is to move the focus points instead of moving the camera. The problem with focusing and then moving, is that you might actually change your focus plane as you move, especially when shooting at a very shallow depth of field. Using Single point AF-area mode with AF-C works best for children.
2) In terms of which gear to take, I would take the D700 instead of D90, due to better weather sealing and sturdier camera body. It will probably be very humid, then cold up north, so it is best to take the D700. As for lenses, I would take the 24-120mm f/4G for most photography needs and perhaps the 300mm f/4 AF-S to photograph birds and other wildlife. I would get the TC-14E II (see my article above) to couple it with the 300mm f/4. A polarizer would definitely be useful with the 24-120mm!
WOW!!! I am drooling over here!! I am so glad I found your blog…. can I just say that I have learned so much over the past couple of days just reading through your very helpful blogs! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge so freely and excersising your gifts through the digital world. I know there are many photogs out there that are thankful for your blog as well! I hope one day I can have just HALF of what you have listed here and I can only pray for God’s blessings to get me there :) Photography is my passion and it is so exciting learning new things in the photog world! Thank you again and again!
Amy, you are most welcome and thank you for stopping by! Don’t worry, you will get there soon! My first camera was the Nikon D80 with a kit lens (four years ago) and back then I had no idea I would be a photographer someday :-)
I would second your choice of the Op/Tech strap. It almost felt like the camera weight on my neck was cut in half when I switched to this strap.
—
I have a D7000 and have done a few weddings (my photo work is normally photo journalism) using a the 18-200mmVR and want to get better IQ, shallow DOF, fixed aperture, and less lens distortion. If money wasn’t an issue, I would have invested in a single lens upgrade to the 24-70mm, 2.8G (based on my hopes of upgrading someday to an FX body) to cover these types of time-pressure venues where constant prime lens swapping isn’t convenient and it would fit with my other photo work. Top of my wish list.
My present $ budget compromise w/o compromising IQ lead me to recently buy the 50mm f/1.8G with the idea of keeping this lens on the camera as much as possible for the wedding. An amazing lens – AND at a great price!
All that to say….
I was considering getting one more affordable wide angle prime lens, either the 20mm f/2.8D or 24mm f/2.8D. Each have their pros/cons. I’m leaning toward the 24mm for slightly better IQ, sharpness and less distortion with group photos or shooting in tight places.
Your thoughts between these two lenses?
… I enjoy using wide angle in my work and don’t like having to go extra wide with my lens selection just to adjust for the crop factor –– my biggest frustration with a DX camera!
ps.- One reason for making a lens upgrade now is the next wedding I photograph will be my daughter’s. :-)
Tim, have you seen my Nikon 50mm f/1.8G review yet? I really loved the 50mm f/1.8G prime – it is better than the 50mm f/1.4G in many ways.
As for your wide-angle question, I would get the 24mm f/2.8D instead of the 20mm f/2.8D, so I am with you on that one…
Much appreciated. I’ve been thrilled with the results of my 50mm f/1.8G (and the small size/weight!). Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to keep your blog/website active and reviews coming.
There are so many possible options depending on one’s specific needs, budget. Two options I had considered…Hold off on another lens purchase and just renting the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 for the wedding or go ahead and invest now in the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 which is a very sharp lens w/vibration reduction, but it has some negatives… the focus ring moves during AF, less sealing against dust, no ‘auto’ manual override of AF, etc..
Tim, since you have an immediate need for your daughter’s wedding, renting a lens is a great idea!
Hi Nasim,
This is an exhaustive and amazing review, I cant put this into words.
Being a new comer in the DSLR world, and after reading a lot of about the D3100, I finally bought it with the 18-55mm lens which comes with it.
Being new to this , I would like to know more about what I should have with this camera, as I am still reading a lot about it.
What kind of UV , Polarized , macro filter you will recommend and can you provide the link for the same.
and any other accesory you suggest as I am completely new to it.
