Automotive photography lens?

[Argent]

Ok - with the possible sale of my D50 (I sweetened the deal by adding my 18-135) and the soon to be addition of a D200 - I'll need to replace my short lens with something else by January (when I'll be shooting the Detroit Autoshow again)

Looking for suggestions in the sub-$500 range (new or used doesn't matter)

 

[cotdt]

usually wide angle lens is used, with a polarizer, like a sigma 10-20

 

[Ewout_vB]

Personally I prefer a longer lens on car shots (but you need a lot of room compared to using a wide angle) -- I like my 70-300vr for it.

 

[Argent]

usually wide angle lens is used, with a polarizer, like a sigma 10-20

That's why I liked my 18-135 (which does have a polarizer on it) because at wide out I could stand closer to the car and get the whole thing in or I could zoom for close-ups of detail....

Personally I prefer a longer lens on car shots (but you need a lot of room compared to using a wide angle) -- I like my 70-300vr for it.

Problem is even though it's during press week - it's still easier to shoot closer with a wide angle...I may just get another 18-135 - but I figured maybe there was something better/newer tech to look at first.

 

[Ewout_vB]

Problem is even though it's during press week - it's still easier to shoot closer with a wide angle...I may just get another 18-135 - but I figured maybe there was something better/newer tech to look at first.

Without a doubt! I just like how you can make the car pop out well with a long lens :smile:.

 

[slipstream]

What about a Sig 18-50 2.8?

 

[timkoo]

Tamron 17-50?
More discussion here - https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=176700

If 18 was wide enough for you, this would do the trick. It can focus fairly close too at 50 to capture the details.

 

[LDB415]

16-85VR maybe?

 

[Uncle Frank]

I like wide angle for car pictures. I used to use my 20mm f/2.8 prime lens.

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These days a 12-24 allows me to use perspective distortion creatively.

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[Michael]

I used a Tokina 12-24 for this one.

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[Nuteshack]

without a flash u want some speed, especially on the d200...my vote -> sig 30 1.4

@f2

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:Love:

 

[Argent]

Nice shots Nute

I was looking at the 50 1.8 - but don't think that would get me wide enough

What about like a Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC HSM Macro

anyone used one of these?

 

[DJVCuda]

I use an 80-200 f2.8 & my 18-135 for most shoots.
here is the 18-135.

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[DJVCuda]

these are with the 80-200 f2.8

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[Argent]

Thanks Dave - I've been shooting the Autoshow with the 18-135 and I may just pick up another copy of it after I sell mine.

 

[LDB415]

Thanks Dave - I've been shooting the Autoshow with the 18-135 and I may just pick up another copy of it after I sell mine.

Why sell a lens just to buy another of the same? Presumably yours is defective somehow?

 

[Argent]

No mines not defective - I'm selling it as a package with my D50 (so I can finance my D200 upgrade) since I've been shooting exclusively with my 300 F/4 since I got it, the 18-135 has sat in my bag (which is why I was looking for something to replace it before January when the Autoshow comes back around)

My D50 may sell to a fellow photographer who wants to move from film to digital (none of her current film SLR lens will work on a Nikon body) so to 'sweeten' the deal, instead of selling just the body to her - I decided I could let my 18-135 go for now as well. As it turns out - if she takes the D50 and the 18-135 - she also wants my 70-300 (which is also for sale)

Thus clearning out my kit and leaving me with a D200, a 300 F/4 and my SB600

 

[Uncle Frank]

No mines not defective - I'm selling it as a package with my D50

Makes perfect sense to me. In order to sell my d70 at a reasonable price, I had to package it with my favorite walk-around lens... the 28-105/3.5-4.5. The day after I sold the kit, I began shopping for a replacement 28-105.

 

[Argent]

I was thinking a prime - but not sure I want to pin myself down by not having at least some zoom on my short glass

fast glass would be nice - but the shows pretty well lit - and when it's not I have my SB600 as well

*shrug*