On a budget. For a D700 will this compare to a 24-70mm? Will this lens work for general wedding shots for now?
1345652
The 24-70 f2.8 is a better lens for sure, and much more expensive. But this lens is VERY good, and will do a fine job for weddings.
1345653
it will work well as a stop gap until you can afford the better lens.. it did for me
1345654
I don't shoot weddings (more indoor sports and landscapes, and I'm using a D90 rather than an FX body) so take this for what it is... I bought this as a budget compromise as well and while it is a decent lens I've never managed to really love it. The range of focal lengths and apertures provided is very useful, but to my eye I just don't get the same "pop" with this lens as some of my others, including even the cheap 18-105mm kit lens. I find myself eyeing the Tamron 24-70 often and will shortly replace this lens with it. That lens didn't exist when I bought the 24-85 but if I were making this decision today I would go straight for the Tamron or the current generation Nikon 24-120mm F4 instead. I don't shoot weddings (more indoor sports and landscapes, and I'm using a D90 rather than an FX body) so take this for what it is... I bought this as a budget compromise as well and while it is a decent lens I've never managed to really love it. The range of focal lengths and apertures provided is very useful, but to my eye I just don't get the same "pop" with this lens as some of my others, including even the cheap 18-105mm kit lens. I find myself eyeing the Tamron 24-70 often and will shortly replace this lens with it. That lens didn't exist when I bought the 24-85 but if I... » Read More I don't shoot weddings (more indoor sports and landscapes, and I'm using a D90 rather than an FX body) so take this for what it is... I bought this as a budget compromise as well and while it is a decent lens I've never managed to really love it. The range of focal lengths and apertures provided is very useful, but to my eye I just don't get the same "pop" with this lens as some of my others, including even the cheap 18-105mm kit lens. I find myself eyeing the Tamron 24-70 often and will shortly replace this lens with it. That lens didn't exist when I bought the 24-85 but if I were making this decision today I would go straight for the Tamron or the current generation Nikon 24-120mm F4 instead. « Show Less
956775
I shoot with the Nikon 70-200 2.8 for alot of stuff (I do tons of dance performance photography). The higher price tag on the 2.8 is totally worth it. Plus the larger aperture will allow you limit your depth of field making action shots pop where you really want them. If you are going to invest in a good lens, just go for the best and buy one time.
1247241
No. A D7000 has an internal focus motor, and the motor in this will just cost you money that you don't need to spend - and as a recent college graduate, myself, I know how important stretching every dollar is. The cheaper Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF will do all that this lens can do at a cheaper cost. the "S" in AF-S denotes a lens having a motor in it, so when shopping for lenses for a D7000, go for AF lenses - they're generally cheaper than their "AF-S" counterparts. A a "nifty 50" is definitely a camera bag staple, and you will not be disappointed :) I owned this lens myself (when I had a D40, before I upgraded to my own D7000, that lacked an focus motor in the camera) so this is a great lens if you have your heart set on it, it's just more than you need for a D7000. Check out the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D AF - it's half the price ;) and will do the same thing on your D7000.
596378
The lens will work just fine on your D7000 as is. You can find the exact dimensions on Nikon's site, but it's a hefty prime lens. It'll have the feel of a small kit zoom lens. But the quality is amazing!
1037163
I have to respectfully disagree with the recommendation for a 16-85mm VR. I have that lens, use it with my D90 and it's great for outdoor situations. Indoors, the 16-85mm is fine if you are using a flash. I can see using the 16-85mm for some interior church shots, but most of wedding shots are going to be of people. things, little details like bouquets, etc. You will want a lens that can handle low-light and can isolate a subject well (subject in focus - remaining areas blurry). You should check out primes. Fast zooms are nice, but they will defintiley set you back a lot of money. Look into these lenses: 1. Nikkor 50mm 1.8 - The poor man's lens for low light, decent bokeh, depth of field interestingness. $100 Everyone should have at least one fast lens and since this one is cheap, it's a good place to start. 2. Sigma 30mm 1.4 More money, but since it's wider than the above lens, a little more versatile, especially with DX sensor. $300 or more 3. Nikkor 85mm 1.8 - Like the 50mm but is more telephoto, so this is good if you are standing far from your subject but want to fill the frame with your subject. Good for concerts, theater, etc. 5. Nikkor 85mm 1.4 - This is a money-making lens for pro wedding photographers and portrait photographers. People fall in love with and worship this lens. Do a web search and you'll find out why. Very, very pricey. $1K but worth it. One thing about primes is that there is a definite learning curve to using them - especially at the wider apertures since the depth of field is SO narrow. You have to really work on learning to use them to maximize the number of keepers you have. BUT, these fast lenses help you to examine more work more critically, to look at your composition, technique, etc in ways that your kit lens never will :) Good luck with your photography!
