Zoom Lens Suggestion for Fish Photography

<p>It’s been quiet a while since I posted….<br>

This time I need your help. I’m looking for a lens for work. I don’t like zoom lenses but in this case that is what I need. I take pictures of koi (nishikigoi AKA Japanese carp). I have mostly primes, 24, 35, 50 and 85 and so on. I need a zoom to cover this range. I love fast lenses but in this case I don’t need that.<br>

I use flash, ISO 200, f/ 9 to 16 (to avoid reflections on the water), speed 200. Cameras I still use D300 and D700. I’ve been using my old faithful 35~70 f/2.8 (The only zoom I have) but it is too slow to autofocus. If I shoot with primes, depending on the size of the fish I need to keep swapping lenses and since my primes are not cheap and I’m surrounded by water I don’t like the idea of swapping.<br>

So, the ideal lens would be the 24~70 f/2.8 but I’m trying to avoid the price since I have not use of f/2.8 and trying to avoid the weight factor too. What I need most is AF speed. <br>

Here are 2 examples of what I do. These fish are 60 cm (24 inch) and they are by my feet. The whole I deal is to get the fish as straight as I can with the pectoral fins open. That happens once in 3 minutes just for a fraction of a second.<br>

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Cheers!!!!</p>

<p>PS. Full frame would be best.</p>

 

<p>Sorry about the size</p><div></div>

<p>Another one</p><div></div>

Welcome beck, Rene.

 

Since you don't need f2.8, I would say either the 24-120mm/f4 AF-S VR or 24-85mm/f3.5-4.5 AF-S VR should be fine.

This is indoors, right? F2.8 may give you better AF, though.

 

I was thinking about either the 60mm ot 105mm macro, but it looks more like 1 to 1.5 meters away, not quite in macro ranger. And you want the flexibility of a zoom anyway.

<p>Hi Shun.... well.... I'm always around.... reading only...... Thanks for your advice..... I find it so confusing since there are so many new lenses.<br /> Macro lenses are good for more artistic shots like the one here:<br>

This fish is only 12 inches about 4 meters away in the tank</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Rene,<br>

I agree with Shun about the lenses--the 24-120 or 24-85 should be excellent for you. AF speed should be fine, particularly if you can use the focus assist lamp on the flash.</p>

<p>And I'm glad you're posting again. I know you've posted since 2011, but I most remember your writing from Sendai after the Fukushima disaster. Best regards.</p>

<p>Hector, I think focus assist only works for static shots, not when you're tracking movement with AF-C.<br>

So René needs a lens that can focus fast in "low" light.</p>

<p>Either of Tamron's midrange zooms won't disappoint. The SP 28-75mm gives you an f/2.8 aperture at an f/3.5~5.6 price. While the SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC gives you the same IQ as Nikon's similar lens at half the price. The 28-75mm has the advantage of taking a reasonbly-sized non-rotating 67mm filter if you need a polariser. However the 24-70 has snappier autofocus, but takes a big 82mm filter.</p>

<p>Personally I wouldn't waste my money paying for the Nikon name when Tamron can equal the performance in this zoom range and give you that very handy wider aperture.</p>

I think the 24-85 VR is the obvious choice.

<p>Mid range, zoom or not, and a polarizer as needed. Easy if the fish are undisturbed, otherwise requires patience to wait till they calm down. Manual focus generally works quite well too. The 24-85 is inexpensive and good for FX format. We have kept and (informally) photographed our koi in ponds for decades with all manner of camera / lens combinations. Formal shots to post for sales or as winners of competitions would be easier in the sense that conditions are more controlled and uniform, but more demanding since you are trying to represent a particular presentation of the fish. Good luck!<br>

The few times since the late "60's that I have bought a non Nikon lens I always have regretted it and gotten rid of it. All the Nikon lenses, ex one 135/3.5 where I upgraded to a faster 135/2.8 are still in my possession, working and in use.</p>

<p>I'm using a lens that is not mentioned but I find very useful. Take a look at the Sigma 24-105 f4 Art lens. Good size, fast focus, focus to under 1/2 meter, quiet. I'm using mine on a D200 as well as a D700. Save a bit of money over the Nikon 24-120 also. Using flash all of the time means that you don't have to pay for a faster lens.</p>

<p>Here is another recommendation for the Nikon 24-85. I bought it for travel and now rarely use my Nikon 24-70mm f2.8. </p>

<p>Joe</p>

<p><em>"What I need most is AF speed."</em><br /> <br /> You also want accurate AF, correct? A fast aperture lens (24-70mm f2.8) will give you a brighter viewfinder and potentially faster, more accurate AF. So the bit of extra weight may be worth it in the long run. This lens will also give you exceptional IQ in every regard. Used, the 24-70mm f2.8 is very reasonably priced. If you want to save a bit of money, consider the slightly older 28-70mm f2.8 version which is still AF-S and you loose only 4mm on the wide end.</p>