AF 24/2.8, AF 60/2.8 Micro on D70?

d7t3 · 22nd September 2004

I'm toying with the thought of getting a D70. But before that I'm thinking about lenses...

I like to use 35mm and 85/90mm when I shoot film. (For 90mm I use a Tamron.)

Would the 24mm and 60mm Nikkors give roughly equal quality if used on a D70? (i.e. effective 36mm and 90mm)

Or should I just stick with the kit lens to avoid changing lenses and forget about the bigger apertures?

What's your opinion? Thanks a lot...

icebooke · 23rd September 2004

These were precisely the same lenses I used on one trip with my D2h. I had a 35mm and a 90mm equivalent. I covered the entire trip in thailand. Didn't feel handicapped one bit. I'm used to my Summicron 35 and 90 on the Leica R so I did have lots of practice surviving on these two focal lengths only. I think it would help a lot in making you make good decisions on how and what to shoot when you use only two lenses. Composition becomes critical. Try it for a day or two with borrowed lenses if you wish.
J

mscommerce · 23rd September 2004

I've used my AFD 14/2.8 and AFD50/1.4 exclusively on my D100 since I got one about a year ago, they are equivalent to having a 35mm and a 75mm. It
's a nice combination, and the centre cropping of the DSLR yields really high picture quality from both of them.

If did have a 55 or 60 Macro, and was a macro photog, I might have used those...But I've felt no need to get anything else-no zoom, no other prime, nothing. Its a great focal length combo, and very liberating to have just two lenses.

Kho King · 24th September 2004

get the 60 micro, u can't replace that with your zoom non macro lens. Too bad my site is down...else you can read my review on the 60micro lens...and how sharp it is...

d7t3 · 25th September 2004

thanks for the input!

kho king, is your 24/2.8 still available? saw your ad.

icebooke & mscommerce: glad to meet other 2-lens shooters! i have a 50/1.8 so i could get a 75mm equiv. on a D70. just thot of a 60 micro so i can do close-up without carrying a 3rd lens.

i have another question: do you find it slow having to change lenses? i'm considering using a 24mm & 50mm, but sometimes, e.g. weddings, there may not be much time to change lenses. do you find this an issue?

right now i use 2 bodies, but i don't think i'll get TWO D70s... that's why i'm considering just using the kit lens.

Picard · 26th September 2004

...I was in your position a few months back i.e. D70, kit lens and wonderding if I need the 60mm.

Firstly, if you are taking macro - flowers, close ups etc...getting the 60 is definitely a must. There is no way the 'macro' function on the D70/Kit lens can fight with this prime lens but...a few things to consider:
- Close...damn close: The 60 will bring you about 1cm away from you subject with a ratio of 1:1 and you can see how stunning the close ups are but...not a big help if you'd like macro for insects, butterflies (when you're 1 cm near them, they'll be 1km away!)

- Need for tripod: When you're taking macro,especially with this lens, you'd need a tripod (yes...preferably even on bright days) to get the full potential of the lens. Not forgetting that with wind blowing, you'd need to prop your camera and focus on the subject and wait for the wind to stop before snapping - this can be a killer for your back w/o a tripod.

But hey...after getting the 60mm...I have no regrets, yes lens changing does take about 5 secs from me but with thats nothing compared to getting a super solid shot with a prime lens. Don't get me wrong, the kit lens is good but it's a general purpose, tourist lens.

Hope it helps.

22nd September 2004	#1
d7t3 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In the Shepherd's hands Posts: 676	AF 24/2.8, AF 60/2.8 Micro on D70? I'm toying with the thought of getting a D70. But before that I'm thinking about lenses... I like to use 35mm and 85/90mm when I shoot film. (For 90mm I use a Tamron.) Would the 24mm and 60mm Nikkors give roughly equal quality if used on a D70? (i.e. effective 36mm and 90mm) Or should I just stick with the kit lens to avoid changing lenses and forget about the bigger apertures? What's your opinion? Thanks a lot...

23rd September 2004	#2
icebooke Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 412	These were precisely the same lenses I used on one trip with my D2h. I had a 35mm and a 90mm equivalent. I covered the entire trip in thailand. Didn't feel handicapped one bit. I'm used to my Summicron 35 and 90 on the Leica R so I did have lots of practice surviving on these two focal lengths only. I think it would help a lot in making you make good decisions on how and what to shoot when you use only two lenses. Composition becomes critical. Try it for a day or two with borrowed lenses if you wish. J __________________ http://www.mylaohome.com Your Home Away from Home. Laos.

23rd September 2004	#3
mscommerce Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orchard Area Posts: 304	Absolutely! I've used my AFD 14/2.8 and AFD50/1.4 exclusively on my D100 since I got one about a year ago, they are equivalent to having a 35mm and a 75mm. It 's a nice combination, and the centre cropping of the DSLR yields really high picture quality from both of them. If did have a 55 or 60 Macro, and was a macro photog, I might have used those...But I've felt no need to get anything else-no zoom, no other prime, nothing. Its a great focal length combo, and very liberating to have just two lenses.

24th September 2004	#4
Kho King Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,799	get the 60 micro, u can't replace that with your zoom non macro lens. Too bad my site is down...else you can read my review on the 60micro lens...and how sharp it is... __________________ KOH KHO KING http://ShaShinKi.com ~ Malaysia Online Camera Shop! :cool:

25th September 2004	#5
d7t3 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In the Shepherd's hands Posts: 676	thanks for the input! kho king, is your 24/2.8 still available? saw your ad. icebooke & mscommerce: glad to meet other 2-lens shooters! i have a 50/1.8 so i could get a 75mm equiv. on a D70. just thot of a 60 micro so i can do close-up without carrying a 3rd lens. i have another question: do you find it slow having to change lenses? i'm considering using a 24mm & 50mm, but sometimes, e.g. weddings, there may not be much time to change lenses. do you find this an issue? right now i use 2 bodies, but i don't think i'll get TWO D70s... that's why i'm considering just using the kit lens. Last edited by d7t3; 25th September 2004 at 08:43 PM.

26th September 2004	#6
Picard Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Clementi, Singapore Posts: 290	Hi ...I was in your position a few months back i.e. D70, kit lens and wonderding if I need the 60mm. Firstly, if you are taking macro - flowers, close ups etc...getting the 60 is definitely a must. There is no way the 'macro' function on the D70/Kit lens can fight with this prime lens but...a few things to consider: - Close...damn close: The 60 will bring you about 1cm away from you subject with a ratio of 1:1 and you can see how stunning the close ups are but...not a big help if you'd like macro for insects, butterflies (when you're 1 cm near them, they'll be 1km away!) - Need for tripod: When you're taking macro,especially with this lens, you'd need a tripod (yes...preferably even on bright days) to get the full potential of the lens. Not forgetting that with wind blowing, you'd need to prop your camera and focus on the subject and wait for the wind to stop before snapping - this can be a killer for your back w/o a tripod. But hey...after getting the 60mm...I have no regrets, yes lens changing does take about 5 secs from me but with thats nothing compared to getting a super solid shot with a prime lens. Don't get me wrong, the kit lens is good but it's a general purpose, tourist lens. Hope it helps.