[gd1418]

The 12~24 f/4 is a DX lens. MRP on Nikon site 71K. Why would you want to use a DX lens on a FX camera? Lenses are lifetime investments. Better to wait.

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

Since, he has now got a FX, the good option would be Nikon's 12-24 which may be expensive. The cheaper option is Sigma's 12-24. This is not great but not bad at all.

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by gd1418

The 12~24 f/4 is a DX lens. MRP on Nikon site 71K. Why would you want to use a DX lens on a FX camera? Lenses are lifetime investments. Better to wait.

My bad . I meant to say 14-24 f/2.8 which is very expensive. Alternatively, he can think about Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 which is a FX lens and relatively cheap.

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by gd1418

1. AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
2. AF-S NIKKOR 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
3. AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4D ED

Completely agree with you on this ranking GD. These lenses, especially the 1st and 2nd are really good, and they are a hobbyist's dream and quite expensive. I may wait a little before going in for them!

Originally Posted by StarScream

Congratulations Behemoth, the D600 is making me wonder about going FX by selling my DX kit and I cannot make up my mind.

I was in the same boat as you, and the D90's low light capability was letting me down. I had been actively considering the D800, but it was on the heavier side and bigger for me (I mostly use smaller lenses and haven't moved up to the fixed aperture ones yet so body balance was less of a criteria). For me, the D7000 was not an upgrade enough to justify the change. So when D600 was launched, I had a gutfeel that this would be perfect for me and I took the plunge, even before the DXo scores were out. The DXO scores actually support my decision and low light capabilities are very good, compared to the D7000. In fact the D600 is very close to the D800 in capabilities (except for the 36 Mp resolution, which is very high, and I don't have that kind of computing power on my laptop to process such large image sizes!)
One more feature of the D600 is that it can also be used with DX lenses and automatically recognizes them and reduces the frame area (to 16 Mp I think!) so that you can still use your lenses with it.
In my initial use of the camera, it is really a revolution change from the D90 and is in almost the same league as the D800, and in fact is much above the D700 and the D3x and even the new D4. It even exceeds the Canon EOS 5D Mark III in many aspects.
Anyway, these are just sensor ratings and the overall image quality is also a factor of 1) The Photographer's skills 2) In camera and post processing and there is absolutely no substitute for 1)!
We aspirants can just be happy that we have good equipment and the rest is for us to learn to find the right subject, composition,and lighting at the right time!

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

My bad . I meant to say 14-24 f/2.8 which is very expensive. Alternatively, he can think about Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 which is a FX lens and relatively cheap.

Yes, I feel the Sigma also is good choice and looks to be a decent budget option. Are there any members who have used this lens and can comment on its performance?

Thanks Everyone!

Regards,
Behemoth

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by Behemoth

Yes, I feel the Sigma also is good choice and looks to be a decent budget option. Are there any members who have used this lens and can comment on its performance?

Thanks Everyone!

Regards,
Behemoth

My friend is using this lens with his D700.

So far, he is completely happy with it. Check out www.sriramguruswamy.com

[C300]

Looks like Nikon D600 already got some competion. Canon announces a new FF EOS 6D for enthusiasts at Photokina.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/09...ull-frame-dslr

Some interesting announcment from Pentax as well - K-5 mark IIs and a super telephoto DA 560mm F5.6

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by Behemoth

In fact the D600 is very close to the D800 in capabilities (except for the 36 Mp resolution, which is very high, and I don't have that kind of computing power on my laptop to process such large image sizes!)
One more feature of the D600 is that it can also be used with DX lenses and automatically recognizes them and reduces the frame area (to 16 Mp I think!) so that you can still use your lenses with it.

The D800 is not in contention at all for its price and size. One question about this automatic DX crop thing that the D600 does - what happens to the viewfinder image? Does that get cropped to DX perspective too?

My only gripe with the D600 is that I think its overpriced. Almost double D7000 price, when it uses most of the same components, isn't justified. $1,600 would have been right (it may eventually drop to that though).

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by StarScream

One question about this automatic DX crop thing that the D600 does - what happens to the viewfinder image? Does that get cropped to DX perspective too?

