I want to purchase a new lens...

03/20/2007 01:25:16 PM · #1

looking to purchase a new lens for my Nikon D70 and I'm looking for advice.

It's really just for pleasure, I don't do this professionally although friends have started to ask me to photography their children and family portraits...

I really like taking photos at concerts and sporting events too.

I'm thinking about a 70-200 or 70-300 f2.8? I'm using my tax refund money to buy myself a present and I'm looking for advice...Anyone?

Thanks in advance!

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:27:56.

03/20/2007 01:27:44 PM · #2

I will ask a couple questions that will hopefully help get to the answer you want

What do you currently have for lenses?

For concerts (usually inside) and sporting events) you will likely need fast glass.

How much money do you have to spend? - fast glass can be expensive

Originally posted by jrose1:

looking to purchase a new lens for my Nikon D70 and I'm looking for advice.

It's really just for pleasure, I don't do this professionally although friends have started to ask me to photography their children and family portraits...

I really like taking photos at concerts and sporting events too.

I'm thinking about a 70-200 or 70-300 f2.8, but also maybe an 18-70mm? I know they are two totally different lenses and costs, but I'm using my tax refund money to buy myself a present and I'm looking for advice...

Anyone?

Thanks in advance!

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:28:14.

Voigtlander Ultron 21mm f1.8

03/20/2007 01:29:58 PM · #3

1) I have a 50mm 1.8 which is great for concerts, but I need to get up close which is hardly ever possible without getting in the way...

2)the kit lens that came with my camera which is an 18-70mm 3.5 (which I barely ever use, but maybe I should)

3)and a Tameron 28-75mm 2.8 (which is my default lens, but I don't love it..)

...and I have a good chunk of change to spend. (ie: I was looking at the 70-300 2.8 which runs about $1500?)

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:31:50.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

03/20/2007 01:30:51 PM · #4

Best ALL ROUND lens at the moment for a Nikon is the 18-200VR they are now in shops and not so hard to get. It really depends on WHAT you want to shoot, if you are going to be shooting portraits the 70-300 will be too long. 50mm f1.8 very nice for portraits or the more expensive 60mm Macro is brilliant for portrait and gives you the option of having a Macro lens then you can grab a very nice 70-300VR for your zoom work.. but I will stand by my original suggestion.. get the 18-200VR and you may never take it off your cam. It's a good general purpose lens.

edit - too slow at typing .. ok you have a nice wider lens with the 18-70. If you can afford it go with the 70-200VR f2.8 if not then get the very nice 70-300VR I have just got this lens and it is brill for the price..

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:32:28.

03/20/2007 01:32:54 PM · #5

MAK- I agree on the 18-200VR being a good lens, but it is still not fast enough for many sporting events and concerts. I have it and love it, but it really doesn't work great for fast action stuff.

Originally posted by MAK:

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

03/20/2007 01:33:21 PM · #6

Well, based on what you already own (listed in your profile) I'd say you have most of the short range covered.

Per profile:
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

Based on this, I'd go with the 70-300 if you can afford that at F2.8.

BTW - I thought I'd take a peek at some of your work to get a feel for what you like to shoot (subjects, etc...) but there's nothing to look at. :( Your SmugMug links don't work (just goes to main SmugMug), and I couldn't find a user jrophoto there either. Do you have a link that works?

03/20/2007 01:36:01 PM · #7

Yeah, I hated the way jrophoto sounded so I changed it:

www.jrphotography.smugmug.com

Keep in mind this is a totally personal webpage...most albums are password protected, but the general ones aren't.

If it's a personal album (like a wedding etc..)you can message me and I can send a password...

I'd love to know what you think!

Thanks

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/20/2007 01:40:41 PM · #8

How about the Nikon Zoom Telephoto Zoom-Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 ED AF-D - it's about 800 bucks but is a lot of lens? Good in lower light and pretty good zoom. Lots of positive reviews on B&H.

kenskid

Nikon D700

03/20/2007 01:51:47 PM · #9

I agree...whenever there was not enough light and I needed to use the VR feature....I would get unwanted motion blur ! Other than that, it is a great lens.

I sold my 18-200 VR. I now use my 18-70 f3.5 for everyday use.

