Well the more I think and read about the D70 the less and less I want to get the H1 and FZ5. One thing I worry a lot about is the situation with the lenses. I've been able to learn a lot about cameras themselves and their capabilities but it seems that I am having a harder time grasping onto how lenses really work and why certain ones are use for certain types of shooting. I have read the Lens Buyers Guide but I think right now it's just a lot for me to digest.
There are 2 different sets of Nikon D70 and lenses that I am interested in getting. However I'm not sure which one would be the better choice, If ANY actually are a good choice. Here's my situation, the 2 sets include the D70 body, accessories, and 2 lenses. The lenses for each set are as follows:
I realize that they both have the same aperture sizes but the extra letters and names confuse me beyond belief, they could be the same exact lens for all I know I think (from what I've read and studied) that the aperture ranges these lenses provide are pretty decent especially in taking everyday pictures in addition to macros. However, those are the cheaper sets. The more expensive one includes the following lenses:
The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 High Speed Zoom lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II
Obvious enough for me to see, the lower aperture number of the f/2.8 compared to the earlier f/3.5 signifies the prince increase (almost $400-500). Now the question is what kind of pictures will I be taking?
Scenery and outdoor nature pictures, everyday pictures (mostly outdoor) of friends and events, and then outdoor macros.
Will the f/3.5 be enough or will spending more money actually be worth it to take advantage of the f/2.8? I'm not looking to take super wide scenery shots (yet at least). Spending about $900-1000 will be pushing it compared to $600-700 but I'm not too sure...
Or will getting the D70 body and getting seperate lenses a better choice? And if so, which ones should I consider?
I will be going to a photography store sometime this or next week but I want some ideas on which lenses I should try out when I get to the store.
Well the more I think and read about the D70 the less and less I want to get the H1 and FZ5. One thing I worry a lot about is the situation with the lenses. I've been able to learn a lot about cameras themselves and their capabilities but it seems that I am having a harder time grasping onto how lenses really work and why certain ones are use for certain types of shooting. I have read the Lens Buyers Guide but I think right now it's just a lot for me to digest.
There are 2 different sets of Nikon D70 and lenses that I am interested in getting. However I'm not sure which one would be the better choice, If ANY actually are a good choice. Here's my situation, the 2 sets include the D70 body, accessories, and 2 lenses. The lenses for each set are as follows:
I realize that they both have the same aperture sizes but the extra letters and names confuse me beyond belief, they could be the same exact lens for all I know I think (from what I've read and studied) that the aperture ranges these lenses provide are pretty decent especially in taking everyday pictures in addition to macros. However, those are the cheaper sets. The more expensive one includes the following lenses:
The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 High Speed Zoom lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II
Obvious enough for me to see, the lower aperture number of the f/2.8 compared to the earlier f/3.5 signifies the prince increase (almost $400-500). Now the question is what kind of pictures will I be taking?
Scenery and outdoor nature pictures, everyday pictures (mostly outdoor) of friends and events, and then outdoor macros.
Will the f/3.5 be enough or will spending more money actually be worth it to take advantage of the f/2.8? I'm not looking to take super wide scenery shots (yet at least). Spending about $900-1000 will be pushing it compared to $600-700 but I'm not too sure...
Or will getting the D70 body and getting seperate lenses a better choice? And if so, which ones should I consider?
I will be going to a photography store sometime this or next week but I want some ideas on which lenses I should try out when I get to the store.
As a starter set here is my suggestion:
D70 with kit lens (18-70 DX). Or you may want to opt for the Sigma 18-125 for better every-day range (~$280). I use this lens and am very happy with the results. Be aware that at the extremes it does vignette (darken corners) but the extra utility make it worth the vignetting. In the middle ranges of zoom (around 22mm to 110mm) and aperture (f6.3 to f16) the vignetting goes away.
Second lens should be the Sigma 70-300 APO (~$250 or less). This is a better lens than the Nikkor equivalent (from personal experience).
Third lens is the 50mm f1.8 Nikkor. You will be surprised at how often this lens ends up on your camera. Sharp with beautiful bokeh (background blurr), and around $100, or less, depending on where you buy it.
That should be a good starter set. For an extra $120 the Sigma 18-200 will also be a great everyday lens (~$400).
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Once you go dSLR you'll never go back
I've given up on those at the moment (too busy writing a book).
I've picked up one of those cheap ($130) Phoenix 100mm macro lenses a couple of weeks back, I haven't tried it that much (book again), but with the little filter it comes with that makes it a 1:1 lens, it isn't bad.
Hmmmm, I must clean my tripod again......
Sorry, about the rubbish image, but it's too windy to get a flower shot today and I have half forgotten how to use a D70.
That Phoenix lens (I believe that it is made in Korea) does a pretty good job.
Sarah Joyce
Thanks Sarah.
It's not too bad image-wise on the D70, but I have yet to try it out at full frame with the 35mm, that's the next task on the list.
The one thing it is not, is quiet. You could still hear it focusing if someone was digging up the road next to you. It's fine in MF mode though.
Nikon D70, but WHICH lenses???
Linear Mode