This is what the D600 Manual has to say on the D600 DX crop mode, though it is a little cryptic to understand. What I understand is that a red box appears in the viewfinder to highlight the DX crop area. (unfortunately I don't have any DX lenses now to try it out, as all my lenses are FX!)



In the Liveview display, there is a setting for Image area display, which if you set to On, displays only the DX crop image as the liveview for shooting.



(Snapshots taken from the D600 Manual)

On the price front, the event in which the price can be expected to drop is if the Rupee appreciates significantly against the dollar, as since the last two years the level of depreciation has really increased the prices of all imported products. You can still get a decent discount even now!

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

My friend is using this lens with his D700.
So far, he is completely happy with it. Check out www.sriramguruswamy.com

Brilliant photos by your friend! Thanks for sharing the link.
Must see for all others too - see the folio links.


Regards,
Behemoth

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by Behemoth

This is what the D600 Manual has to say on the D600 DX crop mode, though it is a little cryptic to understand. What I understand is that a red box appears in the viewfinder to highlight the DX crop area. (unfortunately I don't have any DX lenses now to try it out, as all my lenses are FX!)
In the Liveview display, there is a setting for Image area display, which if you set to On, displays only the DX crop image as the liveview for shooting.
On the price front, the event in which the price can be expected to drop is if the Rupee appreciates significantly against the dollar, as since the last two years the level of depreciation has really increased the prices of all imported products. You can still get a decent discount even now!

Thanks for the DX explanation.

By the D600 price I meant the price it was launched at in U.S.$ terms, not in India. I think Nikon is overcharging for the feature set. So if a D7000 body is $1,000, the bigger sensor can command a fair premium of 60-70%, not double.

[AWD]

Need suggestions on a DSLR purchase. Recently sold off my Canon 1100D, now choosing between: Nikon D3100, D5100 & Canon 550D.The stock lenses - 18-55mm are no good. How does mating D3100 with bigger lenses go, does it still remain an amateur/entry level camera?

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by AWD

Need suggestions on a DSLR purchase. Recently sold off my Canon 1100D, now choosing between: Nikon D3100, D5100 & Canon 550D.The stock lenses - 18-55mm are no good. How does mating D3100 with bigger lenses go, does it still remain an amateur/entry level camera?

Even though they are better than 1100d, these are still entry level cameras

You can buy body only and use your existing lens. But if you switch from canon to Nikon your lens will be of no use

[rajshenoy]

Guys what is your take on capabilities of 70-300mm lens?

Basically i am bored with kit lens and require additional lens. I got 10k budget and can buy either 70-300 or 50mm prime (i want both though) but confused in prioritizing.

I am looking at starting level tamron or sigma which are available for less than 9k.
How is the macro shots of 70-300mm? Also is it true that tripod is mandatory if i were to shoot with 70-300mm lens? (even for macro shots?)

[AWD]

Thanks, I've given away the lenses too so will be starting from a clean plate. A good combo that doesn't cost a bomb will do just fine.

[ariendj]

Originally Posted by AWD

A good combo that doesn't cost a bomb will do just fine.

i have finalised on two choices:

• nikon D5100
• canon 550D

presently ebay has offers for both at 28.9k.
planning to get asap.

reading few reviews and samples makes me tilt towards the nikon as it has better dim light pics.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Guys what is your take on capabilities of 70-300mm lens?

Also is it true that tripod is mandatory if i were to shoot with 70-300mm lens? (even for macro shots?)

There is a big difference between the VR/IS versions and the non image stabilized ones. With the VR, you can shoot at 300mm even at 1/15 secs to get sharp shots if you have a steady hand. Without VR/IS, you will have issues at the longer focal lengths if you shoot handheld.

Maybe you can look at used VR/IS versions depending on whether you shoot Nikon/Canon.

[prajwalkashyap]

Originally Posted by ariendj

i have finalised on two choices:

• nikon D5100
• canon 550D

presently ebay has offers for both at 28.9k.
planning to get asap.

reading few reviews and samples makes me tilt towards the nikon as it has better dim light pics.

Do consider the Nikon D3200. It is a new entrant and has an updated image processor EXPEED3 and is very close in capability to the Nikon D5100.

Prajwal