tidris Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 I am just getting initiated into digital photography after a long break from photography. Could someone tell me if a DX lens is necessary to utilise all the features of a D70. Would perhaps a Nikon AF-G 4.0-5.6 70-300 mm lens do just as good a job as any in its price range. TIdris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 no, A DX type Nikkor isn't necessary but get at least an AF-D Nikkor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol young Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Think of the 50mm 1.8. The best lens at the best price. My D70 loves it. Errol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbq Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 No, a DX lens isn't necessary. A good lens is. The best telephotos aren't DX lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustys pics Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Any Nikon AF lens will give you 99% of what the D70 is capable of. That's the beauty of the system. You can also use AI and AIS lenses with a little bit of "chimping". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayward Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 DX lenses are designed for digital from a focal length perspective and are suppossedly tuned for the differences in digital sensors with special caotings or ED elements. I tend to beleive a bit of the hype because I've seen chromatic abberation/color fringing in long telephoto lenses with my D70 where I didn't see it with my N80 or N8008 film cameras. Of course, there is a workaround for everything and the CA goes away if you don't shoot wide open on backlit subjects. I guess my simple take is if you are starting out, get what you can afford. If you relly get into it, you'll notice flaws and get better gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronbudway Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 I'll second what Errol said. I picked one up about a month ago - LOVE it. $97 including shipping from B & H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaymondC Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 if one wants a ultra wide zoom or a mid range zoom then DX will be neccessary. WA zooms are just not possible w/ FF lenses.Mid zooms are ok with FF but they cut ur wides down like they are 24mm which become 36mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka_nissila Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 DX doesn't mean no CA. In the case of the cheapest DX lenses, you get darkish corners. There are always tradeoffs, apart from wide angles (and wide-to-normal zooms) the DX lenses are certainly not the best choice for a D70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbq Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Ray: Sigma's 12-24 is a decent example that it's actually possible (though not necessarily recommended). Ha, one may argue that DX lenses cut corners. Because that's exactly what they do. Flame me :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcofrancardi Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Hey TIdris, besides the kit lens, I'm using a 1993 (might be 1991, I can't quite remember) 75-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 AF Nikkor (made in Japan) which I used to mount on a F801. Within its market target (it's not a pro lens) and beside slow focussing, it's doing great job on my D70 (which is not a Pro camera anyway). On top of that, I still use my 1991 SB24 speedlight (no TTL, but Auto mode is doing quite well). I'm not plannig to change lens, just saving money for a SB800. in the beginning, when the D70 came out on the market, I couldn't believe it. I searched the Net for positive confirmation on that compatibility. When I found out for sure, I felt Nikon deserved my fidelity. So you might find on the market cheap, old used lenses(in good working condition) which are actually better built then todays low-end lenses (my lens' body is all scratches and bruises, no more paint on the metallic corners, but the glasses are in excellent condition an the zoom mechanism working flawlessly). Give it a thought. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_skomial Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 " if a DX lens is necessary to utilise all the features of a D70 " Quite contrary. Full frame lenses with larger circle of coverage use only central portion of the image in the smaller sensor of D70. Edges and corner areas of the full frame lens are not used (cropped out of the picture). Most lenses have the best resolution at the center of image, while edges and corners have far lower resolution. Utilizing full frame lens, uses the best quality cental area of the image. DX lenses are tailored for smaller size sensor, and have smaller circle of coverage. All corners and borders of the image that DX lens produces are part of your photograph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mawz Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 DX is only necessary to get a decent zoom that covers the range from ~18mm through 55 or more mm. It does help also with the ultra-wide 12-24's. The only reason the 55-200 is DX is to keep the price down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidris Posted August 17, 2005 Author Share Posted August 17, 2005 Wow Guys - I'm quite overwhelmed with such a wide range of response, mostly from personal experience perspectives as well as technical know how. Thank you ... I am now going to go looking for a second hand 'older' lens ... perhaps not a zoom but a couple of good telephotos. Nothing has changed in that respect then over the past 25 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_skomial Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Taha, Since you have been watching lenses for 25 years, even if you have perfect vision, with age you will appreciate auto focus (AF). Besides age, since D70 viewfinder is not that bright, AF will help. So, your older lenses should not be "that old", as they may not even measure the light on D70. That is, the manual exposure with very old lenses is a pain, even if they fit and mount on the D70, try to avoid them. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidris Posted August 18, 2005 Author Share Posted August 18, 2005 I have indeed avoided the very old lenses which are relegated to the manual use. You are absolutely right about appreciating the Af feature. I am now in the process of getting the G 70-300 which will serve me for the time being. Perhaps a more uptodate ED lens in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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