I used the money I made off my 9 month old VR ($825) to buy my 80-200 f2.8. This is the best lens I ever owned. It is sharp throughout and works very well in low light.

Kenskid

Originally posted by pccjrose:

MAK- I agree on the 18-200VR being a good lens, but it is still not fast enough for many sporting events and concerts. I have it and love it, but it really doesn't work great for fast action stuff.

Message edited by author 2007-03-21 10:42:04.

03/20/2007 01:54:03 PM · #10

This is going to make me sound like a beginner photog (who has a good camera), but what is VR?!

I know how to compose a shot, but when it comes to features, lighting, etc I have a lot to learn!

03/20/2007 01:55:13 PM · #11

VR - Vibration reduction - it is a little motorized thingy in the lens that helps keep the movement of the lens down. It is a nice feature on bigger lenses.

Canon calls it IS - image stabilization

Originally posted by jrose1:

This is going to make me sound like a beginner photog (who has a good camera), but what is VR?!

I know how to compose a shot, but when it comes to features, lighting, etc I have a lot to learn!

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:55:35.

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

03/20/2007 01:57:29 PM · #12

Oh, ok- I could use that! haha

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/20/2007 02:09:37 PM · #13

Another vote for the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR. It, along with the Tokina 12-24 are my favorite lenses. The large aperature combined with the VR will really help for indoor concerts.

Prof_Fate

03/20/2007 02:10:41 PM · #14

70-200 2.8.
great for sports, fantastic for portraits. a lens you only need buy once!
Nikon makes one as does Sigma. Tokina makes a 50-135 or 50-150 2.8 that might be a good bet on a 1.5 crop body. Tamron announced their bringing one out again later this year sometime - i have their older one and I love that focal length/aperture combo!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/20/2007 02:15:49 PM · #15

Ok- I think I'm getting excited about the 70-200 2.8...but still open to other options and discussion!

Thanks for all your help =)

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

03/20/2007 02:26:19 PM · #16

Originally posted by yakatme:

Another vote for the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR. It, along with the Tokina 12-24 are my favorite lenses. The large aperture combined with the VR will really help for indoor concerts.

Ditto! I have the 80-200 2.8 AF-S same optics no VR. I would love to upgrade the the 70-200 but I must say that my current fave is the 12-24 Tokina. I just really love that lens...is that so wrong? :-P

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/20/2007 02:38:03 PM · #17

Is the Tokina compatible with the Nikon D70? What's so great about it?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

03/20/2007 03:18:04 PM · #18

Originally posted by jrose1:

Is the Tokina compatible with the Nikon D70? What's so great about it?

Yes it is compatible. If you look at my profile you will see I also have a D70s. What so great about it is the images it captures. It is a super wide angle and it has a constant aperture of f/4. It is very sharp wide open and is great for several applications such as landscape, wedding, street and portraiture. For the money it is an amazing piece of glass.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/20/2007 03:18:56 PM · #19

I'd have to second (or third) the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D. No VR, but great optics, and you can get it *and* the Tokina 12-24 for less than the 70-200 VR.

edit: grammar and spelling

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 19:20:15.

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

03/20/2007 04:01:25 PM · #20

The Tokina makes lenses for both Canon and Nikon. I have the 12-24mm Tokina and am so impressed with the images. My top rated images on DPC were taken with this lens.

Originally posted by jrose1:

Is the Tokina compatible with the Nikon D70? What's so great about it?

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/20/2007 04:04:15 PM · #21

My top three rated images also were taken using the Tokina 12-24 for Nikon, and all were used on the D70 (the D80 has a little problem right now)

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

03/20/2007 05:51:29 PM · #22

What would you say is the biggest "upgrade" between the 70-200mmVR and the 80-200mm (not VR)...is it only the VR?

Am I better off getting the 80-200 and the Tokina 12-24 or really go for the gusto with the 70-200?

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

03/20/2007 05:55:16 PM · #23

i'd say 70-200VR

03/20/2007 05:57:00 PM · #24

If you take a whole mess of landscapes that require a real big wide angle, then I would really consider the Tokina, but if as you suggest that you want the lens for sports and concerts, the 70-200mm with VR is the way to go - it is a monster lens.

Originally posted by jrose1: