Made a Choice!

[mindforge]

Ok. I made the choice and went Nikon.

I got:

Nikon D90
50mm/1.4
24mm/2.8
extra battery
a few memory cards

My choice came from wanting to wait and collect some glass before I get a FF Nikon. I have read a lot of reviews comparing the d300 and the d90 and how the D90 was winning in some areas. I saw some lab comparisons, etc... and I saw how the argument went back and forth a lot with it and the d300.

I went with the D90 for price and the fact that it is a new camera. The video was not really a selling point but kind of seen as an extra. I also set aside money for a good piece of glass because I went with the d90 and not the D300. I want to get a couple pieces of high quality glass with the D90 and then upgrade into one of the next FF that come out in a couple years.

[Travis]

Good for you! Enjoy your camera

What version of the 50 1.4 did you pick up? the afs one? or the classic?

[mindforge]

I got the AFS, awesome price for it. I pretty much went with prime lenses because of the cost.

I am going to break down and get a couple of really good lenses during this year. I am pretty much researching all the lenses. I will probably be looking for something in the 70-200 range.

A question I have for other Nikon users though -- Should I stick with the Nikkor lenses or does Tamron make really good lenses.

Also, in your opinion if you had $1,500 -- what lens would you get for your Nikon, or what lens did you get at that price or under for your camera already?

[Travis]

Personally, I'd stick with the Nikkor lenses. However, if your not up to dropping the coin on the Nikkor 70-200 2.8 vr you may want to consider Nikkors 80-200 2.8 for the same price as the third party 70-200's. If you want to go 3rd party on 70-200 the latest Tamron 2.8 out resolves the Sigma equiv but is a little slower to focus.

If you want to keep on your prime parade, the Nikkor 85mm 1.4 is legendary and rings in just under $1300.00.

[mindforge]

Honestly, the primes are more affordable for what I need. I did pick up a Tamron 70-200 f4/5.6 but I just wanted it to play with really, it was very disposable income a $150 so it was easy to drop the dime on it.

The 24mm 2.8 is my fav right now. Fired off about 1,000 of random crap all day. Getting the feel of the CLS, I like that a lot.

[tirediron]

All companies make some good lenses, all companies make some dogs. Nikon makes more good ones than the third party manufacturers, but so they should given the price. The question you need to ask whether or not you NEED the extra little bit of sharpness, clarity, or quality that the Nikkor lenses will generally give you. My reason for buying Nikon glass is simple. Build quality. Irrespective of the little '10' on the underside of the lens, I look at my glass purchases as life-time purchases. I fully intend to be shooting with the same 24-70 in another 20 years. Optics aside, Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina can't even begin to touch the physical quality of a Nikkor lens. If you've got the $$ go for it, but if not, do your research and select a 3rd party option.