I guess that's a funny title Anyhow, I have a good friend that is looking to get either a D70 or D70s, and asked for some advice. I told him it was a great camera and that he'd be very happy with it. He wanted some lens advice, but I'm just not familiar enough with the Nikon lineup to feel comfortable giving him advice, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
First off, I think he's better off getting a D70 than the D70s if he can find one, and just upgrading the firmware. Is this wrong?
Secondly he wants a decent starter lens set, but he's never used SLRs before, let alone DSLRs. I think we can leave the 200-400 VR off the list for now. He wants to be able to shoot everything from portraits, to landscapes to wildlife and sports, so, no help there. He didn't specify a budget (sigh), but I would guess it would be best to keep to total under $2k for the lenses - probably under $1500 would be best.
FWIW, I own the Tamron 28-75mm f//2.8 XR Di lens for the Canon, and it's pretty amazing for the price, so I'm open to suggesting 3rd party lenses.
Personally, for an inexpensive, general use lens, he can't go wrong with the 18-70 DX lens (Its the kit lens with the D70). It is an over-all excellent value.
Now, the 18-70 isn't very good for sports... so for a good general purpose sports lens, you might want to look at the 80-200/2.8 ED AF lens is hard to beat...
Edward Rotberg wrote:
First off, I think he's better off getting a D70 than the D70s if he can find one, and just upgrading the firmware. Is this wrong?
= Ed =
This is right... save the bucks for the glass. D70 is still available "new in box" and is a honkin' good deal!
Start with the 18-70 DX lens, it's value is hard to beat.
D70 would be a good start - although personally - I really like the D2h - and would recommend it to anyone, but its not for the lesser of budgets.
As for lenses - the kit lens is good with the D70 - but if you're friend is looking for more telephoto range - don't forget that there are many good stores out there selling used Nikkor glass, and for decent prices, he could pickup a used lens. That's how I got my start.
I would recommend that he gets the kit lens 18-70( so that he do not have to worry about the wide angle for some time. Atleast until he see some photos with the 12-24!)
and then get a 50/f1.8 and a used 80-200/f2.8 (2 touch with tripod color)
like new condition 80-200 can be found for ~ $600. That will pretty much cover him to the most part. As he gets familiarize with the system, he can always add more stuff. This way, his initial cost will be pretty low.
regards,
-Beji
Edward Rotberg wrote:
Thanks gang! It's nice that there is good consensus here!
= Ed =
As usual, I have a different opinion. I own a D70 and a D70s. I would go for the D70s with whatever kit lens. It's not just an upgrade, I think Nikon fixed a couple of quirks in the electronics of the camera. The images are sharper. Only downside on the D70s I have noticed is more roaming before focusing and more noise at ISO 400 and above than the D70.
Another vote for the kit lens 18-70 (best you can have for the price)
My second most used lens is the 80-400...
So just for the range and flexibility why not:
18-70 Nikkor + 80-400 VR Nikkor or 80-400 OS Sigma
You can find interesting deals on these lenses (found some used for 1000 USD or less)
One thing regarding the D70 vs. D70s to consider is whether your friend will do much tripod-mounted photography using a remote release. If so, he wants the D70s. The D70 doesn't accept a cable release, only a little IR remote thingy that is pretty inconvenient for anything other than self-portraits. If he thinks landscape or macro might represent a fair chunk of his photography, this is a point not to overlook.
For under $1.5K I'd suggest the D70, kit lens, 50mm F1.8, and 85mm F1.8. I think the kit lens is "OK" .......... but the 50mm and 85mm are much-much better in just about every way. That 'kit' should still be under $1.5K.
deviant one wrote:
sorry, but im new here and i am also looking to buy a D70/s ... my question is this:
how do u get the body + kit lens + 2 other lenses + memory for under $1.5K?
cuz right now im looking at 1100-1200 for the body and kit lens alone...
VERY simple:
Go to buydig.com and get a D70 kit (with 18-70 lens) for $905 after rebate. Add an 85mm F1.8 lens and 50mm F1.8 lens and you are "in like Flint' for under $1400. BTW, don't waste your money on the cheap tele-zooms.
Anyhow, I have a good friend that is looking to get either a D70 or D70s, and asked for some advice. I told him it was a great camera and that he'd be very happy with it. He wanted some lens advice, but I'm just not familiar enough with the Nikon lineup to feel comfortable giving him advice, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
He wants to be able to shoot everything from portraits, to landscapes to wildlife and sports, so, no help there. He didn't specify a budget (sigh), but I would guess it would be best to keep to total under $2k for the lenses - probably under $1500 would be best.