Canon user needs help

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Edward Rotberg
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p.1 #1 · Canon user needs help

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.

Thanks in advance for any help you can off.

= Ed =

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 03:30 PM

KABeach
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p.1 #2 · Canon user needs help

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...

Cheers,
Ken

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 03:42 PM

MPerdomo
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p.1 #3 · Canon user needs help

-18-70 Kit lens
-Sigma 100-300 f/4 (close to 800 on sigma4less), or the 70-200 f/2.8
-50mm f/1.8

and if there is money left, get an 85mm f/1.8. or a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, or something like that, a nice low light prime in his fav focal length

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 04:05 PM

DaveLandry
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p.1 #4 · Canon user needs help

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.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 04:22 PM

lxdesign
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p.1 #5 · Canon user needs help

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.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 04:33 PM

beji
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p.1 #6 · Canon user needs help

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

Edited by beji on Aug 16, 2005 at 12:29 PM GMT

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 05:15 PM

Edward Rotberg
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p.1 #7 · Canon user needs help

Thanks gang! It's nice that there is good consensus here!

= Ed =

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 05:27 PM

snegron
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p.1 #8 · Canon user needs help

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.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 05:35 PM

gugs
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p.1 #9 · Canon user needs help

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)

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 06:22 PM

highcontrast
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p.1 #10 · Canon user needs help

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.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 10:10 PM

johnnymg
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p.1 #11 · Canon user needs help

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.

Regards
JohnG

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 16, 2005 at 11:23 PM

Grognard
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p.1 #12 · Canon user needs help

Go with the 18-70mm and I am very happy with my 28-200mm and it did not kill my budget.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 17, 2005 at 01:58 AM

Bernie
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p.1 #13 · Canon user needs help

18-70mm kit lens and the 70-300 ED for telephoto. If the bucks are still there, go for the 50mm f1.8.

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 17, 2005 at 02:13 AM

deviant one
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p.1 #14 · Canon user needs help

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...

Edited on Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM

Aug 18, 2005 at 09:44 AM

johnnymg
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p.1 #15 · Canon user needs help

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.

Buydig is excellent!!!
http://www2.buydig.com/shop/basket.aspx?sku=NKD701870&act=add&sks=NKD701870,

JohnG

Aug 18, 2005 at 02:20 PM


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