Discussion
Well, whilst in NYC this week accidentally popped into Adorama and bought some lenses 
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 for $105
Nikkor 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR for $210
Really chuffed with both - the 50mm is great at low light shots and very sharp, and the 55-200 is fantastic too, VR is fantastic at reducing shake at extremities - much better than the Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 that I was using before.
Anyway, along with my main Nikkor 18-70 I reckon I have most bases covered, except for a nice fast wide angle - so what is a good way to go for this? My dad has bought a few on ebay recently but they are all non-CPU lenses, which while they will work on my D70s, won't auto-meter/focus IIRC.
So recommendations? second hand holds no fears. Of course I should have bought one whilst state-side but I hadn't done my research
It's not much more than 24 hours ago I was staring at a wall full of lenses in that tourist shop opposite the Empire State!
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 for $105
Nikkor 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR for $210
Really chuffed with both - the 50mm is great at low light shots and very sharp, and the 55-200 is fantastic too, VR is fantastic at reducing shake at extremities - much better than the Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 that I was using before.
Anyway, along with my main Nikkor 18-70 I reckon I have most bases covered, except for a nice fast wide angle - so what is a good way to go for this? My dad has bought a few on ebay recently but they are all non-CPU lenses, which while they will work on my D70s, won't auto-meter/focus IIRC.
So recommendations? second hand holds no fears. Of course I should have bought one whilst state-side but I hadn't done my research
It's not much more than 24 hours ago I was staring at a wall full of lenses in that tourist shop opposite the Empire State! NiceCupOfTea said:
Well, whilst in NYC this week accidentally popped into Adorama and bought some lenses
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 for $105
Nikkor 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR for $210
Really chuffed with both - the 50mm is great at low light shots and very sharp, and the 55-200 is fantastic too, VR is fantastic at reducing shake at extremities - much better than the Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 that I was using before.
Anyway, along with my main Nikkor 18-70 I reckon I have most bases covered, except for a nice fast wide angle - so what is a good way to go for this? My dad has bought a few on ebay recently but they are all non-CPU lenses, which while they will work on my D70s, won't auto-meter/focus IIRC.
So recommendations? second hand holds no fears. Of course I should have bought one whilst state-side but I hadn't done my research It's not much more than 24 hours ago I was staring at a wall full of lenses in that tourist shop opposite the Empire State!
All depends on the budget i guess Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 for $105
Nikkor 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR for $210
Really chuffed with both - the 50mm is great at low light shots and very sharp, and the 55-200 is fantastic too, VR is fantastic at reducing shake at extremities - much better than the Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 that I was using before.
Anyway, along with my main Nikkor 18-70 I reckon I have most bases covered, except for a nice fast wide angle - so what is a good way to go for this? My dad has bought a few on ebay recently but they are all non-CPU lenses, which while they will work on my D70s, won't auto-meter/focus IIRC.
So recommendations? second hand holds no fears. Of course I should have bought one whilst state-side but I hadn't done my research
It's not much more than 24 hours ago I was staring at a wall full of lenses in that tourist shop opposite the Empire State! 
A common choice is the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM - £289.99 on Warehouse Express
Imho it appears to offer a lot for the money - Sigma's EX range, HSM focusing, etc..
Cheers.
Sigma 10-20 is what I settled on when looking for a wide. There is a review contrasting with the Nikon 12-24 on http://www.bythom.com/sigma10to20.htm . I bought this in preference to the Nikon.
On the plus side the Sigma is not much more in the UK than the US - barely worth importing in fact...
On the plus side the Sigma is not much more in the UK than the US - barely worth importing in fact...
Edited by DanH on Sunday 23 December 23:48
Thanks guys - haven't decided whether a prime is the solution or whether I can compromise a little on speed. Price is of course a factor, but having saved a little on those lenses... More research is needed.
Seen a few old primes on ebay that are cheap and I'm wondering if they might be worth a punt as they are very cheap (although obviously completely manual and would mean manual focus & exposure).
More research is needed.Seen a few old primes on ebay that are cheap and I'm wondering if they might be worth a punt as they are very cheap (although obviously completely manual and would mean manual focus & exposure).
NiceCupOfTea said:
Right - my 18-70, is that equivalence or actual focal length? Obviously I want something wider than that will go.
The focal length rating of a lens doesn't take into account crop-factors / 'equivalent'-focal-lengths. So, a lens rated at 10mm will be significantly wider than your existing lens at 18mm.For your D70s (which i believe has a crop factor of 1.5):
Your 18-70mm is roughly equivalent to a 27-105mm on a 35mm film camera / full frame digital camera.
The Sigma 10-20mm will be roughly equal to 15-30mm on a 35mm film camera / full frame digital camera.
Hope this helps
Cheers.
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