Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .  (Read 2604 times)

robertwatcher

  • Guest
A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .
« on: March 29, 2007, 01:14:12 am »

. . . allowing me to push things even further to the limit.

Whether it has been with film cameras and processing - or with digital cameras and processing - - - I always enjoy pushing my tools and skills to the limits and beyond. Many times that includes handholding my cameras at rediculously slow shutter speeds  and using the extremes of ISO speed settings to capture what is available in front of me.

My new acquisition is a Nikkor 18 to 200mm all in one zoom that fits perfectly in to my style of shooting without changing lenses (I know, I'm a year late getting it). I was actually quite surprised at how heavy it is. Nothing at all like the Sigma 17-70, 18-50 2.8 and 18-125 lenses I have been using in this range. What totally surprised me was how quiet this thing is and how quickly it focuses. Far nicer than either of my 85mm 1.8 or 50 1.4. A little strange is the way the zoom ring which is the most used of the 2 rings (focus and zoom) is so far to the front and so for me, a little awkward to reach - although I will get used to it. What I surprised myself at using with the extremely low light shots I took tonight (and a nice feature with the big viewing screen of the D200) was the ability to quickly trim the focus manually while holding the shutter down lightly - if need be. Quite expensive ($900 CDN) compared to other lenses in this range - but the above features will compensate for that I think.

These shots represent quick snaps taken while walking and quickly composed to see how slow shutter speeds would hold up. I can see from the results that I will be having some fun at my weddings this year and will be shooting a whole new genre of images with these new capabilities.

All were shot in Program mode at either 400 or 1600 ISO while handheld using VR (Vibration Reduction) in the "Normal" setting. ALL ARE FULL FRAME WITH NO CROPPING

1/20th second - f4.5 - 48.0mm (35mm equivalent: 72.0mm) - 400ISO



1/15th second - f5 - 82.0mm (35mm equivalent: 123.0mm) - 400ISO



1/8th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 400ISO



0.3" second - f4 - 31.0mm (35mm equivalent: 46.0mm) - 400ISO  - a quick grab shot out the window as I was driving in - a little bit of horizontal movement but not blur



1/5th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 1600ISO - shooting across living room  with lens fully extended and one ceiling light



1/8th second - f5.6 - 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300.0mm) - 1600ISO - about 2 to 3 feet from the subject - very nice close up abilities will come in handy for me shooting weddings




----
« Last Edit: March 29, 2007, 11:51:37 am by robertwatcher »
Logged

Lisa Nikodym

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1705
    • http://www.stanford.edu/~melkor/lisa_pictures/lisa_pictures.html
A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2007, 11:39:51 am »

I'm using the same camera & lens combination you are, and, you're right, it's fantastic.  The lens may be moderately heavy for its physical dimensions, but its physical dimensions are quite small for that zoom range, which is one of the things that most appealed to me about it.  (And don't forget about the vibration reduction...)

Lisa
Logged
[url=http://www.stanford.edu/~melkor/lis

robertwatcher

  • Guest
A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2007, 12:20:58 pm »

Quote
The lens may be moderately heavy for its physical dimensions, but its physical dimensions are quite small for that zoom range,

That is true. I am just used to working as light a possible and even had a hard time giving in to using the D200 over my much preferred light and compact D70's and lightweight lenses. My main large format camera for years was a Mamyia RZ67 with eye level finder and I had the same LOVE/HATE relation with it. The best camera I ever owned and loved the images - but hated the size and hauling around. You wouldn't know I'm a 240 pounder with all of this whining - would you!  
Logged

Lisa Nikodym

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1705
    • http://www.stanford.edu/~melkor/lisa_pictures/lisa_pictures.html
A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2007, 09:12:49 pm »

I, too, went digital with a D70 - in my case, with the little 18-70 mm kit lens.  I'm starting to get used to the somewhat greater weight of th D200/18-200 combo, but it fits in the same small camera bag, which is what was most important to me.  And the substantially better image quality (for enlargements) of my current combo leaves me with no regrets about upgrading!

I've never used anything larger than the D200/18-200, and can't imagine how I'd carry anything bigger around all day (I use it when hiking).

Lisa
Logged
[url=http://www.stanford.edu/~melkor/lis

Michael LS

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 66
    • http://michaelshafitz.zenfolio.com/
A New Nikon Tool For Me . . .
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2007, 04:04:28 pm »

Count me in too, as an 18-200 VR devotee. I use one on a D80, and can leave my other lenses home, if I want. It also has an excellent close-focusing capability, as you know. The range is incredible, and it handles 99% of situations. If it was 16-200, it would handle 100% for me, but now I'm just being picky! The only real downside to it is we won't be able to use it on a
Nikon full-frame dslr (should there be one), but oh well, it'll still make a heckuva back-up rig.
Logged
[url=http://michaelshafitz.zenfolio.com/
Pages: [1]   Go Up