Thanks
Sachin
Sachin, please see my “must-have DSLRS accessories” article.
Hi Nasim!
Did you replace your 24-70 with the 24-120/4 VR?
I own both the 24-70/2.8 and the 70-200/2.8 VR II but the lens I shoot mostly with all the time is… …the 50/1.4 G. Therefore, I’m finding less and less excuses to own such heavy and expensive beasts like the 24-70/70-200, except for the versatility, which the 24-120 has in spades… Have you been using it lately?
Kind regards,
Luiz Fernando
Luiz, no, I decided to keep my 24-70mm f/2.8G, because I abuse it quite a bit and need its weather sealing. I am planning to add the 24-120mm f/4 to my gear list for light travel though.
Hi Nasim,
Thank you so much for your advice on what my husband should take on his Arctic trip. I’m wondering what you would recommend to protect the gear from the elements. I’m mostly concerned about sea spray when he’s off the main ship on Zodiacs in the ocean. I’ve always just used a plastic bag when in light rain, but I’m wondering if something specifically dedicated to this would be worthwhile. Something like this?
http://www.henrys.com/63169-AQUATECH-SS-200-SPORT-SHIELD-GREY.aspx I’m a bit skeptical because that seems like a lot of money to spend and I wonder if it would just be too cumbersome to use. What would you suggest?
Nikon 200-400mm f/4.0G VR – many of the wildlife images I have in my portfolio are taken with the Nikon 200-400mm f/2.8G VR lens.
I believe you meant f/4.0.
Paul, thank you so much for pointing this out, I corrected the typo :)
Hi Nasim,
Love this blog – it’s a credit to you and your gift to share what you’ve learnt with others – thank you from everyone Downunder!
I have a question that relates to choosing between a used D3 (with say 5000 actuations) for around $3500 and a new D700 for around $2500, given they have identical full frame sensors. I like the idea of the option of a 5:4 aspect ratio, high speed shooting and the 300,000 shutter rating on the D3, but the D700 has sensor cleaning, easier to use INFO button, far less weight and seems to be a class leader. Or should I just wait for the prospects of a D4 or D800 just around the corner?! Would love to know your thoughts.
Russell, it depends on what you photograph. For wildlife and sports the D3 is a better choice. For everything else the D700 is more than enough…
At this point though, I would wait till the end of September to see what Nikon announces, unless you cannot afford to wait.
Hi Nasim
Great site and great advice and info. While wating for Nikon to bring out a new F4 or F800 I am buying some fx lens, so if nothing comes out next week I am going to purchase one of these (in my order of preference) 16-35 f4, 24-120 f4, or 24-70 f2.8. What do you think? My main interest is landscape and using a d7000 at the moment.
Thanks
Albert, I apologize for responding so late, somehow missed your comment. I agree with your purchasing decision, the 16-35mm is a great lens to start with for landscapes. As for 24-120mm vs 24-70mm, it depends on whether you will be shooting a lot in different weather conditions or not. For occasional use, the 24-120mm is a great lens to go with. For heavy/professional use, the 24-70mm is a better choice due to weather sealing and tough build.
Dear Nasim,
Many thanks for your great efforts in maintaining such a comprehensive website.
May I kindly ask you to go through the following set of lenses? I am currently using a D7000 body and intend to buy the successor of the D700. I am into event/wedding, portrait, architecture, landscape and street photography.
- 35mm 1.8G DX
- 50mm 1.8G
- 16-35mm f4 VR
- 24-120mm f4G VR
- 105mm 2.8G VR (macro)
- 70-200mm 2.8G VR II
- TC-20E III converter
Many thanks and best regards,
Christian
Christian, sorry, but I do not understand your request. What do you want me to do with the list?
Dear Nasim,
I am sorry for not having pointed out my request clearly.
I was just wondering whether you consider the above set of lenses appropriate for my kind of photography (primarily event/wedding, portrait and landscape photography) or whether you would recommend further or other lenses based on your experience.
