Decisions, decisions...
Discussion
My current lenses:
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G-AFS ED-IF DX
Nikon AF Nikkor 300mm f/4 ED-IF
I'm using a D70, and I am looking to get another lens sometime soon. I'd like to do some macro work, so I'm looking at either the Nikon 60mm f/2.8D or 105mm f/2.8D macro lenses. On the other hand, I'd also like to close the gap between 70mm and 300mm, perhaps with a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8D. Then again, I also love the effect of the Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G. The problem is, I can't spend more than about $800, so I would really only be able to get one of them...
Suggestions?
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G-AFS ED-IF DX
Nikon AF Nikkor 300mm f/4 ED-IF
I'm using a D70, and I am looking to get another lens sometime soon. I'd like to do some macro work, so I'm looking at either the Nikon 60mm f/2.8D or 105mm f/2.8D macro lenses. On the other hand, I'd also like to close the gap between 70mm and 300mm, perhaps with a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8D. Then again, I also love the effect of the Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G. The problem is, I can't spend more than about $800, so I would really only be able to get one of them...
Suggestions?
Been there!
So your Christmas list is essentially:
1) Macro
2) Fast telephoto zoom
3) Ultra wide-angle
Your needs/wants will doubtless be different to mine, but I chose (1) Macro - Nikkor 60mm - for personal work, and because I always wanted one. Working distance is not very important and the 60mm is the least expensive (2) Fast telephoto - Sigma 70-200 f2.8 - as it became essential for work. Can't justify (3) yet though. If I really need ultra wide-angle on a few occasions, eg New Zealand, I might shoot two at 18mm and stitch them.
I saved loads by getting both lenses in mint condition from e-Bay.
So your Christmas list is essentially:
1) Macro
2) Fast telephoto zoom
3) Ultra wide-angle
Your needs/wants will doubtless be different to mine, but I chose (1) Macro - Nikkor 60mm - for personal work, and because I always wanted one. Working distance is not very important and the 60mm is the least expensive (2) Fast telephoto - Sigma 70-200 f2.8 - as it became essential for work. Can't justify (3) yet though. If I really need ultra wide-angle on a few occasions, eg New Zealand, I might shoot two at 18mm and stitch them.
I saved loads by getting both lenses in mint condition from e-Bay.
Ah - the old "cake and eat" question.
Suggestion: a Sigma 150/180 macro, best of both worlds? Plus a Tokina (or maybe Sigma) 12-24??
The telephoto macros are pretty good build quality and produce some stunning results (if I didn't already own a Nikon 180 and extension tube I'd consider one of these)
Secondly I've heard plenty of people rave about the 10.5 and I've handled one myself (drool, drool), but a) a lot of people once they've got one find they only use it infrequently and b) if you then consider the next altenatives in the Nikon range the 14mm is toooooo expensive (maybe £800 secondhand) but beautiful and the wide zooms are usually considered not such good value for money in comparison to their aftermarket counterparties.
Suggestion: a Sigma 150/180 macro, best of both worlds? Plus a Tokina (or maybe Sigma) 12-24??
The telephoto macros are pretty good build quality and produce some stunning results (if I didn't already own a Nikon 180 and extension tube I'd consider one of these)
Secondly I've heard plenty of people rave about the 10.5 and I've handled one myself (drool, drool), but a) a lot of people once they've got one find they only use it infrequently and b) if you then consider the next altenatives in the Nikon range the 14mm is toooooo expensive (maybe £800 secondhand) but beautiful and the wide zooms are usually considered not such good value for money in comparison to their aftermarket counterparties.
My first few postings on this forum were based around my obsession with getting a wide angle (fisheye) for my D70.
Having chatted to Matt (nomoregravy) he rightly pointed out that whilst it's cool, it's also a bit gimmicky, and how much would you really use it?
That set me thinking, and I decided I would get significantly more use out of a good telephoto (rather than my current sigma which I never put on the camera. I'm currently on the hunt for a decent Sigma 70-200 as Simpo suggests above - not quite at the point where I'm willing to buy from Hong Kong though.
Now, the only way I'd consider getting a 10mm would be if it was a 10-24mm which would give you all the wide angle stuff without tying you into the fisheye effect of a 10mm only.
Not cheap though!
Having chatted to Matt (nomoregravy) he rightly pointed out that whilst it's cool, it's also a bit gimmicky, and how much would you really use it?
That set me thinking, and I decided I would get significantly more use out of a good telephoto (rather than my current sigma which I never put on the camera. I'm currently on the hunt for a decent Sigma 70-200 as Simpo suggests above - not quite at the point where I'm willing to buy from Hong Kong though.
Now, the only way I'd consider getting a 10mm would be if it was a 10-24mm which would give you all the wide angle stuff without tying you into the fisheye effect of a 10mm only.
Not cheap though!
GetCarter said:
Oi Two... I was thinking abot the Nikkor 60 for arty close up nature stuff... is that the one to buy?
Did you get your's from Hong Kong (ebay?)
Yo Get
The other option is the Nikkor 105mm - more working distance, more money. True macro - not telephotos with 'macro' written on them - actually takes some thought because DOF is virtually non-existent. But when you get it right, like my dandelion shot where you can see individual pollen grains, it's stunning. The other thing is that as you change focus, the field of view changes remarkably - almost like a zoom lens. I got it mint second-hand from a private seller in California for about £200 inc shipping.
