jenniferk

<p>The Tokina is a wonderful lens.<br> Another recommendation is the Sigma 17-50mm. Very nice lens, I believe they also have a 17-70mm as well. Very useful range and a great lens!<br> The 50mm is great all around lens and a complete bargain. </p>

All very good information! Will be paying attention over the next few months!

Back over the holidays we bought a new D7000 as a gift for our daughter. Price was amazing and dropped to under $500 and we scooped it up! Was also looking at getting a D7100 but put it off. Now however he price continues to climb for the 7100. I expected with this being a bit dated model that the price would stay low to clear out stock for the new models. Do you thnk the 7100 is gong to hold steady for now? I was always surprisd with the D300 how expensive it was to buy new, even after it became such an out dated model. With February coming does anyone have a clear idea of what to expect price wise?

I reschedule! It is not worth the aggravation of everyone involved, not to mention the risk of injury or damaged equipment. I try to be reasonable and understanding but I'm also clear that I'm not a circus leader or entertainer. It is one thing when dealing with an infant or unsure 1 year old, there is a certain amount of cajoling to go along with the territory. If however parents bring wild and bouncing off the wall children I usually suggest a short break. Go for a walk let the kids run outside, we can regroup and have fresh start. If the attempt is unsuccessful then I suggest rescheduling and try to work on a time that the child/children are happiest and cooperative, typically not near a nap time! It has actually never been a problem and usually parents are happy to be off the hook for the day!

The 50-150mm is near the top of the list right now. Plus I wouldn't mind borrowing it once in awhile :) Nope John, really don't love her that much!! She said she might ask for it for her sweet sixteen though. We may have started a slippery slope here!!

Quite a few options are on the table, really appreciate the feedback! I actually have a 55-200 in the bag already, maybe we will try it out when we get the new camera. When I first got the lens it wasn't bad but after awhile it seemed to be more disappointing. What I was shooting also changed though and I needed more speed. However even when I tried to use it as a light walk around lens the images needed post work, with or without the vr. I ended up normally choosing a prime and typically am much happier with those results. Might be exciting to pull that lens back out and see the results, maybe she'll hav the 200mm range after all. Peter, I like the trio, a pretty good way to look at things and very true. Wouter, we most likely will pick up a G version of the 85 for her. Was already thinking along those lines. Oringinally i was thinking as a follow up birthday gift. Maybe we'll change it up though and go will the 85 initially, and then later pick something else up if she needs/wants. Certainly appreciate the time you have all taken to respond!

I don't think she needs a lens that goes up to 200mm. It might be nice if she has it once in awhile. Yesterday she left the house with the 50 and attended a cross country meet, she just moves her location and shoots what is available. Most often she likes the 85 but that lens is a bit slower on my d300. Rarely she chooses to take the 17-50, usually only if she knows that she needs that range ahead of time. She is not going to take multiple lenses. She leaves the house everyday with an overloaded backpack and sports gear. Another reason why we wanted to get a smaller body for her.

Jennifer, there is an earlier version that is much smaller, referred to as the HSM II. It will focus happily with all DX cameras. 2nd hand is quite affordable. My copy is very nice on my D300. The new version is indeed HUGE by comparison. It covers the same area as the 70-200mm on FX. Mike are you referring to the 50-150, in the post above?

I'm not too worried about the lens on the wide end. She has the 17-50 available to use. Also the reason I'm not leaning towards the 16-85, that range is pretty much covered. The 50-150 would be a phenomenal lens choice but I think it would be too large for her on a regular basis. Doesn't seem like there are too many options, thought this would be a bit easier!

A wifi adapter is available for the 5200.

Yes, currently when she needs a camera she borrows my d300. The school lab has, I believe a nikon d70/80 for students to borrow but she prefers the d300. One of the nice options of the d5200 is the wifi that will allow her to directly upload images to school pages. Yearbook pictures an such will obviously go through post processing before going to print. Is the 55-200 an option? Has anyone used the combo successfully? I tried the 55-200 on my d300 and the results were not very good. Also an option might be the sigma 24-105?

I hadn't looked at the 18-200 and didn't even realize there was an 18-140, I'll check them both out! She will not have access to my 85mm or the 80-200mm since they are both D lenses. That is the battle on choosing, either bump the camera body up to allow her to use our current lenses or get her the d5200 and a decent lens or 2. Most of the large goup shots are planned in advance and she has done ok with the 17-50. The school camera lab has a 50mm and I think a 35m that she can sign out and use on school property. Nothing wide though that I'm aware of.

Yes Shun, that is the thread I was referring. I misunderstood when people were referring to multiple lenses. It does seem that they are all referring the variable aperture lens. Thanks for pointing that out Shun!