Best regards,
Christian
Christian, no problem :) I think your set of lenses is great – many of my favorites are in the list. Frankly, I don’t think you need any other lens.
Many thanks, Nasim.
Hi Nasim,
I’m about to sell my D700 for an upgrade to D800 when it will be released. From the latest rumors, that will happen somewhere in this autumn. Also from the latest rumors it seems that D800 will have a 24 Mp sensor with the new metering system, new battery, same ISO performance as D700 and some other improvements. Now I have a dilemma. Should I wait for the D800 to appear and see how it will perform, or buy instead a D3s? I use the camera for wedding photography, so a FX camera is mandatory to have. And the future D4 will be too expensive for me and I believe that the price for the D800 will be comparable with the present price of the D3s (maybe a little less). So, what do you think?
Bogdan, from what I have seen so far, looks like there will not be a D700 replacement coming out this year. Perhaps next year Nikon will release an update, but we won’t know until a month or two before the release. As for the D3s replacement – it will not be more expensive than the current D3s. Nikon should price it at around $5K. Now whether it comes out later this year or not, nobody knows, but I am guessing 90% that we won’t see one this year. That earthquake in Japan really did affect a lot of things and Nikon is not the only one – Canon also will delay its products. If I were you, I would get the D3s now if you need it for your wedding business. I’d appreciate if you bought it through the above link.
Hi nasim
i love your site it is very informative I am planning to develop my career in landscape for display of large prints in a galleries, I want a second body I currently have the D700, should I buy the D7ooo or wait for the FX replacement. I need a second body i only have FX lens.
Avril, I doubt you will be happy with any DX sensor after using FX. I would say wait until the next FX sensor comes out.
Hi Nasim,
First of all I love your website, I’m not saying to because I need your suggestion or opinion today I’m saying because I personally very “picky” and try to be “perfectionist” so I look for mynute details which most of the people don’t care and it’s ok. There are few top reasons :-
1 – Website does not have any advertisement at all.
2 – Font you have used is awesome clear and sharp as your pictures.
3 – Color of fonts and back ground is perfect.
4 – Organized layout
and many more etc..
Question: Photography is my hobby as of today the last camera i had is NIKON D90 which i sold it. I used to have couple of lens (18-200 VRII, 50mm 1.4f) which i sold too along with camera.
Now at I want to get into serious photography looking buy DSLR. Currently my budget is $2000 (+ – 500) will be OK. What should I buy? I was reading a lot about D300s, D700 & D7000 ? I love to have D3s one day :)
Lens: for lens I thought I’ll one prime lens every so which are lens I should buy and which one is going to be the first? Keeping thing is in mind that i don’t have to sell lens again in future if need i’ll upgrade camera body only. (DX or FX) I know every lens has different purpose.
Please advice.
Thanks,
Neel
Neel, thank you for your feedback!
For the camera, since you have already used the D90 and I am assuming you knew well how to use it, your next logical step to get into the “pro” area is to get a full-frame body. For your budget, I would say the Nikon D700 would be an ideal camera body. But that will be around $2,500 for the camera body alone, which is a stretch on your budget, since you also need a lens. As for the lens, it all depends on what you are planning to do. If you shoot portraits and people, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is currently the best 50mm lens for the Nikon mount. But that’s another several hundred USD on your budget.
If you cannot afford this, then the step down is the Nikon D7000 with a couple of lenses, again depending on what you shoot.
Nikon is currently giving up to $400 off on select pro level lenses when you buy a pro-level DSLR camera like the D300s/D700/D3s. But you will need a $4-5K budget for that, unfortunately.
Hi Nasim,
Few questions:
Do you have in mind to upgrade to a D4, when it will be available?
What should D4 have as improvements to worth the upgrade from D3s?
What improvements would you like D4 to bring?
Thank you.