1784428
I use my 24-70 for just about everthing, it is a great lens. I have done portraits, events, weddings and my own stuff while on vacations. Your only other real alternatives are primes. (85mm, 50mm and the 70-200mm) The pics come out of the 24-70 really sharp, the bokeh is great and the contrast is really eye opening if you have metered your shots correctly... Hope this helps..Phil
2016778
I use this lens on my D700 FX. The lens is not designed for an FX but the photos are beautiful. You should do just fine because the lens was made for a DX camera. It is an extremely tack sharp lens and the range is perfect for landscapes and wide angle shots.
2004641
hi. Do you plan to shoot more weddings or landscapes...? i think it could be the answer of your question. I think about buying this lens too. i am a wedding photographer, and wedding conditions are always dark light situations. So i need the 2.8 aperture. If you are more a nature photographer, so the 2.8 is not so needed. During wedding the IS can't help too much, because the people that you take are dancing, the low speed will be impossible to use, even with IS on.I hope it will hlep you.
342704
No lens question can be answered accurately without knowing the intended subjects and lighting conditions. But if one needs a mid zoom on a D7000 and do not need wide angle, the 24-70 is the best of the lot. It is not wide on a crop sensor so you will need a wider lens for interior architecture, landscape, street etc. If your main subject is portraiture, general walking around, product, environmental lifestyle portraits, short telephoto etc, it is very good lens. I prefer it on the D7000 to my 17-55 2.8 which is DX only.. I use my 24-70 daily on a D800 and D7000 with excellent pro results for group portraiture, events, glamour etc. If you have plans on adding full frame to your collection, this lens can serve both the short telephoto and normal mid zoom functions on the DX or FX respectively. On FX it has a field of view that makes it a good architecture and landscape lens. If your primary purpose is portraiture, consider the 85 1.8G as an excellent lens for 1/4th the price however.
357729
To my understanding it is usually believed that 2470 is a better version than this one in the same focal length range.But there are other things to consider. How important is it for you to have the extra versatility, that is, the focal length of 70 to 120? How much do you care about the lost of aperture range? (And that depends on what you plan to shoot most often.) How important is the price difference to you? And weight differs, too.Actually, I envy the newest 750 model so much! lol. It certainly deserves good lenses.
386985
I get that same problem (I also have a D7000). However, on mine that is only for close-up macro-type images (when I snap the photo, the focus seems to be farther than where I focused - I lost out on some neat bug photos because of it, and did a lot of testing compared to other lenses). It does OK at distance. My adjustment is less than that (I don't remember it), but I don't use it much for close-ups. I use it mostly for wide shots and landscape work, and also inside museums. In a perfect world, I would buy the 24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon, but this is a third of the price, and for my application is fine. However, if you are shooting people at closer ranges, I can see where it might be an issue. That far off, and it might be worth talking to Sigma about it. They might be able to either fix it or replace it.
437790
No. This lens is a CX format. I believe the D700 uses the DX format. Hope this helps.
1190458
They're right sir. It is SUCH a superb lens (for the D7000 and D7100) I sold it and now regret it. I'll repurchase it soon. I can't even begin to tell you the "wow" photos I've taken with it. Make sure to get the B+W UV lens filter to protect it. Great for indoor and outdoor use too.
824631
The 28-70 is really a great lens and its f/2.8 does well in low light found at weddings. It works well on the D7100 and will be great if you ever choose to move to a full frame camera. It is one of the heaviest lens made by Nikon.
220612
Yes I would take the 24-70 2.8 because of the speed. This lens is my go to lens, it is a work horses. I back it up with my 70-200 2.8.
987396
I think it would be great on a D700 given it is a full frame sensor. It might be hard to keep moving children in sharp focus with the aperture wide open but if you do it will give great portraiture shots with a great bokeh effect. This is truly one of my favorite lens now even over my 70-200/2.8. It gives that professional look.
1614060
Yes; This lens is a really great buy to work with a D7000. There are some focus issues with D7000, but it could be resolved by fine tuning. I've been using this combination for the 4th year now.