OK, it seems I've made my mind up to jump ship to Nikon.
I've looked at all the Nikon lens offerings, and what a fine line up it is.
Did a quick tot up of what I'd like to start with, and the bottom line made my head spin. and my debit card cringe.
A reality check was in order, and a rethink of what I really need and will use.
So, to get me started, and at a price I can afford, I've come up with this selection.
I've not considered any 'G' lens as I assume they have no aperture ring. I've also chosen to go with primes where possible, because I believe that they are optimised for their particular focal length, as opposed to a zoom which maybe tries to do too many things,and don't get me wrong because I'm sure there are zooms out there that can achieve excellent results.
I should mention that because of my slightly shaky hands I shoot 90% with a tripod, so VR is not a big advantage for me.
Wide Angle:
Nikon +/- 20mm f2.8, or similar,
Either AF or MF as I will mainly shoot old buildings and landscapes, and the hyper-focal distance on FX at f2.8 is 7m.
Walk Around:
Either a Nikon AF 50mm f1.4 or f1.8
Mid Telephoto:
Either the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8, the non macro version (I have the original for my K5 and it is a cracker) or maybe the Nikon AF 80-200mm f2.8 which is about 1/2 the price of the Nikon 70-200 f2.8. Is the 70-200mm twice as good for twice the price other than the VR?
For The Birds:
Once again VR is not a big requirement here as I will use a gimbal head, and MF is not a deterrent.
I'd like a 500mm, and in my googling I've come across lens like the Nikkor ED 500mm 1:4 P for around 2K. Any ideas of similar primes in this focal length that can be had for around the same money?
OK, I've probably come up with the odd 'Dog' and this is why I'm posting, to try to avoid the pitfalls of ignorance.
All help appreciated.