Bogdan, it depends on what comes out first :) If Nikon D800 comes out with a rumored 30+ MP sensor, then I will definitely buy that. Need a high resolution sensor for my landscape work. If D4 comes out first, I will probably buy it… My D700 is now over 3 years old and I am afraid it will die one of these days when I am out shooting. I have over 200K clicks on it, so it could happen any time.
As for improvements, I do not know exactly what Nikon will have in a D4, but my expectations and hopes are:
1) Higher FPS, around 12 FPS
2) Higher resolution, between 18-24MP
3) Better ISO performance, hopefully 1+ stop better than D3s
4) GPS (please Nikon, I do not want to use stupid accessories with wires!)
5) Wired/wireless network connection (at least wired 1Gbit if not wireless)
6) Better and more robust subject tracking AF
7) A much more capable EXPEED processor that can do HD video at 60+ FPS
8) A faster phase-detect + contrast-detect AF
9) A better RGB metering sensor
10) More focus points that are placed more towards the edges / more spread out
If items 2-6 are present in D4, I will place an order the day the camera is available for a pre-order. I could trade a network connection for other things, but will have to evaluate everything first before I make a decision.
Hopefully Nikon won’t disappoint :)
Hi Nasim.
After over 15 years since I last seen a DSL camera, I had had a Practika back then, I have now purchased a Nikon D3100 kit with two lenses, 18-55 and 55-200 respectively.
I have owned this set for just over 2 months now and as this photography thing is really eating me up inside, especially the HDR, I am now thinking of disposing of this equipment and buy a Nikon D7000 with a 18-105mm VR lens.
I really could use your professional opinion regarding this. I feel that I could do much more and better with a Nikon D7000 but would I be wasting my so hard earned money?
Eventually I could see myself progressing to professional photography such as weddings etc.
I hope that you can spare me a few minutes of your time and congratulate you on the vast information that you are sharing on your website.
Should you want to see some of my pictures, you may please lock for Carlos Arruda – Norfolk – UK on Facebook.
One thing I am struggling is on landscape sharpness and focus.
Kind regards,
Carlos Arruda
Carlos, I know exactly what you mean :) You want more out of your DSLR and the D3100 puts some limits on your photography, so you want to naturally grow by buying a more capable DSLR. That’s a common problem among many enthusiasts, so don’t feel bad :)
I support your choice to get the Nikon D7000 – without a doubt, it is currently the best Nikon DX camera. I would not buy the 18-105mm kit lens though, especially if you want to get into weddings. Why don’t you start out with a D7000 and get yourself something like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G for portraits? It is a low-cost lens that can take great-looking images better than your current 18-55 and 55-200mm for sure. If you feel that you need a wide-angle lens, you can also buy the Nikon 16-85mm DX, which is a superb lens that does not break the bank. You could use that lens to photograph landscapes…
Hope this helps.
Hi Nasim,
Do you recommend D90 with 24-120/f4? or I should stick with DX lens?
Thanks.
Philip
Philip, if you do not have any plans to upgrade to FX any time soon, then I would stick with a cheaper DX lens like the Nikon 16-85mm DX. The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a phenomenal lens, but I think 24mm is not wide enough on DX.
Hi Nasim!
Thank you so much for sharing all these information and knowledge you have!
It’s really nice of you to have time and energy to answer everybody’s questions!
Congrats on the website!
Thank you for your feedback Renata!
Hi!
This is a great website resource and very detailed. Thanks, I’ve learnt alot, especially how to set up and use lightroom.
My comment is about the impression that I get from this “gear showcase page” I just think that some people who are looking to get into more serious photography- ie upgrading from a point and shoot, but not wanting to go professional – could wrongly get the impression here that it is the best gear that makes the best photograph.
In the end being resourceful, creative- having empathy for your subject, an eye for detail… this will get you interesting shots, and photos with real “power”, not just “image quality”. For the professional photographer, the perfect sharpness, the best boquet, the widest lens and multiple other things that this impressive array of Nikon lenses boasts will surely be invaluable.
