D70 kit lens or 24-120mm lens

[Hobbes234]

Hi all,

Was thinking of upgrading from my prosumer cam and thinking of getting the D70.
however, i am still undecided on whether to buy the kit set or just the body with the 24-120VR lens.
i am concerned with the wide end of the VR lens (24 x 1.5 = 36)
Is the additional 50mm + VR worth paying bout 500 bucks more?

could anyone with experience of both lenses provide some advice?

p.s. wat is the prevailing market price for D70s?

TIA!

cheers

[Sk8te]

Hi there... I have both these lens, the kit as well as the 24-120VR and I can tell you that each has got its own purpose. Most of the time, the 24-120 is on the camera esp when I go out for general shots and night static shots...

For indoor event.. like gathering at friend's place, the wide of the kit lens is really helpful... also the kit lens is a damn good lens for day shots... very sharp compared to the 24-120VR...

However given the choice, buy the 28-70f2.8 or the 17-55DX lens... hahah will not regret...

PS the 50mm F1.8 is also a must buy... good and cheap...

[Dennis]

I concur, have all the mentioned lens and each have its own place.
Having the kit lens for a start will not be wrong. You can add on to that later.
The 24-120 IMHO is not wide enough.

Originally Posted by Sk8te Hi there... I have both these lens, the kit as well as the 24-120VR and I can tell you that each has got its own purpose. Most of the time, the 24-120 is on the camera esp when I go out for general shots and night static shots... For indoor event.. like gathering at friend's place, the wide of the kit lens is really helpful... also the kit lens is a damn good lens for day shots... very sharp compared to the 24-120VR... However given the choice, buy the 28-70f2.8 or the 17-55DX lens... hahah will not regret... PS the 50mm F1.8 is also a must buy... good and cheap...

[espn]

Solve your headache, get 17-35 & 28-70

Both are good grades given their cost & range, definitely not meant to be compared side to side, if you can own both, it's a good idea as it covers your basic range from wide to zoom.

[nemesis32]

Originally Posted by Sk8te Hi there... I have both these lens, the kit as well as the 24-120VR and I can tell you that each has got its own purpose. Most of the time, the 24-120 is on the camera esp when I go out for general shots and night static shots... For indoor event.. like gathering at friend's place, the wide of the kit lens is really helpful... also the kit lens is a damn good lens for day shots... very sharp compared to the 24-120VR...

You mean 24-120VR is less sharp than the 18-70 kit lens?

[nemesis32]

Originally Posted by Dennis I concur, have all the mentioned lens and each have its own place. Having the kit lens for a start will not be wrong. You can add on to that later. The 24-120 IMHO is not wide enough.

I think he's thinking of what i am thinking. Which is to sell of the kit lens, get a 12-24 and use it with 24-120 and maybe a 70-200. Do you think it's worthwhile, Dennis?

[King Tiger]

Originally Posted by nemesis32 You mean 24-120VR is less sharp than the 18-70 kit lens?

That's my main concern, if the 24-120mm VR image quality is better or as good as 18-70mm DX, I may properly get it.

Originally Posted by nemesis32 I think he's thinking of what i am thinking. Which is to sell of the kit lens, get a 12-24 and use it with 24-120 and maybe a 70-200. Do you think it's worthwhile, Dennis?

nemesis32, I think I have the same thinking of what you are thinking on most of us are thinking .

[kerpalz]

i have tried on my 18-70 & 24-120.... my VR is way sharper than the kit.... thats for sure... i`m using 12-24, 24-120 for my normal shoot.~
Good combo for guys with budget~

[PLRBEAR]

Originally Posted by kerpalz i have tried on my 18-70 & 24-120.... my VR is way sharper than the kit.... thats for sure... i`m using 12-24, 24-120 for my normal shoot.~ Good combo for guys with budget~

Good combo for guys with budget?

[ortega]

Originally Posted by Hobbes234 i am still undecided on whether to buy the kit set or just the body with the 24-120VR lens. cheers

Back to the original question

I think that you should get the kit lens.
The 24-120VR is not wide enough.
Even if you eventually add more lenses to your armoury
the kit lens is still a great walk around lens.
Small + light + sharp.
Also great for travel.

[kerpalz]

Originally Posted by PLRBEAR Good combo for guys with budget?

comparing to espn's poison....hahhaha

[Dennis]

There are pros and cons. Especially if you do not want to carry extra stuff when you need it. 12-24 + 24-120 is a good range and coverage but the kit lens has its own place. Image quality of the 18-70 and the 24-120 does not differ so much except that the 24-120 is slightly soft on the wide end. The 24-120 however is not wide enough on its own therefore does not cover the most useful range. To me it is not a multi purpose lens. With the 24-120 you must have the 12-24.
With the 18-70 you can cover most of the situation. You must decide on the above yourself. If you are critical than take into consideration of the aperture and the VR as a factor to make your decision.
Bear in mind that with both the 12-24 and the 24-120 your build in flash will not cover the whole range (especially the wide). With the 18-70 it does. So if you want to carry light you have to decide again.

