Nikon lens advice please.

[jthomas]

O.K. I got the D70 on Monday, and I'm already thinking about new lenses.:heh

It came with the 18-70 f/3.5-4.6 lens. The two directions I would like to consider are:

1) Bigger maximum aperture for indoor shots w/o flash (people, museums).

2) Longer range zoom for outdoor (wildlife, etc.) . I do NOT expect to get into serious birding, however.

I'm not familiar with the Nikon lens range, so I would appreciate suggestions for specific choices. Not too pricey, please:rolleyes.

[Harryb]

O.K. I got the D70 on Monday, and I'm already thinking about new lenses.:heh

It came with the 18-70 f/3.5-4.6 lens. The two directions I would like to consider are:

1) Bigger minimum aperture for indoor shots w/o flash (people, museums).

2) Longer range zoom for outdoor (wildlife, etc.) . I do NOT expect to get into serious birding, however.

I'm not familiar with the Nikon lens range, so I would appreciate suggestions for specific choices. Not too pricey, please:rolleyes.
A fine lens and one of my favorites for indoor shooting is the Nikon 50mm/1.8. At $99.95 its one of the best bargains in glass you will ever find.

A fine zoom lens in the Sigma 70-200/2.8 for $799.00. ou cn couple thta with Sigma's 1.4 and or 2.0 TCS and have a good lens for outdoor shooting and a very flexible range.

If thats too pricey an excellent bargain lens is the Tamron 28-300 XR DI/3.5-6.3 for $399.00 (before the current $20 rebate). Its a very good bargain lens for sunny days.

If you want more reach another good bargain lens is the Tokina 80-400/4.5-5.6 for $489 (before the $40 rebate),

If you want to stay with Nikon glass a bargain zoom is the 70-300/4 - 5.6D ED lens for $299.95 (before the $40 rebate).

[luckyrwe]

I'd get the Nikon 70-300 for longer distances and the 50/1.8 for indoors and people.

[JohnR]

I have the 50mm f/1.8 lens and I love it! Great bargain!

I also have the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF Nikor and it's a nice lens! Adorama has it
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens with Bracket & cl-43a case - USA with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty (http://www.adorama.com/NK80200AFNU.html)
$100.00 Mfr Rebate from Apr 1, 2005 - Jun 30, 2005 (http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=rebatepop&sku=NK80200AFNU)

[SteveLongPhoto]

This was shot with the 70-300 ED and a D70:

http://stevelongphoto.smugmug.com/photos/17892723-L.jpg

It's a pretty sharp lens.

[JohnR]

And here are some taken with the 80-200mm

http://louisvilleky.smugmug.com/photos/7558088-M.jpg

and a 100% crop. Both taken with D70. (quality reduced for web)

http://www.mac-yak.com//images/7594318.jpg

[jthomas]

There seems to be a pretty solid consensus here for the 50mm/1.8. and the 70-300/4 - 5.6D ED. At $99.95 +$(299.95-40) looks like I can get pretty good coverage for $360.

How large is the 70-300 ?

Is this right ? I expected to have to spend a lot more!:thumb

[Harryb]

There seems to be a pretty solid consensus here for the 50mm/1.8. and the 70-300/4 - 5.6D ED. At $99.95 +$(299.95-40) looks like I can get pretty good coverage for $360.

How large is the 70-300 ?

Is this right ? I expected to have to spend a lot more!:thumb
The 70-300 is 4' 9'' long and weighs 1.14 lb. You can also use TCs with it (but you lose AF).

The 70-300 is a budget lens. If you can spend more $ you may want to consider the Sigma 70-200 or the Nikon 80-200 as both are better glass.

[luckyrwe]

The 70-300 "G" is a budget lens. The 70-300 rocks. I'd say it is 80% of the 80-200 at 1/3 the price. I've used them all and I am very impressed with the 70-300ED lens. Be sure to avoid the G lens though.

[jthomas]

The 70-300 "G" is a budget lens. The 70-300 rocks. I'd say it is 80% of the 80-200 at 1/3 the price. I've used them all and I am very impressed with the 70-300ED lens. Be sure to avoid the G lens though. Thanks for the advice. I've sort of narrowed ny choices to:

1) 50mm f1.4 D autofocus

2) 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED Autofocus

Would anyone suggest alternatives? Would these complement my 18-70 f/3.5-4.6?

Any one had experience with 50mm/1.4 ?

From 1969 until 1990 I had a Minolta SRT 101 with the 58mm/1.4 lens and I loved it. The original camera and lens were stolen, but I still have a 105mm prime I bought for it.

[luckyrwe]

I have had both the 50/1.4 and 1.8. The difference in speed is small. The 1.8 is sharper per Nikon and everyone else. I like that the newer 1.8 lens looks better, in that it looks like a normal lens with the numbers and such going around the lens barrel.

The only other stuff you would need is a macro lens if you wanted to do close ups, but you seem to have the field pretty much set. If you find the glass too slow you can save for the 2.8 versions of the zooms, they will set you back a few bills.