Hypothetical - how would you spend up to $8,000 on Nikons.

<p>Knowing some individuals from my camera club, some may have just a few items. If you had no photography equipment at all, what would you do with your $8,000 for all things including accessories - bags, filters, batteries, tripods etc. If you choose to you can opt to spend less and put it to any other areas you wish. </p>

<p>Cheers ;-D </p>

<p>Ok, I'll go first. Since I have a simply fantastic FM2n and excellent vintage glass to go with it, I would buy vast quantities of Velvia 50, 100, Tri-X, and processing machines and chemicals so I could do it right at home. And seek out the best Nikon scanner. I'd probably have to dip into savings at that point!</p>

<p>Craig, don't forget to setup a colour darkroom. :)<br>

Hmmmmm, a F6 and a couple of AF lenses out to make $8k evaporate.</p>

 

<p>Like, Craig, I am also dipping into my savings a little bit. If I go the FX way I mean. If I go the way of the DX, I will be under budget. first the FX lineup.</p>

<p>nikon D800 $3000<br>

nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 $1900<br>

nikkor 50mm f/1.8g $200<br>

nikkor 24-120mm f/4 $1300<br>

nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 $2400</p>

<p>now the DX lineup</p>

<p>Nikon D7000 $1000<br>

Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 $900<br>

Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 $1400<br>

Nikkor 35mm $200<br>

Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G $900<br>

nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 $2400</p>

 

<p>I would never spend that much on camera gear alone (adding up 20 years in the hobby I have, but that is water under the bridge). It would be fun to use a Nikkor 600/4 for the birds but I could not justify such an investment.</p>

<p>To answer your question, I would get a decent camera, a couple of decent lenses and spend the rest of travelling.</p>

<p>My dream item from Nikon is the long since discontinued Nikkor 6/2.8 fisheye, but USD 8,000 would not get me such a lens.</p>

<p>Only 8K? And I have to start from scratch? That would be rough.<br>

I would probably go with 2 D300s plus MB-D10 a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 and I am probably pretty close to hitting the budget cap. 70-200 f/2.8 if I can find one for what is left over</p>

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<p>If you had no photography equipment at all</p>

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<p>Nothing at all at this point - until Nikon's cards regarding the D7000 and D300/D300S successors are on the table. And knowing me, I'd certainly like two bodies - which especially for FX but also in the case of a D400 might not be possible in order not to bust the budget with camera bodies alone.</p>

<p>Two lenses I would get in any case would be the 16-35/4 VR (used for around $900) and the new 70-200/4 VR ($1500). Induro Carbon fiber tripod with Acratech ballhead - $1000. If DX I'd likely add the Tokina 11-16/2.8 ($800).</p>

<p>Then very likely 85/1.8G ($500) and possibly Sigma 150/2.8 OS $1100, 28/1.8G ($700), and 50/1.8G ($250). I'd certainly try to stretch my money by looking to buy used/refurbished as much as possible.</p>

<p>I'd very likely be looking for a used 300/2.8 with a set of TCs as well - which would certainly bust that $8000 budget. I might try the Sigma 120-300/2.8 instead though (another budget buster) and also include a used 200-400/4 VR in my considerations (which if purchased new would eat the entire budget already).</p>

<p>I know three lenses I would not be considering: 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8; that's $6500 for something I don't really have much use for.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>A Coolscan to finish scanning my slides and continue scanning my b&w negatives.</p>

<p>Some Nikon One gear. Probably the V1 and 18.5mm and 10-30mm VR zoom, FT1 adapter. Flash for the V1. <br>

Might add the J1 or J2 and 10mm prime for a sorta-pocket camera.</p>

<p>Can I save the rest for software, tutorials and non-Nikon accessories?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Me?</p>

<p>$400--Used Nikon D5100<br>

$100--used Nikon 18-55mm VR<br>

$150--used Nikon 55-200mm VR<br>

$500--used Gitzo tripod & head<br>

$250--Nikon SB-700<br>

$60--Marumi polarizer<br>

$125--Kirk "L" bracket<br>

($ the rest)--Plane ticket to Iceland,</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>Hmmm ... only 8K ...then simple stuff ... D600, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200</p>

<p>Hmmm ... only 8K ...then simple stuff ... D600, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200. NUTS! Over budget (again) :( .</p>

