I hope this question is OK here.

Do you have one favorite walking around lens for the D700? I bonded with the Nikon 18-200 DX when walking around with D200. Now, what might I use in this way on the D700?

Thanks so much. I've finally decided to buy the D700, after figuring out financing. Very excited!

Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis, I bought the D700 body only and discovered that my 5 year old 24-120VR works great and produces nice sharp pictures. It's now my everyday lens. I occasionally carry the 70-300/4.5-5.6VRII if I know I'll need a lens with more reach.
Mark Stephan
USN, retired

I like the 24-70/2.8. If packing space is an issue, or, if I want/need to be less conspicuous. I like the 50mm/1.4. Both are fantastic lenses on the D700.

Regards,
Preston
Coastal NC

What Mark said is dead on. I use my 24-120 most of the time, and put the 70-300 on when I want to go long. But 95% of the time its my 24-120 as a walk around.

When I do portraits I use the 105 Sigma.

A. L. DeWitt
Jefferson City, MO

Cameras allow us to share the beauty in God's creation with others.

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The D700 is an excellent camera and deserves the best possible lenses. I mainly use the 24-70 and occasionally the 70-200.

Tristan

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Nikon 35-70 f2.8D.

Hedley
Originally from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales -- now in Arkansas

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Tamron 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 DI VC


Jim
Wilmington De.

D700 Nikkor 50 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, 35-70 f/2.8
28-105 f/3.5/4.5

Tamron 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 DI VC

I second Hedley's choice, a versatile compact lens that is sharp and has macro functions.

Bob Baldassano
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"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"

Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!

Dennis,

I use the Nikon 24-85 f/2.8-4.0 as my favorite walking-around lens with my new D700. It's a tad heavier than the 18-70 I use with my D200, but it's not as heavy as those f/2.8 biggies and nowhere near as expensive. I say "Check it out."

Like some of the other responders I also have a 70-300VR that I use frequently when I need more reach.

You will love your D700, especially when photographing in low light situations. Being able to crank up the auto ISO to 6400 and letting 'er rip is quite exhilarating!

Bob

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For this: The very best companion to the D700 is the 24-70!!
Dieter

For a very nice small lightweight package it's definitely the AF 50mm f/1.4D. It's almost like not having a camera hanging over the shoulder. And for available darkness shooting it's unbeatable.

Otherwise its the AFS 24-70mm f/2.8G, it's a bit front havy when hanging over the shoulder, but it IS very good.

Best regards,
Knud

http://kiekan.mono.net

Like Bob32, I walk with the Nikon 24-85 f/2.8-4. This lens has had mixed reviews, but my sample is very sharp. Did you know this lens has a very useful macro feature? In my bag I have the 20 f/2.8 and the light-as-a-feather 50 f/1.8 (about $120).

Take note that the D700 produces totally noiseless images at ISO 800.

Edo

I'm going to be using my existing 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens, which was on my F100. It is versatile and relatively light. I also use a 50mm f/1.8, which is super -- nice and light and very sharp.

Ralph.

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Right now I am trying a Tamron 24-135 f3.5/5.6 lens.

-------------------
"On no account allow a Vogon to read poetry at you." - The Hitchhikers Guide

Thanks, Everyone, it's been so long since I walked around with it that I forgot about the Nikon 28-105. For now, after I figure out how to pay for D700, this is the lens I'll walk with. Depending where I'm going and what I might be doing, I'll probably keep the 105 mcacro, 60 macro, or 28-70 (just one of them) in the bag.

The camera purchase might be a few months from now, but I confess to enjoying the anticipation and planning long before putting my money down. And--yes--I'll keep the D200, which I can't imaging giving up right now.

Dennis

I have quite an assortment of Nikkor glass and the one that is usually attached to my D700 when walking around is the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G. Inexpensive (around $225-$300 street price depending on condition) and relatively light. It truly is a wonderful lens, and they should have kitted a VR version of this with the D700 instead, IMHO.

