Two Questions…
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OK…two questions…
First, the wife might spring to purchase me a couple new lenses for the Nikon D70s.
If I may comment on the second part…
There are many really good non-DSLR, with no lag, great focus, awesome zoom and incredible image quality. I would recommend that they go for one of these, they are relatively inexpensive for the quality of product and they are seriously simple to use.
I want to stress that the ease of use thing is why I would recommend one. Our lighty is 2 years old and we have had a DSLR for 6 months before he was born, however, my wife is so frustrated that she still can’t use it properly, so I get stuck taking all the pics.
You need a good zoom, so you are not on top of the subjects all the time, hi DPI and preferably a lesson… find a dealer who specialize in one of the cameras, then buy a lesson with the camera, on how to get the best out of it…
There are three that I recommend, and when they go to get one, it must be the latest, top of the line, if not, you will still get shutter lag.
Panasonic – my personal favorite, power camera…
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ28S_11002_7000000000000005702Canon – I have a friend who swears by this one…
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17630Sony – another mate is convinced that anything less is a waste of time.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665360043Nikon D40 w/ 18-55mm VR lens about $650.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htmCameron –
I have a pretty good idea of the kinds of subjects you are interested in photographing (i.e. gorgeous antique reels and fiberglass rods and stream fish, etc). You are tailor made for the macro game!!! So here is my recommendation – either option is good but the first setup will surely get “YOU” the most bang for the buck and allow you do great product shots, macro fly shots and will also serve as a “normal” lens setup so you can avoid the 50mm for now (remember, everyone and their dog are talking about the new 50mm Nikkor lens but you will get a similar focal length with the 60mm macro).
1. My first choice for you – Nikon 60mm AF-D f/2.8 (1989 -2008). This is the lens that Zach recommended to me a while back and it was my first non-kit lens purchase. Nikon replaced it this year by a new 60mm which does the same thing but is more expensive. Since you have the D70 you CAN use the older (and in my opinion better) lens. This will get up and running better than any setup. Since it is now discontinued you will need to hit ebay http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZNikonQ2060mmQ20fQ2f2Q2e8QQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ or other sources but it can be had for less than $350. Secret – this is the lens I use mostly to get the fly shots I post here.
Ken Rockwell reviews
Older 60mm AF-D f/2.8 http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/60mm-afd.htm
Newer 60mm AF-S f/2.8 http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/60mm-afs.htm
Example from my 60mm AF-D f/2.8
2. Another great lens is the 12-24 wide angle http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1224.htm. This is a great lens and allows you get cool river shots and nature photography with wide angle. Everything is good with this lens. However, this is an expensive piece of equipment and your kit lens will similar focal length so it is not essential, just thought I’d mention it.
3. IF you still want a 50mm prime lens to walk around with, the 50mm f/1.8 is a great buy at $99. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5018daf.htm. Most everyone has this lens (or the f1.4) in their bag. For a Christmas present the f/1.8 is an innexpensive stocking stuffer and you will have fun walking around with this little gem. Remember though, if you get the 60mm macro lens it will be similar except that it is “slower” meaning the aperture won’t open to 1.8 or 1.4 like the dedicated 50mm. Finally, know that most of the reviews on the 50mm lenses pertain to the new FX (full frame) digital cameras – on your D70 sensor this lens will essentially have a focal length of like 80mm and act more like a short telephoto. At $99 it’s not that big of a deal and that’s why most people just grab one and play around.
Instead of getting two lenses, you might consider just getting the 60mm macro plus an additional flash – like the Nikon SB-600! That setup will shoot you straight up the learning curve for product/fly shots that I know you want. Here’s something you may not know – very very important – your D70 is not only a great camera but it has the capability of acting as a MASTER flash control! Nikon discontinued this ability in the subsequent entry level cameras. This is huge because you can take flash (i.e. SB-600 or others) off-camera for creative lighting. You don’t need to buy additional masters like the SB-800/SB-900, or SU-800 – your camera has the master capability built in!!! Bonus, score. Read more here http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/ittlslave.htm or here http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70/d70-settings-menus-custom.htm.
Cameron –
3. IF you still want a 50mm prime lens to walk around with, the 50mm f/1.8 is a great buy at $99. For a Christmas present the f/1.8 is an innexpensive stocking stuffer
Holy Hannah! Where do I sign up to be adopted by you and your wife…a $99 stocking stuffer! What gets put under the tree??
Cameron…cant help you too much on question number one but every once in a while I will comment on things like number 2. I havent in a while…and usually stay out of the fray but your buddy may also want to look at the Pentax K200d. body and kit lens 18-55 can be had right now for under $500. http://www.broadwayphoto.com/productlistings.aspx?fc=F_PNK200D&l=google
I am a Pentaxian and have been happy with my purchase. While it is not without its drawbacks I think all major manufactures have flaws somewhere.
I often liken Pentax to the Scott’s and Thomas & Thomas’ of the world. Everyone talks about Nikon and Canon (ie Sage and Orvis) but many times overlook some of the smaller companies who makes stuff just as good if not better.
My sister and her family wanted a DSLR for the same reason as your frend and they got the D40. One advantage of the D40 is its size. I think it is the smallest DSLR on the market, and tends to feel better to women and moms with smaller hands.
Anyway…just my two cents…which are worth about….0.
1. I’d do the Macro 100 or 50mm
2. I’d go with this. Panasonci/Leica
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/
Sample Gallery.
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/panasoniclx3_samples/
#2 – I have a Lumix. It’s hard to miss that Leica name on the lens – and the L on the body for that matter. It makes all the difference! Great choice.
Extreme zooms such as 18-200 have one huge drawback, and that’s the starting and ending (ie. non-fixed) focal length. It is pretty safe to assume it is something like a 4.0-5.6 and that’s pretty slow. shannonSome of the photos in the sample gallery for that camera are just awesome. Makes me want a Leica camera. The 50mm Macro I use on my Alpha is a Minolta branded Leica lens and it takes stunning photos.
Hi Cameron, I can’t help you much with Nikon stuff because I haven’t had one for over 10 years, but I did have a try of the 50 1.4 on a D200 not so long ago and I was impressed.
The only negative was the lens had a lot of CA’s, but if you’re shooting above 1.8 or f2 it wouldn’t be a problem.
It was very sharp.
A 50 is great to have around for low light and doing narrow depth of field and on your crop frame camera they make a great portrait lens.
Everyone should have one.
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
YES! That is a very accurate observation about tonality of images, and one I completely overlooked. However, in the old days that tonality was “cooked in” to a negative. Nowadays, Photoshop can handle that in less than a second. Still, there is that very accurate comparison of Zeiss vs. Leica.(For the ultimate in Leica sharpness – see early Sebastiao Salgado) I have rarely been unable to overcome an image that is “too sharp”. With Photoshop, and some affordable plugins (secret weapons), or built in filters properly set; I would much rather start out too sharp than try to make sharper. I would also rather start out with extreme tonal range than trying to create tonality – digital or negative printing. All that said, macros really are for macro work, and the lenses intended for portraiture have complimentary compression and a well thought out balance of sharpness of tonality – most assuredly. shannon
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