[Aaron Otto]

Temperature check, how is everyone coming along here?

Thanks,
a

[Aaron Otto]

Aaron, Great choice on equipment and lenses! You really do need to put that 24-70. In the mean time, get a 1.4 or 1.7 teleconverter to use on that 70-200 VR.

Also keep this in mind: You have a great portrait lens in your bag, don’t let the title profile fool you because that 105VR is also an excellent portrait lens!

To be perfectly honest with you, I would keep that D40 and use it.

If you start looking at hot shoe strobes, go for the SB800 as the SB900 really is not worth the extra $200.00.

Thanks Ben, another serious set of sound advice.  So I think I’m headed in the direction your suggesting.  

First, I have been using the 1.7 tele with the 105 for shots like this

I’ve strapped it on to the 70-200 as well.  Even with the MD-10 (I think that is it the extra battery pack) there is a lot of battery drain.  As well as tons of search going on when I use the tele. Images seem to be clean though, shot this a couple weeks back with the 200 and 1.7 tele.

As far as the D40 is concerned, I pretty much gave that body to a friend of mine, he couldn’t afford to make the upgrade to digital from film.   I’m now using a D300 and plan to do the field work with it and use the 700 like you suggested.  I think that’s a smart move? Eitherway I know I need two bodies at least. Traveling a lot and shooting over water, it just makes sense.

I have the 800, but not wireless yet.  Seems like I keep finding myself in positions where I need to be wireless, especially in midday stuff.  Bad sun shadows under hat brims etc.  

Truly appreciate your direction here, Ben.  You have no idea how reassuring it is to know that I’m doing a couple of the things that folks like you and the others think is the right path.  Without everyone’s help here, I would be lost.

[Aaron Otto]

Congrats on the new toys- always fun.

I have the 105 VR and I think you will enjoy it.  

There is a good comparison of the nikon lens lineup old and new here-

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

Thanks a ton for the link .

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks David, just ordered this:

NIKON 50MM F/1.4D AF LENS

I looked at the 24-70MM and it’s about $1700 for the AF-S ED.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks David,

So here’s the kit so far;

70-200vr 2.8 AF-S ED Nikkor
105VR Macro – NIkkor
the lens I just ordred.

I have a few other lenses, but a friend of mine switching from film to digital, and couldn’t afford the transition, has on permanent loan- everything else I own, including a D40 body I started on.

[Aaron Otto]

Neal- that is freeg’n sweet!

[Aaron Otto]

Sorry David, this was the lens, copied and pasted it out of the order email;

[Aaron Otto]

Good thoughts Will.  I actually was moving in another direction with my question, but as you helped me see, my scope wasn’t big enough.  

I read this thread about a dozen times from start to finish.  I decided to stay with Nikon, and ordered a D700 today.  I also ordered the 12-22 AFS DX 2.8.  I was delusional thinking that a new brand would give me what I was after.  Time behind the lens, is the only answer.

So with that framework, I need to start the build on lenses.  I’ve got two or three primary subjects.  At thirty, I know I don’t have the talent or time to do what Dave A, amongst others, do, and further more an absence of potential to start with.   I’m okay with it, I enjoy taking pictures, so that works for me.

So the next logical step is, how do I build a kit for my areas of interest?
1. Fishing
2. Outdoors/wildlife
3. Landscapes.
4. Portrait -But, not critical, because I hate being dragged into every relative’s house to do senior pictures.  Seems in the last year I’ve taken pictures for every graduation, family holiday, and special event, I ever care to do for anyone related to me.  I keep telling people, “I suck.” why would you want me to take your picture.  The free factor outweighs my lack of skill, I guess.

Anyways,  If you were to build a kit around those interests, what would it be?  

Thank you Will for helping me steer to a more narrow focus, did I mention I’m Adult ADD?? Pretty sure you figured that out already.

A

[Aaron Otto]

Way cool Matt.

[Aaron Otto]

Reading through this thread, I think it warrents a new direction.

[Aaron Otto]

Awesome! that kid is going to be a stick!

[Aaron Otto]

Chad,

Been doing a lot of reading, seems there a few benifits from going bigger; faster motor, more mega pixels amongst others that are drawing me to it.

[Aaron Otto]

M,

I carry something with me all the time, but for some reason whenever I go fishing I double check my pocket, to make sure it’s with me.

[Aaron Otto]

Set up a fair alert on Travelocity for all places you plan on flying, set your filter to a $200 max. Sends you email the minute that criteria is made.

[Aaron Otto]

Aaron,

My flies are almost finished, but I didn’t recieve a PM with your address.

-Mark L.

In your PM – thanks.
a

[Aaron Otto]

.

My mom bought all the copies of American Angler off the news stand when they ran a photo of mine in the last issue! I don’t  know if I’ll ever understand a mother’s pride.

Thanks everyone. Chad- to both you and your mom’s credit, that was one of the coolest shots I’ve seen come through here since I joined.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks for your diligence guys. It’s appreciated. Excited, to see, what you come up with.

a

[Aaron Otto]

check your PM .
a

[Aaron Otto]

Yep, I took a bunch of the shots on that site for them.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks guys – appreciate all the comments.

[Author]

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