Digital SLR's [Archive]

scottr

04-19-2008, 11:35 PM

Have you read the review on dpreview.com?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/

I have the D3 but if I had two dslr cams this would be the second one. Nikon has suddenly and decisively caught up to and surpased Canon. At least for the time being.

The new Nikons have made stupendous gains in iso sensitivity with very little noise even at seemingly ridiculously high iso. This allows the photog to shoot at higher f/stops and or higher speeds with no loss of quality.

The only drawback for nikon is their software. NX will give you the best NEF (RAW) conversion but it is clunky and slow. No real problem unless you are processing lots of shots like a wedding shooter has to or a sports shooter.

Nikons are incredibly well built and the ergos are great.
:rider:

scottr

04-19-2008, 11:39 PM

Be aware however ... buying this cam will lead to severe NAS. Nikon Acquisition Syndrome. You will find yourself lusting after lenses that cost as much as the body .... and even three times that much. :eek2:
:rider:

1TallTXn

04-20-2008, 12:51 AM

Unless you are a pro photographer, you would probably be just as happy with the D80 or D60. Takes the same lenses, takes amazing pictures, but doesn't cost quite as much as the D300.

Personally, I'm a button/feature freak so I just have to have the D300. Course I can't even afford the D40, so I won't be getting anything anytime soon :(

Canon makes some great cameras, I just like the fit/feel of the Nikon's in my hand.
Shoot, I've only got Canon products at the moment (XL1s, PS A570IS)

sparkyphotog

04-20-2008, 02:03 AM

I have the D80 - wish I had the D300. If you have the coin, go for it. I really wanted the D300, but couldn't afford it at the time. Happy with the 80, but I would have preferred the 300.

Janet

04-20-2008, 07:57 AM

I have the old D100, from when they first came out. I love it.
Go for it.

dixonduke

04-20-2008, 10:56 AM

Have you read the review on dpreview.com?

I think that I have read every review and news piece I could find for about 4 months now. I like this review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300.htm) and this one (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/nikon-d300-w-18mm/4505-6501_7-32571647.html) too.

I was ready to purchase the D40 when I learned that there was a D200 coming. So I waited to buy the D200 and when I had the money saved up and went wolf camera they told me that the D300 is coming soon so its "here I go all over again".

I tried to sway my sister into purchasing the D200 but she went with the Cannon 40D (because of the bigger screen than the nikon d200), and I am very impressed with it as well. But with price points being similar I am really leaning towards the D300.

I am as amature as they come, with just elementary competence and knowledge at best. I am hopeing to correct that with some formal training. I think that I have read that Montgomery County Community College has night classes or adult learning type classes in photography.

Photojojo

04-20-2008, 01:16 PM

If you can get/have good glass then get the better body. If not you should consider stepping down on body so that you have a good lens. I bleed EOS blood so that's all I'm gonna say about that.

swallack

04-20-2008, 01:25 PM

Something to consider is where & how you plan to haul your equipment. When I upgraded from my old Nikon Coolpix 990 to a DLSR, I opted for a Canon Digital Rebel & a 28-200mm lens. I got a fairly functional camera bag & can either put the bag in my saddle bag or slip the strap over my head & it hangs at a handy spot next to my waist. At any rate, since I didn't spend a bunch for the body, I feel quite comfortable hauling it around with me pretty much any where. I've been tempted to upgrade to a much nicer body & get a few extra lenses, but even with the lenses, the one I picked is versatile enough to suit my needs.

Grover

04-22-2008, 11:06 AM

With all these modern DSLR's avail and the image processors in them today, its not really the camera anymore..... its the glass in front of it that really important regading taking photos with Crisp, sharp clarity that makes colors pop.

I have the orig. Canon 300D and it takes as good pictures as anything else out there. I dont have as long of burst rate, or as high resolution, but depending on what you want it to do, save the coin on the body and invest in glass. Thats where the pictures are made today.

macktruckturner

04-22-2008, 11:24 AM

I too bleed EOS blood (1x film, 2x digital SLRs) - but a good friend of mine is a Nikon man. He got a D300 about three months ago, and hasn't shut up since. Considering he's not a man of many words, I take that as a pretty good sign. If you've got the money, and the glass - and it's just burning a hole right in your wallet, I say go for it. Of course, if you're still not sure, I'm always accepting donations ;)

Texfire

04-22-2008, 01:22 PM

I had a D70 before it got stolen and loved it. I would recommend a Nikon to another buyer, they make good stuff.

scottr

04-22-2008, 02:00 PM

I've lost count of how many cameras I've owned. There was a period of about six years (2000 to 2006) I bought and sold cameras on ebay like crazy. I was experimenting.