Hmm I'm getting the impression that the 10.5mm should probably get moved to the end of my list...
So now it's down to a telephoto zoom or a macro... I'd like to stay with Nikon lenses, because I've tried out Sigma/Tokina/Tamron lenses at the local camera store, and although the difference in picture quality is relatively small, to me it's noticable and I'd rather spend the extra money for a good Nikon lens.
If I'm going to get a telephoto zoom lens, I'm leaning toward the 80-200mm f/2.8D lens. I don't really need to go higher than 200mm on a regular basis, and when I do, the 300mm I have is great. However, I'm still not sure if I would want to get the 60mm macro or pay the extra money to go up to the 105mm macro. I've also heard some talk about extension tubes?
So now it's down to a telephoto zoom or a macro... I'd like to stay with Nikon lenses, because I've tried out Sigma/Tokina/Tamron lenses at the local camera store, and although the difference in picture quality is relatively small, to me it's noticable and I'd rather spend the extra money for a good Nikon lens.
If I'm going to get a telephoto zoom lens, I'm leaning toward the 80-200mm f/2.8D lens. I don't really need to go higher than 200mm on a regular basis, and when I do, the 300mm I have is great. However, I'm still not sure if I would want to get the 60mm macro or pay the extra money to go up to the 105mm macro. I've also heard some talk about extension tubes?
imperialism2024 said:Sensible possibilities for macro, or close to macro:
I've also heard some talk about extension tubes?
1) A dedicated "Micro" lens (note the Ny-kon* terminology)
2) stick a close up lens on (Nikon 6T or similar)
3) reverse a standard (ish)lens
4) extension tubes (PK-13 for example)
5) bellows unit
5) reverse a short focal length lens onto the front of a telephoto
6) various combinations of above.
Not having a specific "micro" (at the moment), I can get good results with 2),3) and 4). All these are significantly cheaper than a dedicated lens.
When I want full metering and can't get too close, it's a close up lens on a 180mm.
When I can get reasonably close and want least fiddling it's the 85mm on the front of a PK-13 - metering by checking histygram and bracketing
When I've time to fiddle, turn the 45mm onto the PK-13, fiddle, fiddle, bracket and check histy....
Worth thinking how you want to carve your budget up, I reckon.
*
adopted the pronunciation specially for our American friends - I forgot to celebrate July 4th when we finally realised that they were a bunch of no-hopers who would never come to anything much and kicked them out of the Empire!! ( If necessary look up I-R-O-N-Y in the dixiebook before flaming me )
it's not pronounced "Nee-kon"? 
Beano speaks an infinite deal of sense. For macro on a budget, a close-up lens (ie fits on front of another lens) is affordable and you retain all metering etc. Then you can get the 80-200. You'll find loads on this on the forums at Nikonians - they might even have one just for macro.
Though I must confess I baulked at the cost of the Nikkor and found a mint Sigma for £350
Though I must confess I baulked at the cost of the Nikkor and found a mint Sigma for £350
imperialism2024 said:
The Nikon 80-200 is only $820 after rebate, from NYC?
Ah yes, you live in the land of low taxes, you lucky b*stard
In that case, carry on! V6GTO said:
A set of extention tubes make a lot of sense, being relativly cheap to get you over Macro requirmrnts in the short term.
Watch out. As I understand it, even Nikon don't make extension tubes that support all camera functions - you need Kenco tubes - according to received wisdom. (If the lens sounds gritty, you got Kenco coffee by mistake...)
That's why I like the sound of the close up 'dioptre' - it doesn't interfere with all those connections.
simpo two said:
The Nikon 80-200 is only $820 after rebate, from NYC?
Ah yes, you live in the land of low taxes, you lucky b*stard
Actually, since I order online from a different state, there is also no sales tax, just about $10 shipping
So what kind of camera functions wouldn't extension tubes support?
imperialism2024 said:
So what kind of camera functions wouldn't extension tubes support?
I don't know exactly but that's what I recall from prowling Nikonians earlier this year.
http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/Nikonians%20Teleconverter%20Table.pdf
If in any doubt, join up and post the question, as they know far more than I
simpo two said:Taking my PK-13 as an example:
So what kind of camera functions wouldn't extension tubes support?
I don't know exactly but that's what I recall from prowling Nikonians earlier this year.
http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/Nikonians%20Teleconverter%20Table.pdf
If in any doubt, join up and post the question, as they know far more than I
Electrical contacts for metering, AFS focus and D (distance) info and screw drive for autofocus....
But you will have a "stopdown lever" (again in case of PK-13) so you can focus (you'll also have "focus assist light in viewfinder"
and frame at full aperture. So - manual focus, metering via other means or check before adding extension tube and use histy...
Yo Two
You made me buy a Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D Macro lens
Just wanted to put that on record in case I take rubbish pictures with it.
Half price from HK so should be here sometime in 2007 - by which time my bank account will be the perfect subject for the Macro.
>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 7th July 15:37
You made me buy a Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D Macro lens
Just wanted to put that on record in case I take rubbish pictures with it.
Half price from HK so should be here sometime in 2007 - by which time my bank account will be the perfect subject for the Macro.
>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 7th July 15:37
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