Need advice on value of some NIKON gear.

[blackD200]

Now moving to the digital world, ( got a D200 n just bought a AF80-200 F2.8ED) and now need to fund a 17-55 f2.8 so am prob gonna have to let go of some of my older gear - anyone know how much the following may sell ;

:: NIKON F90
:: AF NIKKOR 35-70 F2.8D
:: AF NIKKOR 75-300 F4.5-5.6 - full metal made in japan unlike plastic 70-300

other non NIKON items
:: MAKINON 2X teleconverter
:: Sekonic Flashmate - lightmeter
:: METZ 45 CT-4

Both F90 & 35-70 was cleaned & serviced by MAXWELL 3months ago - optics of lens practically new. I see that the 35-70 are still available new for about $1400 - how much do they go second hand...

Not 100% sure if I should sell them - I guess if they aint worth much then I'd prob just hang on to them. Have had many good times with these gear

Any advice would be great - thanks guys.

[Ivanerrol]

IMHO

Both of those lens work very well on the DSLR's. notwithstanding the FOV crop factor.
Ebay values for those lenses are in the range of $ 250- 400 for the 35-70 and $ 175-300 for the 75-210.
The F90 may bring as low as $ 100 and you maybe lucky to get over $ 200.
Even F4's are now in the $ 300's

Different weeks bring varied selling prices.

Personally I would buy a lower cost DSLR such as the D80 and keep those two lenses. A reasonable alternative to the 17-55 is the DX Kit lens 18-70 or the 18-55. Even the full frame 18-35 is a reasonable substitute for the 17-55 on DX.

[Yi-P]

Keep all those stuffs, you wont be getting much back as Ivan said.

Maybe you should keep on shooting with those gears until you really decide that the 17-55 is your choice of lens.

Digital and the older 135 format is different and your taste of lenses and shooting style may change accordingly...

[daniel_r]

Now moving to the digital world, ( got a D200 n just bought a AF80-200 F2.8ED) and now need to fund a 17-55 f2.8 so am prob gonna have to let go of some of my older gear - anyone know how much the following may sell ;

:: NIKON F90
:: AF NIKKOR 35-70 F2.8D
:: AF NIKKOR 75-300 F4.5-5.6 - full metal made in japan unlike plastic 70-300

Instead of purchasing the 17-55/2.8, why not keep the 35-70/2.8 and pick yourself up one of the fantastic 17-35/2.8 Nikkors?

The 35-70/2.8 is a great lens, and not much off the pace of the 28-70 at all. (others... if you're looking at the 28-70 but it's a bit out of reach, the 35-70 is a really good affordable alternative!). The 35-70/2.8 is also smaller than the 17-55/2.8 and 28-70/2.8

I can see a nice kit line-up: 17-35/2.8, 35-70/2.8, 80-200/2.8.
It's a DX-free lineup, keeping your options open (should you keep the F90 around for a bit of occasional film work / backup body) etc.

Of course this all depends on what you want to shoot

[blackD200]

thanks for the advice guys.

Personally I would buy a lower cost DSLR such as the D80 and keep those two lenses. A reasonable alternative to the 17-55 is the DX Kit lens 18-70 or the 18-55. Even the full frame 18-35 is a reasonable substitute for the 17-55 on DX.

I have a D200 already and prefer it than the D80 =) I also have the 18-70 D70 Kit lens, but i find it lacking that extra speed on lowlight situations. I also find that the 75-300 a little slow especially on the 200mm range at f5.6. -- of course this is when shooting natural light.

I'm planning to shoot events and mostly weddings. Will also be doing studio work for family portraits.

During weddings is where i find i need that extra speed.
The 35-70 is a brilliant fast lens - just not wide enough after the crop factor. I would prefer the 17-55 over the 17-35, many tests show that they are quite close - the 17-55 just gives me that little extra zoom and to close the gap for the 80-200...

I can see a nice kit line-up: 17-35/2.8, 35-70/2.8, 80-200/2.8.
It's a DX-free lineup, keeping your options open (should you keep the F90 around for a bit of occasional film work / backup body) etc.

Inetresting line up - I like the thought of DX free ???- I will keep this in mind - I just saw a 17-35mm sell on eBay for $680 - maybe i should have placed my bid....

The reason for servicing the F90 and the 35-70mm was to keep it as backup incase the D200 craps itsef on an event. But the F90 and D200 are so far apart - i'm actually thinking of just getting another digital body like a second hand D70 or D70s...