The one camera I kept through all that was a Canon EOS A2E. I've had Canon digital slrs and they were fine. I kept waiting and waiting for the right camera to really splurge on and keep for a good long time.

Nikon leaned my bike just right.

Brotha J

04-22-2008, 02:38 PM

If you have the money for it get the best.
As far as being the ametuer you say you are, you will be just as content with the less expensive model. Keep in mind the lenses for those models are interchangeable. The lenses make or break the picture (f-stops and all that).

You won't even notice the megapixel difference until you start cropping really small areas on a really big picture.

We've been drooling over the D40 and D80. Now betwixt those two there are some differences to think about. Betwixt those and the D300...night and day.

Price would be the killer for us at that point.

poser

04-22-2008, 03:50 PM

I've been wanting a digital SLR too. I really like the Canon Rebel XTi. it seems to get really good reviews. but I've got other expensive stuff to save up for and blow money one, the SLR will have to wait

Brotha J

04-22-2008, 10:41 PM

...but I've got other expensive stuff to save up for and blow money one, the SLR will have to wait

Ditto!

But last month the daughter was in a beauty pagent. She won best personality BTW! :clap: :clap:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/brothaj55/Jamy%20Christina/JamysTrophy.jpg

I had the privaledge of sitting next to my hero dad. He had this (http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/542085063.htm)model I believe. With this (http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541166757.htm?bct=t13079503%3Bcilenses-for-digital-cameras%3Bcislr-lens%3Bcislr-lenses)lense (or its' equivelent).

WOW!

Aside from just plain being jealous, I could really see the value in his investments. I brought my digital arsenal but they just could not keep up with the action. Mostly all of my shots were blurry. The exposure was O.K. but could have been better.

I don't make many serious threats to overrule the wife's wisdom and authority. But I promised her that when we do another pagent I'm taking my Bestbuy card to get this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8139169&type=product&id=1158323379076).

dixonduke

04-22-2008, 11:25 PM

Thanks everyone. I have the opportunity to shoot some comparison photos with both the 40D and the D300 next weekend. That will make my mind up.

My sisters 40D takes some great photos even at higher ISO. And I am aware that Canon and Nikon might as well be Ford and Chevy when it comes to debating. But I don't have such a sophisticated approach when it comes to deciding which brand to put under the Calvin & Hobb's sticker ;)

I was fishing to see if there were any here that have first hand use with the D300 and what their real life is.

Main reason, long ride up to New Foundland, that I have just about convienced myself to ride the TCH from St. John's to Vancouver for my return leg. Everyone should ride 10,000+ miles on a vacation right? Visualize It (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=6874240538579334319,30.185370,-95.497770%3B886350960782324683,47.522594,-52.624781%3B14389180526560641309,48.497250,-89.136070%3B7347205717553613283,50.003750,-110.658130%3B7680859371374938439,44.354190,-106.686930%3B452866684029073967,30.185357,-95.497767&saddr=Cornerbrook+Pl+%4030.185370,+-95.497770&daddr=Blackhead+Rd%2FHWY-11+%4047.522594,+-52.624781+to:HWY-11%2FHWY-17%2FTrans+Canada+Hwy+%4048.497250,+-89.136070+to:HWY-1+W%2FTrans+Canada+Hwy+W+%4050.003750,+-110.658130+to:49.496675,-123.310547+to:Cornerbrook+Pl+%4030.185357,+-95.497767&mra=dme&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=4&sz=5&via=2,3&sll=48.893615,-115.488281&sspn=16.48537,35.332031&ie=UTF8&ll=44.150681,-96.679687&spn=35.881088,99.492188&z=4)

Brotha_J. That Sony caught my eye too, and they have just come out. The early reviews on its older brother were not very warm, seems that Sony listened when it released its successor in this alpha. For me it is still down to the Nikon D300 or the Canon 40D.

scottr

04-22-2008, 11:54 PM

There is one more thing to consider. Both Nikon and Canon put the anti-shake or Vibration Control in their lenses. There is a drawback to this. You pay for it with every lens you buy. Olympus puts it in their body so its there for every lens [Nikon and Canon don't put it in their wide angle lenses] and you pay for it only once.

I picked up an OLY 510 just before I ordered my D3 and used it for a couple weeks. Sold it on ebay for what I paid for it to some deprived Canadian. I really like that camera. The menu structure was better than anything Canon or Nikon have. It had an info screen (two of em actually) that with a press of the ok button every aspect of that screen became active and you could set most of the functions in the whole menu structure just from two screens that you bring up with one button press.

