 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| PhotoKB HomeDiscussion Groups Digital Photography Digital PhotoDSLR CamerasZLR CamerasPoint & Shoot CamerasFilm Photography 35 mmLarge FormatMedium formatDarkroomFilm and LabsOther EquipmentPhoto Technique Nature PhotographyPeople PhotographyTechnique GeneralGeneral Photo Topics General TopicsAustralian PhotographyUK PhotographyDirectoryPhoto Clubs |
Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / December 2006HELP - Transitioning into Digital, need INPUT
Hi, and thanks for reading this. I NEED YOUR COMMENTS/OPINIONS. I have been "away" from mainstream (Serious) Photography for some time. Now retired, I'd like to add a Digital SLR to my roster. I do not have the funds to go MF Digital. CURRENT EQUIPMENT: Since I already have Nikon Lenses (8 AI & 5 AF Nikkors, 1 Sigma AF + 1 Tamron Zoom and a Long CAT mirror lens.) and familiarity with Nikons (F, F2, F3, FE, FE2, 8008, 8008s) I felt the obvious choice was to go with a Nikon D-SLR. (I can't figure How I'd use my 800mm CAT lens one one though..) DIGITAL EXPERIENCE: My only experience with Digital has been with a Kodak 3x Zoom 6.1 Mpx "Compact Slr" type. Which I enjoy using but has it's limitations. I have some SD cards (256, 512 and 1Gb all SanDisk) for it. I have been working with pix we took during my granddaughter's wedding and I'm having a BALL. My HP Desktop has a photo editing software plus I also bought Photoshop Elements. USAGE. Confined to a wheelchair now, I can get around some but hiking trials and climbing or rapelling is a thing of the past. So maybe some Nature, Scenics, General family-type, Pet photos, my favorite subjects (tree stumps and old machinery), Custom cars/trucks and Trains. I DO like to use multiple flash set-ups athough my flash meter is DOA, so TTL flash would be nice. (I read that the Nikons need a DX flash to accomplish this - darn.) I don't think getting a unit capable of less than 6 Mpx is wise. I'd like to keep it at or around $500. I saw some great "deals" on the N80, but upon checking out the resellers on Reseller Reviews was leery of them. The best I've seen from a "reputable" USA Dealer is a bit over $700. I prefer NEW. (due to relative unfamiliarity). My choices seem to be: Nikon D70s (discontinued but still available) Nikon D50 Fujifilm S2pro, (is out of reach right now.) Other Brand (Sigma, Samsung, etc.) which means starting all over and carrying TWO sets of lenses, flashes and Cards. Exactly what I was hoping to avoid. YOUR RECOMMENDATION/COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. ALSO: I have a HUGE accumulation(45 years worth) of decent images (35mm, 6x6 adn 6x7 neg and transparency) and am considering buying a Canonscan 9950F to get them into digital form. Am I on the right track here? AGAIN, I WELCOME YOUR INPUT. Tom M. Granbury, Texas PLEASE READ RETURN E-MAIL-above.. must remove a section. OR I am splitting my e-mail address to foil spammers. Maggietom.REMOVETHIS@ REMOVETHISTOO. HTComp.net > Hi, and thanks for reading this. My choices seem to be: Nikon D70s (discontinued but still available) Nikon D50 Have you handled these yet? If they are comfortable for you to use, then either should be fine. >> Hi, and thanks for reading this. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Have you handled these yet? If they are comfortable for you to use, then > either should be fine. Yup, I'd agree with Charles. When testing the D70s I really fell in love with it (and this from a Canon man :)))) You do need to handle these with your lenses and see which you prefer by handling as this is such an important but often under-rated aspect of camera choice. The Canon scanner works well. Or one of the Epson's, like the 4490 and 4990. Cheers, Wayne  SignatureWayne J. Cosshall Publisher, The Digital ImageMaker, http://www.dimagemaker.com/ Blog http://www.digitalimagemakerworld.com/ According to Tom M <Maggietom@REMOVETHISPART.HTComp.net>: > Hi, and thanks for reading this. > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > with a Nikon D-SLR. (I can't figure How I'd use my 800mm CAT lens one > one though..) O.K. Are any of your lenses pre-AI? Since I notice the Nikon F included in your list of cameras, this may suggest that you have some such lenses in your collection. If so -- those will not mount (without modification to the aperture ring to add the AI features to the existing lens) on *any* of the Nikon DSLRs. The CAT lens will probably mount, as long as it does not have the skirt which is present on pre-AI Nikkor aperture rings. (Since it is probably a single aperture -- such as with my 500mm f8 Nikkor, it should have no problems. But you will have to use some alternate metering system with the cameras which you have listed. These include a hand-held meter, metering with another AF lens from your collection and transferring the information to the camera in manual mode, or simply guessing at the exposure, and then adjusting it with the assistance of the