Nikon 18-70MM DX

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samems

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Bought a Nikon 18-70mm 2nd hand and just wanted to ask what the little window on the lens is for? I notice i can move a ring by it etc. What setting should it be on?

Just got to add that boy am i happy with this lens! It is so crisp!!
 
It's a focus distance scale. Can be quite useful if you manual focus or want to work out depth of field. Otherwise you can choose to ignore it.
 
Cheers for that. Took some pics tonight with the lens and boy is it sharp!
 
Best kit lens Nikon produced. I wish that I hadn't sold mine.

Kev.
 
Hi Kev,
What makes you say this?
I'm pondering a normal zoom and tempted for the 16-85, but was never really aware of the 18-70.
Got the 35mm for low light so not fussed (that much) about the slightly slow speed of them.

Sorry to hijack the thread Btw :)

How do you rate it compared to the 18-55 kit ? Worth 'upgrading'?
Just looking for something a little better that wont break the bank! :)
16-85 seems dear/over priced for a slow lens to me (?)
Cheers.
 
Well, i have a 50mm 1.8 too and after putting the 18-70 on the camera i cant see me using the 50mm now unless i need the lower f's! I really like the images with the 17-80.

I looked at the 16-85 and the cost put me off!

Only thing, it makes the camera quite heavy!!
 
I've had an 18-55, an 18-135 and an 18-70 and I have to agree that the 18-70 is the pick of the bunch. There's not much to choose between them in terms of pure sharpness but something about the 18-70's IQ seems noticeably better. Maybe it's contrast. Much less distortion than the 18-135. It's also F4.5 at 70mm which isn't bad at all for a kit lens. Best thing about it though is the built quality which is leagues ahead of the 18-55 and a bit better than the 18-135. Not had an 18-105 but they seem way overpriced second hand.
 
Cheers - I am sooo keen I had to reply 3 times there:lol:

I'm going to put a 'wanted' up in the classifieds now:thumbs:

Cheers
 
I've got one and love it and a much lighter than my 24-70, mines been all over SE Asia had some real hammer but really well made and I have got some wonderful images from it, well worth having one in your kit.
 
Had the 18-105 and this and the 18-70 wins hands down. Bargain of a lens.
 
I also wish I never sold mine. It is a great lens for the money.
 
You might find a new 'old' stock....they don't make them any longer. Second hand ones go from anything from £75-£125 depending on where from. I was very lucky.....£62 mint in box with a hoya pro-1 I've filter from eBay.....now that's a bargain!
But keep your eyes on eBay and wait and see what comes up......

Neil
 
Just popped out into the garden to take a few with the above lens and was really impressed with the shots considering it is a dull day etc. Only problem i have is that it and the D90 together weigh a fair bit! Not used to that. Feels like i am carrying a couple of bricks around!!

How do you guys manage with big lenses etc?
 
get bigger muscles. Besides, the D90 with an 18-70 isn't bad. I agree that the -70 is much heavier than you'd expect from the looks and profile though.

Try a D90 with grip and 300f4 AF and 1.4x. That is a hefty lump of metal. It makes you appreciate smaller lenses like the 35 and 50 1.8.

Thanks,
Rick
 
Yea, after using the D90 with a 50mm 1.8 the 18-70 feels like a brick! lol
 
Had one about a month now for my D7000. Fantastic lens for the price, much more useful than the 18-55 it replaced.
 
I predict a run on 18-70's as of this moment...... might as well buy one myself and see if the fuss is justified, after all it's not a big money loser if I decide to sell it on...

The same happens on synthesizer sites.. a synth is mentioned, gets a load of praise as a 'hidden gem', and all of a sudden they're gold dust. Watch out folks, the price of 18-70's just went up!
 
danbroad said:
Watch out folks, the price of 18-70's just went up!
Click to expand...

Hope not, just sold mine to SnappyHappy! He should have it tomorrow. It is a great lens though and seems to be a bit forgotten at times.
 
It is a cracking lens. Cant fault it except for the weight! lol
 
LOL ....just waiting for it being delivered it's 'out for delivery' and I tried to hang off as long as possible, but had to head off to work. Kids and Xmas springs to mind:lol: Wont get much of a play with it today the way the week has worked, but will get good use over the weekend:cool:
 
SnappyHappy said:
LOL ....just waiting for it being delivered it's 'out for delivery' and I tried to hang off as long as possible, but had to head off to work. Kids and Xmas springs to mind:lol: Wont get much of a play with it today the way the week has worked, but will get good use over the weekend:cool:
Click to expand...

You will love it. The IQ it produces is really good. Much better than any kit lens i have tried. Its a solid lens too. Feels like it was well made. Mine came with a bag for it and a hood.
 
Yeah, it sounds good and will hopefully do me for a little while:thumbs:
Will let you all know what I reckon about it over the next few days:thumbs:
 
The only things worth mentioning (you have probably noticed) is the non linear (I would describe it as) zoom. So 18-24 is a tiny adjustment, then up towards 60 seems steady increment, then 70 seems a little different as well. Some of the pictures on a google will show you what I mean with the markings on the lens itself.
It's not a problem, just thought it worth mentioning if you hadn't noticed it:thumbs:

I'd buy one though, it's not 'that' much different from my 35mm prime tbh for contrast/IQ etc (I'm not a hardcore core pixel peeper just like good overall 'sharpness'). I'll keep the prime for around the house in lowlight - sleeping kids shots and the likes:) 2 pretty cheap lenses offering great value:thumbs: (I personally couldnt justify the 16-85 if you are thinking along those lines, not for those apertures)
 
Same here:)
It's a well built, solid lens, about as heavy I would say as my 55-200 (so we're not talking 70-200 weight here), but a bit heavier than the 18-55.
I think the kit 18-55 is actually quite a reasonable lens TBH, from what I hear of my Canon friends, it sounds better than the Canon equivalent (just what I hear)...but the 18-70 is better than the 18-55 no doubt.
 
SnappyHappy said:
Same here:)
It's a well built, solid lens, about as heavy I would say as my 55-200 (so we're not talking 70-200 weight here), but a bit heavier than the 18-55.
I think the kit 18-55 is actually quite a reasonable lens TBH, from what I hear of my Canon friends, it sounds better than the Canon equivalent (just what I hear)...but the 18-70 is better than the 18-55 no doubt.
Click to expand...

I've heard the same to be fair.

Cool, good to know.
 
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