Nikon DSLR Video Videography News, Tutorials, Reviews, and Information
We got a terrific question in our email today regarding the sale of the Nikon D750 Bundle:
I am an intermediate filmmaker and photographer…I’m upgrading from DX to FX. I’m thinking about the Nikon D750 as people say it’s the best budget for video and photography. There is a bundle for this the D750 and the 24-120 f/4 for $2,300.
For an intermediate filmmaker and photographer shooting weddings, landscapes, and travel is this a good setup? Or should I get a refurbished D750 and save a little more and buy a Tamron 24-70 VR? Thanks for your help and keep up the good work!
Sincerely, Andrew
Hi Andrew –
Thanks for your note. The Nikon D750 is a terrific camera, but let’s take a closer look at the deal and what you’d be using the camera for to determine if the Nikon D750 bundle is right for you.
While Nikon and others (like Amazon Prime) are advertising the D750 bundle with a 24-120mm f/4G ED as $1,100 in savings, that’s not completely accurate. The lens is advertised can be bought for half that, brand new, on eBay all day long. The bundle savings are actually closer to $250. And, if you were already going to purchase those items separately, that’s not a bad deal – but it’s not a crazy deal that people should jump into blindly thinking they’re getting $1,100 discount.
The bundle essentially gets you a decent, multi-purpose focal length lens for $300. And, for $300, it’s hard to go too far wrong. Personally, if I didn’t have anything in that focal range, I may consider getting it just as an inexpensive all-purpose backup lens.
However, when you’re just starting your business and every dollar is stretched, it may not be the best investment. I carried a Nikon 18-105mm kit lens that I got with a D7000 bundle as a backup lens/insurance policy for 4 years and never needed it. I used it a few times, but ended up renting some fast lenses, shooting some great events, and upgrading to the lenses I always wanted in a matter of a couple months. I upgraded my lenses long before my cameras.
With any video business investment, one must ask the two questions:
1) Will this (lens, camera, computer) allow me to make more money than without it?
2) Is that amount greater than the cost of the item?
If the answer to both is yes, it’s worth buying for your business.
If you’re already shot some weddings, you know that there are a lot of dark situations. It could be where the gents are getting dressed, the inside of a dark church, the reception area once the sun goes down, or the night-time exit. Increasing the ISO is always an option, but that introduces noise – which is much more visible and distracting on video. To lessen your reliance on ISO you have to have faster lenses – and f/4 isn’t that fast.
The Nikon 24-120mm would make a fine lens for traveling and landscape photography given its versatility and broad focal range. Attached to the D750 (which has pretty good/low ISO noise) you’ll find it exponentially more impressive from what you’re shooting with today. However, I’m guessing that of the items you mentioned shooting, weddings are what you’re actually getting paid for – so you’ll have to decide if it’s more of a personal add-on or a professional add-on.
The Tamron 24-70VR that you mention is an interesting choice. Since you do still photography, I can understand why VR (Vibration Reduction) might be appealing to you. Although, in the neighborhood of $1,200, I’d probably spend a little more and get the time-tested Nikon 24-70mm non-VR myself. 24-70mm isn’t a very long lens, so the benefit of having VR, to me, wouldn’t be worth it. If I was on a budget under $1500, I’d much rather get the non-VR Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 for under $800. That choice would give me the speed I need at a reduced price, with enough money left over to buy something else I need for the business.
Conclusion:
If you have an extra $300 that doesn’t have to contribute to the bottom line of your video business, the Nikon D750 Bundle with the 24-120mm lens is probably a good deal – especially if you want a backup lens or a versatile walking around lens for personal use. However, if your budget is tight, and you’re making a decision based exclusively on business reasons, I’d recommend saving for something that will really help grow your business (e.g. anything f/2.8 or lower).
Best of luck in your business, and keep the questions coming!