5D to D700 - critique/add to my lens choices

Hello lads and ladies of a Nikonia persuasion ...

I am about to receive a spankin' new D700 after recent sale of my wonderful 5D. I'm gonna keep the 1D Mk II N and 400mm 5.6 L for long range, I just don't think the Nikon long stuff is competitively priced and I love that combo.

So, I need advice on Nikon lenses, or possibly third party alternatives, to what I used on my 5D. All the shorter range stuff will be Nikon 'powered' - and I've added current best(ish!) retail and expected sale prices as I would ideally like to come as close as possible to a break-even, unless I can get a big improvement:

Canon 17-40 L £468/£345 (mainly used with my Lee NDG set up)
Canon 24mm 2.8 £229/£155
Canon 35mm 2.0 £158/£130
Tamron 28-75mm £245/£150 (great city travel lens for 5D)
Canon 70-200mm 4.0 IS L £715/£550

My initial research on the Nikon gear was rather confusing but I am slowly getting hang of it - I do need help to get high quality, reliability and good bang for my pound. I shoot street and wildlife (Africa mainly).

This is what I have already bought as a walkaround/Makro:

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm 2.0 FZ - I love this lens

This is what is on my 'possibilities' list, along with broadly decent retail prices:

Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS £850 (may be too wide for me - 20mm may do but don't see anything suitable!?)
Nikon 35mm 2.0 £176

Nikon 85mm 1.4 £200 or
105mm 2.8 VR Micro £450 &
Nikon 180mm 2.8 £440 or
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR £1123 or
Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 £650

I'm thinking 17-35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 180mm is probably best bang for buck given not much affordable at the wider end.

I don't want a heavy walkaround zoom.

So what would you choose to cover street and wildlife - and consider I use two bodies for wildlife with the 400mm on the one and a shorter zoom/prime on the other (yes, the 200-400mm would be nice but!!)

Am away for the qweekend so may not respond for a while after tomorrow AM, but will look forward to any advice.

What a very odd question to ask here

In all seriousness, I hope you find what you're after! I grew up with Nikon and the 180mm prime was always a phenomenal design. Like the Canon line up, the prime at that range represents an excellent value over the much larger and heavier zooms when most shooters stay at the long end anyway.

TheHoff wrote in post #5967804
What a very odd question to ask here

In all seriousness, I hope you find what you're after! I grew up with Nikon and the 180mm prime was always a phenomenal design. Like the Canon line up, the prime at that range represents an excellent value over the much larger and heavier zooms when most shooters stay at the long end anyway.

Well we have quite a few Nikon/duel users here and people are responsive. You post anything at Nikonians or FM and takes a week for folks to wake up and think about anything, let alone anything useful.

Oh, and not looking for anything. I just fancy a change and the D700 looks like the camera the 5D mk II should be and more. Why not eh

I agree the 180mm looks great as I don't want a big, fat zoom.

I tell ya wot though ... if I was really looking at both I would go Canon for lens line up. With Nikon it is more pricey and less choice and more confusing, that is why I want to pick carefully and then be done with it.

Cheers Hoffy

I think we have similar styles, at least in focal length choices.

>>17-35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 180mm

This is probably exactly what I would do. Isn't there also a wicked CZ 17-35/2.8? I've seen people having that one converted to Canon -- is there a Nikon mount?

My main reason for not going back to Nikon when I bought digital 8 months ago was the lack of fast wide primes. They still haven't filled the holes, unfortunately, but it is something I expect they'll address sooner or later. (And as you said, Canon is about 20% cheaper when you average out the lenses I would use.)

TheHoff wrote in post #5968071
I think we have similar styles, at least in focal length choices.

>>17-35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 180mm

My main reason for not going back to Nikon when I bought digital 8 months ago was the lack of fast wide primes. They still haven't filled the holes, unfortunately, but it is something I expect they'll address sooner or later. (And as you said, Canon is about 20% cheaper when you average out the lenses I would use.)

