Need some help on a gift for my wifes (photographer) birthday coming up

Let me say first that I'm not a photographer and know very little about the subject. She has been hounding me for years to get a camera, perhaps I will someday. But for now I need to find something she would use for her birthday coming up in a couple weeks. Budget is $2,000 to $2,500. I raided her camera bag last night and she has a Nikon D2x and D3s, she has a bag that holds all her lens. I saw 70-200, 50mm, 24-70mm, 105mm, 4 SB900's and bunch of small items. She has been talking about wanting to get into landscape photography if that helps.

I was thinking about getting her a new lens, but then I don't know which one would be handy for her.

I would really like to thank you in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

Will

If she wants to get into landscape the Nikkor 14mm f/2.8 is a nice lens.

Here is a link of Nikon lenses.
www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Camera-Lenses/index.page

You can buy her a prime lens (one focal length) Like the one I mention above. or you can buy her a zoom lens 12-24mm f/4

Both lens or smiliar lenses will do her fine for landscape.

crystal wrote: If she wants to get into landscape the Nikkor 14mm f/2.8 is a nice lens.

Here is a link of Nikon lenses.
www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Camera-Lenses/index.page

You can buy her a prime lens (one focal length) Like the one I mention above. or you can buy her a zoom lens 12-24mm f/4

Both lens or smiliar lenses will do her fine for landscape.

Very good, now what is the difference between the lenses from a photo taking stand point? Which do you think would be used more? Thank you again!

Which would be used more is up to your wife, up to the photographer. No one can answer that except for the photographer who plans on using the lens.

The 14mm is a prime, one focal length. Your wife can only shoot at 14mm. She will have to move her body to get closer or further away. (I'm sure she knows this). It's a faster lens.

12-24 is a zoom, more then one focal length. Your wife won't have to move to get the shot, unless she wants to move. It's not as fast as the 14mm, but still a good lens.

Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it. Would you mind me asking which you personally would use more?

I would be more likely to use the zoom because of the flexibility.
If she does not have a filter "system", that would make a nice addition with Neutral density, graduated ND and polarizer filters. These are all great for landscape.

Sounds good, I was leaning towards the 12-24mm just because you get more zoom out of it. Now what is the difference between the 12-24mm and I just found a 14-24mm?

Also I just saw a ad for a "Lensbaby" what is so special about this lens? I see it's much less, so this would be an additional gift. What's funny is I'm learning a lot about camera gear now! Reminds me when I proposed to her and spent 3 weeks researching diamonds! At the end of the 3 weeks, I was a pro and could answer just about anything diamond related!

Think for a moment between the two of just simple number...
12-24
14-24

12 is a lower number, 12mm gives you two more mm to zoom out/in then if you use 14mm.
That's the difference.

And of course depending what the f stop is..that could also be the difference.

A lensbaby is just a speciality lens. It's not best to use on landscape, but it really can be used on anything, depending on the creativity level of the photographer. It keeps the subject in focus and the rest of the image is blurred.

crystal wrote: Think for a moment between the two of just simple number...
12-24
14-24

12 is a lower number, 12mm gives you two more mm to zoom out/in then if you use 14mm.
That's the difference.

And of course depending what the f stop is..that could also be the difference.

A lensbaby is just a speciality lens. It's not best to use on landscape, but it really can be used on anything, depending on the creativity level of the photographer. It keeps the subject in focus and the rest of the image is blurred.

I really appreciate your help and understand there is only a 2mm difference between both those lenses. However I'm a visual guy and was visually comparing both of those lenses and not only is there a big price difference between them, one says "DX" and other one had a stamp on it for "N". Also the end of the lens is dramatically different also.

the 14-24mm is nearly double the cost of the 12-24mm. So that's all I was asking about. Thanks on the answer the Lensbaby too. You are too kind!

I will ask does she shop online for her gear or locally? If online and you know who she has an account with get her a online gift certificate or store credit so she can get what she truly wants. There are people I never buy actual parts for and phtographers are one of them. I find giving people who are into certain hobbies parts or accessories certs is the best thing.

Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8, or Nikkor 24mm PC-e.

Both are the best nikon has to offer for landscape and exploring wide angle.

Joves wrote: I will ask does she shop online for her gear or locally? If online and you know who she has an account with get her a online gift certificate or store credit so she can get what she truly wants. There are people I never buy actual parts for and phtographers are one of them. I find giving people who are into certain hobbies parts or accessories certs is the best thing.

I have no idea, and if I ask that will give her a tip of what is coming. What are a couple of the larger online stores?

Will Muzila wrote:

Joves wrote: I will ask does she shop online for her gear or locally? If online and you know who she has an account with get her a online gift certificate or store credit so she can get what she truly wants. There are people I never buy actual parts for and phtographers are one of them. I find giving people who are into certain hobbies parts or accessories certs is the best thing.

I have no idea, and if I ask that will give her a tip of what is coming. What are a couple of the larger online stores?

Bhphotovideo.com and adorama.com


By far the 2 best landscape lenses (wide end) made by nikon have already been listed though.

On both the Nikkor 14mm (non zoom crystal was talking about) and the 14-24mm Zoom, they need filters to do landscape consistently. Both of those need a special filter set, and it starts at $384 dollars.

Nikon makes a 17-35mm
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186250-US..._Nikkor_17_35mm.html
and a 16-35mm f/4.0
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675838-US...or_16_35mm_f_4G.html

Both accept normal filters that she probably already has.

Will Muzila wrote:

Joves wrote: I will ask does she shop online for her gear or locally? If online and you know who she has an account with get her a online gift certificate or store credit so she can get what she truly wants. There are people I never buy actual parts for and phtographers are one of them. I find giving people who are into certain hobbies parts or accessories certs is the best thing.

I have no idea, and if I ask that will give her a tip of what is coming. What are a couple of the larger online stores?

B&H www.bhphotovideo.com/
Adorama www.adorama.com
KEH www.keh.com

Get her some lighting equipment, you can never have enough lighting gear.