Lenses stolen, trying to figure out how to best rebuild my set

[randomname]

Unfortuantely last week my car was broken into and the vast majority of my equipment has been stolen, so I'm coming here for advice on the best way to rebuild my lens collection. I'm trying to find work as a DP, but I support myself by shooting wedding videos, if that helps at all. Right now, I just have my 60D, the tamron 17-50 2.8 VC zoom, a canon 28-135 3.5 zoom lens, and ~$350 to spend.

Here's what I'm thinking will be my best course of action:

Selling the 17-50 (only caveat here is that it has the ERR 001 which has no effect on video but makes it useless for photos, not sure how much it hurts the value), buying a set of Nikon Primes, and using the 28-135 as my main lens when shooting weddings and slapping on one of the nikons if I need the extra speed. I was actually thinking about using the 28-135 as my main wedding lens anyway as it seems like the extra focal length would help me out quite a bit.

The other options I was thinking of are:

sell the 28-135 and buying (fewer/slower) nikon primes, starting with 85 so I can get the extra length if I need it.

Selling both of the zooms and buying the Canon 28-70 or 24-105 (not sure which yet).


Any advice you could have on what would best serve me as both a filmmaker and videographer would be greatly appreciated.

[jambredz]

look on the rokinon/samyang 35mm and 85mm . both f1.4.....well thats if you sell the Tamron. good quality lenses...fully manual, smooth, long focus throw, and damn fast (good for wedding stuff). get the nikon mount and a fotodiox nikon to EOS adapter. that way you'll be able to use it on any camera in the future as opposed to the canon mount which will restrict you alot.

[DavidBeier]

I'd suggest you keep the zooms you have as you'll need the flexability for weddings (not to mention resale values tends to suck).

I'd then try some vintage Nikkors (pre-AI are the cheapest and I love how those older metal ones feel and perform) with the Rainbowimaging adapter (I believe it's cheaper that fotodiox and just as good).

I can tell you the prices I got my Nikkor primes for (though, in some cases I got some really great deals:

Nikkor 24mm f2.8 - $100
Nikkor 35mm f2 - $85 (though I've actually seen it as low as $70)
Nikkor 50mm f1.4 - $70
Nikkor 85mm f1.8 - $165 (this was a pretty good deal I got through ebay. Usually I see them for $200+)
Nikkor 105mm f2.5 - $50 (this was a REALLY good deal from a pawn shop. Dumb luck. Havn't seen this one that cheap anywhere else).
Nikkor 135mm f2.8 - $35

The cases where I got really good deals were a combination of waiting for the best deal to come up (I was searching forever for a good 85mm before I finally found one under $200) as well as being willing to not just check ebay but also go to camera shows and pawns shops.

Of the lenses I've tried, I think you should start with a good 50mm. I love the Nikkor that I've got but, if you're even more strapped for cash, there's a Nikon E Series 50mm f1.8 which you can find for $40-$60. The optics are just as good but it's slower and the design isn't nearly as nice (made of plastic instead of metal, harder to focus, too short). Another cheaper E series you may want to check out is the Nikon E Series 100m f2.8. I see it a lot for under $100 (whereas the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 tends to be a bit over $100). You could also go with the 85mm f1.8 (or the f2 version which is apparently a bit sharper) but, as I said, I rarely see that for under $200.

Once again, remember that Pre-AI (or non-AI) lenses are going to be cheaper and thus should be your bread and butter (no advantage is gained by getting the newer AI or AIS ones if you're not using a Nikon body). I've been to several camera shows where I seem some guy with a Canon camera buying a bunch of Nikkor D lenses and spending several times what he would if he would just go pre-AI.

Finally, can I suggest that YOU GET YOUR EQUIPMENT INSURED! I totally feel your pain with getting your car broken into but, if you're a professional and trying to make a living with your equipment, it's so worth your time to get some cheap insurance for your gear. Talk to whoever gives you auto-insurance and see what they offer. Considering it was stolen from your car, it seems like you should be entitled to something after you meet your deductable.

[deltoidjohn]

Ouch; what exactly got stolen?

My advice would be to sell the 28-135 and combine the money from that with your savings, then try to find a used Tamron 70-200 f/2.8. I got mine for AU$550 (about US$500) in mint condition with all the original packaging - it was impossible to tell from a brand new lens. That way you'll have f/2.8 almost all the way from 17-200mm. Add a cheap prime (Canon 50mm f/1.8 or a vitage Nikon) and you'll be covered for almost all situations at a wedding.

Exclusively using vintage primes for weddings is a recipe for disaster, particularly for single camera shooters. I shoot 90% of my wedding footage with a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. I also use a 50mm f/1.8 for some shallow focus shots during prep, or when it's really dark at the reception, and a Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 for glidecam shots, but I could easily survive just with the two Tamron zooms.

[randomname]

A set of nikon primes, an 8mm Rokinon fisheye, my sennheiser 415 & zoom, and a canon 100mm 2.8L, losing that one really hurt.

[maranfilms]

Did you see if your car insurance will cover the loss. I would also try home owners insurance. Did you make a police report?

[randomname]

Police report has been filed, and my car insurance only gave me the insultingly low amount of $250. I've been checking craigslist to see if they try to sell it there, but I'm not terribly optimistic.

[homestar_kevin]

That suckssss man.

I'd keep your lenses for weddings, as the one only works in video mode and probably won't sell for any amount worth selling it over. They'll be nice to have

$350 can get you well on your way in a Nikon set, just be patient.

It sucks, but you can't rush deals.

Put up a 'Wanted: Old SLR cameras and lenses' ad on your craigslist. I've gotten some great scores that way.

Go to thrift stores, flea markets. I got a mamiya sekor 50mm f/2 for $2 dollars once.

Get a set of Nikons back, or at least get a 28, 50 and then go from there

[randomname]

well, After some obsessive ebaying I've managed to pick up a 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 35 2.0 and 28 2.8 for about $375.

[bronxjragon]

well, After some obsessive ebaying I've managed to pick up a 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 35 2.0 and 28 2.8 for about $375.

Are all of those EF/EFS Lenses??? Glad you got such a great price man! Felt so bad to hear about the theft.