Nikon Upgrade Options (which lens for a D750)

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Tunbridge

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So here is the dilemma…


I have a D7000 with the Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and its great.
However I long for better ISO performance and since using my dads D7200 I realize the D7000 AF system is drastically bettered by more modern systems.
I long for the world for FX, and my other two lenses are FX (50mm f1.4 and 70-200 f2.8 VR)

I figure sell the D7000 for £300
Sell the 17-55mm for £400
Plus I have £200 from selling a few other bits and bobs earlier in the year.
And I could probably justify throwing another £500 in, giving me £1400

The obvious choice is the D750 and I’m sold on that idea. The issue us replacing the 17-55mm, which has been fantastic. The 24-70mm is the obvious choice but its not in budget, even second hand.

Option A:
Get the D750 and 24-120 f4 (£1397 on Panamoz)
The question is would I miss the £2.8 abilities of the 17-55mm and be disappointed with what the 24-120mm gives me. I don’t always shot at f2.8 and could probably live with f4, but some of the reviews of the 24-120mm aren’t glowing and I’m used to the build and feel of the 17-55mm. It just feels like a backwards step. With the much better ISO performance the f2.8 isn’t an issue provided the 24-120 is sharp enough.

Option B
Get the D750 body only and carry on using the 17-55mm in crop mode till I can get some more money together to upgrade to a 24-70mm f2.8. I know there are cheaper options out there but I really want to stick with Nikon.
This might also force me into using the 50mm f1.4 a bit more, which at the moment is heavily under used, I’m I would imagine would be great on the D750.


Option C
Get a D7200 and save myself a fortune (£625 body only!). Plus I could then carry on using my dads 12-24mm f4…but I think I’d always wonder how much better things would be with that lovely FX sensor!!!

Here is the focal lengths I tend to use most. I mainly shoot portraits of the kids, both outdoors and in my home studio.


Screen Shot 2015-09-06 at 07.38.28 by Tunbridge on Talk Photography

The other lenses listed are all borrowed from my dads collection but are mainly DX
 
You could get a wide prime to go with the D750 e.g the 28mm or 35mm 1.8mm

That'd be a pretty nice set up with your 50mm and 70-200mm.
 
That had crossed my mind, however I was a bit scared having never gone down the prime route that it would be limiting for me, I think its have the reason I don't use the 50mm f1.4 enough. The versatility of a zoom is good with kids, but for the ultimate IQ primes would be the way forward, its just having the balls to do it!
 
Tunbridge said:
That had crossed my mind, however I was a bit scared having never gone down the prime route that it would be limiting for me, I think its have the reason I don't use the 50mm f1.4 enough. The versatility of a zoom is good with kids, but for the ultimate IQ primes would be the way forward, its just having the balls to do it!
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For a home studio, the combo of the 24-120 and a fifty f1.8 (g/d) should be fine!
 
Sorry, I see that you already have the f1.4 - it's a great lens. I've started using the 50mm a lot more for kids pics recently. In fact my last post was all with the 50 mm f1.8g.

The 70-200 is also excellent for studio stuff if you have space.

Shaheed

Edit - forgot to mention that the af quality of the d750 when shooting kids will be invaluable
 
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I've read that it's pretty decent stopped down to f8.
 
Sorry I meant the 24-120 is supposed to be decent stopped down. I just worry it's a step backwards from the 17-55mm

But yeah the 50 f1.4g is lovely.
 
I wouldn't be put off at comments you have read about the 24-120 f4, it is a great lens and the VR makes the f4 even less of an issue.
 
With regards to the 24-120 vs the 17-55 DOF will be equivalent as F4 on FF is like f2.8 on crop in the regard, and the ISO performance of the D750 will make up for the light loss.
 
Buy the d750 and 24-120. If you don't get on with it, the 24-120 seem to be sold for around 380-420.

The older 24-120 f4 wasn't great I believe but the new one is pretty decent by all accounts.
 
Cheers, there seems to be enough people happy enough with the latest 24-120mm. And true enough I could always sell it on.
 
I'd go 24-120 if you want a zoom. Hard to justify the extra for a Nikon 24-70!

If you really want f2.8 however have you considered the considerably cheaper (£500 grey) Tamron 24-70 VC?
 
It's only £390 extra for the lens with a Panamoz D750, so you can't really go wrong - either keep the lens if you get on with it , or sell it for what you paid and have a free rental if you want to get something else.
 
dandeakin said:
It's only £390 extra for the lens with a Panamoz D750, so you can't really go wrong - either keep the lens if you get on with it , or sell it for what you paid and have a free rental if you want to get something else.
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That's what i did. It's a nice lens but it's not in the same class as the simply brilliant 17-55. I sold it and have now ended up with the 24-70 which, like the 17-55 is in a whole different league compared to other lenses.
 
I think that is the problem with going fx, it is a great idea for many reasons but when you look into it in detail like you have, you realise the glass is more expensive, for example getting a decent wide angle for fx is going to set you back vs a dx.

I was in a similar boat, I had the 17-55mm, 50mm 1.8 and a D7000, I ended up selling the D7000 and the 17-55mm to fund a D700 and just used the 50mm until I got the funds together to start buying lenses. It forced me to use the 50mm and I loved the idea of using primes. However I got distracted by the 24-70mm, 17-35mm and 70-200mm lol, fast forward a couple of years and I have simplified my kit, I now have a 35mm 1.8 fx and an 85mm 1.4. I must say that the 35mm lens is amazing and would love to see how the 1.4 compares but not sure it would be worth the extra cost. Also if you did go down the prime route you could also look into the new Nikon 24mm 1.8g.

I also recently purchased an X100s for when travelling with the kids and I love it as it is a fixed prime too, it has made me realise that I miss having video on my DSLR so may consider getting a D750 in the near future.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Honestly, the 24-70 is very over-rated.
 
i have the D750 with 24-120 and this lens is amazing IQ and sharp as a pin.......... i am really happy with the choice i made.
(i upgraded from D7100 & 16-85mm lens )
 
Thanks everyone some good food for thought. I don't think I'm going to be unhappy with a D750 regardless of what lens I stick on there.

Is there no love for the idea of using the 17-55mm on the D750 for the times I need a zoom? Anyone tried it?
 
I think for the same cost the 24-120 would be better on FX than the 17-55 on crop mode
 
I mean to use it with DX lenses... the D7200 does all of that if you are determined to keep the 17-55 ;)
 
JYC said:
I mean to use it with DX lenses... the D7200 does all of that if you are determined to keep the 17-55 ;)
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Very true! My brain tells me a D7200 would be a great sensible choice. However I long for full frame, not really that much logic to it!
 
Tunbridge said:
Very true! My brain tells me a D7200 would be a great sensible choice. However I long for full frame, not really that much logic to it!
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So you'll buy the D7200 but still be wondering/longing for the D750. Or you'll buy the D750, realise how good it is and never look back :p

Just make sure you're 100% on your decision as FF lenses are generally more expensive, plus bigger and heavier.
 
snerkler said:
So you'll buy the D7200 but still be wondering/longing for the D750. Or you'll buy the D750, realise how good it is and never look back :p

Just make sure you're 100% on your decision as FF lenses are generally more expensive, plus bigger and heavier.
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The size and weight don't bother me, I just wish I had endless £££££ to fund it!
 
You will get slightly shallower dof with the 24-120 with it being f4 vs the f2.8 of the 17-55 on dx and you'll also gain a wider angle and more at the long end too. It also flares less when shooting into the sun. If you can afford the 24-120 kit then I'd go for it. It could be worse... I sold my D7k and 17-55 for m4/3 kit... :eek:
 
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