Lens & Equipment Purchase Questions

[Laurie]

Instead of creating 2 threads i thought i would consolidate them into 1 thread with 2 main questions:

1.
I am still undecided on which lens to get for my trip to NY later on this year.
i have narrowed it down to the follow 3 lens'

Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor

Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor

Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G

The order as they appear is my preference's

What I want to know is does anyone have any pictures from the 12-24 and the 17-35? I want some sample pictures to compare.

Is the 17-35 wide enough to shoot landscapes and buildings? It is definitely faster and this is a big factor.

The 12-24 maybe too wide, especially for the impromptu portrait.

2:
Where (online) can i get a Rocket Blower & a Bubble Level that slides into my hotshoe. - Preferably from the same site, to save on shipping.

[MCWB]

Laurie, the Nikkor 12-24 DX costs more than 3rd party offerings such as the Tokina 12-24, Sigma 10-20 and 12-24 and produces similar or inferior results.

The 17-35/17-55DX/28-70 debate has been done at least a few different times on this forum, so if you've got time I'd have a search around and a long read. The basic conclusion is that they are all good and each one has its pluses and minuses, so choose the one that suits your shooting needs best!

[Glen]

Laurie, save your money and buy your wife an expensive present instead.

oops, sorry, thought my wife was going to come into the room. I agree with Trent. Think the 12-24 range is most useful for travelling, it would be my first purchase, assuming you have a kit lens or similar.

[skyva]

I had the kit 18-70mm in New York and would have liked wider. The buildings are huge and you cannot get far enough away from them. Of course for other shots 24mm is too wide so you need to swap lenses. I have the tokina 12-24mm now and am happy with it, although I have not tried the nikon equivalent.
A 12-24 paired with a 28-70 would be a good combo.
I have to say my favorite lens is the 70-200mm vr, but I tend to have the kit lens on the most.
From what I have read the 17-55 is of variable quality, so if you are able to test it in store to make sure you are happy with it then I would go for that one.

[Laurie]

Laurie, save your money and buy your wife an expensive present instead.

oops, sorry, thought my wife was going to come into the room. I agree with Trent. Think the 12-24 range is most useful for travelling, it would be my first purchase, assuming you have a kit lens or similar.

I dont have a wife, and if i did, I wouldnt buy her anything

I had the kit 18-70mm in New York and would have liked wider. The buildings are huge and you cannot get far enough away from them. Of course for other shots 24mm is too wide so you need to swap lenses. I have the tokina 12-24mm now and am happy with it, although I have not tried the nikon equivalent.
A 12-24 paired with a 28-70 would be a good combo.
I have to say my favorite lens is the 70-200mm vr, but I tend to have the kit lens on the most.
From what I have read the 17-55 is of variable quality, so if you are able to test it in store to make sure you are happy with it then I would go for that one.

do you have any photos i could look at? both of NY and with the 12-24?
sounds like the 12-24 is the way to go, just a decision between the Tokina & Simga.
thanks guys

[Glen]

Laurie, I have the Sigma, for travelling I would go the Tokina, compare the size and weight, Sigma is much bigger

[big pix]

18-200 would be perfect........

[Dargan]

I agree with BigPix

I have the 12-24 and it is a landscape lens plus good for quirky shots. It is no good for picking out an item from a crowd while travelling in bumpy transport for example. The 18-200 VR is an all round good lens for travel and everyday use. Unless you want to photograph the Grand Canyon of course

[apsilon]

I have both the 18-200 and 12-24 and gree the 18-200 is a much better travel lens. The 12-24 is great for landscapes while the 18-200 can handle landscapes and pretty much everything else as well.

This may not be a popular suggestion with some but if you're going to NY consider ordering the lens from B&H and picking it up as soon as you arrive. It'll be cheaper than local and if you buy the USA stock you get international warranty.

[Steffen]

A few months back I had narrowed down my search to the 17-35 f/2.8 and the 17-55 f/2.8. If offered a very good deal I would have taken a 17-55 f/3.5-5.6, too. I ended up getting the 18-200 It is by far the most versatile lens I've ever used. My sensor stays clean for a long time now

Cheers
Steffen.