Getting this lens, just thought I share

[ericav]

It's a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Autofocus Lens it's going to be a business expense/early birthday present to myself.

We're going to DC this thursday and I want it to take nice pictures of the pandas at the National Zoo.

I have a Nikon D80 and I have a Tamron Zoom Telephoto AF 75300MM F/4.05.6 LD Macro AF Lens. It works well, but I really need something with the Vibration Reduction.

I just thought I'd share, inside I'm all for my future purchase!

[deana]

Cool!! I love cameras & all things photography. That looks like a sweet lens!

I'd love to see the pics when you return, I hope you'll share 'em here!

[ericav]

I'll share them, but I hope it's ok if they have a copyright watermark on them. A lot of my photo friends have gotten their best pictures stolen, hence the watermark. I use them as references for my drawings. My one friend just found out a company stole her photo and made a puzzle with it. The puzzle is sold everywhere too.

[ericav]

I got it! Boy is this sucker heavy. It's a lot beefier than my other telephoto lens. I'm going to the local $5 Zoo to test it out.

[CaraDB7]

I am JEALOUS! I want a Nikon sooooooo bad! I love photography! Amazing job!

[Kolbe]

ericav do you have any micro lenses for your Nikon? And do you have an external flash? I have a Nikon D50 and am saving up for both these things but have no clue which ones to go with or how much to reasonably spend... I'm just a hobby photographer.

[Mr. Moose]

How did the photos go at the zoo with the new lens?

[Mr. Moose]

Originally Posted by Kolbe

ericav do you have any micro lenses for your Nikon? And do you have an external flash? I have a Nikon D50 and am saving up for both these things but have no clue which ones to go with or how much to reasonably spend... I'm just a hobby photographer.

Depends on what kinds of conditions and subjects you prefer to emphasize. If you shoot in low light conditions, and need more flash capability than is built into your D50, then an external flash is a good upgrade solution.

Macro lenses can be pricey, even used. Nikon also used to make close-up lens adapters, which can approximately double the size of the picture using a add on lens that screws on to the front of your existing lens. They can still be found on E-Bay, and are a reasonable option to a macro lens for some purposes. You just need to decide on how big you want to make small objects appear, which will determine which lens will do what you need. Good digital cameras, with good focus, can be enlarged substantially, which old style film cameras did not permit to the same degree.

[Kolbe]

Thanks Mr. Moose. As far as external flash goes, the built-in flash on my D50 has started to malfunction which has happened to many other D50 owners -- unfortunately the camera is not under warranty anymore and will cost around $200 to send to Nikon to have them fix it. I figured it might be more worth it to just get an external flash that's more versatile than the built-in one anyway and go with that. I did look at a few lens adapters but since I don't really know any photographers I wasn't sure if those were worth it at all or if they degrade the optics or anything, but yes they are infinitely more affordable!! I don't think I really NEED a true 1:1 ratio, I'm just looking for something that can take *sharp* close-ups.... both for recognizable objects, and I also like to photograph textures, etc. for use as stock textures when I'm designing websites and whatnot.

[Mr. Moose]

The Nikon close up lenses (5T and 6T, for example) are duplex lenses that don't degrade the photo much at all. The 6T is now discontinued (cost too much to make, I suppose), but you can find them on E-Bay regularly. That's where I bought mine. If you google Nikon close up lenses or Nikon 6T, you'll hit a lot of good info on close up lenses in general, and Nikons in specific.

With the built in flash now working properly, an external is a great option, and you can "take it with you" when you upgrade to another camera body down the road, as long as it's a Nikon

[ericav]

Thanks for all the info on the macro and external flash. I've been thinking of getting both as well. I have one Tamron lens that's says it does Micro, but it's not that great in that department. The lens itself did serve it's purpose in the past, so I'm not going to say that it's a horrible lens.

I'll post some of my favorites from the zoo in another thread :-) I need some help with something

[Kolbe]

Thanks Mr. Moose, that is SO helpful. I have really been eyeing up the Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G VR lens which is a really nice macro and general lens (from my research, anyway) but it goes for anywhere from $380 - $550 on eBay which is an investment for me -- there is currently a Nikon 6T ending in 3hrs, currently hovering around $82.00 which is a lot more do-able. I googled some images that people created using the 6T, and they look really good. Maybe I ought to get something more affordable like the 6T for now and then maybe later when my skills get better I can invest in a better overall lens. The lens I have right now isn't too bad but wouldn't mind one with better range at some point in the future (it's a Nikkor 28-80mm). Okay! I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere here!

[Mr. Moose]

If you'd like, I'd loan you my Nikon 6T for a week or so, and you could see if it works well with the lens you have. That way you could try it out without a big investment. You would also have to have a lens that takes a 62mm filter, or a stepup adapter (goes from smaller lens filter size to bigger filter)...

Nikon 6Ts go for $100-$230 or so on E-Bay when the bidding is over

[Kolbe]

That's really generous of you!! I think I am pretty far away though (Buffalo NY). And it's a good thing you mentioned filter size because I just took a moment to learn about that, the lens I have takes a 58mm filter, so that's a bummer. I can look into the stepup adapter like you said though.

[eric]

i am in buffalo and have a full-frame.... canon ---

[jamie]

well...first off...an external flash is ALWAYS better than the built-in flash on a camera. the farther your flash is from the lens, the better the lighting on your subject will be and the less harsh the shadows will be. also, you can direct the light anywhere, giving you nearly complete lighting control over your subject. with the built-in, you're directing the harsh light right at the subject...a big no-no for the most part.

as far as macro's go...you can go to this website and start searching for used ones...yes...it says canon lenses but most of the links are forums or sellers that have every kind of lens you'd be looking for. macro's are awesome but pricey!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/C...on-Lenses.aspx

you can always rent lenses too...especially if you're not sure what you want. photography is an expensive hobby so it's kind of pointless to shell out money for something, only to find it wasn't what you were looking for...

google "rent lenses" and a ton of options will come up!