kobye

<p>I am really interested to see the 50-150 suggestion here. I have the previous Sigma 50-150 II and it is fantastic. I was quite surprised with how good the rendering / performance of the lens is @ 2.8. The out of focus areas are extremely well handled. I wouldn't trade this for the new Sigma OS or a Nikon VR until I had checked it out vs. what I have...if the new one is as good as the old Sigma will likely remain a great deal vs. anything nikon will offer here. I would expect the new Sigma to be great and to slot in a much more friendly price point than a nikkor. I have had very positive experiences with the Sigma 30 1.4 ( I have a the 35 DX nikkor 1.8 which I gave to my wife, as well) the 150 macro and the 50-150. Where there is a competent 3rd party offering I have less nikon need. Hmmm.... but from a nikon perspective about profitability, my gaps are not likely to be there's unfortunately. I think a fast wide nikkor prime would be a home run. B/c no one has this in a current offering (that is not FX and therefore much larger and more expensive than a DX design need be.)</p>

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<p>24 f/2. <br>

I would jump quickly on any wide prime. <br>

A micro 4/3 solution is looking more and more appealing for candid shooting with wide primes, but buying a smaller, lighter DX body than my D300 is more sensible for me for such use IF a viable prime kit existed with DX lenses delivering the size/weight reduction in the lens department.<br>

A DSLR could never be replaced for macro work for me & the tracking AF of the D300 is great for action. But I really miss an FM3A experience for candids and the missing ingredient is really lenses.</p>

<p>This lens makes a lot of sense to me. The 55/60 macro FOV and distortion-less view is great for near close-up details (true macro is more involved and lighting, working distance etc. would be easier with the 90/100/150/200). The Tokina was the only thing available and it is a screw drive lens, not suitable for lower end bodies if AF is desired. Friends new to SLRs often gravitate towards macro in my experience. I would generally suggest one of the third party alternatives at the 90/100 FL for affordability vs. performance but even that 400+$ might be too much to invest to experiment. This is a solid option as an intro macro lens, and can let someone test the waters. Are you really ready to commit to a decent tripod? ball head? etc. I don't see any downside here for Nikon. What I see is the trickle out announcement prior to the bigger one. Let's see what the big picture for DX looks like after that. The 85 3.5 was far more of a curve-ball than this one since I see nothing to suggest it over 3rd party options & optically it didn't seem to compare well to the micro line. I am interested to see how the performance measures up to the 60 since I was looking to replace my old AI'd 55 3.5. Stay calm, take a good picture and let's just see what we are talking about in August!<br>

A CRC flat field lens is a totally different beast for near close-up pictures than something like the 35 1.8.</p>

<p>Here is Juvenile Mantis captured in my garden. I tucked away egg cases I found during garden clean-up and they are all over the pace.</p><div></div>

<p>Wow, nice pics so far. Haven't been able to post lately. Here is a recent one shot through some tulips.</p><div></div>

<p>My little guy turned 3 yesterday, and we have been thoroughly entertained by his Christmas Astronaut outfit.</p><div></div>

<p>I am enjoying mine as well! I picked it after considering and handling the usual suspects. The lens speed one for me as it offered about a stop at the longer end over the alternatives.<br>

After using it for a couple weeks I am happy with it. A couple nits, just like any camera. no histogram review, no blinking highlights, moderately ok metering, wish it showed effective focal length and retained last used zoom setting... big deal. It didn't take me long to figure out how the metering sees the world. I think having experience shooting film with my FM3a for so long makes those kinds of adjustments from my D300 no big deal. It has served its purpose just great, and I have several shots I wouldn't have that I really like as my D300 would have been @ home in the bag. great compliment to a dslr for me.<br>

I have raw files saved but wont check them out or process until I install lightroom or PS5/ACR. Have been happily using NX2 for so long, so need to settle on raw converter. An enjoyable camera that just doesnt get much in the way.</p>

<p>Hamish, that is a wonderfully composed shot!!</p>

<p>With it being so cold here, I feel the need for something a bit warmer....</p><div></div>

