D70 lens?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Hi,
I am completely new to digital photography, and after much consideration and
advice I have decided to buy a Nikon D70. I intend using it for general
photography but will also need it to take close-up pics of archaeological
artefacts during the summer; these will range from hand-size pottery to
small sherds about the size of my thumbnail.
I was wondering if anyone could advise me if one of the Kits has a suitable
lens/es included please which would do both jobs, or do I need to purchase
one separately, and if so which lens would you recommend?

TIA.

--
Regards,
Steve Thomas

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Thanks for that. A sherd is just another name for a small piece of pottery.
The smallest would be around the size of a thumbnail.
Although I will be taking the pics indoors, it will be in a very well
(daylight) lit room in Cyprus in mid-summer, so I wouldn't think that I'd
need a light?
I take it from your advice that I will have to get a macro/zoom lens in
addition to whichever comes with the kit (18-70 or 28-80 are the main ones I
think)? Are there any particular things I should look out for...except price
of course!!

Thanks,
Steve

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 14:41:30 GMT, "stephent" <stephent@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

>Thanks for that. A sherd is just another name for a small piece of pottery.
>The smallest would be around the size of a thumbnail.

That's small enough to warrant a macro lens.

>Although I will be taking the pics indoors, it will be in a very well
>(daylight) lit room in Cyprus in mid-summer, so I wouldn't think that I'd
>need a light?

The only reason a ring-light might still be needed in your situation
if you and/or the camera shadow the sherd (when using a true macro
lens). Something you can buy after the camera+lens if you find you
need it - do some test shots at home to see what the issues are going
to be. The on-board flash won't work here.

>I take it from your advice that I will have to get a macro/zoom lens in
>addition to whichever comes with the kit (18-70 or 28-80 are the main ones I
>think)?

Yes. You'll need a macro lens.

There is only *one* kit lens, it's the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70. Make sure
you buy the D70 Kit from someone reputable. Some shady sellers are
selling 'Kits' that are *not* the same as the Kit from Nikon. They
often bundle an inferior lens with those kits, and sometimes make you
pay extra for the stuff that usually comes free with the camera
(battery, strap, cables, software etc).

The fact you mentioned two kits sets off alarms. It's essential you
research the exact specification of what constitutes a Nikon D70 Kit,
and make sure the warrantee is correct for the country in which you
live. Nikon body warrantees are *not* worldwide.

If you live in the US, take a look at these sites:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com
http://www.adorama.com

and a lot cheaper, but I've had good experience with:

http://www.buydig.com
http://www.us1camera.com

Check ratings yourself before buying from anyone online:

http://www.pricegrabber.com
http://www.resellerratings.com

>Are there any particular things I should look out for...except price
>of course!!

Well, don't get ripped off. For the macro lens, I don't have one for
the Nikon, and can't really offer any advice here.

--
Owamanga!
http://www.pbase.com/owamanga

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Owamanga wrote:
> On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 12:30:04 GMT, "stephent" <stephent@ntlworld.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Hi,
>>I am completely new to digital photography, and after much consideration and
>>advice I have decided to buy a Nikon D70. I intend using it for general
>>photography but will also need it to take close-up pics of archaeological
>>artefacts during the summer; these will range from hand-size pottery to
>>small sherds about the size of my thumbnail.
>>I was wondering if anyone could advise me if one of the Kits has a suitable
>>lens/es included please which would do both jobs, or do I need to purchase
>>one separately, and if so which lens would you recommend?
>
>
> *The* kit lens is a good all rounder, but in addition you will
> probably require a macro lens.
>
> I don't know what a sherd is, and a small one is how small exactly?
>
> So, concentrating on your 'close-up' requirements, you'll need a
> dedicated macro lens, or at least a zoom lens with a macro mode (which
> isn't usually 'true' macro BTW). You may also need to buy a ring-light
> or similar flash that is capable of working in close up/macro
> situations. (You may have seen these on the D70's/D100's they use in
> CSI).
>
> Macro lenses let you get physically close to the object, and therefore
> are more likely to need a ring-light flash system. Zoom lenses with
> macro mode force you to stand maybe a meter or more away from the
> object being photographed, which in tight quarters may not be a good
> solution, but they will be cheaper and you'll get to use the longer
> zoom for general photography too.


If you have use for a long telephoto lens, you can get a closeup
diopter. I got a 200mm with a 2x teleconverter and a good quality
diopter. A thumbnail would fill the screen on this and the front of the
lens is still about 26 inches back.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Consider a macro/zoom lens, so no need to change lenses often you know.

Cheers.


"stephent" <stephent@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:g9b3e.2360$S9.126@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net...
> Hi,
> I am completely new to digital photography, and after much consideration
and
> advice I have decided to buy a Nikon D70. I intend using it for general
> photography but will also need it to take close-up pics of archaeological
> artefacts during the summer; these will range from hand-size pottery to
> small sherds about the size of my thumbnail.
> I was wondering if anyone could advise me if one of the Kits has a
suitable
> lens/es included please which would do both jobs, or do I need to
purchase
> one separately, and if so which lens would you recommend?
>
> TIA.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Steve Thomas
>
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Tom Scales <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote:
>
> Steve, get the 18-70, as it is a great lens and the 28 won't be wide enough.
> You also will need a macro lens. Your two primary Nikon choices are the
> 60/2.8 and 105/2.8. As of yesterday, I own both and like both. I like the
> 105 as the working distance is longer, but the 60 is cheaper.
>
> I'd probably go with the 60.
>

The 60 goes for about $350. The 105 goes for about $500. Neither are
particularily cheap. I would stick with the stock lens (18-70) until
you learn where your needs are with that camera.

--
Thomas T. Veldhouse
Key Fingerprint: 2DB9 813F F510 82C2 E1AE 34D0 D69D 1EDC D5EC AED1
Spammers please contact me at renegade@veldy.net.