So here's the latest. I'm offering $1,400 for the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and $600 for the Nikon 105m f/2.8 Micro both two yrs. old, no warranty, but little use. Vs purchasing new 5 yr. warranty, I called Nikon, for $788 more, $2,788 new B&H. Because droppage is not covered anyway, and its a quality lens, that discount may be a good balance in the hand of my daughter's enjoyment.
I've come a long way form the UWA Tacomia with all the kind comments from you all. This would move her up in quality and offer two separate avenues of use, Bugs and Flowers... and everything else.
Colin Southern, regarding Singh-Ray would the new Vari-N-Do be a better option to the Vari-ND? Or would it be better to purchase these type filters separatly?
I think your daughter will be very happy with all the hard work you have put in for her.
Your call Andrew. For what it's worth, they offered a duo to me when I placed an additional order for the regular Vari-ND, but I turned down the kind offer. Try as I might, I've never found CP filters to be useful, but that might just be me. As I see it, all of my landscapes are commercial works for sale - as such I want the best possible quality - and thus I'm usually shooting into the light at the right time of day -- and thus a CP filter doesn't actually do anything.
Coin, do you mind me asking what a "CP" filter is?
So simply use a UV and top it with Vign-Ray Vari-N?
I found it circular polarized. Thanks Colin
Just visited you face-book site. Like your words and the Bridge picture! Thanks again for all your comments.
Last edited by Betterbirdie; 8th December 2012 at 11:29 PM.
Glad you like it Full gallery at www.pbase.com/cjsouthern
Can anyone tell me how to check out used camera lenses when being purchased from an individual. I plan to take our camera to see if it takes pictures. But is there a check list to go through...
I have skipped a few reply to express one of my 'pet' things. I use a lenshood rather than a filter to protect my lens, though I might buy one if I knew I was going into a dangerous situation such as dust sandy environment or shooting close to a arc welder.
As you gather the lens is a special lens and when I want the wide view I stitch two or more overlaping frames ...I do not use the wide end of my zoom for this but a moderately long focal length. I don't need to do this often and the last time I shot at around 85-90mm Angle of View with the idea of cutting out the uninteresting foreground and sky that a WA lens would give me.
So I simply do not see the need for a WA for landscape which I don't take very often. On similar threads several people have said they use their longer lenses on the basis that photography is about 'selection' rather than 'Get it all in' GIAI is a common failing with newcomers to photography as they do not understand selection and shoot loosely becuase they don't see the 'shot' when they take it. Some professionals shoot loosely so the shot can be used in different formats for various purposes but that is a side effect of doing it as a business and preferably not for others.
I just pulled out my daughters camera and ran through some of the test with our 70-200. The third "this" was the best for me.
PS. I thought I'd contribute for the first time. I had to use a flash light during a couple of the test and thought I'd mention a great find I made a year ago. Check out the flashlight mfg. "4Sevens" for an assortment of lights that can be used for many different occasions. A local GA Tech grad. started this company here in GA. I hope it's OK to mention things like this on the Forum.
Ho Ho Ho Santa is done. Met the seller at an authorized Nikon Warranty shop who tested the lens with a good grade, no problems. A 77mm Tiffen UV filter was attached. Shop did not charge anything for review. I also purchase new a Singn Ray 77mm Vari-ND filter on a little special offer of free shipping, a lens cap, a bottle of lens cleaner, and a CD about Singh-Ray.
Thanks everyone! I'll introduce my daughter to this web site and hope she will post her pictures and learn more about photography! Merry Christmas
Last edited by Betterbirdie; 13th December 2012 at 06:14 PM. Reason: Follow up action