Photography Thailand Forum

[CW Lawrence]

Hi all,

Last time I asked what your top five lenses are. The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 VR, Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D, and the Nikkor 18-200mm 3.5 to 5.6 G ED DX VR had the most reco's. So now it is time for me to decide.

On my D70 I currently have the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX (A decent lens, but has not stood up well to the beating I give it) and the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor (which is not great, but has done the job).

I want to move up in lens quality but don't know whether or not to get the  18-200 or a couple of Primes like the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 (unfortunately not the 1.4 as I have a budget of less than $1,000).

I would like a lens combination for portraits, landscapes and still-life commercial work. I need REAL sharp and nice boca. Eventually I would like to move up in camera body too, but don't have the capital at this time; I want lenses that can move up with me.

Anyone have any input on this? What do you recommend?

[Paul Whitehead]

there is a nikon zoom bokeh comparision here http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/bokeh-comparison.htm

[ThaiWorld]

CW,

>> On my D70 I currently have the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX (A decent lens, but has not stood up well to the beating I give it) and the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor (which is not great, but has done the job).

I have very good results with 18-70mm with my D70 and D200. What kind of issues do you have?

>> I want to move up in lens quality but don't know whether or not to get the  18-200 or a couple of Primes like the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 (unfortunately not the 1.4 as I have a budget of less than $1,000).

My own recommendations will be to go to primes, i.e. 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4
If you go for 18-200, then it will overlap with your two existing lenses.

>> I would like a lens combination for portraits, landscapes and still-life commercial work. I need REAL sharp and nice boca.

Then go for 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 for portraits. Keep 18-70 for landscapes.

[CW Lawrence]

My biggest problem with the 18-70 is that it has gotten a lot of dust and particulants under the glass. At least two specs large enough to appear on the negative. It has been my primary lens for almost two years now, and I have beat it up in my travels.

On that note; in addition to getting a new lens (most likely the 85mm 1. and maybe a another lighting solution - I really need a professional cleaning. Does anyone have a recomendation for a Nikon servicing person in Bangkok?

[Gus]

Chris

I have the 12-24mm, the 18-200VR and the 70-300 VR lenses.  I really love the 18-200VR and it is probably the most common lense I use.  The 12-24 is also a great lense.  Neither of them are cheap, but if you want quality you have to pay for it.

Good luck with your upgrade.