Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Digital Cameras & Shooting Techniques => Topic started by: Murph on January 16, 2005, 11:48:28 am
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Thanks. It looks like later in the year there may be more money, so any lens suggestions? I do mainly landscapes, and snapshots of the kids (for Grandparents).
Also should I stick with my PC or go to a Mac?
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
Lol! I will have to get a 50mm at some point. The D-70 is looking better. I like the suggestions.
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
I knew that I was missing something. Does having a 50 for a camera that I no longer use ever count???
Close enough. You're in.
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I hope you didn't take my 50mm lens quote seriously. However, I feel that if you're just starting out with a new system, a 50 is a good choice compared to kit lenses. Then again, Nikon kit lenses are a lot better than Canon's from what I hear.
T-1000
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Yeah, I've always heard good things about Nikon's 18-70. Again, since I shoot Canon, I never bought one kit lens. I opted for the 50mm f/1.4, which makes me a real photographer, wink wink.
T-1000
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Thanks. Went to the Camera store again today, and the D-100 just "feels" better in my hand. I know the D-70 is a good camera, and with the 18-70mm its a great starter. But, and please understand, I think that I will probably end up with the D-100 and the 18-70mm lens. Also possibly a 70-300 or something similar.
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Looks like I will not get my money until mid March at the best. Right now I have decided pretty much on the Nikon D2H w/ 24-120mm lens to start with. I use mostly telephotos, and normal lenses for my work, so the wide angle can wait for a while. The D2H because I have a 4 and 6 year old, and they love to "touch" daddies equipment. Also its a pro level camera, and it will stand up to MY abuse. I'm a klutz at times. The D2H pricing has come down to $1,999 US for the body, so thats good.
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Hi, I'm new here. I am just getting into Digital photography from years of film photography as a serious amateur. The digital cameras I currently own are strictly "shoot for Grandpa" type (Kodak DX4900 4 mp, and Kodak DX4590 5 mp) I plan on getting a Nikon D-100 in March. The D-100 "feels" right to me, moreso than the D-70, and the D-2x is out of my ability to purchase, especially since I need lenses. Also a 1 gb 80x card from lexar.
I am planning on a starter set of two lenses:
24-120mm
50mm F/1.4
Any suggestions?
My film use was on Minolta X-700's, Yashica D TLR, and a 4x5 view. But unfortunately kids came along, the money, time, and ability to drive up out of San Antonio into the Hill Country ended, and so I have had a six year dry spell. But, the kids are old enough now, for Daddy to start getting out again.
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I second the Sandisk recommendation.
I had a chance to buy the 20D + Lexar package, but instead, bought the body and a separate Ultra II, (you can get the III now.)
T-1000
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PC will get you more bang for the buck than Mac, and has a wider variety of software than Mac. If you're comfortable with Windows, there's no real compelling to switch. Some people prefer the Mac OS to Windows, but there really isn't any overwhelming advantage one way or the other.
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
And that is the only - ONLY - reason I have one!
Never use it. :laugh:
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Murph, I would definitely go for the D70 instead of the D100. It's common to think the D100 is the better camera, but this is not true. Build quality-wise, the D100 is better, but the D70 is one of those plastic fantastics. Faster frames per second, 1/500th flash sync compared to 1/180th on the D100, faster maximum shutter speed, broader range of ISO useage, and newer technology/sensor technology in general.
I've used my friend's D70, and it's a good camera. In fact, I fell in love with it for the one day that I used it, and I don't even shoot Nikon. It's the best bang for your buck, and also, you're just starting out in digital, so I feel that it's a good starter camera. Who knows, maybe a "D200" is just around the corner. Hope you make a decision soon, then buy it, and have fun.
T-1000
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I've had a D100 for about 2-1/2 years (since it first came out) and it is a great camera. The only D70 feature I would really like to have is the faster flash synch speed, but for the type of shooting I do, that is seldom an issue. I certainly wouldn't want to give up the better viewfinder, mirror pre-fire (which is a big plus for the landscape shooting I do) and the overall better build quality of the D100 to get the synch speed of the D70. Of course other people's needs may differ.
I've used 1GB microdrives almost exclusively and been very happy with them. Shooting RAW, there are 107 frames in 1GB, so I find I definitely need more than one for a day's shooting.
