Newby question : lenses (again)

[Bandit]

Hi all,

I am a rank amateur when it comes to the D70, although I have had some experience shooting with film SLRs and digital compacts.

I have decided to go with a D70 with the 24-120VR lens as the basic kit, and I am after a wide and a macro lens to compliment the 24-120VR.

For macro, my primary subject is wildlife... I have a marine aquarium (very similar to Finno's), and want to take loads of pictures of the fish and corals etc within. Hence a macro with a good DOF is important.

For the wide lens, I really just want something in the bag for the occasional landscape shot etc... this is not the high volume end of my photography.

I am considering the following options, and was wondering if anyone can support my decision or suggest something better for roughly the same price.

Macro: Nikkor AF-D 105mm/2.8 Micro Lens or 70-200 VR + 500d
Wide: Nikon 12-24 lens

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Glen]

Jamie, Nikon or Sigma 12-24 are both good, do a search and you will find more than one thread telling you the differences, Sigma is cheaper but both have advantages and disadvantages, can't go wrong with either. If macro is the priority go the 105 , though the 70-200 is a great lens and is perfect for the range it covers, just not a macro specialist like the 105

[Deano]

Jamie,

If budget is a constraint (and you are not religious) you might want to look at the Sigma 12-24 which is cheaper. It gets good reviews but has one gotcha in that the curved front element does not allow use of filters whereas the Nikon one does. It also works for full-frame cameras where the Nikon doesn't.

Cheers
Dean

[Bandit]

Thanks guys,

Not religious, so happy to swap brands etc.

Will check out the Sigma 12-24.

[Glen]

Also Jamie don't rule out the Sigma 105, also a good macro lens for a good price. Why not get all three, Sigma 12-24, 105 and Nikon 70-200VR?

[yeocsa]

I would suggest the following:-

1. Occasional landscape. - Use the kit lens (18-70mm). If you need wider, get the new Tokina.

2. Macro - Sigma 105 (value for money) or Nikon 200 Micro.

3. Wildlife - Nikon AFS 300F4 and TC1.7X


regards,

Arthur

[gstark]

Jamie,

Your basic laundry list looks ideal to me. Do you have a need for the reach of the 70-200VR? If so, go for it by all means; it will not disappoint you. Otherwise, the Nikkor 105 macro is exactly what you'd need.

[Bandit]

Thanks everyone,

Gary, I guess I don't HAVE to have the reach of the 200... but hey, you know how it is

[Onyx]

Macro: 60mm micro Nikkor. Fish are behind glass and aren't THAT far away. On the D70, you have 90mm equivalent which should be plenty (even too much) for fish photography.

[birddog114]

Bandit,
Your list of lust is quite costly for what you're after, and they're superb glasses which many members on this board have and never regret of carry them in their bag, and you started your way correctly with your hobby.

[Bandit]

Yeah cost is not so much of an issue (but is a factor nonetheless!)

I'll do some more research... but thanks to everyone for indicating that I am somewhat on the right path!

[SoCal Steve]

You mention that you want good depth of field on your micro/macro. The longer the lens the shallower the DOF is going to be. I would second the notion that the 60mm would be more to your liking.

[Finno]

You left off the Ikelite case too mate

[shockadelica-]

isnt sigma bringing out a new Ultra wide 10-20mm??
thats what i heard anyway i may be wrong
also maybe worth a look into

[fozzie]

And here it is, available in Australia online:

http://shop.centre.net.au/index.html?ca ... rid=001638

Price: Inc. GST AUD $ 670.45


Cheers,

[shockadelica-]

ahhh so the little voices in my head were right for once! haha

that link doesnt work by the way

if this gets good reviews i'll probably think about letting it sit onto my camera

[fozzie]

It would appear that there site is down for the moment, try later.

Edit: website now working -

http://shop.centre.net.au/index.html?ca ... rid=001638


Cheers,

[SteveGriffin]

Macro lenses are very much in topic at the moment and I have just stumbled across a comparison of the Nikkor 60 & 105 lenses both above and below water.

http://www.borutfurlan.com/test_aperture_intro.html

Very informative

Steve

[dhess]

Hi Bandit and a warm welcome from another MASA member.

I think you will find that the 60mm nikkor micro will not have enough reach especially if you are interested in taking coral polyp macros.

I would be looking at the Sigma 150 macro, Sigma 180 or the Tamron 180.

All three are very good and offer more bang for buck than the nikkors. Although if money was no object I would get the 200mm nikkor micro

I recently picked up the Sigma 150 am thrilled with it.

This thread has a few examples of photos taken with it:
http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=5878