Attention All Team Nikon D70 ...Santa is Coming...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/08/2004 09:20:28 PM · #1

I have finally pushed my wife to the breaking point and she has given me her golden seal of approval to get my D70. WHOOOAWHOOOA!!!

Now I need the expertise of my (future) D70 team members as to what accessories I should get. Ebay (Cameta Cameras) has several listed that include:

Option 1: //cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43456&item=3856828619&rd=1

Option 2: //cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43456&item=3858778296&rd=1 (Also has 2GB card)

Is it worth the extra $200 to get the Nikon 70-300mm Lens with 5 Year USA Warranty. I've seen several posts that have lead me to believe that I should save my pennies for a better zoom rather than this lens.

Anxiously waiting your comments and suggestions :)

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 21:21:25.

Arcanist

Nikon D810

12/08/2004 09:26:37 PM · #2

Save your pennies for a FASTER zoom than the 70-300. I am sorely disappointed that 50% of the time on an overcast but relatively bright day I cannot get a quality bird shot to save my life with this lens unless I up the ISO to 600.

It is also one of the SLOWEST and UNINTUITIVE auto focusing pieces of glass I have ever worked with.

Ok...that said, I really do like it. I put the ISO to 400 almost all the time when not using the Kit Lens and it seems fine for most stuff. I can also handhold most shots even at the 1/400-1/320 and still get a non-soft picture. I just really really wish it was a 2.8 VR 200-400 instead :(

EDIT:
Oh and the card. Buy 2 1Gig Cards or 2-2gig cards if you shoot a lot of studio/portrait. Dont waste your time on the newset fangled Enhanced Write jobs. The D70 can't make use of it.
//www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi browse the D70 forum good stuffs there.

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 21:37:56.

cbeller

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/08/2004 09:53:24 PM · #3

If you want a inexpensive 70-300mm that is good for the money, get the Sigma 70-300mm Super Macro II APO. It's about $180 on Ebay and does a really good job for the price.

ahaze

12/08/2004 10:17:11 PM · #4

Originally posted by rmtm333:

WHOOOAWHOOOA!!!

Congrats Shawn! Great feeling, ain't it :)

Originally posted by cbeller:

If you want a inexpensive 70-300mm that is good for the money, get the Sigma 70-300mm Super Macro II APO. It's about $180 on Ebay and does a really good job for the price.

Is it fast and sharp enough? How heavy is it?

And Super Macro - does that mean it's a macro lens too??

12/08/2004 10:57:35 PM · #5

Andi...You ordered from Cameta didn't you?

Have you got your camera yet? How has the service been?

Yes, It's a great feeling alright ;-)

ahaze

12/08/2004 11:32:58 PM · #6

Originally posted by rmtm333:

Andi...You ordered from Cameta didn't you?

Have you got your camera yet? How has the service been?

Yes, It's a great feeling alright ;-)

It arrives tomorrow. I'll let you know!!

cbeller

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/08/2004 11:34:35 PM · #7

Originally posted by ahaze:

Originally posted by rmtm333:
WHOOOAWHOOOA!!!

Congrats Shawn! Great feeling, ain't it :)

Originally posted by cbeller:
If you want a inexpensive 70-300mm that is good for the money, get the Sigma 70-300mm Super Macro II APO. It's about $180 on Ebay and does a really good job for the price.

Is it fast and sharp enough? How heavy is it?

And Super Macro - does that mean it's a macro lens too??

It's not super fast, but it's not a super expensive lens either. Outdoors in the sun, it focuses fairly quick.

I'm sure there are sharper lens out there as well, but again this is a good affordable lens until you can afford a nice f/2.8 VR lens. I use no in camera sharpening or anything, so all of my photos come out of the camera a little soft and flat, no matter which lens I'm using. I do all my sharpening in PS.

As far as weight, it's not too heavy at all.

Yes, it is a macro, but it is a little odd. The macro range is in the 200-300mm range and the focusing distance is about 4 foot away. It's best to use a mono/tripod in the macro setting, but it can be used hand-held.

Here are a couple flower shots I did with it, hand-held.

Here are a couple from the Indy Zoo, all hand-held

edit: typo

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 23:35:24.

Maverick

Nikon D200

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

12/08/2004 11:56:28 PM · #8

Originally posted by Arcanist:

EDIT:
Oh and the card. Buy 2 1Gig Cards or 2-2gig cards if you shoot a lot of studio/portrait. Dont waste your time on the newset fangled Enhanced Write jobs. The D70 can't make use of it.

Are you sure about this? One of the advertising points of the D70 is that with a Sandisk Ultra II and medium compression, large size you can shoot 3 fps until the card is full. I have an Ultra II and while I haven't needed to do this, it is faster than my standard Sandisk card.

Prof_Fate

12/09/2004 01:15:19 AM · #9

What about this tamron lens? Seems a tad slow, but the zoom range is very useful -28-300 and factor in the 1.5x factor and it goes to 450 at 6.3? Dx coating too.