For me I decide not to think so much and own them all.
My overlapping zoom for this range is 18-70, 18-125, 17-55 and 24-120
Would like to own a 17-170 f2.8 Closest lens coming soon 18-200.

Originally Posted by nemesis32 I think he's thinking of what i am thinking. Which is to sell of the kit lens, get a 12-24 and use it with 24-120 and maybe a 70-200. Do you think it's worthwhile, Dennis?

[nemesis32]

Originally Posted by King Tiger That's my main concern, if the 24-120mm VR image quality is better or as good as 18-70mm DX, I may properly get it. nemesis32, I think I have the same thinking of what you are thinking on most of us are thinking .

Yeah... most of us are comtemplating this option. Getting a 12-24 i think is more useful as it allows us to shoot much wider than 18-70mm as 18mm in digital is only about 27mm, which is not wide enough. I am used to shooting wide-angle shots with my 19-35mm (i dun go for 15 or 17mm as i think it's too wide and too exp).


If what Dennis mentioned is true. I will probably get the 12-24 and 24-120mm. I think 24-120 is a very good walk around lens. The other option is to get the 18-125mm Sigma. Either way, i find the kit lens will soon be obsolete once i get my hands on one of these 2 lens.

[Dennis]

Well if you don't mind 3rd party actually 12-24 and 18-125 is a good combination. You don't have to switch lens too often.
With 12-24 and 24-120 you will need to switch lens more often.
Other than the extra reach of the 18-125 the Sigma is no match mechanically to the 18-70 kit lens. Optically it may be still OK. Not forgetting that the kit lens is a AF-S.

Originally Posted by nemesis32 Yeah... most of us are comtemplating this option. Getting a 12-24 i think is more useful as it allows us to shoot much wider than 18-70mm as 18mm in digital is only about 27mm, which is not wide enough. I am used to shooting wide-angle shots with my 19-35mm (i dun go for 15 or 17mm as i think it's too wide and too exp). If what Dennis mentioned is true. I will probably get the 12-24 and 24-120mm. I think 24-120 is a very good walk around lens. The other option is to get the 18-125mm Sigma. Either way, i find the kit lens will soon be obsolete once i get my hands on one of these 2 lens.

[nemesis32]

Originally Posted by Dennis Well if you don't mind 3rd party actually 12-24 and 18-125 is a good combination. You don't have to switch lens too often. With 12-24 and 24-120 you will need to switch lens more often. Other than the extra reach of the 18-125 the Sigma is no match mechanically to the 18-70 kit lens. Optically it may be still OK. Not forgetting that the kit lens is a AF-S.

Despite the tag of AFS on the kit lens, i do not find it that quick in terms of focusing. Moreover, as it's not fixed aperture, it's kinda slow.

For 24-120, at least i am hoping the VR may help a bit. Not sure if the Sigma can match the 2 lenses in terms of focusing etc.

Optically, you mentioned that Sigma is ok... does it mean it performs better than the kit lens and 24-120?

[espn]

Actually... don't get so upped about fixed apertures, mainly one thing is they cost VERY good monies. Look at the kit len, you're probably going to use it for general purposes... you'll be shooting at the sweet spots of f/8 and up mostly... why worry so much about fixed apertures

VR helps in low light, but it's not a fast len either, 3.5-5.6, around 75mm f/5.6 kicks in already. So...

Both are good lenses if you know how to use them

[Hobbes234]

thanks for all the replies guys..

[Dennis]

No in fact the kit lens performance is the best.
However if you do not use a magnifying glass and see every corner you can't tell the difference. Of course at the tele end cannot compare.
24-120 VR sure will help, I can use the lens at 1/8 sec 120mm and still the photo is acceptable.
Some may not get used to the AF motor of the Sigma after using the AF-S, it is louder and sure slower. However it is not too bad once you get used to it.
It is not just a matter of how quick it focus but also how smooth it is.

One thing I found out while playing with the 24-120 is that the VR may take some time to stabilised, when it is focus, it does not mean that the VR is stabilised. You may have to wait awhile or make sure that the image is stabilised before pressing the shutter. It seems to take a longer time compared to 70-200VR. Some of the experience with soft pictures that I mentioned before may be due to pressing the shutter too quickly when it is in focus while the VR is still working.

Originally Posted by nemesis32 Despite the tag of AFS on the kit lens, i do not find it that quick in terms of focusing. Moreover, as it's not fixed aperture, it's kinda slow. For 24-120, at least i am hoping the VR may help a bit. Not sure if the Sigma can match the 2 lenses in terms of focusing etc. Optically, you mentioned that Sigma is ok... does it mean it performs better than the kit lens and 24-120?

[acroamatic]

I'm curious, a lot of people keep on saying both lenses are not wide enough. What exactly are they 'not wide enough' to do? I find that having a limited range, or even better - prime lenses, is a good way to build discipline and creativity. Work around the range, not against it.

[sooming]

If price is not an issue, try the following:

1. 17-55mm DX
2. 70-200mm VR