Recommended Lenses - Professional
Lenses are the make-or-break component in a camera system; you can have the best camera body, sensor and electronics in the business and it can all be wasted with the wrong lens choice. Here we discuss some of the best optics on offer, but we’ll be avoiding the real specialist “exotics” such as that 600mm monster.
The “Professional” Choice
First things first - these lenses do not come cheap, nor for the most part are they small nor light. They do, however, represent the absolute pinnacle of Nikon’s current lens designs.
Standard Zoom: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor
This really is the “bread and butter” lens of many a working pro; the right focal lengths for most jobs, combined with a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. This new model improves on the older 28-70mm at the wide end (24mm is rather wider than 28mm, enough to make an important difference in many cases), and feature’s Nikons new Nano Crystal coating.
Alternatives: The Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8.
Wide Angle Zoom: Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF
It used to be difficult to find a truly high quality wide-angle lens. With the recent introduction of this, Nikon’s amazing 14-24 f/2.8 zoom, that all changed. This miracle of lens design is, quite simply, incredible - it’s as sharp (often sharper) than any prime lens that falls within it’s range. If you need to go wide without compromise, this is the lens to have.
It’s bulbous front element unfortunately precludes the use of any filters (there isn’t even space for a rear filter), which could be a problem for some. However, nothing comes close to this lens for results.
Alternatives: The Nikon AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8.
Telephoto Zoom: Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 ED-IF AF-S VR ZOOM-NIKKOR
Nikon’s most modern lens in this focal length, it was introduced when DX reigned supreme. It’s still a great lens, though some have found cause to complain about it’s resolution in the corners - not really a problem for portraits and sports, but a definite issue for landscape work. We feel this lens is likely to be updated soon (it’s a 5 year old design), but in the meantime there’s no other first-party lens in this range with AF-S and VR, which we think are must-haves. If you’re concerned about the possible corner quality, we’d recommend that you check this lens out in a store before buying.
Alternatives: The Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D (no AF-S nor VR)
| Photos of the D700 ——> |
July 27th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I really miss the touch & feel of the focusing rings on the old Ai-s primes… How do Ai-s lenses perform on an FX sensor?
August 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Probably the best alternative for the 70-200 ƒ2.8 AF-S VR is the 80-200 ƒ2.8 AF-S. One might be able to find it, used, for under a grand.
Also, listing the 17-35 as an “alternative” to the 14-24 is a mistake. The 14-24 is specifically an ultra-wide angle zoom; it’s huge, heavy, and does not take filters. The 17-35, on the other hand, is a very-wide to -wide zoom, takes filters, and is quite a different beast.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
AI-S lenses work great on FX, well they work well mechanically. Most do the same exceeding good job they did on film, but FX doesn’t improve lesser designs. Check out reviews for lenses you’d like to use.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
For telephoto, why not the 70-300mm instead? In fact, Sigma’s lens may be better than Nikkor’s for that.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Nikon 24-70mm very super good!!!!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I have a D700 and a F5, as well as the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 VR, and have found both of the lenses perform very well indeed, the 24-70 is just stunning. Yes the 70-200 came out while Nikon was using the DX format, BUT the F5 was still also in production and the lens was clearly also intended for use with it.
I have read a lot of “reviews” of both lenses and have formed the opinion that by all means read them, but the only real way is to actually use them. As for Sigma products I do intend to buy one of their lenses soon as the Nikon alternative is way too expensive, nearly as much as I paid for all of my other Nikon kit. However I’m not too sure it will be used with the F5 which is quite brutal when it comes to focusing, also I’m really not expecting the performance to come close to the Nikkors, indeed all the “reviews” I’ve read suggest as much.
November 15th, 2008 at 6:19 am
how about 17-55mm f/2.8 ?
December 5th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Is the Nikon 70-200mmf2.8V.R.a DX lens or will it fit on a D700 without any loss?
December 16th, 2008 at 5:42 am
pdeek,
the 17-55 f/2.8 is a DX lens meaning it covers essentially the same range as the 24-70 f/2.8 but on the D700 only the center of the sensor is used which results in 5mp pics.
Jasper,
the 70-200 vr is not a dx lens. You lose nothing on the D700.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I think also the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is one of the best lenses I ever used and what I like the most about it; is its capabilities to be used for portraits other than its Micro capabilities
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor…is it a Dx Lens or an Fx lens. I am very confused which are the right lenses for D700 where in I dont get a 5mp pics.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
all dx lenses will have D marked
March 25th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I would say the 17-35mm 2.8 and the 50mm 1.2 are more ‘pro’ lenses. Ive heard the 24-70 is more prone to vignetting and the mount is not as well made (I almost bought it but did alot of research) the 80-200 2.8 is a given ofcourse.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:28 am
hi
thinking of buying the d700
can i use some of my old FILM lenses
i use to have a f100 with 24-85mm f3.5 afs lense
can i use this lense on the d700
i use to get really good results with this
May 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I’m lucky enough to own all the above lenses with a D700 and I have to say they are each utterly amazing in their own way. Expensive but worth it, heavy but worth it, my only problems are my nervousness in carrying them around with me in public on a shoot, as thats a whole lot of lenses and a whole lotta money (for me anyhows!).
They are each so good at their own task that i couldnt pick a favourite. The order i bought was 70-200, then the 24-70 and finally the 14-24. I might be tempted to buy an 85 tilt shift just to complete the set.