The choice of lenses depends a lot on your shooting style. For my needs, I find that the 18-70mm lens provides a really good all around lens. I also have a 28-105 that I have used on my film cameras and I found I really missed the wider end of the range when it was used on a digital camera with the 1.5x multiplication factor. Overall, the 18-70 is quite good optically and is less expensive than the 24-120.
I have a 50mm lens that I actually use a fair amount, particularly for shooting panoramas to be stitched together digitally. Three to five frames shot in portrait mode with the 50mm seems to give very nice coverage of a lot of landscape scenes and will yield a very high quality print. I use the 50mm f1.8 which is generally thought to be a little sharper than the f1.4 as well as less expensive.
If you save some dollars with the 18-70 instead of the 24-120, and go with the less expensive 50mm f1.8 (or skip the 50mm altogether) you could stretch the budget a little and look for a nice used 80-200 f2.8, which is truly a great lens and would give you a lot of coverage at the long end. Just a thought. If you haven't looked at Thom Hogan's website yet, you might check it out as he has a number of useful reviews of lenses and other Nikon equipment. http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm (http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm)
When you buy the D100, consider getting the AC adapter, which is overpriced but necessary to clean the sensor.
John DeMott
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
Geez, guys, you're giving me an inferiority complex. I've never even owned a prime lens, much less a 50. Then again, my little photos are just vacation snapshots that have gotten a little out of hand, so maybe I'm not a "real" photographer.
Lisa
:laugh:
P.S. I'm a D70 shooter, and love the camera.
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It appears the original poster wantend some advice on lenses.. and all he got was useless banter on the importance of having a 50mm.. Well, I have one and use it almost more than my 70-200 IS... :-)
Ok, on lens selection, you need to check out the lenses on a DSLR body, in order to understand what the croping of the sensor does to your image. If you want to shoot indoors then you'll need a wide angle which in DSLR speak is something between a 10mm and a 18mm, because they become equivalent of a 16 and 28mm (more or less.. I shoot canon so obviously for Nikon they will be slightly different).
A 50 f1.4 becomes a nice portrait lens cropping to a 75-80mm, and the large aperture does come in handy when you don't want really noisy prints or are in a concert (close to the stage) and want to take some awsome pictures. A 50mm is also relatively small and short, making your camera unobtrusive.
There is an endless parade of wide 3rd party lenses out there 18-55, 18-125, 12-24, etc etc.. My suggestion is to go to a camera store and LOOK and FEEL the lenses, and see what you can see through the viewfinder.
Good luck..
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I hope you didn't take my 50mm lens quote seriously. However, I feel that if you're just starting out with a new system, a 50 is a good choice compared to kit lenses. Then again, Nikon kit lenses are a lot better than Canon's from what I hear.
I'm no lens expert (see my earlier comment :: ), which is why I didn't comment on the original poster's question, but the D70 with the 18-70mm kit lens produces waaaay sharper images than my old Canon film camera with the Canon 28-135mm IS lens. It seems a great little lens for not much $$$. The crop factor no doubt helps. (It also sounds like there's a lot of variation in that Canon lens and that I got a particularly poor one.)
And thanks, Bob, for your flattery. Good to know that someone thinks I'm a "real" photographer. (And no, T-1000, I didn't take it too seriously.) :laugh:
Lisa
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Murph, I would definitely go for the D70 instead of the D100. It's common to think the D100 is the better camera, but this is not true. Build quality-wise, the D100 is better, but the D70 is one of those plastic fantastics. Faster frames per second, 1/500th flash sync compared to 1/180th on the D100, faster maximum shutter speed, broader range of ISO useage, and newer technology/sensor technology in general.
I've used my friend's D70, and it's a good camera. In fact, I fell in love with it for the one day that I used it, and I don't even shoot Nikon. It's the best bang for your buck, and also, you're just starting out in digital, so I feel that it's a good starter camera. Who knows, maybe a "D200" is just around the corner. Hope you make a decision soon, then buy it, and have fun.
T-1000
Thanks. I am waiting on money right now, and should have at least $2.5k to spend in March. Part of that is going to upgrade my computer, so actual money to spend is going to be around $1.8k.
I am just getting started in digital photography, but look forward to a long relationship with it.
Comment on the 12 mp Fuji S3?
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I haven't used the D100, so I wouldn't know how the viewfinder compares with the D70, but I do have to say that the D70 viewfinder is kind of like looking down a tunnel. That's one thing I didn't like, especially compared to my 20D's viewfinder. The 20D's viewfinder is great, even when I compare it to my 35mm cameras, I hardly see a difference.