Aye, the widey primes availability thing doesn't really work on any mount and I'm not a big widey shooter anyway which is why I choke a bit on the 17-35mm 2.8. I'll probably fill that later gap later if any SH options turn up. Anyway Hoffy I sourced a 180mm 2.8 at a super-good price new, so based on stellar reviews and your trusted nod I ordered it.

So now we got D700, CZ 50mm 2.0 Makro-Planar and Nikon 180mm 2.8 ... and I doubt we'll come up with anything better than the 17-35 and 85. Never know though ... someone could throw in a great option still

Are you the British version of MDJAK?

Aye son, just better lookin

I've heard that there are vignetting issues with the Nikon 70-200 on full frame and that the 80-200 is a better alternative. Looking forward to some high iso shots.

condyk wrote in post #5967793
This is what is on my 'possibilities' list, along with broadly decent retail prices:

Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS £850 (may be too wide for me - 20mm may do but don't see anything suitable!?)
Nikon 35mm 2.0 £176

Nikon 85mm 1.4 £200 or
105mm 2.8 VR Micro £450 &
Nikon 180mm 2.8 £440 or
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR £1123 or
Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 £650

Hmm... hopefully I can help as I have gone through roughly the same process in the past (for both a fuji s5pro and a d200).

The 17-35 2.8 wouldnt be a bad choice, but have you had a look for the nikkor 28-70 2.8? Im pretty sure the new 24-70 2.8 replaced it, but from the few times I used it on a D200, it was a very nice lens. It felt better than the canon 24-70L. I dont know whether it is too competetive price wise with the 17-35 though.

The 35 f2 is a great lens, friends of mine that have them dont stop going on about them. As for the 105 VR macro, Id probably try and look for the previous non VR version. Its a lot more solid and i think the IQ is better too. The 85 1.4 would be great to have, although Id also settle for the 85 1.8, slightly cheaper which is always good but still pretty good quality.

The 80-200 would be a must. So much cheaper than the 70-200 VR and from the looks of it, stilll great image quality, albiet a tad heavier.

Basically, if I was in your shoes, my list would look like this:

• Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 (Im a wide freak)
  
• Nikkor 28-70 f2.8
  
• Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 ED
  
• Nikkor 35 f2
  
• Nikkor 50 f1.4 (its cheap enough compared to the canon one)
  
• Nikkor 85 f1.8
  
• Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 (non VR)

Connie, you bad, bad boy, you.
Firstly, you're gonna love the D700. From the lcd screen to the metering capability to general all around handling, fantastic camera.
Now back OT. While the 70-300 is not a very popular zoom for Canon, I can tell you that since I got the Nikon version, for under 500 dollars, I'd be hard pressed to go for their 70-200 f2.8, at least until they upgrade it for full frame. It is sharp, lightweight, and provides excellent results. In fact, on nikoncafe.com you can sometimes pick up a good used one for around 400.
best of luck, bud.
me

PS: I'm tellin Peter on you.

MDJAK wrote in post #5971952
Firstly, you're gonna love the D700. From the lcd screen to the metering capability to general all around handling, fantastic camera.

Arrrrgh, stop making me want to trade my stuff again

crn3371 wrote in post #5971515
I've heard that there are vignetting issues with the Nikon 70-200 on full frame and that the 80-200 is a better alternative. Looking forward to some high iso shots.

Thanks and I picked that up from Nikonians ... and that a new version could be on its way due to the new FF bodies. I have discounted that lens also due to size and weight. Everything needs to fit in the Peli case for carry on flight use and that big momma won't with my other stuff.

-spam- wrote in post #5971891
The 17-35 2.8 wouldnt be a bad choice, but have you had a look for the nikkor 28-70 2.8? Im pretty sure the new 24-70 2.8 replaced it ...

The 35 f2 is a great lens ... the 105 VR macro, Id probably try and look for the previous non VR version. ... Id also settle for the 85 1.8, slightly cheaper which is always good but still pretty good quality.

The 80-200 would be a must ..

