Computers & Electronics

Nikon D70 DSLR, could use some advice with regards to accessories

  • Last Updated:
  • Dec 18th, 2004 11:51 am
Tags:
None
Sr. Member
User avatar
Apr 6, 2004
974 posts
30 upvotes
Newmarket, Ontario

Nikon D70 DSLR, could use some advice with regards to accessories

Hi all,

I bought the Nikon D70 for my wife for xmas as she is really big into digital photography and she really wanted to upgrade to a DSLR from our current HP 850 Photosmart camera. She's the expert in digital photography though, I know next to nothing beyond what button to press to take a picture. So a couple of questions about potential accessories as follows:

a. I was looking at getting a 512MB Lexar compact flash card from tigerdirect, is there any benefit to getting one with a speed of 80x versus 40x with respect to the D70?

b. She does a lot of macro photography in our garden in the summer (flowers, insects, etc). Is the stock lens sufficient for this or would a macro lens be useful and if so what lens? Also, we have a Nikon F65 with a stock lens 28-105 which warpdrive indicated translated to 42-158 on the D70, is this sufficient for macro?

b. What other accessories would be considered must have, I see a lot of people get UV filters for example? She already has a nice bag, lens cleaner, etc from the F65.

Thanks for any advice, trying to make this a special xmas for my wife with this surprise.

Gerald
9 replies
Deal Expert
User avatar
Mar 6, 2003
19713 posts
13577 upvotes
Ottawa
80X does make a difference, but it depends on how fast you really need it. A 40X card would do fine for most people.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_ ... =6007-6816

I'd go for a 1GB card, you really want to shoot in RAW/NEF mode for any serious work and those images gobble up 5+ MB each.

The included lens has barely any real macro capability, she's going to need something with much better close focusing ability. the macro capability is not related to the focal length at all, for example some 28-105 may have better macro capability than others. The closest focusing distance should be marked on the lens. Check your existing 28-105, it might already have decent macro capability. IIRC, the minimum focus distance on then 18-70 is 38cm (marked on the lens) which is pretty large. If you are *really* into closeup photos, you will want something a lot better than that.

I like UV filters because I'm clumsy with my lens, and I use it as a lens protector. But in general you don't need one.

A Circular Polarizing filter is a must, you'll need one for whichever lens you have. The stock lens is 67mm.

Good filters cost good money. The best are the multicoated (antiglare coatinngs) ones. Brands like B+W, and Hoya make good filters.

A good tripod is a must. The D70 is a heavy camera so it can benefit from sturdy legs.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Apr 6, 2004
974 posts
30 upvotes
Newmarket, Ontario
Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I think I will skip the lens at this point and look at the filters and a good tripod. It sounds like picking a good macro lens is going to be somewhat personal taste so my wife can decide what lens would work best for her after xmas.

Gerald
Deal Expert
User avatar
Mar 6, 2003
19713 posts
13577 upvotes
Ottawa
One interesting tripod that I've found is a Velbon Ultra Maxi. It's a very light and compact tripod (but extends to nearly full size) that is really easy to use. It's $170 at henrys.com. here's a blurb on it http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/PMA2003.html

The last time I checked, cameracanada sells Hoya filters. They make decent filters and cameracanada seems to have them at a decent price.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Apr 6, 2004
974 posts
30 upvotes
Newmarket, Ontario
Thanks again, the detailed advice is very helpful. Time to do some shopping!
Deal Addict
Jan 5, 2004
1460 posts
41 upvotes
GTA
To make it look good with digital capture, invest time to learn your favorite photo editing tool. PhotoShop or whatever you like best. Because you will be the one doing all these post-processing.

a. yes, web sites like dpreview.com will give you tons of details on tests and user reports

b. if you have decided macro is your cup of tea, the easy way is to get a macro lens (you can also use barrow extensions, reverse mount or the magnifying filter to achieve the same result). In the Nikon lineup, there are 60mm, 105mm & 200mm, their practical differences is working distance. The tamron 90mm macro is highly regarded in this area. There are many reviews in this area, just do a search on "macro lens review". To obtain good macro results, a suitable tripod & head is a must. Which opens up a whole new matter. Aluminum or CF, ball or 3D head. With tripods, it has been said you can only choose 2 from the 3: price, weight, size. Enjoy. :twisted:

c. get a book, start learning from the accomplished ones, develop your senses, slowly and steadily develop your own style.
UV filter is an like insurance to protect the delicate anti-reflection coating. (remember total internal reflection and path difference?)

A good place to start is www.photo.net, www.photozone.de ... use a search engine and read till you drop :lol:
Sr. Member
User avatar
Apr 6, 2004
974 posts
30 upvotes
Newmarket, Ontario
My wife is already pretty knowledgeable about this stuff as she's the one into it, I just get to pay for everything. :)

Seriously though, suggestions noted, she is taking a photoshop course at Seneca in January along with an advanced digital photography course. She does enjoy doing macro photography, we have a lot of her framed photos on the wall that largely consist of closeup garden shots.

With regards to the Tamron lens, do you have a specific link to it?

Thanks,

Gerald
Deal Addict
Jan 5, 2004
1460 posts
41 upvotes
GTA
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... /90_macro/
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/can-tam-macro/
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/90mm.asp
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 643&is=USA
http://www.camerahobby.com/Access-Canon500D.htm
one more thing ... she might need a flash light as your effective aperture decreases as your rear element move away from the focal plane at marco range ... you'll know there is a need when it happens.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Apr 6, 2004
974 posts
30 upvotes
Newmarket, Ontario
Thanks for the links, I'm not sure I want to spend that much money right now but I'll keep my eyes open for a deal on that lens. If I don't pick one up I'll pass the links along to my wife after xmas and she can decide if it's worth the money for what she wants to do.

Gerald
Newbie
Jul 12, 2003
36 posts
Toronto
If you don't want to drop the cash for a dedicated Macro Lense, I'd recommend a set of close up filters. Much cheaper and a great way to get into Macro Photography.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... cro_1.html

The link above will show you all the different types of macro photography you can get into. I had the close up filters as a first step. $70-80 dollars I think. Had lots of fun, then I jumped into a dedicated Macro. I got the Tamron 80mm but returned it for the Sigma 105mm Macro. VERY SHARP!

Later

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)