<p>-Nikon D600 or D800, depending on how much you value the resolution and controls. I'd personally go for the D600. $2,100<br /> - 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR. As the midrange lens, i.e. what you use 90% of the time, I don't want something huge and heavy. This is full frame, so the high ISO improvements and circle of confusion bonus mean that you still get equal or better performance than a DX camera with 17-55mm, but with a smaller lens! Shun tested it fine with today's high-demand sensors. $600<br /> http://www.photo.net/equipment/nikon/lenses/review/24-85mm-f3.5-4.5-af-s-vr/<br /> - For those prime shooting days, a 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, and either an 85mm f/1.4 or 105mm f/2. $400 + $850 + $1,200-$1,400<br /> - 70-200mm f/2.8 for $2,400<br /> - Two or three flashes. Let's say an SB-910 and 2 SB700's. $900<br /> - Tripod, let's say $250-$300 for ball head and leg<br /> - Bag, let's say $150<br /> - Cards, let's say $200<br /> That looks slightly over budget, so let's replace the Nikon 70-200mm with either the Sigma or Tamron comparable version, and voila! Full setup! <br>

This is using off-the-top-of-my-head prices as well, plus "good enough for government work" math. But it's ballpark (I hope!)</p>

<p>Two D600's, a 70-200/4 VR and a 35/1.4G, then pocket the change.</p>

<p>I have a friend that has a bunch of Canon gear. I would just buy some stuff from him. Maybe a 50D and a couple prime lenses on the cheap. I would just put the rest in my savings. I have Nikon gear currently but I have no brand loyalty or anything. Just any camera that works properly is fine. </p>

<p>D800e<br>

35mm 1.4 G<br>

S/H 200mm f2 VR<br>

And a 60mm macro if there's anything left over.<br>

Booyah!</p>

<p>If I had to start from scratch that would be hard. I guess it would be<br>

nikon d600 ($2400)<br>

(nikon mount) tamron 24-70 2.8 vc ($1200)<br>

nikon 50 1.4 d ($300)<br>

nikon 35 2 d ($400)<br>

a decent manfroto tripod with pan/tilt head ($300)<br>

decent boggon/velbon monopod with ball head ($200-400)<br>

and an F100 used. ($250)<br>

black and white developing set up/dark room with AP tanks ($1000)<br>

flat bed scanner that does film up to 6x9(400)<br>

Printer and paper and inks (rest)</p>

 

<p>Not easy to choose. I could also get several classic (manual) prime lenses to fill in like 300/4.5, 105/2.5 and 24/2.8.</p>

<p>- D800<br>

- 17-35/2.8<br>

- 70-200/4 (new)<br>

- Macro Tammy 90mm or Sigma 150mm <br>

- Markins ballhead<br>

- Feisol 3-leg tripod (no mid column)<br>

- Pola, ND filters<br>

- Misc</p>

<p>Les</p>

 

<p>Two D300s refurbs @ $1250 = $2500<br />Two Delkin 8 GB Combat CF cards @ $80 = $160 = $2650<br />Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 - $650 = $3300<br />Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC - $650 = $3950<br />Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro - $525 =$4475<br />Sigma 50-150-mm f/2.8 OS - $999 = $5474<br />Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 OS - $899 = $6372<br />Three Nikon SB600 Strobes @ $325 - $975 = $7347<br />Convert carryon roller bag for gear - $45 = $7392<br />Slik 1212 Tripod - $89 = $7481<br />Manfroto Monopod - $79 = $7560<br />Nikon 18-135mm f.3.5-5.6 - $325 = $7885<br />Three light stands with umbrellas $140 = $8025<br />Background stand and cloth 12' - $225 = $8250<br />Right angle view finder - $35 = $8285<br />Three Lumiquest diffusers @ $25 - $75 = $8325<br>

Obviously I went over, but it's everything I bought in the last 5 years.</p>

<p>d800, 35mm 1.4g, 24-70 2.8, 50mm 1.4d, 105mm micro...probably over budget by now...</p>

<p>With $8000, you can get one D3X and own the most expensive SLR Nikon has ever made.</p>

<p>Shun wrote:</p>

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<p>With $8000, you can get one D3X and own the most expensive SLR Nikon has ever made.</p>

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<p>And then post questions about bargain basement lenses for it because you blew your budget on one body... ;-P</p>

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<p>With $8000, you can get one D3X and own the most expensive SLR Nikon has ever made.</p>

 

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<p>You might want to pick up a pin-hole body cap so you could snap a few pictures. LOL</p>

<p>I'd spend it all on lenses. </p>

<p>I think that would just about buy me a Nikkor 600mm lens...</p>

<p>Shun, I think that KEH understands the pricing dilemma. They have the D3X selling in great condition for about $3,500, in which case you'd be wanting/needing the handling and build features of a D3-style body over the D600 or D800. It does have the distinction of being a 20MP+ body with 5fps capability and a good buffer, so those may be worth it to some.</p>

<p>But for myself, for $1500 less, I can "put up with" the lower end features of a D600.</p>