You don't get as good high iso preformance from Oly however. Their kit lenses are really really good though and cheap.

If you like to take pics in auditoriums of your kiddies though I would suggest high iso capability would be your most important consideration.

I 'think' the D300 has 'auto iso'. I know the 3 has it. This is a fantastic feature. You configure it to your liking in the menus. Tell it to use a shutter speed no lower nor higher than whatever you choose and the camera will go to the iso necessary to get the shot. Then there's also Active D Lighting. Sort of an automatic in-camera high dynamic range adjustment.

When you shoot NEF (RAW) you can change these settings no matter what you had the camera set at at time of capture.
:rider:

drfood

04-23-2008, 12:06 AM

How about the Sony aka Minolta Alpha 700. Back in the day when it was Minolta only they made the only consumer/prosumer film and digital SLR's worth owning. Sony has taken the Minolta 7D and taken it to the next level.

Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this new camera?

dixonduke

04-23-2008, 12:09 AM

When you shoot NEF (RAW) you can change these settings no matter what you had the camera set at at time of capture.
:rider:

This is also why I am looking at the higher end of the spectrum of "amature" cameras.

The D3 and the D300 share some technology, yet there not even in the same class. I have never shot a full frame camera before, but there is a reason all of the professionals like yourself use them. Until I am good enough to generate revenue with a camera, I don't think I will jump to the full frame bodies yet.

Thank you for all of your input, I sure appreciate it.

scottr

04-23-2008, 09:50 AM

This is also why I am looking at the higher end of the spectrum of "amature" cameras.

The D3 and the D300 share some technology, yet there not even in the same class. I have never shot a full frame camera before, but there is a reason all of the professionals like yourself use them. Until I am good enough to generate revenue with a camera, I don't think I will jump to the full frame bodies yet.

Thank you for all of your input, I sure appreciate it.

Yeah, there's little need for full frame with these great new cams. I did it cause I mostly shoot landscape and need the FF. For an image I plan to print and display I stitch 3 or 4 vertical frames together and print them up to 5 feet wide. I've got one hanging in Benold's Jewelers in Austin if anyone ever wants to see one of my big images.

wanabeguru

04-23-2008, 10:30 AM

NUTT

04-23-2008, 10:38 AM

Visualize It (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=6874240538579334319,30.185370,-95.497770%3B886350960782324683,47.522594,-52.624781%3B14389180526560641309,48.497250,-89.136070%3B7347205717553613283,50.003750,-110.658130%3B7680859371374938439,44.354190,-106.686930%3B452866684029073967,30.185357,-95.497767&saddr=Cornerbrook+Pl+%4030.185370,+-95.497770&daddr=Blackhead+Rd%2FHWY-11+%4047.522594,+-52.624781+to:HWY-11%2FHWY-17%2FTrans+Canada+Hwy+%4048.497250,+-89.136070+to:HWY-1+W%2FTrans+Canada+Hwy+W+%4050.003750,+-110.658130+to:49.496675,-123.310547+to:Cornerbrook+Pl+%4030.185357,+-95.497767&mra=dme&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=4&sz=5&via=2,3&sll=48.893615,-115.488281&sspn=16.48537,35.332031&ie=UTF8&ll=44.150681,-96.679687&spn=35.881088,99.492188&z=4)

You are crazy.

scottr

04-23-2008, 11:32 AM

You are crazy.

Makes my butt hurt just lookin at it. I did 5000 mi last summer. Could not have done it without an Airhawk seat cushion. Love the thing but it keeps going flat on my dirt bike now. Too much stress for it I guess. Did fine on the 950.

VRoss

04-23-2008, 12:31 PM

dixonduke

04-23-2008, 12:39 PM

You are crazy.

Come with me!:rider:

dixonduke

04-23-2008, 12:39 PM

I am yet to see the "open source" alternative mentioned here :). May I suggest

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_k200d.asp

What I like about it is the fact that it is most user-wallet-friendly design you can get in SLR's.

I can honestly say that I have not even thought about a Pentax. I will read up on it. Thanks for the option.

dixonduke

04-23-2008, 12:48 PM

you may want to consider WRITE SPEED, MEMORY PRICE/AVAILABILITY, DOES IT HAVE AN ELECTRONIC EYEPIECE, DOES IT HAVE EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC FLASH CAPABILITY? That's some of the things I haven't seen addressed already.
Wally[part time wedding photog that rides an 07 RED BANDIT[FASTEST OF ALL!]

