D70 - what lense for wildlife photography?
Discussion
I have an old D70 sat in a cupboard. I haven't used it for ages because it's too big to lug about for normal use and the 70-300 lense I have is borked and won't focus.
But there are good wildlife opportunities where I live and I'm going on a safari later in the year so I'm wondering about a new (well, used) big zoom. I don't really want to spend more than £200 if I can.
The question is what should I be looking at, or should I ignore the D70 and start from scratch?
But there are good wildlife opportunities where I live and I'm going on a safari later in the year so I'm wondering about a new (well, used) big zoom. I don't really want to spend more than £200 if I can.
The question is what should I be looking at, or should I ignore the D70 and start from scratch?
The D70 was my first DSLR. Its main weak points now are 6Mp and poor low-light performance, but anything in daylight will be fine.
For a cheap telephoto I'd look on eBay for something s/h with the Nikon F-mount and the biggest aperture you can find. I say that because you'll need to keep the shutter speed up to (a) minimise camera shake (b) you can't crank the ISO up to compensate.
If you want to build a new system for the future then it would be wiser to start from scratch, but if this is a one-off need before going back in the cupboard for 10 years it's the cheapest way IMHO.
For a cheap telephoto I'd look on eBay for something s/h with the Nikon F-mount and the biggest aperture you can find. I say that because you'll need to keep the shutter speed up to (a) minimise camera shake (b) you can't crank the ISO up to compensate.
If you want to build a new system for the future then it would be wiser to start from scratch, but if this is a one-off need before going back in the cupboard for 10 years it's the cheapest way IMHO.
I wonder if you wouldn't be better starting from scratch. A safari is going to be an expensive holiday (once in a lifetime?) and it would be a shame to come back with disappointing photos. What ever you do get plenty of practise BEFORE you go. As Gary Player (I think) once said about how "lucky" he was - "The more I practise the luckier I get".
I paid £1000 for my D70 when they first came out, and now it's worthless 
Still takes lovely pics and as long as you have good glass and you are not blowing the images up to poster size it's fine.
I bought my daughter a Dxxxx a few years ago, a third of what I paid for my D70 and something like 30mp. It was far smaller but nasty feeling build quality.
Still takes lovely pics and as long as you have good glass and you are not blowing the images up to poster size it's fine.
I bought my daughter a Dxxxx a few years ago, a third of what I paid for my D70 and something like 30mp. It was far smaller but nasty feeling build quality.
Turn7 said:
If the safari is a once in a lifetime deal, rent a D500 and something like 200-500 from lens for hite
That's going to be well beyond his projected budget - something like £600 for 3 weeks (which may be a bit short if he is to familiarise himself with it). I think something shorter than 200 would also be needed. On Safari in Kenya I used everything between 24 and 600 mm - even for shots of animals. The majority animal/bird shots were indeed at the longer end, but there were plenty at well under 100mm.
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 23 June 13:58
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 23 June 14:10
I'm not going to spend that much and want something to use here as well. I bought the camera for our trip driving to Cape Town (Which was once in a lifetime! ) so have used it for wildlife and broadly been happy with the results. The lense I have which broke is a Nikkor AF 70-300 ED which was one of the cheaper options at the time IIRC so an upgrade on that would be good.
) so have used it for wildlife and broadly been happy with the results. The lense I have which broke is a Nikkor AF 70-300 ED which was one of the cheaper options at the time IIRC so an upgrade on that would be good.Bill said:
I'm not going to spend that much and want something to use here as well. I bought the camera for our trip driving to Cape Town (Which was once in a lifetime! ) so have used it for wildlife and broadly been happy with the results. The lense I have which broke is a Nikkor AF 70-300 ED which was one of the cheaper options at the time IIRC so an upgrade on that would be good.
