Topic: D70 Lens Reccomendations

[phanophish]

Sooooo.  How do you know you are a gear slut?

When you replace you Canon Digitl Rebel a new D70 just 'cuz they have no intrest financing going.  I'm stepping up from the  Rebel to a D70 so look for my old Rebel to go on Ebay soon.  But now I need some Nikon glass.  Anybody have a good reccomendation for concert photography?  I'm picking up a 50 f/1.8 tomorrow and will be shopping for something else in the coming weeks.  Please steer me in the right direction.....

[jpschust]

talk to costigan, he has a d70, though his wedding is this weekend so he wont be around.

im not even sure what the crop factor is on the d70

[BobW]

 If you do low-light, you want VR glass..........I know that I do         

[ditto]

The crop factor fo the D70 is 1.5.  VR glass is expensive.  Look at the 85 1.4 ( $1000+ ) or 135 2.0 ( $400+ ).  If shooting concerts look for smaller f-stop ( equals wide aperture ).  If you can do it, look at the 70-200 f/2.8 VR ( ~ $1600 ).  This would be an ideal lens for concerts, as well as many other applications. 

What else will you be shooting?

Bill

[phanophish]

I certainly have my eye on the 50-200 VR, bit I'll have to pay for the D70 first.  Most of my shooting is handheld candid stuff at family events so the 18-70 that comes with the kit should be nice and the 50/1.8 will work great in low light.  I'll probably pick up something in a short tele prime lens like the 135/2.0 in time for Wakarusa this summer.  That and the 50 should do fine for smaller shows where getting up front is not a probem.  I'll have to save up for the VR glass.  I also know that I want to pick up a SB-800.  The remote triggering stuff it does is way cool

[jpschust]

I certainly have my eye on the 50-200 VR, bit I'll have to pay for the D70 first.  Most of my shooting is handheld candid stuff at family events so the 18-70 that comes with the kit should be nice and the 50/1.8 will work great in low light.  I'll probably pick up something in a short tele prime lens like the 135/2.0 in time for Wakarusa this summer.  That and the 50 should do fine for smaller shows where getting up front is not a probem.  I'll have to save up for the VR glass.  I also know that I want to pick up a SB-800.  The remote triggering stuff it does is way cool

for that 135 2.0 you might consider picking up a teleconverter such as a 1.4 or a 2.0 for the brigher days. 

[phanophish]

Sooo......  I was looking around and can't seem to find the lower priced (~$400) 135/f2.0 lens.  All I can find is a 135/F2 DC Macro that runs upwards of $700.  Any links to the non Macro 135/f2?  I did pick up a 50/1.8  for $70 and a 28-80 Macro for $30 off ebay.

[ditto]

I pulled that price from FM.com.  It's an averaged price based upon what reviewers paid.  So, not a reliable source I'm sorry to say.  I checked with B+H and the price is $1069.95.  Probably what most vendors will be charging.  Just so you know and don't make the mistake that some folks make, don't buy import or grey market--especially with Nikon.  Stick with B+H, Adorama, 17th Street, Canoga and companies like them.

I'm curious why you went to Nikon rather than stay with Canon and buy a 20D?  The ISO is so much better than Nikon when shooting 800+.  Which would be great for shooting concerts indoors.  But, anyway, if you get noisy pictures check out Neat Image NR software.  I used it for some of my 1600ISO Nikon shots and it works great.

Bill

[jpschust]

ditto- look to his other threads in this forum for the canon nikon question

[ditto]

I just read that in the macro lens thread   Sharing lenses sounds like a great reason to switch!  Now if I knew someone who had a 200 1.8 that they would share with me I would be a happy man

Bill

[jpschust]

I just read that in the macro lens thread   Sharing lenses sounds like a great reason to switch!  Now if I knew someone who had a 200 1.8 that they would share with me I would be a happy man

Bill

honestly, I'm fine just having the 2.8 IS.  I like having the zoom capability up to that point

[BCostigan]

Heellllllllllllloooooooo! 


Lens recommendations?

The Kit lens is a great lens...my favorite that I own.  A 50mm 1.8 is a must have at -$100.  The next lens depends on what you'll be shooting.  Personally, I shoot a lot of landscapes so I would (and am) pining for the Nikon 12-24mm f/4. (about $1k new)  If people, sports, wildlife, etc are more your thing go for either the 80-200mm f2.8 (about $800 new) or the highly acclaimed 70-200 f/2.8 VR (about $1500 new).  I would stay away from 3rd party lens if you need to auto fucus quickly (sports, wildlife, etc).  My Sigma 105mm macro has AWFULLY slow auto focus but great optics....I've read many many others complain about this as well with almost all 3rd party lenes. 



Rather than run out and buy a $1000 lens I'd shoot with that 18-70 for a while and see which direction you wish the lens could go and get that lens.

[phanophish]

Thanks for all the reccomendations.  I'll probably try and save up a bit and spring for the 70-200 2.8 VR.  It is what I really want and I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on the 85/1.8 or the 135/2.  Both should work great for what I will be doing.  I'll try and post so shots once I get a chance to get out and take some.  Ditto, if you meet the guy with the 200/1.8 introduce me. +t for all.....