…have an expiry date – 2 March, is what I’m told. So if you want to make the most of them, I’d suggest acting fast. Some good deals to be had – I might pick up a 70-200 for myself…
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I need to hurry up and get my clients to pay me. It’s about time to update from my Nikon 28-70 f/2.8D. I did a food shoot today and the 24 & 36MP files are really starting to show the shortcomings on that lens wide open. Luckily I had my Sigma 35mm f/1.4 on hand so all was good.
I think collection has got to be the bane of every pro photographer…good luck!
I already picked up the 60 micro last week and the 85 1.4 arrived tonight. 70-200 is pretty awesome, I used mine a lot in Venice this month. MIng, have you thought about speaking at B&H while you are in NY?
Great – hope you were able to use one of the referral links
Yes, I’ve just signed up with them – spent most of this morning updating posts. They’re also sending me a Fuji X20 to test this week…
Hi Ming,
I am new to photography, just got myself a D600 and a 50/1.4G. I was considering getting the new 70/200 F4 which seems to have had favourable reviews. What do you reckon.
Gary Evans
Optically great, providing you don’t need faster.
Such a pity those offers are not available where I live. One would think Nikon should have uniform pricing policy in every country.
We get no love here either – just have to order from B&H.
Hi Ming,
Just picked up a 85/1.8G AFS through your referral link on Amazon. Saved £100.00 on what I would pay in the U.K. I am well pleased with that. Thank You.
Hope I like the lense, the reviews have all been fantastic
Gary Evans
Thanks Gary – if you get a good sample, I think you’ll be quite surprised.
You’ve got me worried now, do they not have quality control at Nikon ???
I’ve yet to handle a bad 85/1.8 G – the design is very simple. It doesn’t even have aspherical elements! Some of the more complex designs have very tight tolerances – the 24/1.4 is a good example – and there’s definitely some sample variation between copies.
Ming… so tell me this, I have the 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8, 14-24, 85 f/1.4, and a few other great lenses. Now as enticing as the sale is, like I need another lens, so out of curiosity, which lens would you buy if you already have the cream of the crop in lenses? Also, I am maybe looking to lighten the load when traveling for pleasure, but say want the D800 with me? Thanks…
Easy. Sell the 85/1.4, and get a 28/1.8G and 85/1.8 G. Not only will the sale pay for the lenses, your back will thank you – it’s what I did. Image quality wide open is actually better on the D800, too.
See, I knew I was asking the right guy! I like that idea. You know what I am use to with these lenses, I have been spoiled with the IQ w/ my 200 f/2, but I am curious of the 24-120 or 28-300 for a all in one, with either the D800 or D4?
The 28-300 is convenient but not going to cut it for critical applications. The 24-120 has a lot of distortion, but if you use ACR’s profile for it, it works well. I’ve got one – the only problem is that it isn’t small or light, and you’re up the wazoo when it comes to low light.
Yeah, I hear ya. I just love the bokeh from all my lenses. You couldn’t pry my 70-200 f/2.8 from me. Even wide open it is a dream. So I don’t think I would be inclined to leave it sitting while shooting a 28-300, and I would be looking at images and wondering how much different it would have been with the 70-200. And with another prime, really thought of the 24 f/1.4 but, maybe you are right for the 28 f/1.8, I wonder how much would use I would have for the 24-70? Its been a real useful lens. But it should be updated soon IMO. I’m already spending for the best body, don’t want to go with less of a lens available to do it right.
The 85/1.8 will still give you better bokeh than the 70-200 or 24-120, and some cinematic flare (if you like that kind of thing). The 28-300 and 24-120 are the kind of thing you shoot stopped down. 24/1.4 has some focusing and sample variation/ edge issues on the D800; I dumped mine. The 24-70 is large and unwieldy – unless you need the extra stop, VR in the 24-120 makes up for it.
You like the 24-120 instead of the 24-70 for IQ? How does the 24-120 compare to using the 28 and 85 stopped down?
The 24-70 has better microcontrast. None of the zooms will beat the primes, even stopped down. But it’s pretty close by f8.
One sale ends another one begins…check some special Nikon lens pricing at B&H…offer expires march 30th
Thanks for the heads up!