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The 28-105 is my walking around lens. Most of my pics are shot with this one. I like it alot.
Ron

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Well, that really depends on where or what I happen to be walking around.

David

Walkaround lens? Depends really
A walkaround with some serious photography in mind, then I bring my 24-70/2.8.
A walkaround for causal (not planned) photography, then I bring only my 50/1.4 G lens and I zoom with my feet. Also my choice for low light photography.
I also followed Ken Rockwells advice and bought a dirt cheap used 28-80/3.3-5.6 G zoom lens. It is plastic, looks a bit awkward on a D700, but the weight is almost nothing and it saves my day together with the 50/1.4. Now we are talking walkaround, light weight and causal photography for personal and web use. But this cheap zoom is some real value for almost no money at all.
Check it out: http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm

28-70mm/2.8 THE BEAST

that really depends on the situation.

the one that i use 80% of time for walk-around is nikon af 35mm f/2D because i find nikkor af-s 24-120mm is bit too heavily for me. i really love ultra-wide, so another 20% of time i will use nikkor af-s 14-24mm f/2.8G.

I really liked the combination of the D300 with the 198-200 for travelling and I was looking for a similar lens for the D700.

I have a 24-70 with is just fabulous but way to big and heavy for light weight travel. I settled for the much maligned 24-120 VR which is perfect for traveling but is not the fastest or best but ideal in my view for walking around and on these short haul weight restricted flights in Europe.

GH

Hi,

My main walkabout lens on my D700 is the AFS 28-70 f/2.8D. It's a little on the heavy side but great for most of my needs. If I want to go light, I use the AFS 50 f/1.4G and remove the MB-D10 grip.

Jeremy

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I use as Anthony,Mark+Garrett my old 24-120 vr lens,I do have a 24-70,but to walk around to heavy
we should start a revival club for ye old 24-120 ed.

I really like the 50mm 1.4 I got with my D700. Fast, very sharp!

28-105mm This lens in my opinion is really good as a walk around . Sharp, a good macro facility, light. I feel it is just as good as the 18-200 with D200. It was already my walk around lens with my film F4 camera.
I used it recently in Norway and attach a couple of pictures.
Jean-luc

geneluck

Attachment #1, (jpg file)
Attachment #2, (jpg file)
Attachment #3, (jpg file)

Lovely pictures, and yes I'm sold on the 28-105 for walking w/ D700. Now, I just have to purchase the camera.
Thanks,
Dennis

The 24-70 f/2.8 is my favorite D700 walking around lens. It is so fast you don't need VR and is reported to possibly be the sharpest lens Nikon has ever manufactured. Its fast speed coupled with the D700's low light capabilities make this combo practically without peer. It's frikin amazing...

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>The 24-70 f/2.8 is my favorite D700 walking around lens. It
>is so fast you don't need VR and is reported to possibly be
>the sharpest lens Nikon has ever manufactured. Its fast speed
>coupled with the D700's low light capabilities make this combo
>practically without peer. It's frikin amazing...

to me the sharpest nikkor lens that i have ever used is nikkor 35mm f/0.9, yes that is not a typo, f/0.9. to me, i always love 35mm better than 50mm, and this 35mm f/0.9 even leaves 50mm f/1.2 that i also own in dust.

check it out: http://homepage2.nifty.com/akiyanroom/redbook-e/repro/tv.html

That's a pretty specialised lens!

It doesn't appear to be F-mount - what camera have you used it on?

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
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>The 24-70 f/2.8 is my favorite D700 walking around lens. It
>is so fast you don't need VR and is reported to possibly be
>the sharpest lens Nikon has ever manufactured. Its fast speed
>coupled with the D700's low light capabilities make this combo
>practically without peer. It's frikin amazing...

24-70 is indeed nice, but nowhere near the 200 f2.0vr. Sharpest lens that I have ever had the pleasure of putting on an SLR. Although, I just purchased the Zeiss 100/2, so I should adjust my statement to be the 200 f2.0vr is the sharpest NIKON lens I have ever put on my D700.

