 BetterPhoto Member |
Considering the Nikon N65 After a 20+ year hiatus from active/amateur photography, I'm finally getting back in to it. I owned a Nikon FE years ago and remain loyal to the brand. I was looking at the Nikon N65 and was urged to consider starting right out with a 28-105mm lens instead of the lens that comes with the kit (28-80mm I believe) to have some long-lasting flexibility lens-wise. B&W work will be my primary interest as a darkroom is in my future. Any thoughts on the camera and/or camera & suggested lens combination?
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andrew |
I was like you. I got back into photography about two years ago with a used FE, which I still have and love. In a recent move up, I added the N65 instead of the F100 or the F5 (month ago) and love it. Where I've been spending my money is on the best prime lenses (all Nikon - high trade in value) I can afford, with the exception of the 35-105 AFD which I used for taking pictures of my nephews. I prefer the primes primarily for travel because of the fast speed, small size, and light weight. I have the 24 f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 180mm f2.8, and the 300mm f4. They are all autofocus and D series with the exception of the 300mm. I can tell you from experience and from others these lenses are about the best they come and fairly reasonable in cost. Any faster, maybe 1/3 to 1 stop, and the cost would sky rocket as well as the weight. For me, the problem with zooms is that they are either too slow or too heavy for travel. I like to shoot with ambient light and avoid flash whenever possible, except when using them in a studio setup. I would definitely avoid the 28-80mm as it is one of the poorest Nikon lens. The 28-105 would be a better choice in terms of image quality plus it gives you more on the long end. However, you trade speed for convenience. Also note that exposure meter on the N65 will not work with non-AF lenses. You may want to order the optional MB-17 battery pack to use AA batteries instead of the small lithium ones. The MB-17 also gives the camera a better feel and balance, just don't drop it. The camera is mainly plastics, but well made. PS, if you don't already have one, get a really good tripod like a Bogen 3001 or 3021 and matching head. It will improve your images a whole lot. I hope this helps. Andrew
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Mark A. Braxton |
Hi Sandra, First of all, Andrew is right. The prime lenses will give you the sharpest images by far. But, are you trying to get your images published? If you are just into photography for personal interest or non-professional needs a zoom is the way to go. The 28-105 has been rated many times and is one of Nikon's sharpest yet, reasonably priced lenses. It's uses are also many, due to its large zoom range. As far as camera choices, I'd opt for an N80. It gives you a lot of professional features for a price not much higher than the N65. It also doesn't limit your artist abilities as a photographer as the N65. Consider that in your purchase. I have an N70 and would love to have an N80, F100, or F5.
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