Only two lenses for D3 - which ones?

[Terry Zorich]

I am a long-time Canon user (Canon only since 1987, and Dad's A2E before that...), but today I gave my favorite dealer a deposit on a new D3. I'm not interested in switching systems, but I am interested in comparing the D3 to my 1DM3, and other than having a lighter wallet, I fail to see why I couldn't happily own both.

I am certain that I'll favor the D3's FF sensor for studio, modeling, portraiture, landscapes, and most other work, and I'm guessing I'll find the flash system superior as well. I am guessing I'll learn to live with the inferior ergonomics, but only time will tell. I will also need to find an efficient way to tweak every image file out of the D3, as I prefer (what I perceive as) Canon's bias towards yellows and reds to Nikon's colder look.

But to my question:
I plan to buy only two lenses for the D3, to perform my evaluation. They must NOT be DX format, and they will preferably have large maximum apertures (i.e. 2.8, if possible). With the two, I'd like to cover everything from 17mm or 20mm to 200mm, and again, anything less than a 2.8 is not likely going to be less than ideal.

To me, the 70-200/2.8 VR lens almost seems a foregone conclusion. (Anyone disagree?) Assuming that lens is a great choice, I'll need a wide zoom. Should it be the 24-70/2.8? And why can't there be something like a 17-70/2.8? Should I just forget about the "normal" range and go with something like a 17-35?

What else should I know about the D3 before I get it? Am I crazy? Should I be getting a second 1DM3 instead?

[Martin_Doudoroff]

Originally Posted by Terry Zorich

To me, the 70-200/2.8 VR lens almost seems a foregone conclusion. (Anyone disagree?)

Well, Lloyd Chambers wasn't too impressed with the 70-200 on the D3. The review of the same lens just published on DPReview sort of corroborates that Nikon's 70-200 has some weaknesses; they seem to feel it's a more attractive lens for non-full-frame cameras.

[Terry Zorich]

Oh. Interesting. I'll have to read up on the alternatives. Considering all the years of hearing how great Nikon glass is, Id have never figured that one of the negatives of buying a Nikon system would be the lens selection! This is one area that Canon seems to have pretty well in hand between these two brands.

Maybe I should be contemplating another 1DM3 instead...

[Terry Zorich]

What if the question were: If you had to live with just three PRIME Nikkors, which ones would you recommend? (It might be interesting to go 'all primes' for this experiment...)

[Martin_Doudoroff]

Well, here's my thought: the D3 is the first full-frame DSLR Nikon has ever produced. They've spent years developing lenses for cropped sensors, and suddenly their entire lens line has to be reevaluated for the full-frame sensor. It's hard to predict what's going to happen. Clearly, some of the newer Nikkors have really been optimized for DX size sensors and aren't cutting it in the corners with full-frame. Some Nikkors that have been held in high esteem for years (decades, even) with film just aren't going to cut it on the D3. I'm not convinced anybody really has the scoop, yet.

Now, if you're willing to entertain primes, why stop at Nikkor? Have you read this? I thought it was rather interesting.

[Dennis_Vied]

I can't help but think you'd be better off staying with one brand. As long as you're happy with your Canon equipment, why switch? I think you're buying into some hassle by trying to operate two systems, a hassle you don't really need. While I think the D3 is a fine piece of gear, it's basicallly comparable to a 5D in specs, so I don't think it will be a quantum leap in quality that you would expect.

Just my opinion.

[Ronald Garrett]

I am shocked, but glad to know about the 70 - 200 on full frame. I may never own a full frame camera, but I surely would have thought the 70 - 200 would have been "the lens". That lens has been the cornerstone of most of my event shooting for some time.

Dennis is right to talk up the 5D. That is one camera Nikon has had no answer for.

Now we know why the first software update adressed "viginette" problems on certain lens?

Is it possible that lens development will have to move forward some if we are to realize all the benefits of the newest technology?

See my question about which contributes more, the camera or the lens to image quality, in another current thread.

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