I'll keep shooting with the 18-70 and the 80-200 for the time being till i get more serious into it and get some more funds...

thanks again for the info guys....

[Traveller130]

Besides being slightly green with your D200 (can't quite convince management of the $2500 investment), I'd suggest you consider a couple of prime lenses. I am looking through THAT AUCTION SITE at the moment for some used Nikon glass. I've just got a 60mm micro, and was blown away by its sharpness and contrast. It will make a great portrait lens (90mm eq with a 1.5 crop factor) and for macro stuff in the studio.
It's MUCH better than the DX 17-80 kit lens, and only cost me $350. So hold on to your old glass (at least your 35-70 2.. If you want the extra reach of the 300mm, consider a 1.4 teleconverter to your 80-200, you will get the same reach for 1 stop slower.
Cheers
Bo

[marcotrov]

I agree with Daniel the 35-70 is a great lens and does indeed give you a good line up. I have both the 37-70 and the 17-35. Terrific bith of them
cheers
marco

[Reschsmooth]

I am in the opposite corner - I have the 17-35 (fantastic lens - the 1.5 crop makes it almost a great standard lens) and the 80-200 (2. plus the 50 1.8. I have kept an eye out for the 35-70 as it is generally a quarter or less of the price of the 28-70, and it would cover me from 17-200 (except for the gap between 70 - 80). The only thing holding me back is trying to avoid spending too much money at the moment. So, I will trade you your 35-70 for my appreciation?

Also, I bought a f90x a few months ago, with MB-10 battery pack/grip for a shade over $200 - so there isn't any value in them any more.

P

[Matt. K]

Don't underestimate that 35-70 2.8D. They are excellent lenses and very useful as a walk-around lens. For those just getting into DSLRs I would grab that lens.

[blackD200]

So, I will trade you your 35-70 for my appreciation?
Also, I bought a f90x a few months ago, with MB-10 battery pack/grip for a shade over $200 - so there isn't any value in them any more.
P

ummm.. I think i would prefer $$$ to be used to fund another lens

Yeah i didnt think the F90 will be worth much, I would rather keep it than let it go for less than 200 bucks...

there is no doubt the 35-70 is a brilliant lens, it just isnt wide enough for my liking and needs.

The more advice I get from you guys the more I'm starting to really like the idea of the 17-35, 35-70, 80-200. DX free kit...

[Reschsmooth]

The more advice I get from you guys the more I'm starting to really like the idea of the 17-35, 35-70, 80-200. DX free kit...

Even ignoring the potential for a full-frame Nikon DSLR, the beauty is that the kit transfers beautifully from the D200 to F90(x). I was meeting up with some friends last Friday night at the Rocks, and wanted to take some shots around the old pub. Now, I knew I would be having a beer or two, so didn't want to take the D200. So, the F90x worked perfectly and I had no concerns about safety or drunken camera spills in the rain.

P

[blackD200]

The more advice I get from you guys the more I'm starting to really like the idea of the 17-35, 35-70, 80-200. DX free kit...

Even ignoring the potential for a full-frame Nikon DSLR, the beauty is that the kit transfers beautifully from the D200 to F90(x). I was meeting up with some friends last Friday night at the Rocks, and wanted to take some shots around the old pub. Now, I knew I would be having a beer or two, so didn't want to take the D200. So, the F90x worked perfectly and I had no concerns about safety or drunken camera spills in the rain.

P

wouldnt even dare lugging the D200 for pub meetups
I usually bring a small point and shoot(pentax) for those moments.

I think at this stage - am looking for the 17-35.. I'm keeping the F90 and the 35-70 =) seems like a waste if theyre only worth a couple of hundred bucks...

thanks for the advice fellows...

[Ordinary K]

I can see a nice kit line-up: 17-35/2.8, 35-70/2.8, 80-200/2.8.

Snap!

I've been using those three as my lead lenses since I rejoined the SLR world in February. The line-up works really well.

This isn't important for most folk, but:
I *LOVE* being able to change aperture using the aperture ring - much faster, more accurate and frees up a command dial for buttonless access to exposure compensation. I couldn't do that with the 17-55G (or any G series lens).

FWIW I was told my old F90X+MB10+MF26 *might* fetch $300 - so I shoved a redundant 20mm f2.8 on the front and have it hanging from the ceiling as "modern art"...

HTH