May 25th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
hope Nikon comes up with similar lens like 18-200 for FX
June 8th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
For my Nikon D700 (FX) i am not able to find a wide angle lens. I am left out with only one choise
i.e. SIGMA’s 18-250 lens
Anyone suggest if there is a better alternative in Nikkor lenses range.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
After many happy years of using my AF Nikkor 80 - 200mm 2.8 D lens on a Nikon D2x, mounting such ultra sharp zoom on my D700 is like being blessed with a ‘match made in Heaven’!!! These lens and body combination plus my old trusty 24mm 2.8 on the D2x are my ‘walk around’ toys and they never failed me. There will be lenses and more lenses but at the end of the day, its how these lenses capture beauty in RAW file. Happiness is a ‘fast’ lens!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am
Hi all great site. looking to upgarde from my D2X workhorse to the D700. I shoot rugby union and the iso above 800 is really shite on the D2x.Is the focusing just as fast or faster than the D2x and has anyone used a 300mm 2.8 with the D700?
Cheers Jeremy
July 16th, 2009 at 3:46 am
About an earlier comment, the 24-70 f2.8 is an FX lens. I have one and I love it on my D700! It is one of the three or four sharpest lenses I have ever used over the past 40 years. Also all lenses made for the DX line of cameras are marked “DX” not D. D (without the X) on a lense means that the lens sends distance information to the camera for flash purposes etc.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
To Neelesh
Nikon 28-200mm is FX alternative to 18-200 DX, small, light but it has been discontinued!
Profheesh
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 am
Have never, ever, owned a zoom lens.
Have all my Nikon prime lenses ready for digital use … someday.
Unfortunately, the D700 and the D300 are the only choices available.
None of the newer Nikon bodies allow the meter to work with AIS lenses.
In the “real world”, how big a visual difference is there between the two bodies?
If shot in RAW format, on a tripod, with a 55 Micro, or a 105 Micro, and blown up to 16 x 20, would you be able to detect a significant difference from 2 feet away?
Auto focus isn’t needed for my purposes, nor is a super fast motor drive.
Aside from the larger sensor, and how if affects focal length, is a D700 worth all the extra money?
August 8th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Update, Nikon did make a 80-200 F 2.8 with AF-S I have one.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
the difference between the d300 and d700 is huge at anything higher than iso 400.
the d300 is great when you need the crop factor like when using a bird lens (300mm or more)
i can take high shutter speed pics at a night rodeo at iso 64,000 with the d700 and nikkor 80-200f2.8 lens and they come out great.
darrin
October 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
You can use AIS lens with either d300 or d700. I have 50mm 1.4 AIS and after register it to my D300, it works fine except for no AF. I love my D300 and even I know D700 is better but I will wait for may be D700x with 24mp FX.
January 11th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I have the D300, D700 and the Canon 5d mark II. IMHO the D700 is superior to the D300 even at ISO200 due to much less colour shadow noise, images are simply much cleaner, which I find is more important than resolution. The 5DMark II is superior to the D700 only up to 800 ISO, and the difference is not that great. You will need lots of time loading and processing these gigantic files from the 21 Mp.
January 31st, 2010 at 10:32 am
Sir,
Can you tell us when D 700X with 24mp Fx may be intoduce in the Market.
Awaiting your reply,
Regards,
Mohinder
February 7th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Has anyone tried fixed focal lenses on D700.
E.g. Nikkor 35mm f2, 85mm f1.8, and etc.
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 am
Yes, in addition to the zooms mentioned at the beginning of this thread, I use the Nikon 105mm f/2.0D AF DC-Nikkor Lens for portraits, and the 50mm f/1.4G Nikkor AF-S lenses with my D700. They are both spectacular, and the 105mm is legendary for portraiture work, with excellent bokeh and an interesting ‘defocus’ control ring. Google them!
April 14th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I’m using three lenses for my D700, the 14-24, 70-200, and instead of going for the 24-70, I went for the 50 1.4f. More luminous, exceptionaly narrow depth of field, that lens will round out a low light kit much better.
April 26th, 2010 at 3:15 am
My 3 most favorite lenses with the d700 for portrait work are the 80-200 af-d, 85mm 1.4, and 50mm af-s 1.4. A distant 4th place is my 24-70mm 2.8. There is something very magical with the 80-200mm even over the 85 1.4. I have been using all 3 for about a year now and I know the reputation of the 85 1.4 but the 80-200 is tac sharp and alot more flexible.
Best wishes always,
Modelschoicephotography
May 12th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I use AF Nikkor 50mm f1.4D on my D700 and it produces superb images. AF is faster than when fitted on my D80
August 5th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
i got nikon D700 i am using 24 - 120 nikkor lenses
i would like to have one more for zoom option if i go for 70 - 200 then its alright or any other suggestions
any super wide angel lenses suggestion please
August 12th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I prefer using prime lens on D700. 55 f/1.2 AIS, 85 f/1.4 AIS, 35 f/2 AF-D, 180 f/2.8 AF-D. They really shine on D700 with rather low weight and perfect for ambient light shooting.
August 13th, 2010 at 1:25 am
I currently own a D80 with the following lenses:
Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED IF AF-S VR
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D
I was often considering to upgrade to D700 and go for only 14-24mm
Will that make sense? Just looking for some experts’ advice.
August 14th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Ashish> If and when you notice the 24-120 lens is not good enough for your needs (extremely soft wide open at either end) I would recommend you take a look at the following zoom lenses:
18-35mm f/3.5-4.5
24-85 f/3.5-4.5 AF-S G
80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D
These cover pretty much all the focal lengths you could ever use, and on an extremely good budget. If, of course, money is no object, then by now you should already know what the ‘magic three’ Nikon lenses are for FX….
Otherwise, I would always, always recommend looking at primes. They teach a lot more about composition and framing than you could ever learn with a zoom lens.
Good luck!