<p>Monument Circle w/ christmas lights.</p><div></div>

<p>I would recommend the sigma 30 1.4 as well. I own it as well as the nikon 35 1.8 which I gave to my wife when we got her a camera. I find it great, and very much appreciate the 1.4 and higher quality of the out of focus rendition of the lens. compared to the nikkor. It is nicer looking at wide apertures 1.4-3ish than the nikkor which can have a busier look to the out of focus areas. Also 30 vs. 35 is noticeably wider which I appreciate. I like the nikkor too - it is a decent lens, not knocking it.<br>

As far as sigma QC, I have 3 lenses from sigma all of which have been great performers - the 30 1.4, 150 macro and 50-150 2.8 .</p>

 

<p>If you like the wide nikkor, a used or new 12-24 F/4 Tokina is a nice choice, which I enjoy. 12 is nicely wide and 24 slots into a more general shooting range (a moderate wide like 35 on fx).<br>

You are also lacking in telephoto options. 85 1.8 or 70-300 VR is in the price range mentioned.<br>

But this is a really broad question - think more about photos you wish you could take but can't because of what you currently have. If you are drawn to macro photography (you have no options now), there are lenses from tokina/sigma/tamron/older nikons that fit the budget etc. and could double as mid range teles.<br>

depends on what you wish to do!</p>

<p>My little almost 3 year old Ninja cracked me up on Halloween.</p>

<p>I also discovered that he is a very serious method actor, and have a couple bent pairs of eye glasses to prove it!</p><div></div>

<p>Happy Wednesday! Have been looking for fall detail pictures and here is a recent one from an old wooden bridge.</p><div></div>

<p>I picked up a refurb for my wife recently ( I have a D300 myself)....I would expect refurb prices to drop proportionally to the retail price. maybe 600-650. <br>

I love buying Nikon refurbished gear when I can, especially bodies. If I was buying used I would want to buy from a source that would disclose shutter count, just to have an idea of what I was picking up. Or a place like KEH that has a solid return policy on used gear.</p>

<p>ooops the dreaded double post....</p>

<p>D300 with 55 micro ai'd with a dremel +reflector</p><div></div>

<p>One from the weekend, though it was a record high temp. yesterday, fall is on the way. And I expect it will be brief with the lack of rain we have had. Happy Wednesday!</p>

<p>This great news and a very well spec'd camera. Still, I do not regret recently buying my wife a D90 refurb for her needs.<br>

Very glad to see mirror lock-up, that is my main beef with her d90 as makes it less useful to me for some macro shooting I do. I would miss the AF-On on this camera vs. my D300 and that looks to be about all I would miss which is quite a nice surprise from Nikon. While AE lock can be used as AF-ON, I much prefer having both as exposure lock is a useful tool.<br>

Exciting to see Nikon pushing much further than I expected with the body at this price-point.</p>

<p>Fun pictures as always! great to see what everyone has been up to<br>

a few that caught my eye so far<br>

Doug. R - that looks like a very cool addition to the 100 acres<br>

Tim. H - I really like the composition and reflection; looks like a fun trip<br>

Don H. - A very nice moment from this wedding, sure to be treasured by your client</p>

<p>A garden spider from this past weekend hanging out in some phlox.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is a caterpillar (I think a Virginia Hawk Moth) from this past weekend.</p><div></div>

<p>Wow...what a crazy looking critter. Believe this is an assassin bug nymph. Had to struggle to hold a leaf behind it so background wouldn't go dark while holding a heavy camera in my other hand...sometimes would be nice to have 3 or maybe 4 arms.</p><div></div>

<p>A black swallowtail butterfly enjoying snacking on the fennel in my garden.</p><div></div>

<p>Have been having a great time lately photographing preying mantis! This was indeed the last few moments for this ant.</p><div></div>

<p>Have been enjoying all the butterflies lately. Believe this is a red spotted purple admiral.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is one from yesterday, enjoying all the Monarchs that are out.</p><div></div>