display and the histogram readout. The same applies to any AI lenses which you have. The D50, D70, and D80 will not meter with these lenses, so you will have to meter separately. If you intend to photograph things which will give you time for re-trying the shots -- fine. If you intend to photograph things which are moving, and wish to select the optimum moment -- you will need a more capable camera. The least expensive Nikon DSLR which will meter with the AI lenses is the D200 -- well beyond your indicated budget. > DIGITAL EXPERIENCE: > My only experience with Digital has been with a Kodak 3x Zoom 6.1 Mpx > "Compact Slr" type. Which I enjoy using but has it's limitations. I > have some SD cards (256, 512 and 1Gb all SanDisk) for it. I have been > working with pix we took during my granddaughter's wedding and I'm > having a BALL. Hmm ... SD cards limits you to the D50 or the D80 (or probably the upcoming D40). And with 10.1 MB images, you probably will consider the 1GB the minimum size to use. The D70 and the D200 use CF cards instead of SD cards, and I am currently using a 4GB CF card in my D70, with two 1GB CF cards as backups. If you are considering a D70 used or on close-out prices -- bear in mind that you will have to get at least one CF card. > My HP Desktop has a photo editing software plus I also bought > Photoshop Elements. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > so TTL flash would be nice. (I read that the Nikons need a DX flash to > accomplish this - darn.) The SB800 or SB600 will meter TTL, and you can use multiple ones scattered around without connecting wires if you use the "Flash Commander" mode built into the cameras. > I don't think getting a unit capable of less than 6 Mpx is wise. > I'd like to keep it at or around $500. That is a limiting factor. > I saw some great "deals" on the N80, but upon checking out the > resellers on Reseller Reviews was leery of them. The best I've seen > from a "reputable" USA Dealer is a bit over $700. I prefer NEW. (due > to relative unfamiliarity). At least some of those "great deals" tend to split off the camera body from the accessories which normally come packaged with the body (things like an initial battery and the charger are particularly important ones) and when you get through paying for these accessories separately, you will have paid more than the full set would have cost you from a reputable dealer. > My choices seem to be: > Nikon D70s (discontinued but still available) > Nikon D50 Remember the extra cost that the needed CF cards will add with the D70s. With the D50 you can use your existing SD cards -- though I consider the 1GB one to be the minimum to use with the D50. (Though you can use the smaller ones for a short sequence of shots, and then change to another one for the next (possibly unrelated) shots. > Fujifilm S2pro, (is out of reach right now.) > Other Brand (Sigma, Samsung, etc.) which means starting all over and > carrying TWO sets of lenses, flashes and Cards. Exactly what I was > hoping to avoid. Certainly something to avoid. > YOUR RECOMMENDATION/COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. You have mine scattered above. Remember that your AI lenses will *not* meter on the camera body, so you will need to go to manual mode, and meter in some other way. I presume that you do have a good handheld exposure meter from the older cameras. > ALSO: > I have a HUGE accumulation(45 years worth) of decent images (35mm, > 6x6 adn 6x7 neg and transparency) and am considering buying a > Canonscan 9950F to get them into digital form. Am I on the right track > here? Hmm ... I do not know the Canonscan, and for 35mm I happen to have a really old Nikon LS3500 -- and I should warn you that a high resolution scan will take perhaps an hour -- depending on the speed of the computer and the amount of RAM in the computer. Granted, that high-resolution scan is high enough so the grain on 35mm Ektrachrome is larger than the scan pixels -- though perhaps Kodachrome would have less of a problem there. Scanning to B&W is somewhat quicker -- 1/3 the time of scanning to color -- and it will scan negatives and convert them in the process. But for me -- the scanning time has prevented me from doing as much scanning as I first expected to do. Perhaps the Canon is much faster. Find out before you commit. > AGAIN, I WELCOME YOUR INPUT. > > Tom M. > Granbury, Texas > > PLEASE READ RETURN E-MAIL-above.. must remove a section. I hope that you are also going to read responses here in the newsgroup. Most will not reply by e-mail to a posted usenet newsgroup article. Good Luck, DoN. SignatureEmail: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 (too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- > O.K. Are any of your lenses pre-AI? Since I notice the Nikon F > included in your list of cameras, this may suggest that you have some > such lenses in your collection. If so -- those will not mount > (without modification to the aperture ring to add the