What Else to Start Off With? --Nikon D70

AMDer · 23rd May 2004

im very intertesed in the D70. thinking of getting one in about 1 or 2 months time. now saving up.

would like to know more from u guys and gals out there...so that i can have a good estimate of my budget.

1) What are the essentials to buy immediately after i bought this camera?
eg like:
- CF card (at least 1GB ~ $300)

2) What are the avaliable types of lens compatible with this camera? How do u all guys know whether his or that lns can buy or whatsoever? Do they have codes or model number? there are too many 3rd party lens and im confiused.
e.g like:
- Tonika, Tamron, Sigma....

anyway, im a user of Sony F707 now. So carrying bag, cleaning kits, dy cabinet all these i have liao. thanks. im just a casual photographer, not into any serious work anyway. i just like to take travellling pics and take photos of my gf during our outings.thats all.

AMDer · 23rd May 2004

oh yah, i tripod.my old tripod cannot make it. cost $19.90, kick will fall off liao.kekekeke........

how much is the cheapest carbon tripod cost anyway? i saw online selling for around $250.

hansia · 23rd May 2004

1. Get a bigger CF card if you intend to go on long trips. A 512MB card can only take ard 100 shots at JPEG fine. For RAW, even less. Can consider getting a 4GB microdrive for <$400 (search for HelmetBox's posting).

2. The Nikon kit lens (18-70mm) with D70 is a good choice - it's light and small, and gives you the wide-angle you need. A good walk-around lens to start.

Nikon has a few types of lenses in the market now:
1. AF (autofocus)
2. AF-D (autofocus with distance chip)
3. AF-S (autofocus with silent wave motor)

AF-S is more expensive. AF-D and AF are almost the same thing. The kit lens is AF-S. There's also other specs to denote glass elements used, and image stabilization, etc. You can check Nikon's website (www.nikon.com.sg).

The major third-party lens manufacturers are Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron. They make compatible lenses. Generally cheaper than Nikon, but need not be worse than Nikon.

Start with the kit lens or sthg ard that zoom range from third-party. Buy other lenses as you go along, as it all depends on your needs.

If taking gf's pictures, then buy a good portrait lens loh. Nikon 85mm, Tamron 90mm, Nikon 105mm, ... the list goes on. You can also use zoom lenses to do the same thing if budget tight.

zekai · 23rd May 2004

from what you wrote about your current need, your camera already kick ass man.

you sure you want to go in into dslr?

Body $2500
Lens $4000+ (1 super wide, 1 normal zoom 24-70, telephoto 70-200)
Extra Batt
Flashes $500
1GB CF $3-400
Good tripod $200

hansia · 23rd May 2004

Get a second hand Manfrotto tripod if you need one. Again, search the postings. Used equipment offers great value for money, but do check out market price first in the buy-sell forum.

Good tripods are quite heavy when the ball head is mounted. So your camera + lenses + tripod setup + barang barang could easily weigh 3-5kg.

Tempted to buy a good one too, but don't think I'd actually bring it out often enough to justify my purchase. For now, my cheapo one will do. At least it's light...

Witness · 23rd May 2004

money to burn??? haha SB800.....try the ED lens also...and if u are super sure u not movin into film after ya D70....the DX lenses...

AMDer · 24th May 2004

Originally Posted by zekai

from what you wrote about your current need, your camera already kick ass man.

you sure you want to go in into dslr?