You mentioned a bridge camera - I think a secondhand Panasonic FZ1000 would be just about within budget and be worth considering.) so have used it for wildlife and broadly been happy with the results. The lense I have which broke is a Nikkor AF 70-300 ED which was one of the cheaper options at the time IIRC so an upgrade on that would be good.Turn7 said:
The 70-300 ED isnt a bad lens, MBP have used examples just over budget....
I really cant see anything better than that with the budget given tbh....
A 70-300VR would be worth stretching for.I really cant see anything better than that with the budget given tbh....
Sure the D70 is old now, but I took mine to New Zealand in 2005-6 and took 3,000+ photos. Quality was fine - it was Camera of The Year; I've had 30x20" prints from the files and even did a few weddings with it.
My upgrade was a D200, which is a step better all round so consider that if ££ allows.
As your D70 hasn't been used for a while, make sure the batteries are OK. You may need new ones.
bcr5784 said:
Do you want video? Personally think it adds a lot to safari memories - but not (as I understand) possible on the D70.
Nope. I think the D300s was the first with video. But shooting video is an entirely different animal from stills, and DSLRs whilst offering excellent quality are not quick to use for video. I'd get a camcorder for that job.Simpo Two said:
Nope. I think the D300s was the first with video. But shooting video is an entirely different animal from stills, and DSLRs whilst offering excellent quality are not quick to use for video. I'd get a camcorder for that job.
Why? - mirrorless cameras can do an excellent job of video too. bcr5784 said:
Simpo Two said:
Nope. I think the D300s was the first with video. But shooting video is an entirely different animal from stills, and DSLRs whilst offering excellent quality are not quick to use for video. I'd get a camcorder for that job.
Why? - mirrorless cameras can do an excellent job of video too. Simpo Two said:
A 70-300VR would be worth stretching for.
Sure the D70 is old now, but I took mine to New Zealand in 2005-6 and took 3,000+ photos. Quality was fine - it was Camera of The Year; I've had 30x20" prints from the files and even did a few weddings with it.
My upgrade was a D200, which is a step better all round so consider that if ££ allows.
As your D70 hasn't been used for a while, make sure the batteries are OK. You may need new ones.
The battery actually charged! Not sure how well it'll last though...Sure the D70 is old now, but I took mine to New Zealand in 2005-6 and took 3,000+ photos. Quality was fine - it was Camera of The Year; I've had 30x20" prints from the files and even did a few weddings with it.
My upgrade was a D200, which is a step better all round so consider that if ££ allows.
As your D70 hasn't been used for a while, make sure the batteries are OK. You may need new ones.
The VR lense is within reach and looks very worthwhile.
As far as an upgrade body goes I can see the value in a few more Mp and better low light capability, but I think the biggest bonus would be WiFi. Do you know when that became a thing with Nikon?
Simpo Two said:
On the OP's budget in addition to his stills requirement? He hasn't mentioned video anyway; let's focus - ha - on the brief.
Some of his possible equipment choices can give video and a wider focal length range than sticking with his existing body AND be within his budget.Bill said:
As far as an upgrade body goes I can see the value in a few more Mp and better low light capability, but I think the biggest bonus would be WiFi. Do you know when that became a thing with Nikon?
D5300 apparently: https://petapixel.com/2013/10/17/nikon-announces-d...However I can't tell you any more about it as I don't use it.
Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 24th June 08:35
Bill said:
The battery actually charged! Not sure how well it'll last though...
The VR lense is within reach and looks very worthwhile.
As far as an upgrade body goes I can see the value in a few more Mp and better low light capability, but I think the biggest bonus would be WiFi. Do you know when that became a thing with Nikon?
Why would you want WiFi? I've got it on all three of my Nikons and the only time I ever used it was for some remote control. Kept dropping out, poor range. The VR lense is within reach and looks very worthwhile.
As far as an upgrade body goes I can see the value in a few more Mp and better low light capability, but I think the biggest bonus would be WiFi. Do you know when that became a thing with Nikon?
It's the third worst options for files transfers too. Card reader being best, USB cable to camera second best.
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