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Renting lenses - advice

d3200

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9 replies to this topic

#1
Mpls612

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I have a D3200 body - nothing amazing, but am going on an arctic wildlife trip and would like to rent some great lenses. I know they are technically compatible, but should I rent a better body like the D7500 to get full performance?

Renting:
1) 80-400 vr for animal closeups, have rented before
2) 14-24 wide angle for northern lights - is this a good choice? Is expensive.
3) considering a mid range as well like a 70-300 or 28-300.

I have a 55-200 af-s.
Thanks!

#2
ScottinPollock

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Tokina 11-20mm f2.8 will be cheaper, and of course a little wider, and close to 14-24 image quality.

D7500 will have noticeably better high ISO, but if you're on a tripod for northern lights, maybe not so noticeable. But probably a good idea to have a backup camera.

#3
Mpls612

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Thanks for the tip on the Tokina - half the price!

Is the 70-300 or 28-300 worth it to rent as a utility player lens? When I have the big one and a 55-200? Any advice which is better?

Thanks again!
Oh and how much would renting a 7500 body help the performance of the 80-400 lens? Versus my d3200?

#4
Merco_61

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Superzooms like the 28-300 have quite a bit lower optical performance than a normal zoom and a tele zoom that together cover the same range. A 70-300 doesn't make much sense if you have the 80-400 available.

 

Unless you have a good midrange zoom, renting a 16-80 will cover the gap between the 11-20 and the 80-400 nicely.

 

A D7500 has a much brighter viewfinder than the D3200 as it is a true pentaprism instead of the pentamirror in the lower ranges. The AF is much faster.



#5
Mpls612

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Final things if anyone has suggestions:
- is a cable and remote or wireless remote better for northern lights?
- daytime filter needed for snowy conditions? 80a?
- polarizer filter?
- boy are nice tripods expensive too! But seems like a good investment in the wind to get a good shot in low/no light. If anyone has a good reco.

#6
Merco_61

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A wireless remote is one more thing to keep charged. I'd go for a wired one.

 

CC filters are a waste of money on digital. Get a good gray card and shoot it periodically as the light changes. Then you can set the correct WB in post.

 

A polarizer is always useful to have available.

 

There is a long thread about tripods here.



#7
ScottinPollock

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If you don't have much experience in snowy conditiins, you might want to have a look at a little primer I put together.

https://youtu.be/Bu3eYyXw0WA

#8
Mpls612

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If the Tokina 11-20 is gone - is the Tokina 12-24 or 11-16 better for northern lights?

#9
Merco_61

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IMNSHO, the 11-16 is better by far than the 12-24 as it is a faster lens, which makes it easier to see what you are capturing, and has *much* less problems with ghosting as long as you don't have a filter mounted at night.



#10
Mpls612

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Thanks for all the help - I feel much more ready. I watched the video above and read everything I could - any other advice I can read on northern lights let me know!





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