AI features to > the existing lens) on *any* of the Nikon DSLRs. Now you know why old Pentax SLR owners are so happy with a Pentax DSLR. Every Pentax lens ever made will mount OK, and most meter very nicely :^) SignatureAnti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA Shooting meterless is less of a problem than it sounds, though. If you are an experienced film photographer you probably have quite a good feel for what the exposure ought to be. Set the camera in manual mode, set shutter and aperture to a ballpark-correct setting, and take a shot. Use the histogram of the shot to decide whether and how much the exposure should be adjusted. As long as you keep shooting in broadly similar lighting conditions, this should see you through. If lighting is changing rapidly this is a bit more troublesome of course. And, of course, shoot in the RAW format instead of Jpeg. It gives you more leeway for exposure adjustment in post-processing. > Shooting meterless is less of a problem than it sounds, though. If you are > an experienced film photographer you probably have quite a good feel for [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > And, of course, shoot in the RAW format instead of Jpeg. It gives you more > leeway for exposure adjustment in post-processing. This works fine if you are shooting a still-life where a second exposure is possible after you have checked the first, but it is hardly feasible in a great many situations in which things move around. I also have a large collection of AI lenses, bellows, a long cat, etc. The D200 works fabulously with all. If possible I would strongly suggest saving your pennies and buying a 200, instead of compromising and buying a D80 or 70 or 50 on which you will be seriously handicapped with your AI lenses. OTOH if you mainly use the AF nikkors you might be OK. Toby > I NEED YOUR COMMENTS/OPINIONS. Ok, my opinion is don't use all caps. :-) If you don't already know, caps are used to emphasize specific words, and all caps are akin to shouting. > Since I already have Nikon Lenses (8 AI & 5 AF Nikkors, 1 Sigma AF + > 1 If you want in-camera metering with the AI lenses, you will need a D200. If you can live without the metering and use your experience and the cameras LCD display to check the exposure, then any model from the D50 up will do. You may also have an old light meter which you could still use. The new D40 lacks some features and it also lacks a screw-drive motor for the AF lenses, so I don't think it's viable for you. > have some SD cards (256, 512 and 1Gb all SanDisk) for it. I have > been The D50 and D80 use SD cards, so that will get you started without having to buy new cards right away. > I DO like to use multiple flash set-ups athough my flash meter is > DOA, > so TTL flash would be nice. (I read that the Nikons need a DX flash > to > accomplish this - darn.) Will your current flashes trigger from the Nikon body flash or an SB-600/800 flash unit? > My choices seem to be: > Nikon D70s (discontinued but still available) > Nikon D50 If you can afford it, definitely consider the Nikon D80. Overall I think that would be your best option. It's about the same size as a D50, but it has a better viewfinder than most DSLR cameras and more features. It also has a 10mp sensor which is a nice jump up from 6mp. Check it out at a camera store and you'll see the difference. I have a D80 and I think it's the best price/performance model in the 10mp market (Pentax K10D may be as good). > I have a HUGE accumulation(45 years worth) of decent images (35mm, > 6x6 adn 6x7 neg and transparency) and am considering buying a > Canonscan 9950F to get them into digital form. Am I on the right > track > here? I'm sure the Canonscan would work fine. Maybe do a search to get user opinions and see if it offers good results. SignatureHappy Holidays! > Hi, and thanks for reading this. > [quoted text clipped - 68 lines] > > Maggietom.REMOVETHIS@ Tom, An update from my post on Alt.photo digital. If you are looking for a good scanner for film Epson's new V700 is a notch above the Canon or the older Epsons (4490 or 4990) this scanner arguably competes with stand alone film scanners. Some will say a flat bed could never do this, but since getting the V700 my older Nikon film scanner (an LS2000) has gone unused. The latest Nikon film scanners are better but for $500 the V700 is a good buy. Tom > REMOVETHISTOO. HTComp.net D50 seems the clear choice for the AF lenses in your budget (D40 only does AF-S lenses with the motor in the lens), plus memory card compatibility. AI lenses will not meter, D200 will fix that but exceed your budget. The D200 or D80's larger brighter viewfinder would be a bonus for manual focusing. You might get a deal on a D70 which is more substantial if you like the feel, just get new memory cards. > Hi, and thanks for reading this. > [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] > > REMOVETHISTOO. HTComp.net |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.