Going Full Frame (suggestions)

I've decided to upgrade to full frame (from D7000, 18-200mm 11-16mm) , and am leaning towards the Nikon D800e but I am open to other suggestions as well. I primarily shoot landscapes and occasionally wildlife but usually take a more opportunist approach when it comes to shooting animals. I don't take pictures of people very often and street photography only occasionally but both are subjects I would like to explore more in the future. I rarely use video.

if i go that route the lenses I'd be looking at to go with it initially are the Nikkor 24-70 and the Nikkor 70-200. I would probably get the 14-24mm next year but until then, my thinking is I could use my D7000 with the Tokina 11-16mm if I need an ultra wide. Also, with the 70-200, I could keep it on the D7000 when I'm driving around in search of landscapes in case I spot an animal and not have to worry about missing an opportunity whilst changing out lenses.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice in regards to the D800e, my lens choices, or have some alternative camera/lens suggestions?

Thanks
Carey

There are not much choices are there, you have to be careful of which system you want to stuck with:

Nikon: Nikon D800/D800E
Canon: 1DX/5D MarkIII
Sony: A7R or A7, forget about other models

I have Canon full frame cameras and happy with them, if i want higher mp then either i have to add Nikon D800 if i can't convert the whole system and choose 2 lenses for Nikon, or going with Sony A7R and have the adapter mount to use my Canon on it.

Lenses is even a longer more complicated topic, but if you want my advice then go with the following:

Zooms range: 10-40 [such as 16-35 or 17-40 or 14-24], 24-150 [24-70 is the best choice, altern is 24-105], 70-300 [nothing better than 70-200 lenses in that range], 200-50 [there are 100-400 and 200-400 lenses to go with].

Primes: UWA: 10/14/15, WA: 17/24, standard: 35/50/85, long: 100/135/200,.....800

Good luck!!!

The new Nikon 80-400mm is worth a look over the 70-200mm. You won't regret either version of the D800. It is a fantastic piece of equipment. The 14-24mm can be difficult to use with filters. Consider also the 17-35mm or the newer 16-35mm, both of which will accept screw on filters.

If you are planning to keep the 7000 as a back-up/wildlife alternative, this narrows your options even more. I currently use a D600 which I like a lot(smaller, lighter and less expensive than the 800), but I have become real interested in the A7r or A7 as a hiking and backpacking camera. Right now, the dedicated lenses for the Sony are very limited, and with the new Sony 24-70 that just came out, it does not look like the weight savings will be what I was hoping for overall. However, with the use of an adapter, I can use my Nikon lenses. Regarding lenses, I have the 14-24. I used to use it infrequently, for the reason noted by Charlie, but since I got the Fotodiox holder/polarizer, which works quite well, I have been using it much more and now rarely use my 17-35. (If you want a used 17-35 f2.8 in good condition, let me know). The 24-70 f2.8 is a great lens. It has no VR, but this is inconsequential for me as I shoot with a tripod 99% of the time. I also have the new 18-35 G and 24-85 G lenses which are smaller and lighter, and therefore work well as alternatives for me when backpacking. Another alternative is the highly regarded Tamron 24-70 which is about the same size as the Nikon 24-70 but has VR. There is also the 24-120f4, which I had for a while. I liked the longer reach, but it was duplicative and I preferred the 24-70, so I sold it. I have been considering the 70-200 f4, which has received great reviews, but I am also considering the new Nikon 80-400 (I have the prior version). Also great reviews, but the price is holding me back. Decisions, decisions.

In my mind, nothing beats the Nikon D800, even the D4. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the FPS burst speed, but I still get great bird flight shots even with the slightly slower burst.
I'm also very happy with the 28-300 as the lens on the camera when travelling.
Just to maintain as many lens options as possible, I'd suggest going with Nikon or Canon.
Good luck -

