hugh_t

This day has been fast approaching for Leica for the last couple years, the bottom line as I see it is that the quietness and image quality photographers want are not that much better with a film Leica, and a quality digicam, therefore it's difficult to get them to fork over several thousand dollars for a yesterday's technology camera and a 50 mm lens, no matter how good it is.

 

Leica will soon rip with the other companies that refused to recognize the future and adapt. Leica may survive as a much smaller niche company catering to people with really thick wallets looking for status symbols. (Oh wait, it's already happened.)

Send that lens to me right away, you need the 17-55dx lens which costs over a grand. All the people who have been commenting how good the 18-70 is must be wrong. I will gladly reimburse you the cost of shipping that piece of crap to me. ;^)

The 24mm is great on D70 as a walk around lens, I recommend it highly, it's my favorite "standard" lens for the D70, awesome combo of quality and size. It might be nice to have some DX primes to pick from, but I think that Nikon would need to get around 1k per copy of say a 24mm F1.4 AFS-dx and outside of us equipment geeks on photo.net that market is probably somewhat limited. I have read that the 28mm F1.4 Nikon is actually closer to 30mm which makes it @ 45mm in dx format, that would make a pretty nice standard lens for a D70.

I am very happy with the shots from my Olympus Stylus Epic ($90 US), nothing is more true than you can't take a picture if your camera is at home in the bag in the closet.

I have yet to read anything bad about the kit lens, I seriously regret not getting one with my D70. My most used lens thes days on my D70 is my 24mm which as everyone knows is a 36 on the D70, can't beat that small size. I also have the 28-70 AFS which is fantastic but probably overkill for my uses. Of the lenses you listed the one I had that I truly regret selling was the 24-85 AFGS, small and lightweight, very fast focusing, and excellent sharpness, I can recommed that one highly. You will greatly enjoy your new D70 and find your film use decreasing.

I think the following combo will fit just about anyones needs.

1. 80-200 2.8 AFD

2. 17-35 2.8

3. 50 1.8

 

there is not much you could not do with this combo and all three are generally agreed to optically great

Sounds like you have a death wish, I would pack my kevlar clothing. They seem to like "beheadings" in that part of the world these days.

I have the Nikon ((70-200) and it's great, it's probably overkill for me, photography is just my hobby. I also had the 80-200 AFD (two rings) and optically they both are incredible. The 80-200 Nikon did focus really fast on my F100 but the the silent wave is slightly faster and quieter. Some of my best sports shots were take with the old 80-200 and F100 and monopod. I probably get a slightly higher percentage of keepers because of the silent wave motor now, but I'm primarily digital and so it isn't as big of a deal. If I was in your shoes making the decision based on what you told us I would consider this option. The 70-200 Nikon is roughly $1500, for that you can get a new D70 ($999) and also a used 80-200 NIkon AFD tripod mount in great condition from KEH. I know it's not really the question you wanted answered, but it never hurts to explore all you options.

Eric hit the nail on the head Nikon 35-70 2.8, I might add, in your price range it will have to be used, get one from KEH.com, they accurately grade their merchandise and give you a reasonalbe amount of time to inspect and return if it is not what you want.

I'm envious of your trip, if I took more than my Stylus based on what you have I would take the N90s based on it's reputation for being well built and reliable along with the 50. My personal experience with Vivitar zooms is that they can be a little lacking in the area of build quality. Even if well packed, because cycles shake and bounce alot, could cause a malfunction. I personally think the N90s with a 50 and 24 would be ample for a trip and should be very trouble free. My last trip I went lite with only an F100, 50 & 24, and it worked out great. Good lick with that blood pressure, I wish you well, Hugh.

I have a Harley Road King, with two saddle bags and the tour pack, (ie. plenty or room for gear). The only camera I ever take on trips is the Olympus Stylus Epic. It fits in a small pouch mounted inside the windshield along with cell phone, sunglasses, wallet and gloves. Unless the purpose of the trip IS photography I recommend this set up. That camera with a couple rolls of Fuji 400 will serve you well, and best of all, if gets stolen or damaged you're only out $80. Space on cycle trips is precious.

Pretty much have switched from film to the D70. If I am shooting something I really want to turn out great and possibly blow up I bring out the F100 and the Provia.

Fastest is relative, what is your budget??

F100 is a great choice.

Get a diaper bag from Walmart, cheap, water-proof, and CHEAP. jk. What self respecting criminal would steal a diaper bag.

Well this is probably the most "OT" I have ever seen in this forum, and there have been some beauties.

I must be missing something??? Did Maggie take some pictures of Native Americans a Leica??

New, absolutely if you can afford it.

and Kerry won't raise taxes....

Paging Phil Kneen too!!!

I want to purchase a new Nikon TC 17. It does not appear it will to

KEH or B&H any time soon. "Photo Creative" of Canada has the item in

stock. Is anyone familar with this retailer?? I could find no

mention of them in "neighbor to neighbor". Henry's of Canada, their

website, that is says they will have them in 7-14 days. Any

suggestions???

Louis, I am sure that digital video camera is just around the corner. I for one will be happy when it's affordable. I don't take photos for the sake of art, I guess that makes me a shallow unwashed slob, I just want sharp action photos I can blow up to 8x10. How I get them doesn't really matter to me.

For me zoom, 35 and 50 are pretty close in focal length, getting a spread from 28 to 70 greatly expands the possibilities. If light is an issue you may have to go prime.

Thank you Mr. Flint. Was the rep able to provide a "ballpark" date for availability??

Does anyone know of a reputable retailer (US) that has the new Nikon

TC in stock??

 

Thanks