Nikon D70 kit lenses - DPChallenge Forums

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

11/08/2004 08:36:18 AM · #1

Just a day or two after I said in another thread that I would have bought a DSLR with 1 or 2 decent lenses, had I had some extra money that I didn't know what to do with, I recieved an unexpected bonus at work out of nowhere, and although I actually can think of many other ways to spend it, I'm very much tempted to go buy a new camera. After some research on the 'Net, I found what seems like a good deal from a respectable photography store; Nikon D70 body, 28-80 f/3.3-5.6G AF Nikkor, 70-300 f/4-5.6D ED AF Nikkor, camera bag, monopod (unspecified brand and type) and some other minor goodies for 1200 Euros (app. 1600 USD), which is a little bit out of my budget but I'm sure I can just ignore the difference if this is really as good a bargain as it is claimed to be. Since I have no doubt that the D70 body is one sweet machine, my question is about the lenses that come with it.

I've read many reviews on both lenses; many say that they're useless pieces of junk and Nikon should be ashamed, while many others claim that they are "perfect for their prices", whatever that means. As far as I know, a lens either produces images with good sharpness, contrast, tonality and what have you or not. Anyway, long story short, I don't want to spend bunch of money on this kit only to find out that I have simply wasted my money. Since I can't afford any high-priced lenses offered by Nikon, Sigma and other manufacturers, I'd rather sit tight and continue to use my Coolpix 5400 camera, which I'm perfectly happy with, than squander my limited resources just to look "Badass".

So, if there is anybody here who has ever used either or both of these lenses, I'd greatly appreciate their input. Thanks in advance.

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

11/08/2004 08:47:01 AM · #2

The main question for you would be: Why do I want a DSLR? If it's only to look badass than I would stick to your 5400 (which is a great camera!!). Beleive it or not but I still use my Coolpix 4500. :-)

And I think that the glass on your coolpix is way better than the lenses you intend to get. Remember that camera bodies come and go but lenses stay with you. So if you shoot with low quality glass you'll always be disapointed.

11/08/2004 09:17:17 AM · #3

Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

The main question for you would be: Why do I want a DSLR?

Candidly speaking, because I'm a gearhead and like having the best toys I can get my hands on. Also, I think that I should just buy it now when I have the money. Otherwise, if I wait until I become good enough at photography to justify purchasing advanced equipment, I'm afraid I may or may not have the financial means when that time comes.

skylen

Nikon D200

11/08/2004 09:22:30 AM · #4

And I still carry my Coolpix 4300 in my camera bag. The Coolpix is still a great little camera.

The 'kit lens' for the D70 is, strangely, a different lens in the US than it is in Europe. My kit lens is the Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S, and I am blown away by its quality, versatility, focus speed, and silence.

I also own the 70-300G (not the ED model) and it's an OK lens. I especially enjoyed using it for candids in crowds last summer, when I spent 5 weeks touring Europe, and it did a good job. Sure, the focus is slow, loud (not a problem in crowds, but bad during wedding ceremonies...), not a great maximum aperture, and the lens isn't the sharpest there is, but if you've got good light, it's pretty good.

skylen

Nikon D200

11/08/2004 09:26:10 AM · #5

Originally posted by Tycho:

Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:
The main question for you would be: Why do I want a DSLR?

Candidly speaking, because I'm a gearhead and like having the best toys I can get my hands on. Also, I think that I should just buy it now when I have the money. Otherwise, if I wait until I become good enough at photography to justify purchasing advanced equipment, I'm afraid I may or may not have the financial means when that time comes.

Uh, I would wait as long as possible. I mean, if I'd bought a 10D a few months ago, I'd be kicking myself when I could have bought a 20D if I'd have just waited. Stuff just gets better *and* cheaper as time goes by! That's the great thing about technology.

I just hope Nikon gets with the friggin' program and responds to the 20D. Right now, I'm super happy, but I just can't see sticking with Nikon long term if they're gonna always be playing catch-up to Canon.

11/08/2004 10:30:29 AM · #6

Originally posted by skylen:

In fact, there seem to be different offers with different kit lenses. I found another one with 18-70G and 70-300G for 1100 Euros. However, the reviews I read on 70-300G were even more discouraging than those on the 70-300D. Additionally, some stores offer body and a single DX zoom lens for around 1300-1400 Euros.

Anyway, I guess I'll just forget about the whole DSLR business and try to learn as much as possible with my current camera.

Thanks skylen and kosmikkreeper for your advice.