Body $2500
Lens $4000+ (1 super wide, 1 normal zoom 24-70, telephoto 70-200)
Extra Batt
Flashes $500
1GB CF $3-400
Good tripod $200

ok..thats a lot. but beyond my budget..
maybe i will start off with
1)body + kit lens
2) extra batt
3) 1gb CF
4) good tripod.

the lens price are really scaring me off.
may i know what the kit lens (18mm-70mm) is roughly capable of?
anyone care to post some pics taken with just the above specs..
anyway the kit lens is using how many mm screwthread?

bearycute · 24th May 2004

the kit lens use the not very common 67mm filter... this lens is very good and value for money...SHARP!!! but tele side a bit short...at 105mm equivalent, good for portraits, but definitely not nature or sport....

aaronng · 24th May 2004

Like everyone said, go for kit lens, spare battery, large CF card and good tripod. I especially agree with going for 2nd hand tripod because you can get good quality for cheap price. $200 for brand new good tripod means good for D70 + kit lens. When you go for long zoom range, stable is what you want, unless you have $$ to buy 70-200 AFS VR. $200 for 2nd hand tripod gets you the yum yum model.

18-70 is good range, until you find that you want more and the 80-200mm f/2.8 AFD 2 ring will be very cheap when everyone cannot stand it anymore and upgrade theirs from 80-200 to 70-200. Then you can take advantage and get pro lens for crap price. hahahah.

Aaron

RemAcuTetigisti · 24th May 2004

F7xx, If I have read the specs right is a extremely capable camera. Unless you have money lying around or you have the bug to spend on new eqiupment and somehow imagine that new camera will make you a new photographer, save the money (probably donate it to charity).

Don't buy things that you do not understand. Buy for NEED not WANT.

There is a lot written and said of equipment bugs and no one is spared of the greed (including moi). But oh well, if you have to learn the hard way, please do and buy a new camera.

Gymrat76 · 24th May 2004

The kit lens is capable of SUPERB pictures, as always, whether the person holding the camera is good enough is another question

Not referring to the poster, just a general, but very true statement. If you wanna see what the kit lens with the D70 is capable of, ckeck this out:

Almost all were taken with the kit lens, so don't use the "kit lens not good enough" as an excuse

Wish I could shoot like that...

Good luck and have fun with your D70!

Originally Posted by AMDer

ok..thats a lot. but beyond my budget..
maybe i will start off with
1)body + kit lens
2) extra batt
3) 1gb CF
4) good tripod.

the lens price are really scaring me off.
may i know what the kit lens (18mm-70mm) is roughly capable of?
anyone care to post some pics taken with just the above specs..
anyway the kit lens is using how many mm screwthread?

smallaperture · 25th May 2004

18-70 is good range, until you find that you want more and the 80-200mm f/2.8 AFD 2 ring will be very cheap when everyone cannot stand it anymore and upgrade theirs from 80-200 to 70-200. Then you can take advantage and get pro lens for crap price. hahahah.

Aaron[/quote]

So, are we expecting cheap sale of the 80-200ED, which is somewhat a discontinued model, I heard from somewhere. But some owners are convinced by Ken Rockwell and are keeping theirs for a good 10 years before selling, becos it's so good, and the 70-200 is just a small step up in terms of handling, but about the same optically and a big step up in terms of price. So, those who wish to wait for cheap 80-200ED with tripod collar might "wait long, long lah" which means 10 years.

23rd May 2004	#1
AMDer Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Digital Age Posts: 431	What Else to Start Off With? --Nikon D70 im very intertesed in the D70. thinking of getting one in about 1 or 2 months time. now saving up. would like to know more from u guys and gals out there...so that i can have a good estimate of my budget. 1) What are the essentials to buy immediately after i bought this camera? eg like: - CF card (at least 1GB ~ $300) 2) What are the avaliable types of lens compatible with this camera? How do u all guys know whether his or that lns can buy or whatsoever? Do they have codes or model number? there are too many 3rd party lens and im confiused. e.g like: - Tonika, Tamron, Sigma.... anyway, im a user of Sony F707 now. So carrying bag, cleaning kits, dy cabinet all these i have liao. thanks. im just a casual photographer, not into any serious work anyway. i just like to take travellling pics and take photos of my gf during our outings.thats all.

