Digital photo n00b questions

astro · Post by **astro** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:31 am

My brother is an amateur photographer with cash to spare, so he regularly upgrades his gear and gives me the hand-me-downs. He lives in Switzerland, so I don't get to see him often. On his latest trip home to Canada he gave me a Nikon D70 camera body, without any lenses.

I know that these cameras take Nikon F-mount lenses. What would be a good all-purpose lens to get? I don't know anything about buying camera equipment. Is buying used a good idea, or do I risk inheriting somebody's faulty equipment? Is it worth buying a lens online, or should I only buy one that I can inspect in person?

Thanks for the help, folks!

Diva · Post by **Diva** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:59 pm

Do you want a zoom lens or fixed? A good fixed is a 50mm. A good zoom (IMO) is a 28-105mm. I have one Sigma 70-300mm that I don't use very often at all. But, I have gotten pretty quick with changing lenses. IMO, Nikkor is the best for your camera. I have all Nikon equip, except for that one Sigma lens. If you have a Nikon film camera, and you want to use those lenses on it, you WILL notice a difference between the lenses and the two cameras. Depth will be a tad different. I can't remember the ratio.

Check out www.keh.com. Their used stuff is GOOD quality. I've heard many people rave about it. They also have new, but decently priced used stuff. Buying used is a great way to build up your stock and to try new things.

I've just recently started feeling the bug again. I need to clean my camera and find my lens cap.

Or buy a new one. lol

Good luck to you and remember to share your work.

astro · Post by **astro** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:05 pm

Thanks Diva!

I definitely want a zoom lens, but I don't want anything too long because I can be a clutz and I don't want to bash it into anything!

My old SLR is a Minolta. I think the lens was a 35-80mm zoom (I can't check off hand because I loaned it to a friend), I don't know if the Minolta lenses are compatible with Nikon.

I'm going to check out keh.com...

thanks for the tips!

Diva · Post by **Diva** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:09 pm

I recommend the zoom lens that I have...the 28-105mm. It's my SOLID. It's on the camera ALL of the time. Not too long, but short enough to get your job done.

good all around imo.

http://www.labellecameras.com/products. ... 21523.html

check out ebay too. sometimes you can find brand new for cheap.

i can't wait til i can build up my stock. some more filters and what not.

astro · Post by **astro** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:53 pm

Cool! I'm going to check out the lens. I'll see if any photo stores in town have decent prices, but I suspect that it'll be cheaper to buy online. I'm concerned about having a lens shipped though, they seem a bit fragile and I wouldn't want to see it damaged from over zealous postal or courier employees.

Diva · Post by **Diva** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:38 am

Buy insurance if you buy from Ebay. Otherwise, it'll be packed well. I wouldn't worry too much.

MrJulius · Post by **MrJulius** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:44 am

Buy from a decent seller online, www.bhphotovideo.com or a good ebay seller (lots of posi) and you will be fine shipping wise. I have had a ton of gear shipped and never a problem.

Here is my flickr, I would recomend getting something like the 18-55 or something of that nature for all around photography. You wont be taking pictures of lions 500 yards off, but it will serve its purpose. The D70 is a fairly nice little camera.

Here is my flickr

www.flickr.com/photojulius

Diva · Post by **Diva** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:56 am

the problem with BH is that they tend to be expensive. and their customer service sucks ass.

MrJulius · Post by **MrJulius** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:31 am

haha, I hear ya there. But so far I haven't needed their CS, which says something about the company. Haha, A bunch of guys I know use Adorama and Amazon in general...

But yeah..

Diva · Post by **Diva** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:55 am

i don't think i'll order from them anymore. and it's not even MY experience. a friend of mine ordered a digital camera (nothing too fancy, as it was for her daughter). the camera took AGES to come in despite the site saying "in stock", and then when it finally arrived, the instruction book was in korean.

which, is fine if that is your primary or native language. but, ordering from BH in NYC, ship to Chicago...do the math.

although, they have a great selection of film and that has always arrived fairly quickly. but...i also have two good camera stores near my house. yay for that.