Steve'sDigicams

dano420 · Jul 1, 2005, 6:40 PM

I'm looking to get a wide angle zoom lens for my D70 without breaking the bank. I'm looking at the Sigma 12-24mm or Sigma 15-30mm. Does the d70 1.5x factor apply to those lenses? Are there any other choices out there that would give me a nice wide angle zoom under 20mm on the wide end of the zoom plus great quality? Would love to get the Nikon lenses but it's a little too much $$$ right at this time. Thanks for the help!

cameranserai · Jul 2, 2005, 3:02 AM

With all lenses the digital crop factor applies I am afraid, so 12/24 actually equates to 18/36 in "old money". The problem with the lenses mentioned is the aperture limits, but like the "kit" Nikon lens, you will still get good results if you take care. An interesting site to allow you to see the effects of various focal lengths is here:-

http://www.tamroneurope.com/flc.htm

Tamron make a 11/18mm lens but IMHO they have always been rated second to Sigma on quality.

NHL · Jul 2, 2005, 7:33 AM

FYI - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/241074
... the Sigma comes with HSM (i.e. AF-S)

dano420 · Jul 2, 2005, 1:13 PM

Thanks for the info! I do have another question, after looking at Sigma's site (http://sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp), they claim to make the DC series that accounts for the sensor size (so they say). Does that mean that the lens accounts for the 1.5x factor and is really a 18-50mm on the D70? I understand the 1.5x factor on the older lenses but what about the newer lenses that are made just for digital bodies? Isn't the "kit" lens made for the D70, thus eliminating the 1.5x factor?

cameranserai · Jul 2, 2005, 2:54 PM

Nope - the 18/70 is, confusingly, still a 27/105 in real terms even though it is a digital lens. The problem is that the Canon have the 1Ds which uses a full frame sensor and the rest use a smaller sensor. Now I guess that that means that Canon are the only ones (now that Kodak have finished production) who use a full frame sensor and for whom 18/70 means actually that. Even though I am a Nikon man through and through and have just bought a D2X I am still wondering if I did the right thing and should have, even this late in the day, changed to Canon for this reason. Plus 4mp that is of course! I have the oh-so-useful 24/120 old lens which for years was my stock in trade lens in silver halide days but which now is totally useless since it is effectively 36/180 on a digital body. Just so much junk filling a cupboard. I'll post in a year or so whether I have on reflection amde the right decision and whether I am going to defect.

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Jul 1, 2005, 6:40 PM	#1
dano420 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4	I'm looking to get a wide angle zoom lens for my D70 without breaking the bank. I'm looking at the Sigma 12-24mm or Sigma 15-30mm. Does the d70 1.5x factor apply to those lenses? Are there any other choices out there that would give me a nice wide angle zoom under 20mm on the wide end of the zoom plus great quality? Would love to get the Nikon lenses but it's a little too much $$$ right at this time. Thanks for the help!

Jul 2, 2005, 3:02 AM	#2
cameranserai Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 548	With all lenses the digital crop factor applies I am afraid, so 12/24 actually equates to 18/36 in "old money". The problem with the lenses mentioned is the aperture limits, but like the "kit" Nikon lens, you will still get good results if you take care. An interesting site to allow you to see the effects of various focal lengths is here:- http://www.tamroneurope.com/flc.htm Tamron make a 11/18mm lens but IMHO they have always been rated second to Sigma on quality.

Jul 2, 2005, 7:33 AM	#3
NHL Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 39.18776, -77.311353333333 Posts: 11,599	FYI - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/241074 ... the Sigma comes with HSM (i.e. AF-S)

Jul 2, 2005, 1:13 PM	#4
dano420 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4	Thanks for the info! I do have another question, after looking at Sigma's site (http://sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp), they claim to make the DC series that accounts for the sensor size (so they say). Does that mean that the lens accounts for the 1.5x factor and is really a 18-50mm on the D70? I understand the 1.5x factor on the older lenses but what about the newer lenses that are made just for digital bodies? Isn't the "kit" lens made for the D70, thus eliminating the 1.5x factor?

Jul 2, 2005, 2:54 PM	#5
cameranserai Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 548	Nope - the 18/70 is, confusingly, still a 27/105 in real terms even though it is a digital lens. The problem is that the Canon have the 1Ds which uses a full frame sensor and the rest use a smaller sensor. Now I guess that that means that Canon are the only ones (now that Kodak have finished production) who use a full frame sensor and for whom 18/70 means actually that. Even though I am a Nikon man through and through and have just bought a D2X I am still wondering if I did the right thing and should have, even this late in the day, changed to Canon for this reason. Plus 4mp that is of course! I have the oh-so-useful 24/120 old lens which for years was my stock in trade lens in silver halide days but which now is totally useless since it is effectively 36/180 on a digital body. Just so much junk filling a cupboard. I'll post in a year or so whether I have on reflection amde the right decision and whether I am going to defect.