Next lens for a Nikon D70? - DPChallenge Forums

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

09/08/2005 08:58:17 AM · #1

Hiya,

I got myself a Nikon D70 kit a few months ago, with an 18-70mm lens (my first SLR). Later this month I'm going on holiday to Marrakech for a couple of weeks and wondering if I should treat myself to another lens before I go, but I can't decide what (if any) to get.

I've never visited Morocco before, so I'm not really sure what kind of photo opportunities will be presenting themselves. Would I be better with a zoom reaching up to 200-300mm, or a wide lens down the 10-12mm range? I'm fairly new to this photography lark and I'm still trying to find my feet, and want to try my hardest not to miss some potentially lovely photo opportunities.

I have a polarising filter which I'm hoping should help to draw out and emphasise some of the colours over there, but really any hints and pointers for essentials I should be stocking up on before my trip would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

wsteyn

Nikon D7000

09/08/2005 09:05:01 AM · #2

Hi Andrew, when I think of getting a new lens I first read what Ken Rockwell has to say. He has some great hands-on reviews of many nikon lenses. Beware - he does not really support non-mf lenses such as sigma and tamron, but everyone knows they are quite good enough.

Take a look at his website: //www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

As to wide-angle or telephoto - that is entirely up to you. I would suggest more telephoto to start off with, but that's just me!

davidus428

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

09/08/2005 09:08:44 AM · #3

18-70mm lens fairly covers the wide to normal shots. use this to shoot scenics and places. i suggest you add a 70-300mm telephoto lens. it would be very rewarding to shoot photos of local faces, activities and details of flowers and objects without the need to go really near.

just my humble suggestion.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/08/2005 09:10:11 AM · #4

Aha, Tamron, that's interesting. I've heard good things about Sigma lenses but I've not heard of Tamron before (I'm new to this game, as I said). Any recommendations of manufacturers I should be favouring/avoiding, or is this going to get political? :-)

erschmitt

Nikon D200

09/08/2005 09:17:26 AM · #5

I'll chime in with the suggestion to pickup a tele lens as well. Second lens I purchased for my D70 was a tamaron 75-300, the price on the lens was much better than what the nikkor lenses were going for. The only issue I have with it is that it's an f 4-5, which means sometimes I can't get a wide enough aperature for some of the shots I want to take. But, considering most lenses with similar zoom but in the f2 range cost 2-3 times or more what I paid for this one, I'll take it.

Flash

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

09/08/2005 09:18:17 AM · #6

Add a telezoom. Buy the best glass that you can afford.

Add the periferrals like tripod, head, extra batteries, cards, bag, external speedlight, etc. Put a single focal 50mm on your list as well.

Message edited by author 2005-09-08 09:19:38.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

09/08/2005 09:31:23 AM · #7

What you have is great for the begining. You can make exelent pictures with that. Do not take advice from people on what you need. You should feel what you missing and know what kind of range you need based on photos you want to take. Once you figure out YOUR requirements people can give you advice on the actual lens in the range you need.

If you buy a lot of stuff at once you won't understand why you need this and not that lens. I say get equipment one at a time and make sure you know what it gives you before you buy it.

That's just me.

Nick

edit: I would probably get sb800/sb600 flash. They are great!

Message edited by author 2005-09-08 09:33:19.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

09/08/2005 09:34:54 AM · #8

I've been looking at the SB800 because my indoor pictures are really disappointing me. The on-camera flash isn't so hot, is it? Is the SB800 really that good?

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

09/08/2005 09:38:36 AM · #9

Originally posted by stanrandom:

I've been looking at the SB800 because my indoor pictures are really disappointing me. The on-camera flash isn't so hot, is it? Is the SB800 really that good?

Built in flash is good but very harsh. You need to diffuse the light. I like my SB800. I would recomend it before anything else.

Nick

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

09/08/2005 09:40:59 AM · #10

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

Built in flash is good but very harsh. You need to diffuse the light. I like my SB800. I would recomend it before anything else.

How would I diffuse it?

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

09/08/2005 09:44:50 AM · #11

Originally posted by stanrandom:

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

Built in flash is good but very harsh. You need to diffuse the light. I like my SB800. I would recomend it before anything else.

How would I diffuse it?

Thin tissue paper. Hold it away from flash but not in front of the lens. You can buy a diffuser for D70. It's a 3rd party addon which looks weird. Google for it.

Nick

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/08/2005 09:50:37 AM · #12

Aha, groovy. Many, many thanks for the advice, folks!

jmosher

Nikon D90

09/08/2005 06:24:45 PM · #13

For what it is worth I had a Nikon 70-300 G type lens. It worked okay and it was light, but mostly plastic. I sold it and picked up an older Nikon 75-300 lens from here: KEH Camera Brokers

Great lens. It is heavy as it is metal. But I think I got one rated as "Excellent" for $189. It looks brand new. Be wary of EBay since idiots on there are paying outrageous prices on used gear because "Ken Rockwell recommends..."

I am not knocking Ken Rockwell, just the clowns that think a $200 lens new is somehow worth $210 plus shipping used????

JM

Message edited by author 2005-09-08 18:36:10.

aronya1

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/08/2005 06:47:01 PM · #14

You'll realize after buying/using other lenses that the kit lens is terrific. I bought the Nikon 50mm f1.8. Used it a few times, and it has been sitting on the shelf for a couple of months now. Some day I may find out how it would benefit me over the kit lens, but right now... I don't find it useful.

I also bought the Nikon 70-300 f4.0-5.6G tele. Works pretty well in good light. Not so well in low light/indoors.

I have the SB600 flash. Not as much money as the SB800. Works great.

My 2cts.

Nuno

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/09/2005 07:46:40 AM · #15

Originally posted by aronya1:

Well the 50mm f1.8 is a great lens. Put the kit lens at 50mm extension and f8 and shoot. Then do the same with the prime. You'll see the diffrence. ut I gess it will grow in to you when you get used to it. Use it indoor and in low light situations and then try to use the kit lens. It will do a huge difference. Also in color rendition and detail.

If youi can afford it on the tele try to get a 70-300mm but the D ED version, the colors are great and the detail also. i love to take candids at weddings with it. They are the photos that I sell more. I'm know saving for a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 because I can't afford the 120-300mm f2.8 (It's my passion right know)

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/09/2005 07:57:30 AM · #16

Pick up either a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR for mucho dollars, or get the sigma equivelant for significantly less...OR get the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 D ED or AFS lens....superb quality!

Azrifel

Nikon Coolpix P340

09/09/2005 08:23:37 AM · #17

Try out a fast "wide" prime, like a Sigma 30mm f/1.4
The fast aperture will be a great help indoors, early morning, late evening and such. Being able to do something in low light is imho more important than a bit of soft slow telezoom.

Check my pbase link for samples.

Think about the weight and size of certain lenses. Do you really want to lug them around in a hot climate? Do you want to walk in certain places with USD3000 of equipment on you?

Message edited by author 2005-09-09 08:25:43.

Klifton

Nikon D50