Nikon lens lineup advice

[Big Mike]

I need some advice...I recently got a bonus check from my real job and I am thinking about making sure my lineup works well for what I do. I typically shoot mostly children outdoors. I do some weddings as a second shooter and I have no intention of ever doing it alone. I am not sure if I should go for a second body and fewer lens options or more lens choices with a single body.

Here are my options.....unless someone has a better recommendation.

Nikon D700
Nikon D300
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
$500 left for another lens or extra flash


Nikon D700
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
$0 left for anything

Nikon D700
Nikon D80
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
$800ish left for another lens, extra flash..etc.

Any advice from anyone would be awesome.

Michael

[ziggy53]

Have you done any weddings in the past?
Any children photography?
What do you have for light?

[Mitchell]

Do you already have a body? You will need to make sure you have a backup body. I like choice #2. That's what I have.:thumb

[Big Mike]

Have you done any weddings in the past?
Any children photography?
What do you have for light?

Yes, I have done weddings in the past. I typically do them as a second shooter with my wife's cousin.

Yes. Pictures of children outdoors is what I enjoy the most.

I either use available light or a sb-600.

[Big Mike]

Do you already have a body? You will need to make sure you have a backup body. I like choice #2. That's what I have.:thumb

I have a d700, 70-200, 50mm and sb-600. Just so it is clear, the three options include equipment I already own. All three options would not be sets of equipment I would be purchasing from scratch.

[Mitchell]

I have a d700, 70-200, 50mm and sb-600. Just so it is clear, the three options include equipment I already own. All three options would not be sets of equipment I would be purchasing from scratch.

So what you are really asking is should you buy a D300, a Nikkor 24-70mm zoom, or a D80?

The real question you should ask yourself is, "Am I a pro?"

What would you do without a backup body? With what you already have, I would save for a second D700. No point in buying a D300 when you don't really need the reach for what you shoot. You would be much better off with a second D700 if your first one goes down during a wedding.

After that, buy the Nikkor 24-70mm zoom. My favorite lens.

[wirehunt]

:D

I'd go with one, and the extra $500 would go a longish way towards a 17-35.

Next year or the year after you could always upgrade the 300 and have a great set of lenses to go with it already, if you need to.

[ziggy53]

Mike, if you and the principal photographer are OK with you having a single body, then I would suggest the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S would make a splendid standard zoom for your purposes, especially if you have felt at all cramped by your existing lenses.

[CookieS]

well If you continue to do wedding I think the 24-70 f2.8 would be much needed ( I really want one. ) the 70-200 or 80-200 f2.8 is also a great need to have lens.

[Qarik]

I shoot nikon. I vote #2 by far.