23rd May 2004	#3
hansia Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: East Posts: 176	1. Get a bigger CF card if you intend to go on long trips. A 512MB card can only take ard 100 shots at JPEG fine. For RAW, even less. Can consider getting a 4GB microdrive for <$400 (search for HelmetBox's posting). 2. The Nikon kit lens (18-70mm) with D70 is a good choice - it's light and small, and gives you the wide-angle you need. A good walk-around lens to start. Nikon has a few types of lenses in the market now: 1. AF (autofocus) 2. AF-D (autofocus with distance chip) 3. AF-S (autofocus with silent wave motor) AF-S is more expensive. AF-D and AF are almost the same thing. The kit lens is AF-S. There's also other specs to denote glass elements used, and image stabilization, etc. You can check Nikon's website (www.nikon.com.sg). The major third-party lens manufacturers are Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron. They make compatible lenses. Generally cheaper than Nikon, but need not be worse than Nikon. Start with the kit lens or sthg ard that zoom range from third-party. Buy other lenses as you go along, as it all depends on your needs. If taking gf's pictures, then buy a good portrait lens loh. Nikon 85mm, Tamron 90mm, Nikon 105mm, ... the list goes on. You can also use zoom lenses to do the same thing if budget tight. Last edited by hansia; 23rd May 2004 at 04:34 PM. Reason: Typo error

23rd May 2004	#4
zekai Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,737	from what you wrote about your current need, your camera already kick ass man. you sure you want to go in into dslr? Body $2500 Lens $4000+ (1 super wide, 1 normal zoom 24-70, telephoto 70-200) Extra Batt Flashes $500 1GB CF $3-400 Good tripod $200 __________________ http://alextan.net

23rd May 2004	#6
Witness Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: www.maverickatwork.com Posts: 6,768	money to burn??? haha SB800.....try the ED lens also...and if u are super sure u not movin into film after ya D70....the DX lenses... __________________ w maverick.photography b maverick.blogging

24th May 2004	#8
bearycute Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 225	the kit lens use the not very common 67mm filter... this lens is very good and value for money...SHARP!!! but tele side a bit short...at 105mm equivalent, good for portraits, but definitely not nature or sport....

24th May 2004	#9
aaronng Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 88	Like everyone said, go for kit lens, spare battery, large CF card and good tripod. I especially agree with going for 2nd hand tripod because you can get good quality for cheap price. $200 for brand new good tripod means good for D70 + kit lens. When you go for long zoom range, stable is what you want, unless you have $$ to buy 70-200 AFS VR. $200 for 2nd hand tripod gets you the yum yum model. 18-70 is good range, until you find that you want more and the 80-200mm f/2.8 AFD 2 ring will be very cheap when everyone cannot stand it anymore and upgrade theirs from 80-200 to 70-200. Then you can take advantage and get pro lens for crap price. hahahah. Aaron

24th May 2004	#10
RemAcuTetigisti Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 189	F7xx, If I have read the specs right is a extremely capable camera. Unless you have money lying around or you have the bug to spend on new eqiupment and somehow imagine that new camera will make you a new photographer, save the money (probably donate it to charity). Don't buy things that you do not understand. Buy for NEED not WANT. There is a lot written and said of equipment bugs and no one is spared of the greed (including moi). But oh well, if you have to learn the hard way, please do and buy a new camera.

25th May 2004	#12
smallaperture Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Catchment Area Posts: 2,423	18-70 is good range, until you find that you want more and the 80-200mm f/2.8 AFD 2 ring will be very cheap when everyone cannot stand it anymore and upgrade theirs from 80-200 to 70-200. Then you can take advantage and get pro lens for crap price. hahahah. Aaron[/quote] So, are we expecting cheap sale of the 80-200ED, which is somewhat a discontinued model, I heard from somewhere. But some owners are convinced by Ken Rockwell and are keeping theirs for a good 10 years before selling, becos it's so good, and the 70-200 is just a small step up in terms of handling, but about the same optically and a big step up in terms of price. So, those who wish to wait for cheap 80-200ED with tripod collar might "wait long, long lah" which means 10 years.