What should I buy next?

[Tom]

I'm not really following how tripods and studio lighting are going to get you better candid shots of your kids ?

 

[Lazarus52980]

I'm not really following how tripods and studio lighting are going to get you better candid shots of your kids ?

Tripod would be for portrait photos and for video. "Studio" lighting is for getting non-washed out photos when using a flash (so you are not hitting them square in the face with the flash)

 

[johny12]

Lazarus52980 , I would suggest you get the Yongnuo Flashes. They have a wide range and the big plus point for me is that they were cheaper that the canon ones (since not a lot of us have a rich uncle who likes to spoil us with expensive things). You can get 2 or probably 3 flashes and some remote triggers. I also use the Vivitar 285hv. See if you like them. Also get some umbrella modifiers when you start getting into portraits.

If your current camera serves your purpose then i dont suggest upgrading.

Canon has the 24-105 which is absolutely great. I do not know if Nikon have them. hope it helps.

 

[iGas]

The reason I don't really want to buy the 17-55 2.8 is the same reason I don't want to buy a "cheap" tripod or flash: I will replace it at some point. As you mentioned a few posts above, I might be able to find a 610 used on Craigslist for cheap and bang, I'm an FX shooter. If/when that happens, the DX lens is useless. The almost universal opinion seems to be to get the lens, so that is what I will do.

I will try to remember to post a few photos from that lens once I get my tax return and get it.

Thank you everyone for the help and advice. I will go home tonight and practice "following" my kids with focus.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 17~50/55mm lens from Nikon, Sigma, or Tamron. They are inexpensive lens, but certainly not cheaply made or poor IQ.

The 17-50mm or 17-55mm is a perfect lens for general photography, and if you want to step up to a decent indoor lens then a 50mm f1.8 or f1.4 is an inexpensive solution.

PS. How are you doing with your kids photography?

 

[blastingcap]

Get the D610. It will have the effect of shortening your lenses, so you won't need to step back as far to use your 70-200 (which also doubles as a portrait lens).

However, the 35/1.8DX won't work on it except in crop mode, so you may want to get a 50/1.8G as well and sell the 35.

Lastly, the larger sensor means more freedom to crank up ISO = less of a need for flash, and better photos in low-light conditions if you don't flash.

I don't agree with the 17-55 and 24-70 stuff. It's not fast enough in low light, especially indoors, without flash. You see wedding photogs use them, but guess what, they also have flash. For kids that move around a lot, you want big apertures, and that means 1.8 or even 1.4 if possible, unless you want to rely on flash a lot which can cast odd shadows and is more of a pain to use.