Good lens for automotive??

[Jessica Germiller]

Hello all:)

I would like to start off by saying that I am extremely lucky and can get equipment loaned out to me for 24-72 hours at a time through my school, so I can check out a wide variety of equipment at "no cost" (except for tuition-haha)

Most of the time I usually check out Nikon's 17-35mm 2.8, and I am in love with it.
However, lately I have been using the Nikon 24-120mm 3.5 VR lens. I have to say that now I have fallen in love with this lens.

So, seeing as I only have a year left of school, I would like to buy a lens. I really love both lenses, and I have read reviews on both of them. Some reviews have said that the 24-120 is not the sharpest lens. From what I have seen from it though, it is really sharp. REALLY sharp. The 17-35 is $1500...so I would have to save for quite a while. The 24-120 is a VR lens, and it is only $500, so I wouldn't have to save for quite as long.

I have a D200 and an Nikon 80-200 and a Nikon 28-105(which to be honest is really not the greatest lens, so if I did choose the 24-120 it would replace this lens, whereas if I got the 17-35 I would keep the 28-105.)

So...i guess my question is-what would you do? For an automotive photographer, which would be the better lens, which one would I use more FOR automotive photography. I want to do editorial work, as well as some personal. I also really enjoy product, landscape, and architectural photography as well though. All opinions and comments are welcome and encouraged!!!:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

p.s. I don't really want to go the tamron/sigma route, I really would like to get a good Nikon lens.

Thanks in advance guys...and sorry this post was SSSOOOO long!
-Jess;)

[John Thawley]

Always, always buy the best glass you can afford.

Why not, sell the 28-105 and buy them both?They overlap perfectly in range and coupled with your 80-200 you'd have the perfect kit for situations.

JT

[Drew Phillips]

I have a 24-120mm lens for sale if you want to purchase it.

[Jessica Germiller]

I have a 24-120mm lens for sale if you want to purchase it.


haha...thats not really a good sign. lol

do you find it a good lens?? send me a PM, let me know how much:)
-------------------------
Thanks for the reply John...I actually would eventually like to have both, but the 28-105 i bought used, its semi-old and I really don't think I can get that much money for it. So I'm kind of just asking which one should I get first-maybe? Like which one is a good lens to start off with I guess.

thanks guys:D

-Jess

[Keith Schoeler]

I've heard tons of criticism on the 24-120 in regards to sharpness. With most things on the net, I take it with a grain of salt. That said, you may be lucky and using a sharper than normal copy of the lens.

Since you already have an 80-200, I'd have a hard time recommending the 24-120. Depends on your shooting as well, but I wouldn't want to be limited to 24mm as my widest option. I would suggest the 17-55 2.8 DX as a great compliment, leaving you 55-80 as a pretty insignificant gap. These are two lenses I own and use the most. If you see yourself using film or a yet to be released FF DSLR, then the 17-35 may be the better option. Either one can be picked up in excellent shape used for ~$900-1k.

[Daniel Buck]

for still shots really like the 135mm focal length. I shoot cars almost exclusively with my 135mm prime. I like the compression, the aperture range (f2.0) and it doesn't put me back 100 yards when I'm shooting. I'm not sure what Nikon's prime line up is, but even a zoom that touches the 120-150mm range would be great for stills. Compression from a 200mm or longer lens is great as well (though, maybe a bit to flat for some cars) but it'll set you pretty far back from the car (especially if you want a bit of scenery visible around the car), so you'll need alot of room to shoot.

I would probalby bring around a 300 or 400mm lens when I go shooting, but more often than not, I find that much longer than 135mm and I would be out of room to shoot, so I save my 400 for landscapes.

A great all around automotive lens is a 70-200 (if you like compression, that is), You have an 80-200, is there something about this lens that doesn't work for you? Are you looking for more wide angles?

It sounds like you already have the focal lengths covered from 28 to 200. If you are looking for better quality, I'd try a prime. So to answer your question directly, "what would I do?" I would find out what focal length you like best, and grab a prime that close to that length. I'm fortunate enough that Canon makes an excellend 135mm prime, so I'm in luck!


My thoughts anyway, from my experiences :-)