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>>The 24-70 f/2.8 is my favorite D700 walking around lens.
>It
>>is so fast you don't need VR and is reported to possibly
>be
>>the sharpest lens Nikon has ever manufactured. Its fast
>speed
>>coupled with the D700's low light capabilities make this
>combo
>>practically without peer. It's frikin amazing...
>
>24-70 is indeed nice, but nowhere near the 200 f2.0vr.
>Sharpest lens that I have ever had the pleasure of putting on
>an SLR. Although, I just purchased the Zeiss 100/2, so I
>should adjust my statement to be the 200 f2.0vr is the
>sharpest NIKON lens I have ever put on my D700.

But for walk around???

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Just chiming in for my $169 28-105mm AF (with 1:2 macro). I'm looking at adding a Sigma 50mm and a Tamron 28-75, but for the moment the 28-105 is my goto. I also like that the 28-105 is 2/3rd of a stop faster at the f/4.5 end than equivalent f3.5-5.6 lenses. Getting harder to find as word is out on this lens for FX-shooters!

I also just added the Sigma 12-24 purchased here at the Nikonians I Want to Sell forum.

Best regards, SteveK
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'A camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.' -- Dorothea Lange

For my needs here in philippines, I really use 90% of the time the 70-300VR lens.

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I have yet to sort this out. Finding out my 18-200 lens was out for the D700, which should be here tomorrow, I am still mulling this over? I have an old 50 1.4 MF lens if need be, but since I do more driving than I am able to walk, I will give the 80-400 a chance. Will have to leave the 18-200 on the D80 so I can;t say what will be gained. I hope to get a lot of use out of my 1000 MR Lens on the D 700 as well. My MB10 should be here next week, along with a couple more batteries. Useful is as useful does I guess, all depends on what you want to, or are doing. If I dare bring this up-- I have read several write ups on the new, more or less on the new 50 1.4 AF and it doesn't seem other than the AF that it is not what some crack it up to be. I can't judge because I haven't used it. Then again, most of these writers are getting plugged to sell the object of their articles, are they not? Would sure like to hear from some 'everyday' users on such things.

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My D700 arrived yesterday, so my knowledge is still theoretical, but a few comments about lenses.

The 18-200 works on D700, but you lose some of the FX advantage. I've decided to keep the 18-200 on my D200 and--for now--use 28-105 (out of production, I think) for walking around. I expect the 28-70 will also get a lot of use. Don't have first hand experience with 50mm f/1.4, but love the f/1.8 AF.

Good luck with everything. I'm psyched.

Dennis

I use the 24-70 f2.8 lens as my main lens with the D700. A great lens. Also it forces me to get close to the subject (people in particular) for the shot. I do intend to purchase the 70-200 f2.8 as soon as funds are available, but will stick with the 24-70mm for my prime.

I use 28-105 if not 24-70 or 50/1.8...

But I am also thinking about Tamron for more range.

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Good Thread;

In case anyone is interested in a recap;

#1 with 10 mentions 24-70
#2 with 9 mentions 50mm (1.4 or 1.8)
#3 with 7 mentions 28-105
#4 with 4 mentions 24-120 VR
#5 with 3 mentions 28-70 f2.8

The rest of the mentioned lenses have one recommendation each.

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Although I really like my 28-70 mm, I find that my 24-85 mm is probably still my walk around lens (particularly if I am going to be walking for any distance without a camera bag).

Diane

450 mm Nikkor-M rocks!

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The hands down winner here is the magnificent 24-70 f/2.8. This combo offers astounding low light capabilities and this is one of the sharpest lenses that Nikon has ever manufactured. Cheap? Nope. Worth the $1600? By all means. Once you get over the hole in your wallet you'll never look back.

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If I can only take one lens and don't plan lots of low light & action shooting: Nikkor AF 28-200mm F3.5-5.6G.

It lived on my Nikon N65 in the film days and, complemented with the Nikon AF 20mm F2.8 (same filter size) and a table-top tripod, formed a decent ultra light travel kit. These days it has found a second life on the D700.

Mikhail