best lens on a 7100 for fireworks/night time city shots?

tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
edited November 2013 in D90/D7x00
Hi,

trying to get recommendations on a good lens for night photography. Subject might be the sky/moon, fireworks and city shots. I know that they have lenses that are in the $1800 range, but I just spent that much on the camera and there's NO WAY my wife will go for a lens that pricey. Can anyone recommend an alternative, maybe in the $500 range?

THANKS!
Dave
D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
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Comments

  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    Nikon 10-24mm AF-S Nikkor f/3.5-4.5G DX ED
    Costs about $800 though. You can get the Tamron version for $500, almost as good as the Nikkor.
  • rbrylawskirbrylawski Posts: 222Member
    How about a nice fast prime? The AF-S DX 35mm F1.8 which is about $200 would take great shots of fireworks and it's fast enough to work well in low light.
    Nikon D7100; AF-S DX 35mm f1.8; AF-S DX Macro 40mm f2.8; AF-S DX 18-200mm VRII; SB-700 Speed Light and a bunch of other not very noteworthy stuff......
  • KnockKnockKnockKnock Posts: 398Member
    Used 12-24mm f/4 DX - I see a few at Adorama and BH from $500-800. Aside from that, I second the 35mm f/1.8 DX.
    D7100, D60, 35mm f/1.8 DX, 50mm f/1.4, 18-105mm DX, 18-55mm VR II, Sony RX-100 ii
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    I have done a lot of fireworks pictures and it depends how far you are from the point of explosion. All most all of mine were taken with a Nikkor 17-55mm F/2.8 lens. Very expensive new but you can find these used on eBay for less than $900. Every once in a while I see refurbished ones too.

    The other lens I have used for moon and fireworks is a Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8. The low cost alternative is the 55-200 or the 55-300 or 70-300mm. Think I got these right, may have messed up on the short focal length number. These are much less expensive new and refurbished and used and is an excellent alternative to the expensive 70-200 F/2.8 lens.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
    Ok I'll check in to all these. I heard however that the Tamron doesn't work in automatic mode on the Nikon??

    Thanks!!
    Dave
    D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
  • JakesGTJakesGT Posts: 38Member
    I have the 28 1.8 and I really like that. It's about 700 new
  • kyoshinikonkyoshinikon Posts: 411Member
    10.5mm f/2.8 is what I would recommend. The 50mm f/1.8 is more practical and at a few hundred you probably could grab a 35mm too and still be under $500
    “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” - Bresson
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I'm surprised the other contributors haven't mentioned the Tokina 11-16 f2.8. It out performs the wide DX Nikons and you can get them used for under $500.

    Before we go any further, you need to tell us which body you have so that we know whether you need to be buying lenses with focus motors in, or whether your camera can use those without a focus motor (because the body has it's own focus motor as well).
    Always learning.
  • JakesGTJakesGT Posts: 38Member
    Or the Samyang 14mm 2.8. That's like 350 and dxomark says its sharp especially stopped down some. It's a manual focus lens though, but not a huge deal with something that wide. It's my next lens
  • tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
    Hi spraynpray-I'm not sure what you mean by which body? it's the D7100. Are there different kinds?

    I bought mine as the kit with the 18-140 lens if that helps.

    thanks!!
    Dave
    D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    Dave, You have no problem with the D7100 as it can either use the lenses own motor or it has a separate motor built into the body to cope with old lenses or those without their own motor.

    In that case, you REALLY need to check out the 11-16 f2.8 Tokina.
    Always learning.
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited November 2013
    One of the best lenses, if you want a "normal" lens for the D7100 is Sigma's 35mm f/1.4. It is $500. Here is a shot with the lens on a D4 at 12,800 ISO in a fully red lighted venue

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/9626824825/in/set-72157635282120385

    There are several shots with this lens in the set.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    @msmoto: I thought Sigma was more like $800-$900? Are you seeing it for less?
  • tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
    @Msmoto WOW. fantastic photo! Now, I already have the Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G. I should get this one too?

    I'm just not sure of the difference by those numbers.

    THANKS!!
    Dave
    D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
  • tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
    and I see what @shawnino is saying--I'm seeing it for around $800

    THANKS!!
    D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    No Dave, as you have the 35/1.8, the 35/1.4 will not allow you to do anything that the 1.8 can't. It may have better IQ (image quality), but until you can use your gear without thinking about it, I suggest you use what you've got and learn from it.

    Peachpit press does books in the series 'snapshots to great shots' for each body type so I suggest you look for the D7100 edition and buy it - it should help you a fair bit.
    Always learning.
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    Dave--

    what else do you already have in your bag? Maybe you already have something that will do the business well.

    (S-n-P is spot on: nobody needs more than one 35mm prime lens. Some people have more than one, but at this stage it's more important to get versatility with focal lengths.)

  • kyoshinikonkyoshinikon Posts: 411Member
    edited November 2013
    I thought about the 11-16mm... It is a good lens but I thought those run $700ish on average...

    35mm's Gotta collect em all!
    Post edited by kyoshinikon on
    “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” - Bresson
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    35 is too long unless you are a long way back, but the 18-140 would be fine in most cases. The OP wants an ultrawide and I see the Tok at £295 buy it now or offer on eBay (used) and cheaper if you want to bid.
    Always learning.
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited November 2013
    @shawnino

    OMG, I was totally incorrect…Sigma 35 price is $900…….mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

    OK, used 10.5 like kyoshinikon suggested…. $400-500 on eBay.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • tiCreativeMediatiCreativeMedia Posts: 81Member
    HAHAHA!!! awesome.

    no biggie, but I'll check... these are all great suggestions... thanks for chiming it!!
    D7100, 35mm 1:1.8G, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
  • BesoBeso Posts: 464Member
    @tiCreativeMedia - Your original question discusses uses which vary greatly and require lenses with different focal lengths to get the best performance. The 35mm is a great lens for fireworks and a lot of city shots but if you want to shoot the moon you will want a much longer lens. If you want to shoot a starry sky you will probably find something in the 15-21mm range is ideal. While most of us would love to have something that enabled us to shoot virtually anything with one or two lenses, the reality is as our skills grow we begin to see the value of the specific lenses for specific purposes. One option that I will always recommend is to go rent a lens that you think will meet your needs and try it out. Renting can be relatively inexpensive and gives you the opportunity of real world testing prior to making the actual investment. Good luck!
    Occasionally a decent image ...
  • ianekeianeke Posts: 1Member
    Personally I would either go for the Nikkor 10-24, Sigma 10-20 or the Tokina 11-16. The Tokina is the fastest and sharpest of them all, but suffers from glare a lot. The Sigma is great value for money, the Nikkor is superior in terms of (corner) sharpness.
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I think you need to just get out and try your 18-140 on a tripod Dave. I am sure that you will get as good results with that as you will with any of the lenses recommended - fireworks are about technique more than gear, and you will need a tripod for any fireworks photography.
    Always learning.
  • Vipmediastar_JZVipmediastar_JZ Posts: 1,708Member
    edited November 2013
    +1 for sigma 10-20. I used to own it and it was great with the d7k. I didn't shoot much fireworks really but it also depends where you are for location.



    http://gearshop.dpreview.com/sigma-10-20mm-f-4-5-6-ex-dc-hsm-lens-nikon-f-mount/dp/B00BPHS2DY?childAsin=B0007U00XK
    Post edited by Vipmediastar_JZ on
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