Must Have...

[lr1811]

I just purchased a Nikon D70 (w/18-70mm lens), a 70-300mm Nikon lens, 2-1GB memory cards, an additonal battery, and a wireless shutter remote.

If you had some money to spend, maybe a few hundred more, what else would you buy (excluding a bag and tripods, which I have)?

lr1811

[ubergeek]

Buy a fast (e.g. f/2 or faster), prime, "normal" (e.g. 28mm-50mm taking into account the 1.5x crop factor) lens. I'm a Canon guy, so I'm not familiar with the Nikkor lens lineup--but I'm sure there are at least 2 or 3 such lenses that fit this description. In my experience a fast normal lens is indispensable for everyday shooting--in fact I have two of them (28mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4).

Cheers,
Jeremy

[Harryb]

Right now you are covered through 300mm so I would recommend the 50mm/1.8 lens (incredible bargain) and eother the Nikon 60mm/2.8 micro lens or the Sigma 105mm/2.8 macro lens. These are reasonable priced lenses that are sharp, reasonably priced and fill needs not covered by your current lenses.


Harry

[GREAPER]

A sigma 170-500 :D

[lr1811]

I was looking on the net at the 50mm - I noticed one site had it for about $50 cheaper and it said "imported." I also noticed that ebay had some for quite a bit cheaper - which I realize is common on ebay but I was wondering if there were some "cheap" Nikon lenses being sold.

(ok cannon people, no "cheap" shots!)

lr1811

[Andy]

I was looking on the net at the 50mm - I noticed one site had it for about $50 cheaper and it said "imported." I also noticed that ebay had some for quite a bit cheaper - which I realize is common on ebay but I was wondering if there were some "cheap" Nikon lenses being sold.

(ok cannon people, no "cheap" shots!)

lr1811

you won't find any canon vs. nikon cr@p around this board :D we welcome all comers. even harry and he shoots nikon...

seriously, go for a fast prime - the 50 is a good start, but if you can swing it, go for a 35, nikon makes an f/2 35mm.

cheers!

[fish]

I just purchased a Nikon D70 (w/18-70mm lens), a 70-300mm Nikon lens, 2-1GB memory cards, an additonal battery, and a wireless shutter remote. Congrats! Nice setup. Start posting some pics so waxy can critique them. :rofl

If you had some money to spend, maybe a few hundred more, what else would you buy (excluding a bag and tripods, which I have)?

lr1811
Serious answer: Donate the money to your local foodbank. They all need donations right now, and wouldn't you rather have the satisfaction of knowing you fed dozens of needy people, than buying a gizmo you don't even need and want advice to figure out? If there are no foodbanks in your area, I recommend http://www.secondharvest.org/

Not-so-serious answer: SB-800 flash.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/300467.jpg

$320 minus $50 rebate at bhphoto (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300467&is=USA).

[fish]

you won't find any canon vs. nikon cr@p around this board :D we welcome all comers. Ed Zachary. In fact, all of my film gear is Nikon. I have a Nikon Coolpix990 even. But I'm an Apple/Canon convert for digital prosumer.
:clap

[wxwax]

I was looking on the net at the 50mm - I noticed one site had it for about $50 cheaper and it said "imported." I also noticed that ebay had some for quite a bit cheaper - which I realize is common on ebay but I was wondering if there were some "cheap" Nikon lenses being sold.

(ok cannon people, no "cheap" shots!)

lr1811

The imported thing typically means you don't get a USA warranty. I've heard that Nikon is quite strict about this, so you'd have to decide whether you're comfortable without the normal warranty.

Personally, I'm very careful around eBay. There appear to be a lot of lens ripoffs these days, with "auctioneers" creating false identities, stealing photos from other auctions and then trying to sell a phantom lens.

Almost all of my lenses are used. I've bought them from the Buy/Sell forums at www.fredmiranda.com, www.photo.net, and www.robgalbraith.com. Like here at dgrin, you have to register, but also like dgrin, it's free. These communities police themselves to greater or lesser degrees, so I feel safer, especially at Fred Miranda.

[lr1811]

I got my new lens today (50mm as recommended). As someone that is very new to this, what type of pictures are best with this lens?

Once again, I appreciate the information. My first post was about what kind of camera I should get. 2+ weeks later, I'm playing with a Nikon D70 and lots of accesories!

Thanks,
lr1811

[dkapp]

I got my new lens today (50mm as recommended). As someone that is very new to this, what type of pictures are best with this lens?

Once again, I appreciate the information. My first post was about what kind of camera I should get. 2+ weeks later, I'm playing with a Nikon D70 and lots of accesories!

Thanks,
lr1811

The 50mm is best used for portraits and low light photography. This is a very versatile lens, with a million uses. I have bought close-up filters for mine and use it for some macro work.

Don't forget to post some pictures when you get some!

Dave

[fish]

The 50mm is best used for portraits and low light photography. This is a very versatile lens, with a million uses. I have bought close-up filters for mine and use it for some macro work.

Don't forget to post some pictures when you get some!

Dave

Portraits with a 50mm? On a D70, that's what...75mm equiv? Kinda short, imho, but wtf do I know? I'm still learning.

[pathfinder]

Ed Zachary. In fact, all of my film gear is Nikon. I have a Nikon Coolpix990 even. But I'm an Apple/Canon convert for digital prosumer.
:clap


Sounds exactly like someone very near and dear to me - me! :D

[pathfinder]

Portraits with a 50mm? On a D70, that's what...75mm equiv? Kinda short, imho, but wtf do I know? I'm still learning.

The classic portrait lens for 35mm was an 85mm mild telephoto, so the 50mm is not too far off for an APS sensor DSLR. 50mm, fast, small, light, tack sharp, and relatively cheap for the large amount of aperature. What's not to like?

[dkapp]

Portraits with a 50mm? On a D70, that's what...75mm equiv? Kinda short, imho, but wtf do I know? I'm still learning.

The next sharp prime in the Nikon line would be an 85mm or 127.5mm on a Nikon digital body. This could be a bit too long. Some people like to use the 60mm Macro for portrait work too. I have the lens, but never tried it.

I'm no portrait photographer, just kinda going on feel & what I like to shoot so I may also be way off base too :D

Dave

[fish]

Gotcha. I've tried my Canon 100mm/2.8 macro lens for portraits and it's just too crisp. Every single detail comes through...nose hairs, pimples, freckles, scars, wrinkles, dried boogers...you name it. It's not flattering. However, I think that's a really good focal length for a 1.6x sensor. Anywhere between 65 and 200 seems to be good. I've had very poor luck getting good portraits with the toy 50/1.8.