nghi_hoang Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I have a bit of a dilemma, sort of. I have a $1000.00 to spend on newgear. Oh yes! I'm a happy camper. But let's start with what I have:D200, F100, Nikon 80-200 AFD 2.8, Nikon 17-35 AFS 2.8, Tokina 28-70 ATX 2.8, Nikon 105 Micro 2.8, Nikon 105 AIS 2.5, and a SB-28 flash. Since receiving the D200, my wide angle zoom is no longer what it is on the F100. This is a bit frustrating, if you know what I mean. Naturally, I want a lens that gives me back the wide angle. However, I have wanted to get the 85 AFD 1.4 for quite a while. Also, I want aflash that work with the D200. So, with that budget, what do you think Ishould get?<ul> <li> Wide angle zoom? Choices: Nikon 12-24 (will use up the entire budget) or Tokina 12-24 ($500 left over for maybe an SB-800 and still have some small change left) or fill-in-the-blank</li> <li> Get the 85 AFD 1.4 (I do like to shoot portrait, but I have the 105 AIS 2.5 already, albeit a littlelong with the D200)</li></ul><p>As far as subject matters, I like landscape, macro, and portrait. I guess you can say I shoot everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_sokal___dallas__tx Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I think Tamron makes a 10-20 that's been well reviewed at nikonians.org, which would leave money for the sb800. Buy some extra CF cards with the leftover or an sb600. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_sokal___dallas__tx Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Actually I think it's Sigma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_chan4 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 If shooting for money, you should be wise enough to know the answer. As a hobby, just get what you want. Make sense? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mars790 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 go for the 85 1.4. it will become your favorite lens for it's purpose and you will USE it. good luck with your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsd230 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Tokina 12-24, SB800 8gb lexar CF card heres a link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5575&A=details&Q=&sku=433119&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation Lexar has a 70MIR going on it making just under 100.00, not bad for a 8gig card and fast to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlarson Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Man, you sound as bad as I am! What else do I need/want? Maybe with your $1000 you ought take a trip somewhere cool and just use the nice equipment you already have. I'm not trying to be a smart*ss; just thinking I ought to do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark pav Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 An SB-800 and the Tokina 12-24mm lens. You should be able to pick both of them up somewhere for the cash you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les_barstow Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Go with the Tokina and the flash - unless you're really in need of the 85. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevea Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 The flash will do more for you than any of your other choices. The 85 f1.4 would be next on my list. Save up for it and you'll be happy you did. No one is forcing you to spend the entire $1,000 now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron l Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Go on a photo safari instead. Collect more images & make memories for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_hooper1 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Get the Nikon 12-24mm. Its an exceptional lens and will hold its value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_margolis Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I can understand the 85mm since you like portrait work. Great choice. But as you said, you also like landscape and you are missing a lot from the wide end. You have the 85 covered but not something wider than 28mm. If I was in your situation, I would be thinking either add the Tokina 12-24 with the SB800 or just get the Nikon 12-24. In the end, I would take the first one. The Tokina is an excellent lens as is the flash. Sounds to me like that would be the best of both worlds for you. And you can always start saving up again for the 85mm but in the meantime, you will have had lots of use from your new lens and flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nghi_hoang Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Thanks all for helping me with this. As for using that money to travel, this is a graduation gift from my parents. Besides, I don't have much time for travel, at least not to exotic place like Africa. I am, however, thinking about a road trip to the pacific northwest for a few days. I am a little bit of a gear head. If money isn't an obstacle, I would probably own a lot of Nikon glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybeach Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Tokina 12-24 and SB-800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg jansen Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 TWO SB-800's so you can do multiple wireless set-up. Sell the SB-28 ($100?)(doesn't talk to the D200 as well as the newer flashes). Still have $500 for a lens. I have an old Sigma 14mm 3.5 that I can't stop using on my D200. That and a 50mm 1.4 should keep you at about $500. The 85mm 1.8 is a good value. For film use, the 35mm f2 and 85mm 1.8 would be a great inexpensive and light combo. For digital, a used 14mm and a 50 1.4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Tokina 12-24, 35mm f2, and an SB-600. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybeach Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Greg wrote: "I have an old Sigma 14mm 3.5 that I can't stop using on my D200. That and a 50mm 1.4 should keep you at about $500." My reply: Have you compared the Sigma 14/3.5 to the 12-24 zooms? I have a hard time finding this lens and never see it for less than about $500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karim Ghantous Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 IMHO... Flash? Who the hell wants a flash? The results are awful (but studio set-ups are another thing though). And if you want dinner party snapshots carry a compact FFS. So offensive is flash to me that I'd rather not have the shot if I can't get it by ambient light. That Tokina sounds nice, so get that, some memory cards and maybe a 300mm of some kind? The wide is probably more important but you can take nice portraits with a 300mm, too. Or a 180? Nikon makes some good 180s AFAIK. You'll have change left over for memory cards or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg jansen Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 I have not compared them. My Sigma is a real old version, AF. Think I paid $150 for it. It is the focal length that is so great about it- plus it is pretty small, fairly fast. Great for indoor events. So I'm saying get something 14mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg jansen Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Sigma 14mm 3.5. There is one on Ebay now, Buy-it-Now $225.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_in_PA Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 +1 on the Tokina 12-24, 35mm f2, and an SB-600. I tried the Nikon 12-24 next to the Sigma 14mm in a camera store recently (they were out of the Tokina), and as great as the Sigma is, I think the extra wide angle is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titospna Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Two SB-600's; One SU-800. Left over money goes for a field trip anywhere you want that has colorful subjects, in wonderful golden light. If the light is lacking, you will always be ready. You will see how a couple of speedlights will open more vistas for you. I would skip buying more lenses, unless you are willing to subtract from your inventory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nghi_hoang Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Karim, I can see your point. The reason I need a flash is to take full advantage of the iTTL flash system in the field for close up work. I am barely managing with the SB-28 since it can only do manual and A mode with the D200. I don't mind this so much for non-moving subjects because I can use my ambient meter, but with insects...forget it. Proper and creative use of flash can produce amazing results, at least compared to my skill level with flash. Some evidence <a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/?">here</a>. <p>It is because of the low light shooting capability of the 85 AFD 1.4 that makes the lens so attractive to me. As far as bokeh, I have seen results from this lens and they are simply excellent. <p>I had a thought. Tokina 12-24, SB-800, and a used/new Nikon 50 AFD 1.4 (saw a mint used Nikkor 50 1.4 yesterday, but was too late to make offer). This will probably go over the budget limit. <p>Peter and hiro, can you explain your gravitation toward the 35mm f2? It is a Nikkor, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsd230 Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Actually I think I would buy an SB800 and spend the rest to go somewhere nice to take some photographs. I think you are pretty well covered in the lens department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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