Originally Posted by perroneford The guys here are absolutely correct. Quite honestly, you could probably do everything you are talking about with three things: 1. 24-70/2.8 2. 70-200/2.8 3. 1.4x teleconverter Yes the 85 is lovely. I have an 85/1.4 and LOVE it for portraits. The 24-85 is surprisingly good as well. I've got one and have even used it on my D800 to good effect. But you are talking about shooting professionally. If you plan on booking shoots and taking people's money, you owe it to yourself and to your clients to get some good gear capable of giving pro level results. And using $75 lenses like the 24-85, or bargain lenses like the 28-200 is not the answer. Just my opinion...

Thank you. I had not thought about using a teleconverter. I wonder how many are used with the 24-70mm as that would seem to be a good walking around range - 34 to 98mm. Yes/No?

Phil

Originally Posted by lifeinfocus Thanks Angevin! and Zerodog. Lots of good choices. Thanks to all for your time. I am going to look at buying a used Nikon 24-70mm, although I felt better buying a used camera body than a lens. Phil

Phil, if you mean you felt more confidence, don't despair. Just buy from a reputable source and you'll do fine with used gear.

Originally Posted by lifeinfocus Thank you. I had not thought about using a teleconverter. I wonder how many are used with the 24-70mm as that would seem to be a good walking around range - 34 to 98mm. Yes/No? Phil

I don't believe that a Nikkor teleconverter will fit the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S. The third party teleconverters that might fit would not produce desirable results.

Nikon Teleconverter Compatibility Chart

Teleconverters are most useful on longer focal length prime lenses, but the Nikkor 70-200mm zooms are an exception and "do" allow the use of a teleconverter with reasonably good image quality results (at least for the 1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters.)

Originally Posted by ziggy53 I don't believe that a Nikkor teleconverter will fit the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S. The third party teleconverters that might fit would not produce desirable results. Nikon Teleconverter Compatibility Chart Teleconverters are most useful on longer focal length prime lenses, but the Nikkor 70-200mm zooms are an exception and "do" allow the use of a teleconverter with reasonably good image quality results (at least for the 1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters.)

OMGoodness... yea it won't fit. I forgot that. Sorry. And I even pulled out my 1.4x and the 24-70 to double check. But it will fit the 70-200... so that still gives an effective range of 24-280mm at a max of F4 with only two lenses and essentially a pancake. That's a totally pro level solution, VERY compact, and very effective.

Originally Posted by perroneford OMGoodness... yea it won't fit. I forgot that. Sorry. And I even pulled out my 1.4x and the 24-70 to double check. But it will fit the 70-200... so that still gives an effective range of 24-280mm at a max of F4 with only two lenses and essentially a pancake. That's a totally pro level solution, VERY compact, and very effective.

No problem!. Thanks Ziggy for the catch.
Phil

Shooting fx for a few years now, I have found the 16-35, 50 mm, and 70-200 vr cover any situation from event, sports, to fashion photography.

Originally Posted by jonh68 Shooting fx for a few years now, I have found the 16-35, 50 mm, and 70-200 vr cover any situation from event, sports, to fashion photography.

Thanks for the info. Most helpful.
Phil