How much do you spend on lenses vs camera body? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hey everyone, I'm new to photography and wondering how much people spend on lenses compared to the camera body they're mounted on? Does it make sense to buy a higher end lens for a mid range camera, or would you be better off getting a slightly cheaper lens and spending some of the money on a nicer camera? Mainly wondering about used gear...

Currently shooting with my SO's D3500 when she isn't using it, and thinking of buying my own. Considering a used Pentax since weather resistant lenses seem easier to find for them than other brands...

Edit: how practical is it to use a Pentax lens on a Nikon with an adapter, and vice versa? I assume the electronics like AF and VR won't work?

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[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Some level of weatherproofing in the camera and lens is a hard requirement for me, and I'm seeing a lot more options for Pentax lenses. But there's a good chance I'm just not looking for the right thing... Is there a weatherproof super telephoto DX mount lens for under $600? I'm finding Pentax lenses for around $200. Mainly looking at used gear, BTW.

Edit: also, by "stronger market" I meant more supply, which would push prices down. In hindsight that wasn't very clear...

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Firstly, the Nikon cameras just use one mount, the so-called Nikon F mount. You can mount any sort of lens to a DX camera. I usually buy lenses from eBay, so that's where I checked. I cannot talk about weather-proofing because I have no experience with it. I keep my stuff out of the rain. Maybe think about Buying a cloak in olive green or something that blends in with the natural environment to throw over yourself because it will cloak you and protect the camera and the lens from rain.

Nikorr Af-S 200-500mm 5.6 ED VR ( AF-S in Nikon speak means the autofocus is internal, so it will be nice and snappy.)
Nikkor AF-S 70-200 2.8 FL ED VR ( Used it will still be over budget for you, but the quality is absolutely worth it.)
Tamron 70-200 2.8 DI VC G2 ( Basically the above lenses little brother.)

I think one of those three should meet your criteria.

this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2025

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