I don't have any real constructive advice to offer here but I think it is great to be will to attempt a new direction! It is extremely difficult to step away from a direction that can create income and go for self fulfillment and enjoyment! Whatever decision you make, I don't think you can go wrong. You will walk away with an experience and knowledge and that can't be always be bought. Worst case scenario will be like certain vacations, you're glad you went but you will probably not come back to that exact destination again! Good Luck to you!

Trying to decide on a lens to purchase for a D5200. Was thinking of the 24-120mm f4 lens but that was just recently not favored in a separate thread. Also thinking of possibly the Sigma 17-70mm. I currently have the 17-50 and have been very happy with it and thought the extra range might be nice. This camera and lens will be used by my teenager. She does a good deal of her school yearbook shots. Often she prefers to stand back and get shots of the natural action happening around her, hence a little range would be nice. Often times when she is borrowing she goes for the 85mm and that is used on a crop sensor. Would also like the lens to be a little durable. Think, on and off buses, field trips, dances, etc.

I agree Jack, that would be great!! Maybe a sale for the D5200 would also be welcome! Just maybe the 24-120mm?? Guess it will be a wait and see!

Wondering if we have a general expectation (based upon previous years) of what types of offer/discounts that Nikon might offer during the upcoming Holiday season? Haven't paid attention previous years but we have several items that are on our purchase list for this year. Not sure if I should start looking now? Black Friday sales? Deeper discounts closer to Christmas? Or possibly these are items that are best not to purchase during the Holidays? (US only) if this matters?

It's a very small world Matt, are you happening to go to the Championship this weekend, it is the last race of the season! Just watched your video, very nice work!

Thanks Matt, your detailed response is very helpful! Did you find the 70-200 lens useful for most of the races! Hoping to keep just one lens on. Did you use something along the line of an sb800?

Curious if anyone has previous experience shooting sprint car racing? If so, what gear you've had the most success using? Conditions would be a dirt track with large amounts of dust and exhaust fumes during the race. Evening into late night hours under stadium lighting. Flash is acceptable to use by the photographer. Race will continue during rain unless track becomes too wet and then will be delayed or cancelled. Would be shooting from a pit area and may possibly have use of a elevated 6-8ft high platform. Wondering if this type of shooting it might be best to have a designated camera and lens that is up to withstanding high levels muck and grime?

Wow Kent, thanks so much for taking your time to do this!! I especially like that last shot that you posted! I'll comment a bit more on this later!

Wow, that must be a beast of a lens. Thank you much for making me aware! I'm sure I will adjust to whichever body I choose. I went from driving a volkswagen to a suburban so believe me i know about being able to adapt! At times it feels silly for being so picky over minute differences that a few years ago were not even a possibility! Believe me my analytical, spreadsheet of a husband has already made me aware of what a better package and price tag that the Canon is currently offering (if it actually performs as on paper), time will tell!

Robert, your post was most helpful, thank you for sharing what has worked well for you I'm the past! I can assure you that jr/high school lighting has not improved over the years. I believe the 300 2.8 would be more than I can handle, the size of the f4 is plenty! I don't mind the investment of a new camera, my d300 has lasted for me since 2008. Plenty of camera bodies have been introduced since then and I have been plenty satisfied for my needs with my d300. A new camera body will be money well spent regardless of which body I get. I shoot mainly for fun but do get a few paid opportunities here and there. It looks like I will have the opportunity to have multiple bodies available but in a bit of a non traditional way. I've decided to not repair my d300 but may possibly pick up a lightly used body if possible. My teenager will be receiving her own camera for Christmas, the body is yet to be determined. Was originally thinking a basic d3200 but am not sure she would be happy with that. She uses my d300 now and takes pictures for her school yearbook and shoots sports that her friends are playing when she herself is not playing. Sorry for the sidetrack. Most sports are outdoors, lighting varies from early am to under the lights. Soccer, softball, lacrosse, tennis. Indoor mainly volleyball and indoor soccer, little basketball. Just today was asked about photographing indoor track this winter, haven't fully looked into this option yet.

Pretty interesting read, much happens when one goes to work! I have truely appreciated the feedback and even the sidetracking along the way. I probably initiated some of the off topic when asking Kent to elaborate on why to stay on the dx. Truth be told if the D300 was updated I would have no problem getting a new camera right now. Little disappointed that a coworker sent me info that the handling of a d750 is very similar to the d7100. I believe this came from nikon rumors.com so I need to take that for what it is until I get the chance to handle one. It seems lens wise my options are the 80-400 and the 120-300. Size wise is the 120-300 comparible in size to my 80-200 or 300mm? Size and weight wise that is pretty much my limit. More researching to do!

Wasn't too much considering the d7000/d7100 series. I've only used the d7000 twice and it was paired with a 24-70. The results were phenomenal but it was just awkward for me the entire time. Not sure exactly why I wasn't comfortable with the body. I was shooting a wedding each time, so had plenty if opportunity to become comfortable but just never did. I obvisiously could adjust if there were no other options. Can I ask your opininon (kent) as to the main factors to consider staying with a dx system.