But for many amateurs (like me) who come to your website because “I want to come back from holidays overseas with beautiful, professional-looking photos that I can show to friends, perhaps publish online, and maybe print to put on the wall” I really think it’s important to remember that it is not the extra “TOP quality” gear that will make the difference. “GOOD quality” gear is important for sure- a camera that lets you shoot in manual (RAW for processing), a good lens, sensor size. But beyond that- personally I don’t think it’s healthy to encourage photography-equipment fetish. (12(!) lenses. really?!)
In the end the best (by best I mean captivating/powerful/memorable) photograph will not be taken by the best camera, but by the best photographer.
And focusing too much on gear on websites like this can, I think, prevent people just starting out (like me) from focusing on improving our skills, and our “eye”- thinking if only we had a better camera, or a better lens, our photos would be perfect. Nothing could be further from the truth!
PS are you sponsored by Nikon/ get free gear from them?
Louisa, I know what you mean – some people ask me questions on what camera and lens I used for a particular shot. Sometimes I just want to reply with “does it matter?”
I chose to work with specific gear that does the job for me, which is outlined on this page. I also provided notes on why I use a particular lens or camera, sort of a “mini-review”. This page is not meant to encourage or discourage photographers. It is just an informational page. I have plenty of articles on what to buy for beginners and I would never even mention cameras like D3s or D700 in those articles, because this kind of gear is not meant for those who are just getting into photography. This page is titled “our gear” and this is what Lola and I use for our professional work. Could I make similar images with another camera and other lenses? Most certainly. Could I use cheaper lenses and cameras? Absolutely. But like a good painter that wants to get the best brush and paints on the market, I go and get the best tools for myself. And all I am doing here, is sharing what I have and why I chose it. I don’t think there is any harm in doing that.
And no, I am not affiliated with Nikon and nobody pays me to do what I do.
Greetings Nasim. Your site is just awesome, the way you delivered the reviews, supplemented with those stunning shots, its just amazing.
Needa piece of advise. We are about to assimilate a new DSLR kit, having zero’ed down on Nikon D7000 as the body of choice. Moreover, with bundled savings option, Nikkor 70-300 VRII as telephoto zoom is a no-brainer. The main dilemma is surrounding the daily walkaround zoom and low-light capabilities for the envisaged kit. We have narrowed down to:
Option A: the kit Nikkor 18-105 as the walkaround zoom supplemented with 35 f/1.8 prime for low-light situations.
Option B: the new Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS HSM.
Fiscally both options are within our budget as well as roughly around $150 of each other, but wondering which option would be a better choice for our kind of requirements, which is daily photography, vacation, family gatherings and events, family portraits, and most importantly, an expected new addition to the family early next year. Main objective is to create best possible memories revolving around our newborn which will be cherished for the remainder of our life.
On my background, have been using a D90 with 18/55 and 70-300 for around 2 years, which I sold-off last month, thus not a total newbie. Highly appreciate all your inputs on my dilemma. Thanks.
Anil, I would pick option A if I were you.
Thanks Nasim for your comment, would surely go ahead with the Nikkor combo. Just out of curiosity, is it that Sigma is not favored owing to the range, or there really is nothing much between the two in terms of image sharpness, color rendition etc. Everywhere else I’ve found find Nikkor is in favor for great price/performance quotient, except for the plastic mount.
Anil, I have not used the Sigma you mentioned. I only recommended option A, because it includes a nice prime lens for low-light situations. The 35mm f/1.8G is a very sharp lens and works great on DX cameras – the Sigma cannot do what the 35mm can.
Hello Nasim:
I want you to know that I appreciate your work and your in depth product reviews. Looking at your gear pages, I notice that you do not include either the 24-120 f4, or 16-35 F4 lenses. You reviewed these lenses very favorably, specially the 24-120 vs 24-70. Are these F4 part of your standard gear, of have you chosen not to include them? if not, then can you plese share why?