Sandy

Given your stated preferences for photographic subject matter, the D800E is the way to go if it's within your budget. That camera, and the specific lenses you mention, have become the gear of choice for many top nature/landscape photographers. If you want to spend a little less on the camera in order to purchase lenses sooner, the D600/D610 rates only a point or two below the D800 on scores from DXOMark. An alternative to the 14-24 for your ultrawide might be the 16-35mm plus the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8. I purchased the latter as part of a package deal recently and have been quite pleased with the lens (it also rates well at DXO). You don't specify which 70-200, but the f/4 version is great and a lot less $ if you don't need that extra stop from the f/2.8.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I am mostly sold on the D800e but I just wanted to consult the members here to see if anyone had any issues or challenges using the camera, negative experiences or opinions why another brand or option might be better suited to my needs before I spend all that money. The Canon 5D Mark III would be the obvious alternative given my budget. I've noticed a lot of people on this site are using it and they are posting some amazing pictures so it certainly warrants consideration, especially given the fact that I currently only have DX lenses that won't work on a Nikon full frame so I'm not committed to the brand as of yet. Aside from the great reviews of the D800e I've read, the main reason I'm leaning towards it is familiarity with Nikon and unless there is a clear reason to switch brands I figure I may as well stay in that camp.

Sandy, I briefly considered the D4 but can't really justify the price at this time and the D800e seems more suited for the type of photography I predominantly do anyways. I have read some negative things about the buffer though, how quickly it gets full and how the camera will shut down for a unacceptable length of time once it is. That has given me some pause as I do occasionally take pictures of wildlife and want a camera that performs reasonably well for those occasions. Glad to hear your experience has been positive. In regards to lenses, I'm not considering one longer than 200mm at this time and because of that I will probably use the D7000 more often than not for wildlife, just to have the reach, but if the full frame performs well, I figure I can add a teleconverter to go with the 70-200mm and perhaps buy a longer lens sometime down the road.

Greg I haven't looked too closely at the D600's but perhaps should before making a final decision. It's certainly a lot less expensive. The 70-200 lens I was considering was the f/ 2.8 but the f/4 looks like a viable option as well. Going to have to really give it some thought. Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks Tareq, Charlie and Scott for your thoughts on lenses. I will definitely explore those options before purchasing.

As a side note, if you have not purchased lenses yet, Nikon is rumored to have some lense-only rebates beginning Feb 9. There may be $400 discounted on the 80-400, a lens which I am considering. The 16-35 was seen on a list, but not the 14-24 or 24-70.

Thanks for the heads up Doug. Perfect timing actually, as I was just debating on heading into the city today to have a preliminary look at lenses and cameras. The 80-400 isn't on my radar at this time but the 16-35 still is. I have been leaning a little more towards the 14-24 but those savings just might tip the scales the other way. Perhaps I will hold off for a day and see if the rumors are true.

The Nikon lens rebates are not rumors, they started today.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/10643/great-savings-on-nikon-lenses.html
http://www.adorama.com/pages/Nikon_Lens



I also give a nod towards considering the D610. It's sensor IQ is rated very high by DXO as mentioned. And the detail at 100% is crazy good, and the file size is not the huge size of the D800E's. Personally, that suits me better than the D800E, which of course is great. It all depends on your use and available $$$.

Robert

sorry, I don't know how to make the links clickable - BUT NOW I do, thanks Carey. It's been awhile since I last posted much.

Thanks Robert. I checked the web pages for some of the stores up here in Canada this morning when I got up and they are not listing any rebates as of yet but I did notice some American stores were so perhaps they will do the same over the next few days.

In regards to the D610; definitely considering that camera as an alternative to the D800/e. The reviews have been solid with many recommending it over the D800 if you don't need to print large. I'm already seeing my hard drive space shrink so the smaller files of the 610 does make it appealing and of course with the savings I can buy more .

As of now the only decisions I've made are to get the Nikkor 24-70 and 70-200 lenses.

To make the links "clickable" see this page for more details:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/help.html#section3


Scroll down to the heading "text decorations and links" and about 2/3's into that section you will see the explanation.

Another consideration for you Carey, is to take a look at the Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD . It is very well rated at DXO and some very picky and techy photo types like it better than the Nikon which they feel is in need of a redesign to better match the newer sensors. The Tamron also has vibration control/VC, and about $590 less!
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Tamron-SP-24-70mm-F28-Di-VC-USD-Nikon-on-Nikon-D610-versus-AF-S-Nikkor-24-70mm-f-2.8G-ED-on-Nikon-D610___885_915_175_915

I do BTW have the Nikon 70-200 f4 VR and love it. That focal length is my favorite for landscape extraction and it is as sharp or sharper than the f2.8 version according to DXO and pixel peepers. (And a lot lighter than the f2.8 version too)

Have fun shopping,
Robert

thanks for the instruction on linking - I think I got it down now