Something I learned about a Nikkor Lens

05/20/2004 01:22:53 PM · #1

I wanted a middle of the road zoom for my d70, so I picked up the Nikkor 70-300mm G F4-5.6 last week. It's cheap - like $130US or something.

I used it for a day and a half, and got some ok shots with it, but didn't love it. It's pretty sharp, but slow and noisy...two things that make me crazy. So I'm told to go get the "ED" version of the same lens. Better optics, faster AF, less CA, everything. oh yeah, at three times the price.

So I use it for half a day. Again, get some decent shots, but didn't love it. still slow, still noisy, still pretty sharp.

I go do a bit more homework, and find that almost every reviewer found the same thing - no difference other than price, and a metal lens mount instead of a plastic one.

Ken Rockwell talks about all Nikkor lenses here, and says he's barely convinced they're not the same lens :)

His site is actually pretty good all around. I read his articles often, and usually learn something.

He also does an interesting d70 vs Rebel comparison.

anyway. that's all. just thought I'd share. If you want a cheap, but decent zoom for your d70/d100, get the G lens. you can't beat the price, and the performance is just as good as the ED. Dunno if that's true for all Nikkor ED lenses though.

FYI - Rockwell says the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF is the best telephoto zoom at any price.

05/20/2004 02:55:41 PM · #2

Pedro, did you get a chance to compare the D70 with the dRebel? What's your opinion now on the matter?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/20/2004 03:58:33 PM · #3

Originally posted by ursula:

Pedro, did you get a chance to compare the D70 with the dRebel? What's your opinion now on the matter?

My poor Rebel has sat in the bag for two solid weeks now. I feel sad for it :)

Rockwell sums it up nicely for me. The image quality seems virtually identical, though the CMOS sensor in the Rebel might have a slight edge in low light noise though the d70 is NOT noisy). Other than that, it's about features and feel. The features available in the d70 fit with my style a little better, the controls are more familiar because of my Nikon history, and I just plain take better pictures when I use it because it feels better to me.

I won't say it's a better camera, I'll say it's a better camera for me.

Read Rockwell's link though - he's a real hands-on guy, rather than an analyst.

P

edited for rather hilarious typo. where's Freud when you need him?

Message edited by author 2004-05-20 16:00:02.

Flash

Nikon D700

05/20/2004 05:29:05 PM · #4

Pedro,

Another site that I use for Nikkor Lense reviews is www.naturfotograf.com

On the home page is a filmstrip on the left side, click on "lenses" and there are reviews plus ratings of every Nikkor made. Including the Dx ones.

Typically if I find 2 or more seasoned users saying the same thing, then I generally believe it to be true.

Flash

05/20/2004 05:38:37 PM · #5

Originally posted by Flash:

Pedro,

Another site that I use for Nikkor Lense reviews is //www.naturfotograf.com

On the home page is a filmstrip on the left side, click on "lenses" and there are reviews plus ratings of every Nikkor made. Including the Dx ones.

Typically if I find 2 or more seasoned users saying the same thing, then I generally believe it to be true.

Flash

Preesh. thanks for the link. bookmarked for later tonight :)

05/20/2004 06:03:04 PM · #6

Thanks for the info and the link. I'm just biding my time here ... sooner or later (I hope sooner) I'll join the "D70 Team".

Now, I really am curious about the typo :)

05/21/2004 02:42:53 AM · #7

Originally posted by ursula:

Thanks for the info and the link. I'm just biding my time here ... sooner or later (I hope sooner) I'll join the "D70 Team".

Now, I really am curious about the typo :)

I'm not tellin' :)

Koriyama

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

05/21/2004 09:02:14 AM · #8

I've got and am constantly using this lens.

At the full 300mm, I haven't got one sharp shot yet, even when using a tripod and the timer. While I'd expect this at quite low shutter speeds (under 1/125), I get the wobbles even in bright days at 1/1000. I wonder how much of this is caused by camera shake during the mirror movement?

Aside from this, it gives a very nice bokeh and produces useable sharpnesses at 70 - 200 throughout most of its f-stop range.

Pedro, thanks for the link. I was planning to upgrade. I'll have to rethink now.

And what was the typo?

BooZon

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/21/2004 09:39:13 AM · #9

This is the reason I went for the 300D, the lenses are much better and there is a better upgrade path. Bodies come and go but good glass lasts.

Message edited by author 2004-05-21 09:39:54.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/21/2004 11:01:44 AM · #10

Originally posted by BooZon:

This is the reason I went for the 300D, the lenses are much better and there is a better upgrade path. Bodies come and go but good glass lasts.

Good Nikon Glass is as good as Good Canon Glass, and i've heard others argue better. Remember Koriyama and I are talking about a really inexpensive lens. I did get some really sharp shots from it, even at 300mm.

You'll find the same variants in the inexpensive canon glass, though on average Canon is less than Nikon in the lens department, and has a broader selection, though I'm not sure half of it isn't redundant.

this is wide open at 300mm (sorry for the ickiness ;))

This is what I'm buying instead. "Best Zoom Lens at any Price" according to Rockwell.

P
ps oh yeah, still not tellin about the typo ;)

Message edited by author 2004-05-21 11:02:38.

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

05/21/2004 11:23:12 AM · #11

You guys are making me drool.... I've been studying up on lenses for the last couple of months cuz I know I'll be doing the D70 jump... soon.... I also agree that a good lens is woth the price you pay in most cases. If I want everything it'll cost close to $10 000!!! But ya know.... I think I,ll just play around with the kit lens for a while to get used to it. It has the same range a my 4500. :-)

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/21/2004 11:23:12 AM · #12

I am in the lucky position of being able to play with both regularly. I bought the 300D some 3 months before the D70 was released and I must say I really like the D70. But, at the same time, I find the 300D just feels right for me. I am more comfortable using it. I find the images do rate well together and for me, this is the most important feature. I prefer the Canon lenses over the Nikkor ones.

05/21/2004 12:14:15 PM · #13

Originally posted by Pedro:

P
ps oh yeah, still not tellin about the typo ;)

Double bummer!!! Common, Pedro, inquiring minds want to know :)))

05/21/2004 12:15:53 PM · #14

Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

Yanik, you're going D70? YES!!!!! Team D70 is going to knock the socks off those Canon people :))))

(Edit for non-lethal typo)

Message edited by author 2004-05-21 12:16:41.