Which kti-zoom for D7000

Ulfric M Douglas

Ulfric M Douglas

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I have a friend with a D7000 and plenty of money : he always wants "good" stuff but now needs a zoom to fill the gap between his 28mm & 50mm primes.
I've suggested the cheapo kit zoom 18-55 but is there more than one version, and is there a slightly upmarket lens with a similar focal range that's compact but quality?

Personally I'd just get one quickly from the forum, he might want to buy new/used at Ffordes or wherever.
 
Depends on budget, the up market version of that focal length is the 17-55mm f2.8 but they don't come cheap, they are however very good and mine spends a lot of time on my D7000.
 
Stephen the 17-55 looked a bit nose-heavy, or chunky ... and as you say : not cheap. How's the stabilisation?
 
The problem with having a good camera, having a liking good quality gear and having lots of money, such as your friend, is that you tend not to have lots of money for very long:thumbsdown: - I speak from experience (not the lots of money aspect !)
I bought a D7000 and in a rush of blood to the head bought a Sigma 17-55 F2.8 with all the bells and whistles, HSM and OS lens to go with it (doesn't come of the camera) and am chuffed to bits with it, but it cost me just under £500 and if the wife finds out I'm up for the high jump !!
 
So there's both a Nikon and a Sigma 17-55 F2.8 ?
Which one's lightest in weight or more compact?
 
When I get some money, it'll be the Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 for me. That'll be my last DX purchase before moving to FX (sometime next century at this rate).

You do get what you pay for, and this is basically the DX equivalent of the 24-70mm f2.8. The D7000 has a fantastic sensor, but once you click the shutter, there's only glass between that and the subject. The quality of that glass is entirely optional, but if it's quality you're looking for, that's where to look.
 
I have a D7000 and use a Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non-vc). Second hand should set you back around £200. Great sharp lens. Most of my recent stuff on my flickr uses this combo if you want to look at examples
 
I will look for the Tamron too, nobody piping up about the relative quality of the Sigma vs the Nikon?

What does "non-VC" mean Iain?

indiabravo said:
... Most of my recent stuff on my flickr uses this combo if you want to look at examples
Click to expand...
Cheers', very nice stuff.
I shall hunt the lens.
 
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According to the reading up that I've done, the Nikon's very sharp at f2.8 compared with others. For me, this is important - no point in spending substantially on a f2.8 lens if it's not outstanding at that aperture. It is comparatively heavy, though, being a very well built pro lens.
 
what does he shoot?

in the right hands, a D7000 with aqny old crappy nikon kit lens is a fantastic bit of kit
 
He shoots family and walkabouts with random settings or Auto.
I'm trying to get him and the camera to work better together.
Some photos of salmon in the river just came out AWFUL and we got talking about settings and lenses.
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
He shoots family and walkabouts with random settings or Auto.
I'm trying to get him and the camera to work better together.
Some photos of salmon in the river just came out AWFUL and we got talking about settings and lenses.
Click to expand...

He doesnt need a great lens, he needs to learn how to use the camera and the lens he has

im going to go out there with a statement, and say if he invested the £400+ he would have spent on a lens, on getting someone to teach him how to use a camera, then he will take much much better pictures
 
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Ulfric M Douglas said:
What does "non-VC" mean Iain?
.
Click to expand...

VC is Vibration Compensation. It's basically Tamrons equivalent of the VR (vibration reduction) system on Nikons lenses. Was also going to mention that if he has loads of money and doesn't mind spending it then the Nikon may be the better option. Maybe advise him to learn to use the gear he's already got before splashing out. No point in shelling out a few hundred quid on a new lens without knowing how to get the best from it.

Cheers
Iain
 
:D
Richard King said:
... im going to go out there with a statement, and say if he invested the £400+ he would have spent on a lens, on getting someone to teach him how to use a camera, then he will take much much better pictures
Click to expand...
Nobody does that! :cuckoo:

Actually he'd be the first to admit it, and ironically he used film Nikons properly years ago ... something about the modern digital systems has not transferred.
Hopefully with the latest setup things'll get a lot better, I'll be seeing him in the morning and we'll probably decide on a lens.

Now me, I'm a wide-open-all-the-time kind of photographer so I'm going to advise the Nikon BUT what happens next when the D600 gets bought??
:cool: Only half-joking.
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
:D

Nobody does that! :cuckoo:

Actually he'd be the first to admit it, and ironically he used film Nikons properly years ago ... something about the modern digital systems has not transferred.
Hopefully with the latest setup things'll get a lot better, I'll be seeing him in the morning and we'll probably decide on a lens.

Now me, I'm a wide-open-all-the-time kind of photographer so I'm going to advise the Nikon BUT what happens next when the D600 gets bought??
:cool: Only half-joking.
Click to expand...

he simply needs a post-it note

... under the screen protector

and a very small memory card
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
Stephen the 17-55 looked a bit nose-heavy, or chunky ... and as you say : not cheap. How's the stabilisation?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay. I find it well balanced on a D7000 but it isn't light, but that's the price you pay for such a well made bit of kit. Oh and there is no VR on it, but I've never missed it at these focal lengths.
 
Well, he's away for a few days so when he gets back I'll see what's been bought ... or delayed, whatever.
From the recommendations it really looks like any of these three main-brand 17-55-ish F2.8 doobies will do the job and knowing him he'll get the Nikon if Ffordes has a good one.
Personally I reckon the bog standard kit lens would be best : in a carry anywhere way, y'know?
And I'd plump for the Tamron : decent job at £230 monies.

Thanks for all the help fellas.
 
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