T-1000
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all he got was useless banter
Speaking of; where is didger, lately?
I know that was low, especially if he isn't around to get me back.
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I totally understand. A solid feeling camera is hard to put down.
About the Fuji S3, I'm not sure, but if you're shooting in a studio type setting, you might want to consider it, otherwise, I don't believe it's as versatile as the Nikons.
T-1000
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I'm going to wait until after the PMA show. Then make the choice. I AM going to get eventually the camera I have come to covet: D2X Nikon. More megapixels, which allows me to shoot my favorite choice- Landscapes.
In the meantime till I can save the Shekels, I'll probably get something like a D-100/D-70 camera to tide me over.
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If you really need a fast 50mm (actually a 75 mm in aps size digital), I'd skip the 50 1.4, which is clunky and expensive, and grab a 50 1.8. Just a little slower, but much lighter and cheaper. I do almost all my day to day shooting on my D1X with a 28-105 afd macro. Its a nifty all purpose lense.
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Oh. My. G_d. I just got some film out to load in my TLR, and it expired in 1992! Its been in the freezer, but..... Also I just pulled 24 sheets of 4x5 film from the film holders of my 4x5 that are a decade old! D@mn, Blast, and heck. I cannot believe that its been that long since I did some SERIOUS photography. My 35mm B&W film is as old as the film for the 2 1/4.
The wife has agreed that I get one weekend a month to go do photography. I can't believe it has been over a decade since I got to go out and shoot film. But for eight of those years money was so tight, I almost sold my cameras.
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Just a little point. I have experienced quality problems with that Lexar card. For the same money, the Sandisk Ultra III or Extreme are my choice. Good luck in your transition.
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I'd think about saving money on your 1GB card. I'm not sure that you'd notice the difference between 40x and 80x on a D100. I like the flash system on my D70 much better than that on the D100, so you may want to check that out before you buy the D100. The 24mm end of the 24 -120 isn't very wide, but VR is nice.
If I didn't have any lenses and was just buying a Nikon digital, I'd get the 17-55 DX or 18-whatever DX, and the 70-300ED. The second two lenses would save you money. If you're not worried about that then get a 70-200VR. I bet the 17-55 DX and 70-200 would be a great two starting lenses for you. If I'm not mistaken, someone correct me here, the 17-55 and 70-200 both share 77mm filters. I'd skip the 50. Do you really need the extra speed???
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
I knew that I was missing something. Does having a 50 for a camera that I no longer use ever count???
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
T-1000
I knew that I was missing something. Does having a 50 for a camera that I no longer use ever count???
Close enough. You're in.
Good, so my dusty Pentax 50/1.7 gets me into the club. But I had almost completely stopped using it by the end of my days with Pentax bodies.
On the other hand, I would definitely find use for a 50mm macro lens with a DSLR (or the Nikon 60mm 1:1 micro for the D70 or D100).
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Everyone's gotta have a 50 in their bag, or else you're not a photographer.
Geez, guys, you're giving me an inferiority complex. I've never even owned a prime lens, much less a 50. Then again, my little photos are just vacation snapshots that have gotten a little out of hand, so maybe I'm not a "real" photographer.
Lisa
:laugh:
P.S. I'm a D70 shooter, and love the camera.
Lisa,
Having seen and admired your stuff for some time, I assure you you have a virtual 50 in your bag. Your in. Way in.
Bob
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I plan on getting a Nikon D-100 in March. The D-100 "feels" right to me, moreso than the D-70, and the D-2x is out of my ability to purchase, especially since I need lenses.
Sorry, I can't help with your lens choice since I am not familiar with Nikon's line (I love my Tamron 28-75/2.8 on my Canon 20D): you decide if you want to go with 3d party, what focal lenghts and speed you like.
But when you say a certain camera "feels" right to you, that is VERY important! THAT is what makes you want to go out there and USE the darn thing!
That is how I decided which brand to choose (10 years ago) and how I decided I wanted the 20D (and not e.g. a 10D). But I have been playing with the idea of the "best bang for the buck" Nikon D70....
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He's likely out shooting in the Sierras somewhere now that it isn't snowing/raining every day.
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I think that I will probably end up with the D-100 and the 18-70mm lens.
With a major industry show coming soon (PMA, late Feb.), and the D-100 being about the oldest DSLR models still on the market, you might well get another option to consider real soon now. Though maybe not actually available for some months after its trade show debut.