Thousands_Fall

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

11/08/2004 10:48:46 AM · #7

personaly i think the nikkor dx lenses suck. they are impossible to get in focus if you are not using auto focus. i had one and i just sold it off ebay.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

11/08/2004 11:06:38 AM · #8

Originally posted by skylen:

Keep waiting until next year this time. Newer technology, "better camera." You can say that every day, every year, but you won't be learning how to use that camera in the meantime. Yo uget something YOU are going to be happy with. If you are smart, you have already done all the homework and decided exactly what features, MP, etc. that will suit you. Just get a hold of the choices and see whcih feel right.

Playing catch up? What was the D70? Just a response to the 300D? I think not. The D100 is not being manufactured anymore...mean anything to you? You need to look at it a different way. You buy into the lens system. You should really decide what kind and WHO's glass you like the best. The camera body's will only cont to get better and better with different features. That is easier (and cheaper) to upgrade than the lenses.

TF-What kind of problems are you having with manual focus? You checked to see if the diopter is properly adjusted? Not getting good manual focus can only be operator error, ya know? (C:

Azrifel

Nikon Coolpix P340

11/08/2004 01:45:08 PM · #9

I was used to the 35mm eqv of the S602 and did not think that going to a eqv of 27mm (=18mm from the DX AF-S 18-70 x 1.5 crop factor) would make such a big difference.
Well it did and has been very useful in a couple of shootings recently where I used the wide end almost exclusively, making me wonder if I should get a DX 10.5mm fishey (can be straightened in Capture) or a 12-24mm as well.

So watch out when you by medium zooms. The wide-end of will suffer and you might miss it more than you'd expect or would have known. 28mm works like 42mm on the D70 and that is Extremely Limiting!

The DX 18-70 is a very usable everyday lens with good quality and good build. Don't save money on such a lens to be able to get a big zoom along with it. Wait a few months with the big zoom or else you might end up trading in the medium zoom pretty soon, loosing money.

cghubbell

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

11/08/2004 02:37:15 PM · #10

I think it's rediculous to put off a purchase of a high end dSLR *ever* because you heard the whizbang 2.0 might be released next month. Go out and really scan what talented photographers are doing with the D70 (or whatever camera you like). Chances are good that you'll find the camera body far exceeds your capabilities. I don't mean any offense by that statement, but I'm knocked on my butt by some of the D70 shots I've seen - especially those taken through high end Nikkors.

If you don't need a dSLR, then it's fine to try to learn as much as possible with your current camera. I learned a TON on my digicam before converting to an SLR. I'm learning exponentially more now that I have exponentially more things to set :)

Bottom line - there will always be a better camera body. Try to honestly identify your own watermark in relation to the camera's potential and the "long term investment" will become a lot more obvious. You can always upgrade when you need to, but usually that time's necessity is a long way out, and can be delayed by high end glass.

jxpfeer

Voigtlander Ultron 21mm f1.8

11/09/2004 08:48:57 AM · #11

i have to second what azrifel said. i also came from an s602, and was used to the "35mm" wide end. using the kit lense on the d70 i was like "now i see why people buy really wide lenses". it's a whole new world :) i've also thought about getting the 12-24 or a fisheye

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

11/09/2004 09:29:18 AM · #12

Good glass is always a major factor with any DSLR or SLR camera, as said, the body will die many times before the lens will so that is the reason i got a body only set for the D70 (plus i was skint too) then i have found what i believe to be a fairly decent collection of glass from 2nd hand stores -:

Nikkor 50mm f1.4s AI
Nikkor 55mm micro AI f2.8s
Nikkor 85mm f1.4 AIs
Nikkor 28-200 f3.5-5.6 AFD
Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 ED

Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX
Sigma 170-500mm f5-6.3 APO

i found most of the above very cheap with exception to the 85mm and i know the D70 body will snuff out several times before the glass will.

To be honest here I have spent a fair bit of raw cash and my photography has not improved THAT much either, my bag has gotten WAY heavier and the greed factor has gone up mutiples too I WANT I WANT I NEED etc. I think I took way better pix with my old Contax TVS 5mp compact, what a sweet camera that was and i sold it without respect for next to nothing because i wanted the Sony F828, now that has gone too all for the wrong reason, I thought that having badass gear will make me a better photog, was I ever wrong, it made me AWARE that I needed to look inside myself to my own ability and realise that it is not about gear (although i look really cool...lol) it is more about understanding the way photography is represented and accepted and my creation so far, has not warrented my spending.

In saying that though I LOVE THE D70 and my lenses I just have to spend more effort in studying the wonderfull work done by real photographers here and try my best to improve the best way i can.. I will be meeting with some people from here and other sites in Japan and when i go back to UK this year and trying to take onboard as much knowledge as my old brain can handle. Some people are fantastic with post processing too but you need a good shot to start and that is my problem right now.

If I could turn back the clock I would still have my Contax TVS and of spent the extra cash on some lessons. I do not regret the move i made to go DSLR I just think I have bitten off more than I can chew but Im willing to learn. Good luck with your choice my friend.