Just asking..still waiting for that 'wife approval' thing. I am campaigning for a new tripod and head at the moment.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/09/2004 02:24:54 AM · #10

Originally posted by bestagents:

I received my D-70 w/ kit lens today. I also received the Tamron 28-300 you mention above but have not had a good chance to evaluate yet. I did get out late today for a few shots. The kit lens seemed to handle the low light well but the Tamron at the high end suffered. Iâ��ll try and do more tomorrow (rain is called for so â�¦.) and post some shots to review. I am having fun just playing though. : )

Notice what's now under my name! Yahoo!

Arcanist

Nikon D810

12/09/2004 05:53:45 AM · #11

The Ultra is fine. There is actually a newer version out something like WA technology. Haven't really payed much attention to it recently as I am not currently shoping for more, but the Nikon threads talk a bit about the tech and indicate it is no faster.

One of the post in recent months had a speed chart. Wonder if I could find that again?

Edit: Found at least one highly recommended link:
//dpreview.com/articles/mediacompare/

Message edited by author 2004-12-09 05:56:08.

12/09/2004 07:41:29 AM · #12

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Iâ��ll try and do more tomorrow (rain is called for so â�¦.) and post some shots to review. I am having fun just playing though. : )

Notice what's now under my name! Yahoo!

Look forward to see some shots...thanks

12/09/2004 09:32:16 PM · #13

Ok - here are the pictures from the Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens on a D70 that I promised.

Note: this was a about the worst light conditions you can have, flat dark grey day with off and on rain and drizzle. All shots taken on Auto or Sports mode and were handheld.

The lens did ok but not great. Had to bump the ISO to 400 and 800 for one. All images had noise which I cleaned somewhat. One picutre is from yesterday (flag photo) when the sun was actually out for a little while.

My Portfolio - Tamron Lens folder

J.B.

12/09/2004 10:04:27 PM · #14

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Thanks for providing the follow up JB...

Prof_Fate

12/09/2004 10:09:09 PM · #15

Very nice...almost sold. I saw in an ad in one of the mags that the D70 with that lens was $1249 or so(fuzzy memory)...my math came to $329 for the lens in the kit. There is a $20 rebate on it too.

Question on the battery for D70 - it take a LiIon I know - what does a seond one cost? It also comes eith some battery holder device - does it take AA's?

What size filters does the Tamron take?

12/09/2004 10:37:03 PM · #16

In reverse order:

Filter size for the Tamron 28-300 is 62mm.

Battery holder is for non-rechargeable CR2's. Extra LiIon battery cost is around $50, give or take $10 depending on the day and where.

I would stick with the D70 and Nikon kit lens (you get a $100 rebate)and buy the Tamron for about $350 seperate (you still get the $20 rebate).

J.B.

12/09/2004 10:37:48 PM · #17

SANTA CAME TODAY AND I ORDERED MY THIRD CHILD...
This Auction Contains All Of The Following:

Nikon D70 Digital SLR Body with and $100 Cash Back Mail-In Rebate Coupon! and Firmware Version 1.0.1 / 1.0.2 and:
Nikon EN-EL3 Rechargeable Battery
Nikon MH-18 Quick Charger
MS-D70 Battery Holder
USB Cable (PC &Mac)
Video Cable
LCD Cover
Nikon Body Cap
Nikon Eyepiece Cap
Nikon Wide Digital Strap
Nikon PictureProject 1.0 Software CD
Nikon PictureProject 1.0 Reference Manual CD
Nikon Capture 4 Software (Trial Version CD)
Instruction Booklets
Blank Nikon USA Warranty Card
Nikon 18-70mm AF-S DX f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED Nikkor Lens with:
Nikon LC-67 Front Lens Cap
Nikon LF1 Rear Lens Cap
Nikon CL-0915 Soft Case
Nikon HB-32 Bayonet-Type Lens Hood
Instruction Booklet
Blank Nikon USA Warranty Card
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Autofocus Zoom Lens with:
Lens Hood
Front and Rear Lens Caps
Instruction Booklet
Blank Nikon USA Warranty Card
Lexar Pro 2GB 80x WA CompactFlashâ�¢ Card with Image Rescueâ�¢ 2.0 and $40 Cash Back Mail-In Rebate Coupon!
USB 2.0 High Speed CompactFlashâ�¢ Card Reader
Nikon SLR System Case
EN-EL3 Battery
Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

12/09/2004 10:39:36 PM · #18

Ebay - Cameta Cameras...1529 - 140 rebates, decided to get the 70-300 with this bundled package as it was cheap in comparison. WIll still be saving for additional lenses in 2005.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback.

12/09/2004 10:41:46 PM · #19

Originally posted by rmtm333:

Hey - you forgot the extra D70 Manual in spanish!

12/09/2004 10:43:18 PM · #20

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Hey - you forgot the extra D70 Manual in spanish!

It was too expensive...

12/09/2004 10:44:17 PM · #21

Originally posted by rmtm333:

Originally posted by jbsmithana:
Hey - you forgot the extra D70 Manual in spanish!

It was too expensive...

Oh no, it is free. It will come in the box. : )
Enjoy!

Prof_Fate

12/10/2004 11:25:13 AM · #22

I want the D70, but I keep seeing the Rebel for less....right now at walmart it is $785 after rebate with the kit lens.

C'mon Nikon, get in the game!