ivan_verschoote1

<p>Another vote for the 28-105 here. Wonderful on the D700. I only wish it had VR and AFS.</p>

<p>There is no lens like the 14-24/2.8 AFS, it beats them all. Highly recommended and well spent money.</p>

<p>The bokeh seems OK, the colors don't. Too reddish.</p>

<p>As a D700 owner, I've bought the 70-300 VR a few weeks ago, only for travelling.<br>

I have the 70-200/2.8 VR, and while this is a very good lens indeed, it is way too heavy and too cumbersome to take along on long and hard worldwide trips.<br>

I'v done some side by side tests and it is really surprising too see that the 70-300 VR almost optically equals the 70-200/2.8 VR in the 70 to 200 mm reach. The 70-300 delivers good but not excellent results above 200 mm. However, stopping down to f8 at 300 mm really improves IQ.<br>

Is it worth it: YES, and its a keeper in my heavy bag.</p>

<p>I have a D700, the 70-200/2.8 VR, the 300/4 AFS and the TC14EII.<br>

The 70-200/2.8 VR is a very good lens on the D700. Vignetting occurs sometimes with blue sky and on 200mm, nothing to worry about. <br>

Adding a TC14E gives good results, if the lens is stopped down to f5.6. I mention good, but not perfect, it NEVER reaches the quality of the prime 300/4 AFS. It is however a good substitute if I forget my 300/4.<br>

The 300/4 AFS is a real juwel on the D700. Adding the TC14E on the 300/4 doesn't seem to affect the IQ. The perfect combo.<br>

Hope this answers your question.</p>

 

<p>I have a D700, the 70-200/2.8 VR, the 300/4 AFS and the TC14EII.<br>

The 70-200/2.8 VR is a very good lens on the D700. Vignetting occurs sometimes with blue sky and on 200mm, nothing to worry about. <br>

Adding a TC14E gives good results, if the lens is stopped down to f5.6. I mention good, but not perfect, it NEVER reaches the quality of the prime 300/4 AFS. It is however a good substitute if I forget my 300/4.<br>

The 300/4 AFS is a real juwel on the D700. Adding the TC14E on the 300/4 doesn't seem to affect the IQ. The perfect combo.<br>

Hope this answers your question.</p>

 

<p>Joe A; if you can read some French: http://www.pictchallenge-archives.net/TESTNUM/D3_optiques.html<br>

It seems that results on FF-camera's aren't so great.</p>

<p>Joe A; if you can read some French: http://www.pictchallenge-archives.net/TESTNUM/D3_optiques.html<br>

It seems that results on FF-camera's aren't so great.</p>

<p>Another vote for the Arca Swiss Z1p.</p>

I use the 28-105 for travel and it is really a great lens on the D700 - as long if you don't use it wide open.

One stop down should be OK and gives perfect results.

I hope Nikon will come out next year with a FF standard zoom like the Canon 24-105/4.

All Nikkors tested on FF-camera's (hope you understand some French): http://www.pictchallenge-

archives.net/TESTNUM/D3_optiques.html

1997; the year I switched from Minolta to Nikon.

May'be I'm a spoiler, but I see a lot of dark corners at 24 mm.

According to www.photozone.de, the 24-85/2.8-4 is not a bad performer indeed.

 

I think - together with the 28-105/3.5-4.5 - it is the best midrange (affordable) zoom for FF use.

I'm currently using my old 28-105/3.5-4.5 AFd (next to my 50/1.8) and I'm quite happy with it. (My other lenses are 85/1.8,

70-200VR and 300/4).

When avoiding the widest apertures it is a very fine performer indeed. I think it can easily match the Canon 24-105/4 (no

kidding). I's a discontinued lens that is easily available second-hand.

The D700 is more forgiving towards optics than some people might think. You don't need 2000$ zoom lenses to get great

shots. You need talent and creativity.

It is merely a thing of waiting, Nikon will surely come up with an affordable alternative in the FF-range. 24-105/4 AFS VR

with Nano cristals may'be...

18-105/3.5-5.6 AFS VR DX

Another Dx lens at f5.6 - a real disappointment.

Recent D700 users have to choose between heavy, expensive f2.8 zooms and plastic f5.6 Dx lenses - go figure.

Dan, may'be wait a little bit.

From a reliable source I heard Nikon is working on a new standard zoom - probably f4 all the way (may'be a 24-105/4 AFS VR ?).

The lens should be available by the end of 2008.

Until then I'll hold on to my 50/1.8 and my old (but still very good) 28-105/3.5-4.5 for my newly ordered D700.

I also bought a 300/4 AFS of the later batches - the tripod collar on this one was a litle bit better than the first batches, but still worthless because of the awkward design. I've bought the Kirk Nc-300 and it's an totally different story.

Get the Nikon TC14E - you won't be disappointed. 300/4 AFS and TC14E give really great,

great results.

Sun, this CF 16 GB is the real thing. In the Netherlands, many online shops can deliver them

between 240 and 300 US $. I picked only the cheapest for the link.

I'm sure the prices in the US will follow.

Jordan,

 

here's a link:

http://www.4launch.nl/4launch.php?links=shop/shoplinks.php&center=shop/producteninfo.php?productid=025843

Memory cards are becoming ridicously cheap in Europe now.

The Sandisk CF Extreme III 16 GB (!) sells for 240 US$ in the Netherlands.

I would like to buy one for my D200.

 

This should be very handy for travelling. Any experiences concerning this card

are welcome.

At the Photokina Cullmann presented a new sturdy ballhead: the 40200 Magnesit

35 Nm GA. According to the specs it can take 30 kg (around 66lbs) and the

official retail price should be around 180 euro (~ 220 US$). I found street

prices for around 130 euro (or 170 US$). So far I haven't found any reviews on

the net. Anyone here? http://www.cullmann-

foto.de/html/products/stative/magnesit/40200CULLMANNMagnesit35NmGA.htm

Guys, you're fantastic!! Ivan G (what's in a name!): more than I expected.

 

I will take the cab to go into the city (30 US $ sound resonable and could be regarded as part

of the tour), for saving some money I'll return with the airtrain.

BTW: is it safe to take the airtrain in the evening after 8 or 9 PM?

Next marchl I'm returning from South America and I'm having to wait for my connecting flight from 11.59

AM until 11.30 PM at JFK New York. (on a Thursday)

Since I don' want to wait nearly 12 hours in an airport terminal, I'm thinking about visiting the Big Apple in

the afternoon.

 

A few remarks:

 

1) I want to get quickly AND affordable in the city from JFK;

 

2) this is my first visit to New York;

 

3) I don't want to visit museums;

 

4) I want to take some pics;

 

5) may'be a visit to B&H.

 

6) I want to back at the airport at 10 PM.

 

All recommendations and hints are welcome!