New Lens for D70s

phog

I have recently purcahsed a new D70s with 18-70mm and 55-200mm lens, I'm very much a beginner have never used an SLR before. The intention was to use the longer range lens for rugby action and taking wildlife shots. I have since seen this review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300g.htm) of the 70-300mm lens and I'm wondering if it's more powerful. Conn's currently have it on sale for €150 (http://www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL110_entry.html).

My questions are:
1. Am I wasting my money?
2. Should I keep using what I have already and wait until I can afford something better.

Any other help would be much appreciated.

Zillah

If you need to ask the question, then no, you shouldn't buy it. Practice practice practice. Get to know the lenses you have, decide whats good about them, what you might like to be different.

Once you know what you need or don't need, then see about getting more.

Of course, if you're a millionaire and have money to burn then buying new lenses can be fun. Whee, new toys. I also have a D70s so get me a couple too

EDIT:

Sharpness

As tested on a digital camera. Film will be tougher, since the real edges of the image aren't used with a digital camera's sensor. Film also has lower ISOs will lead to larger apertures and longer shutter speeds just asking for trouble.

It will be difficult for many people to get sharp images at the longer focal lengths because one will need to use smaller apertures, but that leads to longer shutter speeds and more potential for blur. Blur is also a problem because this such a lightweight lens. Big fat telephotos help stabilize camera shake due to their weight alone, and others incorporate additional special active stabilization. This $140 G lens has none of that, so don't blame softness on just the lens since it just as likely could be your technique.

If that made complete sense to you, and you feel you can handle it, then maybe you should consider the lens. Otherwise its much more worth your time to experiment with what you have, thats a great lens set you have already.

phog

Zillah wrote:

If you need to ask the question, then no, you shouldn't buy it. Practice practice practice. Get to know the lenses you have, decide whats good about them, what you might like to be different.

Once you know what you need or don't need, then see about getting more.

Of course, if you're a millionaire and have money to burn then buying new lenses can be fun. Whee, new toys. I also have a D70s so get me a couple too

EDIT:



If that made complete sense to you, and you feel you can handle it, then maybe you should consider the lens. Otherwise its much more worth your time to experiment with what you have, thats a great lens set you have already.

Thanks Zillah,

Firstly and unfortunately I not a millionaire. I'm happy enough with the results from the 55-200 (pics taken at evening rugby matches under lights) but when I saw the review and price I thought about the 70-300. Would the result be worth the expense now so soon after purchasing the camera and lenses?

slumped

phog wrote:

I have recently purcahsed a new D70s with 18-70mm and 55-200mm lens, I'm very much a beginner have never used an SLR before. The intention was to use the longer range lens for rugby action and taking wildlife shots. I have since seen this review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300g.htm) of the 70-300mm lens and I'm wondering if it's more powerful. Conn's currently have it on sale for €150 (http://www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL110_entry.html).

My questions are:
1. Am I wasting my money?
2. Should I keep using what I have already and wait until I can afford something better.

Any other help would be much appreciated.

I have a D70 and the 70-300 lens you mention.

It is a good lens for candid shots and just OK for sports. It's really not quick enough I find.

But I agree with other posters, practice practice practice.

It did me for 2-3 years (also had F55 before) and now I've got a Tamron 500mm http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/200500mm.asp

Work your way up to it but if you want to try it it's not money wasted

Dundhoone

yeah i agree with zillah and slumped, you are better off to use what you have for a while, then when you find theres something you want to do but cant with what you have, buy more lenses.