I am going to have to ride to visit you. I just saw where you reside! :rider: :rider: :rider:

I was trying to get to Willow Creek a couple of years ago (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19171) and due to a fire on 299 we took 3 and 36 along the Mad River. Talk about the PERFECT MOTORCYCLE ROADS!!!!!!!!:rider: You sir live in a beautiful spot! I am jealous!

wanabeguru

04-23-2008, 03:36 PM

I am going to have to ride to visit you. I just saw where you reside! :rider: :rider: :rider:

I was trying to get to Willow Creek a couple of years ago (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19171) and due to a fire on 299 we took 3 and 36 along the Mad River. Talk about the PERFECT MOTORCYCLE ROADS!!!!!!!!:rider: You sir live in a beautiful spot! I am jealous!

I am also jealous of your neck of the woods! I graduated HS Alb, NM and miss the openness! When you bring your new camera this way, call, email, etc so we can do a "secnic" ride down the twistys!! I do remember the fire/smoke, it was BAD!!
:rider:

wanabeguru

04-23-2008, 04:09 PM

I am going to have to ride to visit you. I just saw where you reside! :rider: :rider: :rider:

I was trying to get to Willow Creek a couple of years ago (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19171) and due to a fire on 299 we took 3 and 36 along the Mad River. Talk about the PERFECT MOTORCYCLE ROADS!!!!!!!!:rider: You sir live in a beautiful spot! I am jealous!

jUST FINISHED YOUR outstanding flaming vacation story/pics!! So, why did I think I could help you with a new camera purchase???????????? You need to think about National Geo work!!:sun:
Again, let me know when you'll be this side of Hwy 36,
Wally
PS: My wife and I have a guest bedroom

NUTT

06-16-2008, 07:43 AM

Duke...

I got a chance to play with a friend's D300 over the weekend and all I can say is "WOW".

Josh bought this as his entry into the DSLR & photography world. He's a "best of the best" kind of guy & isn't afraid to scrimp & save to get something nice. After a lot of reading beforehand & a few months of use he is extremely happy with his choice.

I can put you in touch with him if you'd like to gain his perspective as n00b who bought a nice camera & his experience with it.

Shaggy

06-16-2008, 03:31 PM

I had a D70 then moved up to a D200 and there are a few nice things about the bigger cameras that I really like, one of which is the ability to set the focus point without having to go into the bloody menu every time. I am a bit old school and when I frame my shots I want to control what I am focusing on and not let the camera grab what it thinks I should be focusing on or whatever happens to be the closest. On my D70 I had to set it to center only focus in the menu and anytime I changed something else or powered if off it would constantly reset to the default matrix mode. ARGH!!!!

That is just one small pet peeve but its aggravating as ****. If I wanted to focus on something not in the center of my pic I will lock my focus on that point and them move the camera to finish framing the shot!

Oh and another thing to remember with DSLRs is that they dont use full frame sensors so if you buy lenses and want to share them with a film body you will run into some isues if you get DX lenses since they are formated to only project the image onto the smaller size sensor. You can however use non DX glass just fine but you will run into what they call the 1.5 multiplication factor, which is really BS, its not making you zoom in any closer, the picture is actually cropped so that when its displayed at the same size it looks like its zoomed in but your depth of field, f stops etc are still the same. For example, if you have a non DX lens that is 28-200 people will tell you its actually 42-300 but that is incorrect, its still 28-200 and the dynamics of the lens are still the same, however if you were to use that lens on a film camera and take the same shot and print them both out on an 8x10 the one taken with the digital will look closer due to the cropping from a larger image being projected onto a smaller sensor.

LOL ok I digress, and if you dont ever plan to get a film body to share your lenses then stick with the DX glass, it will be cheaper.

I personally have given up on all my lenses except for an 18-200 VR Nikkor lens on the D200.

Tourmeister

06-17-2008, 03:38 PM

So what does a D300 cost?

I have all my D lenses from an older N70 film body, filters, and flash unit. Would all that work with something like the D200/300's?

Shaggy

06-17-2008, 03:49 PM

Yeah they will all work. Are they AF lenses? Worse case is you might have to manually focus depending on how old they are. But if its an N70 chances are you have "modern" lenses.

D200 body only is around $1600

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fworkaround.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=d200&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fworkaround.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=submit

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25235/D200.html

and D300 is around $1800
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518489-REG/Nikon_25432_D300_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25432/D300.html

Outlander

06-17-2008, 03:57 PM

So what does a D300 cost?

I have all my D lenses from an older N70 film body, filters, and flash unit. Would all that work with something like the D200/300's?

All your lenses should work on a DSLR. The only thing is that you are carring extra glass since you willbe projecting the images in a sensor that it is smaller than the 35 mm film (Cropping).