Thanks in advance for your kind reply
Thank you very much for this website!…I want to buy my first DSLR to do some children and family photography. (I don’t know if it is too pretentious to think that I can start to make some money out of it). I know you recommend to buy an entry-level amateur camera if this is your first SLR. But I am between D5100 and d7000. The money matters but I can get financing and I also have 2 old Nikkor lenses AF (28-80 3.3-5.6 & 70-300 4.5-5.6) which can work on the D7000 but not too good on the D5100 as you know.
Should I buy d5100 or d7000? Should I sell my lenses or keep them?
Thank you,
Claudia
Hi Nasim/Lola..
Thanks a lot for this great website and the plethora of great information.
I am new to dslr photography and use a nikon d5000 with a 18-200 vrII to shoot for all my needs.
I am currently in look out for a flash and have decided on the sb-400.
I would use the flash occasionally and hence dont want to invest a lot into that.
Would you kindly advice me if I am taking a correct decision on the flash or not.
I mostly shoot landscapes on outings and occasionally shoot portraits indoors.
Also for my needs, do I need to upgrade my camera or my lens.
Tanks in advance for your guidance.
Hi Nasim,
I have been already following your website since a while. You guys have been putting your dedicated efforts for this site. Hats off! Thanks SO much for everything you do for us.
I’m only very amateur in this area, standing on steep learning curve. I realised a while ago that there is a different world of camera system and photography. I didn’t know it’s so vast topic. I have Nikon D90 (first dSLR) and 50mm/1.8D lens only, though there are lots of confusions and overwhelming information around to grasp. But, I have decided to follow your tutorials one at a time. You’ve categorised each topic very well.
Thanks again for your kind work and helping us! :-)
Hi Nasim,
Add me to the list of people that say thanks a million for all you product reviews, tutorials and great advice that you offer!
I thought I’d just add my comments to your gear page because this seems to be the place where I lot of it comes together (from my point anyway). My first DSLR was the same D80 kit 4 years ago when I came to Dubai. I have now given that to my daughter simply because it still is in good condition and a great way to start out.
Last year I got the D7000 and what a magic piece of equipment! I am fortunate enough too to own the 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 range (someone once said you’ll never be sorry if you have the right glass – I agree). The lenses are no doubt wasted on DX, but the D7000 is so great that for now I am happy with this setup. I enjoy shooting events and exhibitions (70-200), architecture (24-70) and landscapes (14-24) (preferred lens in brackets) My next lens is the 50mm 1.8G……….
I plan to shoot out as many of the 150 000 exposures the D7k can do before changing the body, but if that was tomorrow, I’d be pushed to decide between the D4 and D800. I’ll have to wait for more of your actual hands-on reviews of both before I make that decision though.
I have some questions on PS versus PSE versus Aperture 3.0 that I’ll post under the right Category, but for now thanks again and I look forward to many more hours of happy reading!
Oh, and Happy New Year to you and Lola!
Shokrun.
Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge on your blog.
I have a Nikon d700 and was curious what mode do you normally shoot for a wedding?
I was also wondering what settings do you change on your camera when you first purchased?
Thank you!!!
Hi Nassim a very informative unbiased website.Would you know when the nikkor af-s 70-300 vr zoom lens will be superceeded.
Thanks for sharing all your infomation and findings with us
Hi Nasim,
How do you store your camera equipment in your car on a hot summer day?
nice selection of kit even if it is the wrong brand ; )
Hello Nasim,
I have become a fan of your website, and it helps me so much in choosing my gears and improving my skills too. I’d like to thank you for everything.
I was wondering if you can advise me on something? I have pre-ordered a Nikon D800, and was thinking of getting a good lens for it. I currently have a Nikon D7000, for which I had purchased Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, but I had to return it because of the lack of VR, I could not utilize the lens, pictures weren’t coming out sharp. I rented a Nikon 24-120mm f/4.0 VR, and the picture came out perfect, thanks to VR. Now I am thinking of getting the Nikon 24-120mm f/4.0 VR, but thinking if it would be a good lens for D800. I will mainly be using D800 and the lens for Studio photography.
