lens question

86JR · 24 May 2010 at 02:39

im after two lenses for the d70, a wide angle and a macro.

the wide angle for general use, thinking tokina 11-16 but lately they been having issues with softness.

wide angle... no idea, i dont want to mess around with extension tubes, would rather just buy a proper lens for the job. Nikon did one way back, but cant find any for sale. can anyone suggest a good tamron,sigma etc that can do the job well on a d70 ?
for flower, insect etc shots.

thanks

p0ss3s3d · 24 May 2010 at 07:43

Sigma 180mm is ideal but if you can't stretch that far try the 150mm.

Both lenses can be 1.4x and 2x tc'd so you can get a sharp 300/360mm macro with a much longer working distance (250+mm is really what you need for shooting wild butterflies/dragonflies/frogs etc etc). And because you'll be using sharp macro lenses and stopping down to get the whole insect in focusit should all be super sharp.

I read a review a while back saying the sigma 180 is just as good as the canon 180 and the guy who wrote the article wished he hadn't bothered upgrading.

bigredshark · 24 May 2010 at 09:35

You really need to specify a budget, Nikon's 105 VR macro is a good lens and the 10-24 (or older, constant f4, 12-24) are decent wide angle options but they all cost in the £600-700+ bracket.

iSam · 24 May 2010 at 09:49

The Tokina 11-16 is a cracking lens. Rented one to try it out and it was superb, sharp even wide open. Constant 2.8 helps also.

robmiller · 24 May 2010 at 09:55

Tokina 11-16, Sigma 10-20

Tamron 90mm

D.P. · 24 May 2010 at 10:43

What are you going to use the macro for? Generally, you need as much reach as possible + Sigma 150 or 180, or Nikon 200mm.

bigredshark · 24 May 2010 at 12:45

iSam said:
The Tokina 11-16 is a cracking lens. Rented one to try it out and it was superb, sharp even wide open. Constant 2.8 helps also.

Very limited range though, I'd prefer something which went to at least 20, preferably 22/24mm on the long end, it's the difference between being able to shoot all day with it and not in my experience...

Amp34 · 24 May 2010 at 15:48

bigredshark said:
Very limited range though, I'd prefer something which went to at least 20, preferably 22/24mm on the long end, it's the difference between being able to shoot all day with it and not in my experience...

Depends a lot on your other glass. If you have somthing like a 17-55 then the 11-16 compliments it perfectly. I have to agree though, it is a little short a lot of the time, but then it is called a hidden prime by a lot of people.

If I were going for those two lenses I would go for either the 11-16 or 12-24 (if you want a bit longer and can't afford the Nikon versions) as well as the Sigma 150mm Macro.

bigredshark · 24 May 2010 at 16:31

Amp34 said:
Depends a lot on your other glass. If you have somthing like a 17-55 then the 11-16 compliments it perfectly. I have to agree though, it is a little short a lot of the time, but then it is called a hidden prime by a lot of people.

Even with though you'd be swapping them all the time, the 10-22 sort of range works because it matches the fairly proven 16-35 full frame focal length, I think 11-16 is just too limited. Each to their own though and it depends what the OP wants to use it for exactly, wide angle covers a lot of things...

Amp34 · 24 May 2010 at 17:28

Yeah, I agree the 10-22 range is a lot better and it's one of the big downers with the 11-16, you have to think of it more as a prime than a zoom and it makes more sense (a fast "prime" compared to the slower zooms). Still, like most primes it is only really beneficial if you need that extra speed and slightly better IQ.

86JR · 24 May 2010 at 17:59

shots like this would be ideal

p0ss3s3d · 24 May 2010 at 18:45

50mm macro lenses - 18cm
100mm macro lenses - 30cm
180mm macro lenses - 50cm
180mm + 2x TC - 100cm

These are 1:1 ratios. The 180mm sounds like a good choice to me if your shooting 'moving insects'. The 50/100's tend to be for copy work.

http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/sigma_180mm_macro_review.htm

This guys essentially says it's a as good as the Canon 180mm.

Also note the sharpness of the lens. Even with the 2x TC it's still sharp!!!! Remember you'll spend most of your time between f/11 and f/16 (you probably won't want to open up more than f/11 when shooting insects) to keep everything in focus. Thats where my Macro money would be going.

Camoe · 24 May 2010 at 18:55

i have a Sigma 10-20 and it is outstanding

86JR · 24 May 2010 at 18:57

i have 18-70, 50mm prime, 70-300.

Im umming and arring about wether to buy a new camera, im not sure the d70 is working 100%, tbh i think the sensor needs cleaning, afaik i need to send it to nikon for this, and pay £100 or so for the privelige ?

Im kind of swaying towards a 5dmk2, it does full 1080 video which is ideal for my dissy, and amazing features and is FF, and cheaper than the "superior" D700...

syke · 24 May 2010 at 19:01

If you are gonna upgrade, get a D90. Don't jump all the way up, especially to a format you haven't got already. IF you have the money, D90, Tokina 11-16/12-24 and the Tamron 90mm.

iSam · 24 May 2010 at 22:08

bigredshark said:
Even with though you'd be swapping them all the time, the 10-22 sort of range works because it matches the fairly proven 16-35 full frame focal length, I think 11-16 is just too limited. Each to their own though and it depends what the OP wants to use it for exactly, wide angle covers a lot of things...

I don't mind the small range, it's a wide angle at the end of the day and I would rather take the time and change the lens for better sharpness and a wide aperture for low light work. A 10-24/12-24/10-20 would just overlap with other lenses, therefore making the extra lens a little bit pointless. As Amp34 says, pair it with a 17-55 as I'm trying to do (funds permitting), it works out quite well.

p0ss3s3d · 24 May 2010 at 22:26

Sensor cleaning costs between £10 and £20 in camera shops or learn to clean it yourself. I RocketBlow my cameras Fortnightly and Visible Dust them monthly. Every so often I get the local shop to clean them properly.

lolism · 25 May 2010 at 00:54

twoblacklines said:
i have 18-70, 50mm prime, 70-300.

Im umming and arring about wether to buy a new camera, im not sure the d70 is working 100%, tbh i think the sensor needs cleaning, afaik i need to send it to nikon for this, and pay £100 or so for the privelige ?

Im kind of swaying towards a 5dmk2, it does full 1080 video which is ideal for my dissy, and amazing features and is FF, and cheaper than the "superior" D700...

Your in the same boat as myself. I currently have the D70, kit 18-70 and a 50mm 1.4 and not sure which lens to get next - currently considering upgrading my body for increased ISO performance. I think I'll hold off for a while, save up and see if a replacement for the D90 appears in a year.

86JR · 25 May 2010 at 04:44

anything over iso 250 and its silly! ruins images. i remember borrowing a tripod and taking some long exposure shots at fistral beach of the waves under the low full moon. On the lcd they looked great, got home and full of noise, completely ruined! lowest was iso 300 and even that was noise city.

D.P. · 25 May 2010 at 08:05

bigredshark said:
Very limited range though, I'd prefer something which went to at least 20, preferably 22/24mm on the long end, it's the difference between being able to shoot all day with it and not in my experience...

I agree, if you don't need the 2.8 then it is not the best option. Nikon 12-24/10-24, Sigma 10-20 (old 3.5-4.5 version), Tamron 10-24.

Take your pick.