Nikon D70s

[A.Carter]

Hey guys, first post and first thread all in one..

Well as the topic states, i currently have a Nikon D70s with a standard 18 - 70mm automatic focus and shutter.

I am planning to move into the reef hobby as soon as i can, and i really want to keep a detailed record of how i am going.

Now, with the current lens that i have now, i realize that keeping a "detailed" record would be hard to get.

I am planning on getting a micro, or as you might know them as macro, (funny how we all speak the same language, but we have different words for the same thing. Just like how the Americans pronounce Tomato ,and we pronounce it. {Don't get me started there}) lens, am thinking of getting these ones.

Those are the Nikon AF micro 60mm lens. capable of zooming to a maximum of 21cm, about 7inc....

actual specs here.

http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=119-be1a8820c7

now i know what you are probably going to say, "its up to you" and all of that, but i would like to know what you think about it... what is your opinion.

 

[gregr]

Hey welcome to RC
That lens will serve you well- for aquarium pics, for portraits and for close-ups of flowers and whatnot. I think ideally the best lens for aquarium pics would be the 105mm micro lens with vibration reduction but it's very expensive.
Greg

 

[Ebn]

Some pics that I took not too long ago with the 105mm VR vs. the 60mm f/2.8D micro.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=120700

 

[maroun.c]

Welcome to RC.
60 mm macro will focus at a minimum (not maximum) distance f 21 cm
It will still focus at longer distances but the magnification will decrease with distance.
105 mm will focus at a minimum distance of 31 cm which is better suited for tank photography as most tanks are 40-60 cm wide (at least im my region) your subjects will not be at the back glass and usually your prized corals will be in the middle of the tank (from front to back)
So basically you'll achieve much better magnifications with 105 than with 60 mm (at least that's how I understand it)
Also 105 will allow you to take fish shots without having to have your lens at the glass for more magnification.
one other thing to consider is the increased capability to shoot insects at bigger distance and the decreased chance of scaring them away (you never know but you might beinterested in insect macros)
Also it'll give you better chances to get back from snake shoots alive.
some people even recommend a 180 mm macro. sigma makes a good one for a cheaper price than nikon.
But considering that I prefer to have a nikon lense and that 105 is the sharpest lense made by nikon I highly recommend it.
a cheaper alternative is to get the Non Vr version if you can't afford the Vr. VR does not correct for front to back vibration so is not as effective in macro as it is in other areas of photography as macro shots without a tripod suffer more because of the decreased DOF. It is an important plus in lenses but if you can't afford it I believe a 105 non VR is better than a 60.

 

[A.Carter]

Wow, thanks for that, just saved me a whole lot of frustration.

I will defiantly look into the 105mm lens...

Thanks guys

 

[Gilprado]

just got my 105

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8648193@N02/535512502/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/535512502_a24bdc0965_o.jpg" width="1023" height="684" alt="xenia" /></a>

 

[A.Carter]

Nice very nice, hoping to get mine soon...

 

[A.Carter]

fantastic shot dude,

yeah, join the club, still on back order mine is