That is great advice Spammy ... since posting I have bought the 180mm 2.8 prime which is just an all time classic bit of glass and I found latest version new at a great price so snapped it up. I also snapped up the 28mm 2.8 AI-S which from reviews is the ultimate Nikon 28mm. MF only but that doesn't worry me with the big viewfinder. I already have the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm 2.0 ZF so that discounts the Nikon but it will also give me solid close up shooting. Again, MF but no problem. This will be my main walkies lens ... in theory, but we'll have to see. The 80-200mm 2.8 is super solid as a buy but again too big and heavy. The 17-35mm I am gonna see if I can get a SH one or just try the 28mm as my widey. I don't super-wide so I may be able to save what is a large chunka change. I might be better lookin' than M'Jak but his wife is richer The 85mm 1.8 I am gonna go for that but wait until things bed in ... I didn't use my Canon one much but I had the awesome 70-200mm IS L 4.0. That will go and will be missed

MDJAK wrote in post #5971952
Connie, you bad, bad boy, you.
Firstly, you're gonna love the D700. From the lcd screen to the metering capability to general all around handling, fantastic camera ... While the 70-300 is not a very popular zoom for Canon, I can tell you that since I got the Nikon version, for under 500 dollars, I'd be hard pressed to go for their 70-200 f2.8, at least until they upgrade it for full frame. It is sharp, lightweight, and provides excellent results. In fact, on nikoncafe.com you can sometimes pick up a good used one for around 400. PS: I'm tellin Peter on you.

I looked at that lens seriously but for Africa I think too consumer, which is why I sold my Canon version for the 70-200mm last year.

The D700 is actually out for delivery as we speak but am going away effectively until Monday now so dunno when I'll actually get it in hand. Of course, I got wangled good deal: free bag, free 8Gb Sandisk IV and £50 off. I'll try it for 2-3 days and based on the results either send it all back or keep it. The stuff I have now is superb: all great copies and as a kit works really well together. Crazy to sell, but sometimes you just fancy a change and to open yourself up a new challenge innit

I will check that NikonCafe out,. I paid for Silver at Nikonians but seems a bit boring and leval of assistance pretty basic. Got more solid advice here.

Say howdee to the Pet' ... maybe he'll deliver it to me?

condyk wrote in post #5973570
That is great advice Spammy ... since posting I have bought the 180mm 2.8 prime which is just an all time classic bit of glass and I found latest version new at a great price so snapped it up.

Oooh, noice score. That would be one of my must buys if i did have a nikon set up. They do a 135 f2 as well which seems very nice if you have the cash to burn on it. Both the AF and MF versions are very tempting.

condyk wrote in post #5973570
Crazy to sell, but sometimes you just fancy a change and to open yourself up a new challenge innit

Exactly. Thats almost where Im at as well. Dont get me wrong, I love the 40D and the system overall but at the same time, Im itching for a change. And there are some lenses that nikon do that I really want to try out and its not like I am that tied to canon right now.

Hmm... wonder if anyone wants to trade a d300 for what I have?

-spam- wrote in post #5973638
... Im itching for a change. And there are some lenses that nikon do that I really want to try out and its not like I am that tied to canon right now.

Aye, well the solution I guess is to have two bodies and use each with very specific and carefully chosen gear. But it does mean you pretty often have to carry the pair around.

I just decided short end go Nikon and mainly for ease of use with the Zeiss stuff, which I have always loved the 'feel' of and the usability. Long end stay Canon because it is just better bang for your buck on most stuff. We'll see how it pans out. One option is sell the remaining Canon and go 200-400mm VR of course but the 400mm L is just so awesome for the money I think I'd lose IQ, even if only a tad. and VR is more of a luxury than a necessity when you're on a beanbag or monopod for shooting anyway.

All good craic and stops me going senile having things to think about ... or maybe selling my kit is the first sign of early onset dementia

If you like the Zeiss ZF 50 f/2, then you will probably love its big brother, the ZF 100. It really is an amazing lens. In fact, you might want to take a closer look at the rest of the Zeiss line, specifically the 28 f/2, 35 f/2, 85 f/1.4, and the upcoming 18 f/3.5.