Need a critique of my Lens List for D800

nedcam

nedcam

Well-known member
Hi,

I'm new to this forum and I have a few lenses from my Panasonic AF100 package and I would like to buy a Nikon D800. My work is 100% documentary and corporate so it's: Interview, B-roll, Repeat. I like to shoot wide angle handheld.

Here is a list of what I own and I'd appreciate the feedback of D800 owners as to how useful these lenses will be:

Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 lens
Zeiss 50mm ZF f/1.4 lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens
Tokina 28-70mm f/2.6 lens
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens
Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 lens

Thanks!
 
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FWIW, I've heard that the ZF f/1.4 is overrated. I've also heard that the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D is overpriced when compared to what the 1.8 can do.
 
But...I already own the lenses on the list, not asking about purchasing them. What is our opinion about their performance?

Thanks,
 
I transitioned from the AF to the D800 as well (with a similar lens range as yours)—so I may be biased to say that I think you've got it well covered (for your type of shooting with the D800). I personally don't like the Tokina 11-16 because I don't shoot DX format. Plus, my favorite wide zoom for FX format is the Nikon 17-35 2.8.

nedcam said:
Hi,

I'm new to this forum and I have a few lenses from my Panasonic AF100 package and I would like to buy a Nikon D800. My work is 100% documentary and corporate so it's: Interview, B-roll, Repeat. I like to shoot wide angle handheld.

Here is a list of what I own and I'd appreciate the feedback of D800 owners as to how useful these lenses will be:

Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 lens
Zeiss 50mm ZF f/1.4 lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens
Tokina 28-70mm f/2.6 lens
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens
Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 lens

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
The 35/50/85 are all great glass - and will perform well on the D800 - and as already mentioned, the 11-16 and 50-135 are all DX lenses so unless you are shooting in DX mode they don't apply to full frame which is unfortunate since they are great glass.

One suggestion I would have is perhaps adding the Tamron 24-70/2.8 and Nikon 105/2.8G Micro - both are excellent optics and also have stabilization and the Tamron will fill your need on the wider end. For the longer tele that you will be missing, maybe look into the new Nikon 70-200 f/4 or Tamron 70-200/2.8 which has been getting excellent reviews and costs about the same as the Nikon f/4. Another option for the long end will be to pick up an older Nikon 80-200 AFD ( which will match nicely with your 85/1.4D.

Cheers!
 
I would want one of these three lenses: Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR, 24-70mm f2.8, or Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, in order of preference. I see very little value in short focal length prime lenses both for taping and with more lens changes comes more dust into the camera and more delays while shooting.
 
elkhornsun said:
I would want one of these three lenses: Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR, 24-70mm f2.8, or Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, in order of preference. I see very little value in short focal length prime lenses both for taping and with more lens changes comes more dust into the camera and more delays while shooting.
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I love primes the more I use them and work on completing my set, but then again I use all primes only when Im doing planned out narrative work where as for documentary and a decent portion of corporate work I use Variable zooms. I think the kit is quite good, maybe a 24-120 F4 as it is a nice lens with decent zoom range, and maybe a 24mm prime if you think you would get the use out of it.
 
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