I’d greatly appreciate your advise, thank you very much indeed.
Kind Regards,
Fahim
This has to the best site I have found for tips advice and all things photography, and so I as your opinion on my next acquisition. I intend to do alot more in terms of product, portrait, wedding and corporate events, stuff that pays:-) but my passion is landscapes and bird/wildlife photography. I have about $2000 ish to blow on a lens and cant quite figure out where to put it. I have ordered a d800 to replace the d300 and have a pretty good range of lenses already. Starting with
sigma 14mmm f2.8,
nikon 16-35mm f4,
sigma 15-30mm,
20-35mmf2.8 nikon
35-70f2.8 nikon,
50mm af-s F1.4,
105mm micro vrII ,
70-200 f2.8 vrII
tc1.7II.
and thats about it. My quandary is whether I should go for the 24mm f1.4 as I love the effects and control it gives as well as the low light usability and as a sharp landscape lens, or try and add some thing to the long end say a 300mm and use the tc 1.7II on it for birds etc, and also get the sigma 24 f1.8 for a fast wide, or should i really have the 24-70 f2.8 as it seems to be everyone s go to lens for weddings portraits etc, but could I get away with the 50mm and the 35-70mm for portraits and corporate stuff, is it really that good? Your thoughts would be appreciated
cheers
Nasim,
I love your website. I have loved photography since 1974 when I was 11 and took some awesome pictures with my parents camera. I was taking good pictures when everyone else had crappy cameras. I almost majored in photography but got frustrated with the art classes. Nursing worked out best anyway. I have always had good cameras but have not really taken the time to perfect my hobby. Now with all the great cameras out there, everyone seems to be a photographer. I want to be better. I am ready to move forward. I have a Nikon d200 that frustrates me indoors and in low light. My budget is limited but I am thinking of trying the d700 (used) and trying the full frame sensor. I realize it takes different lenses but that is okay if the quality of the picture is much better. I would very much like sharper images and maybe get into portraits. My questions is this, should I upgrade now to the d700 or d800 or do you think until I can afford it, just use better lenses? Mine came with a kit lens 18-200 that I believe is good, but I want better low light photos, and the ability to take quality pictures of people using my Nikon flash and studio lights that I still need to learn more about. Should I save up for the d800 and buy lenses as I can afford to
or use my d200 body and just buy better lenses? I realize there is a differnce in sensors, but unless it is huge, I’m not sure if it is worth the money. Any advice would be great.
Hi Karen
Personally I would get better lenses. Starting with a 50mm f1.8 or 1.4. In fact the 500mm f1.8 is so cheap that its almost a crime not to own it. Due to a bit of a mishap when I damaged my d300, I am now using my old D200 for a while (untill my d800 arrives). After the first day of use I was quickly reminded how poor the noise performance was compared to modern cameras and that I didnt have so much freedom to crop. My response was ” oh yeah thats right, I have to be a photographer now and think a bit more”. I have done many events since such as sports, weddings and a complex product shoot and I have not felt limited by having to use the D200.It was the lenses that was important for these, not the camera. The D200 takes fantastic images you just have to think about what you are doing and that is helped by lenses, especially fast ones. Modern cameras do certainly take better images(mainly due to resolution and ISO performance) and give more scope, but they can also make you slack. From the sound of things you still have alot you want to learn about photography and the D200 will be perfect while you learn and acquire lenses to fulfill your needs which “will” make you a better photographer.
have fun;-)
Thanks for the advice! Can I buy lenses that will work with the DX mode of the D200 and later be used for an FX sensor? In your opinion, would I get great performance with the D7000 using the faster DX lenses?
Karen
Hi Karen.
I always bought FX lenses even though I was shooting DX, knowing that one day I would upgrade. All FX lenses work on DX but not the other way. If you are happy to stay with tthe D7000 and DX lnes then just buy them as they are cheaper and just as good for the most part. If you want FX in the long term then just get them now.