leigh_mazion

<p>Thanks for all of the great input so far. As far as sports, shooting mtn bike race is a little more flexible on focal lengths, but 35-150 is the most common I use on a DX camera. Good points on going wide for indoor shooting. She doesn't do much of this, but you never know. I wanted to stay with FX lenses incase her next camera is FX (her 50mm is FX).</p>

<p>My daughter has been getting more serious about photography and I would like to get her a nice mid-range zoom for Christmas. She has used my Nikon 18-135mm in the past, but I would like to get her something a little faster at the long end with very good image quality. She has a Nikon D90 and is currently using my Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 to supplement her 50mm f1.8. She mostly shoots mtn bike racing, but also likes shooting friends and family, along with some travel photography. I would like to keep the cost under $1000. This is what I'm considering so far:</p> <p>Nikon 24-120mm f4, I can get one used for $600, Refurb. for $700<br> Sigma 24-105 f4, $899 but hard to find in stock<br> Tamron 24-70mm f2.8, used or grey market for about $900<br> Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, would be hard to find used in my budget, but I recently picked one up used for $1100</p> <p>Any thoughts on these options or should I be considering something else?</p>

<p>Thanks for all of the input so far. A little additional information, I gave my daughter my old D90, so she will use any DX lenses I don't. I'm planning to pick up a 24-70 2.8, just waiting to see if the price drops with the rumored vr. I'm not sure what I gain with FX, since I haven't owned one yet. I do like the control layout of the D300s, but I didn't have any issues with the D90 when I was shooting with it</p> <p>My budget is a little open. I'm just looking for a set-up that I can work with for the next several years. Any money saved will go to a new computer!</p>

I'm looking to upgrade one of my two cameras (D200). Currently I have a D300s and a D200. I mainly shoot mountain bike racing, but occasionally will shoot an indoor concert or portraits of the family. My main lenses are a 70-200vr, 17-55 2.8, 50 1.8, and 35 1.8 (mix of FX and DX). Shooting mountain biking the lighting goes from full sun to heavy shade in the woods. AF performance is important to increase the keeper rate. It looks like the cost of the D700 and D7100 would be close ($600 vs $800). Neither are "new" bodies, but the D700 is definitely the older of the two. My biggest issue with the D200 is noise at higher ISO. Any thoughts on these options or other suggestions?

<p>Ok, I just pulled the trigger on a mint condition 70-200 VR1 from my local camera store. The lens didn't have a mark on it and was a good price. I've clicked off a few test shots and lens performs great. I'll give it a full test this weekend at a race! Thanks for all of the help!</p>

<p>Ok, it’s been a busy week and I’m just getting back to this thread. Thanks for all of the responses so far! Let me see if I can provide a little more information. 1.) Budget: I’m flexible, but ideally I would like to stay under $2k. If I keep it lower, there’s more room to upgrade the computer for post processing!  2.) Yes, I still have the 70-300VR. I shot this one last weekend at a race. This was the first time shooting this since my girls were in soccer years ago. I got good results, but it was sunny and in open terrain. I would like to be able to isolate the subject a little better with an open aperture. 3.) The 70-210 is the AF version, and it was my go to last year. I mostly shot it in the 70-120ish range. In mtn. biking you have some flexibility in where you shoot from. 4.) I can pick-up a 80-200 f2.8 AFS for about $700. Not sure how much I would gain over my 70-210 vs dropping a little more for the 70-200 VR or other option. 5.) I was carrying two bodies last year, but the D90 was given to my daughter. She likes to shoot after her race is done. I will likely carry one extra lens. Thanks for all the help so far!</p>

My daughter has started racing high school mountain biking, so I've dusted off the equipment and started shooting again. I currently own a D300s with my primary lenses being an old 70-210 f4 and a 35 f1.8. The 70-210 is nice, but a little slow to focus. The 35 is primarily used for shots around camp. What lens or lenses would you suggest for this type or shooting. To add a little challenge, I may occasionally shoot a High School band or musical. Thanks in advance for any input!