lenses

[meagain]

advice on buying lenses please for the D70. got the standard 18-70 lens that came with the kit. would like a zoom lens and a macro lens, not sure what to buy. Also is there anywhere i can see comparison photos,i.e same picture taken with different lenses so that i can see the zoom capability.
Thanks

[size13]

you could try
www.pbase.com/cameras

I went for the tamron 28-300
www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/af_28-300_35-63_xr_ld_if_di
or
www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_28_300_review_3.html

[406]

I bit the bullett and went for a Nikon 80-400 VR lens. Half price @ £780 from ebay. Nice lens

[simpo two]

Damn, I replied to this hours ago just as PH broke...

You already have a zoom lens in the 18-70 so I think you mean 'zoom telephoto'. I'd suggest:

Cheap: Nikkor 70-300 G
Medium: Sigma 70-300
Premium: Nikkor 70-300 ED

I wouldn't go for the Tamron 28-300 because it overlaps mauch of what you already have, and will sacrifice quality and aperture getting that big range (f6.3).

True macro lenses are not cheap because they're very high quality and fiedishly clever, but:
Medium: Tamron 90mm, Sigma 105mm.
Premium: Micro Nikkor 60mm and 105mm.

I took this with a Micro Nikkor 60mm:



>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 16th August 20:32

[-DeaDLocK-]

In addition to my 18-70, I have a zoom and a macro.

Zoom is 70-200 VR - absolutely divine lens and worth every penny, even though there are lots of them needed to secure one. I occasionally use it coupled with a 2x TC, which gives me an effective 600mm, and the VR is so good that I can shoot at 600mm at ISO 200 in decent light with no camera shake.

Macro is Sigma 50mm 2.8. 1:1 magnification (and more when crop factor is factored in), ultra sharp across all openings. Not used it much due to the fixed length, but for the odd spot of macro it's quite handy.

[meagain]

Thanks for the advice guys, decided to go with the Nikor 70-300 ed.. I know its expensive but tried it out yesyerday with the camera and really impressed with the results. anyway wife is paying its a birthday present....Macro not sure yet, but like the results that simpotwo has acheived...

>> Edited by meagain on Wednesday 17th August 09:12

[simpo two]

meagain said:

Macro not sure yet

Agreed, IMHO macros belong in the 'second wave' of lenses once you've got the basics covered. If you want to try close-photography for less, the cheapest way to do it that will retain all camera functions is a close-up dioptre which screws on the front (see Nikon site for more details). I've heard they work well on the 70-300, though of course you lose infinity focus with one fitted.

[size13]

simpo two said:

I wouldn't go for the Tamron 28-300 because it overlaps mauch of what you already have, and will sacrifice quality and aperture getting that big range (f6.3).

True, but it's a great walk-about lense. I'm now thinking about something else, maybe the sigma 70-300 for telephoto only

[simpo two]

meagain said:

Thanks for the advice guys, decided to go with the Nikor 70-300 ed.

Good choice. Bear in mind that it (like all of them at this level) have mechanically-driven AF, not AF-S. So in comparison to the 18-70 it will seem slow to focus.

[_dobbo_]

simpo two said:

meagain said: Thanks for the advice guys, decided to go with the Nikor 70-300 ed. Good choice. Bear in mind that it (like all of them at this level) have mechanically-driven AF, not AF-S. So in comparison to the 18-70 it will seem slow to focus.

That 18-70 kit lens really does spoil you! Without AF-S all my other lenses seem noisy and slow, even though they aren't really either of those things!

[Don]

406 said:

I bit the bullett and went for a Nikon 80-400 VR lens. Half price @ £780 from ebay. Nice lens

Damn. Want one of those badly. Good?