After 3 DSLR (D100, D70 and d70s) I am not thrill about getting the greatest bodies. I think it pays better to get a good set of lenses and a decent body (D80 or equivalent)

My next purchase is going to be the 18-200 vr. I got the 70-300 and I love it. I have several lenses on the 18-200 range but I can not get the sharpness I got with the VR

Shaggy

06-17-2008, 05:46 PM

I have that 18-200 vr on my D200 and I honestly cannot see any reason to change to any of my other lenses. I have a nice 80-300 f2.8 that I now never use because I can get **** near the same results with the vr lens in a MUCH smaller package.

Heh, I was actually thinking of getting a film body to slap it on.

swallack

06-17-2008, 05:55 PM

I have that 18-200 vr on my D200 and I honestly cannot see any reason to change to any of my other lenses.

I have a 28-200 on my Canon digital Rebel & I can't tell you how versatile that lens is for a rider. I imagine the 18-200 lens you are discussing is a much better piece of glass, so for someone who rides & is getting a digital SLR, that's a great lens to use for "most" all their needs.

Shaggy

06-17-2008, 07:06 PM

Funny you should mention that. I actually have a non DX 28-200 Nikkor lens that I bought before the 18-200 vr was even rumored to exist. I got it because of its wide range and the fact that I hate changing lenses out in the field unless I absolutely have to. It is a great piece of glass, but truthfully it always left me wanting just a little bit more wide angle. I used to try and tell myself that I didn't need the extra 10mm but caved in when I saw it was vr as well. Man I can't believe what a difference that 10mm does make.

When I had the D70 it came with an 18-70 lens which was a great kit lens as well but I wanted more length and moved to the 28-200, but again wanted more wide angle and now I have it all in that 18-200, if they make one for a Canon I would highly recommend getting one if you like the versatility.

Oh and another side note.... note sure how it is with Canon since I am a Nikon snob, j/k, but stick with Nikkor (Nikon) glass with the Nikon. There are some other "ok" brands out there but you really do get what you pay for and Nikkor glass is about the best you can buy for a Nikon.

Outlander

06-17-2008, 07:43 PM

When I had the D70 it came with an 18-70 lens which was a great kit lens as well but I wanted more length and moved to the 28-200, but again wanted more wide angle and now I have it all in that 18-200, if they make one for a Canon I would highly recommend getting one if you like the versatility.

Oh and another side note.... note sure how it is with Canon since I am a Nikon snob, j/k, but stick with Nikkor (Nikon) glass with the Nikon. There are some other "ok" brands out there but you really do get what you pay for and Nikkor glass is about the best you can buy for a Nikon.

I agree. I have a Sigma 28-70 f2.8. Teh numbers look great but I've never been impress with it. The 18-70 kit is not bad. After having the 70-300 VR I am dreaming on the 18-200 VR. I've not heard any negative comments about this lense (other than the $700 price)

dixonduke

06-17-2008, 08:21 PM

I have made up my mind I am getting the D300 w/ 18-200 VR Lens LINK (http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1164.htm)

It has moved down on my priority list as a must purchase before summer to purchase before christmas now.

Its a lot of money, but I am ready to move beyond snapshots and try to get serious. As a teenager I was into 35mm pretty well and turned my bathroom into a dark room. I even carried an enlarger with me from duty station to duty station while in the service. Saddly one of the lens got chipped in a move from Hawaii back to Texas and I have not used it since. So its been about 20 years and its time to pick up the hobby again... Although now I wear contacts/glasses... back then I did not, wonder if I can still focus?

Thanks to all of you for a very informative thread.

Regards

swallack

06-17-2008, 08:46 PM

Oh and another side note.... note sure how it is with Canon since I am a Nikon snob, j/k, but stick with Nikkor (Nikon) glass with the Nikon. There are some other "ok" brands out there but you really do get what you pay for and Nikkor glass is about the best you can buy for a Nikon.

I agree with what you are saying & have always had better luck when sticking with Canon lenses even back when I used my old vintage 1974 F1. Sadly Canon changed the mounting system, so all the lenses I used with it wouldn't work with my Rebel. The F1 wasn't something I could easily sell, so I gave it to my wife's brother=in-law who shoots 35mm & loves it.

Chirpy

06-17-2008, 10:03 PM

I just got a D40X for father's day. As the head photogapher of my newspaper and yearbook (*&(&^% years ago, I had no idea how much I had forgotten since my camerabag was stolen. I'm looking forward to some summer trips to see if I can remember.

dixonduke

03-01-2009, 06:15 PM

OK... I really, really, made up my mind this time. B&H and I became friendly again last night. Happy Birthday To Me!

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25446-Nikon-D90/Views/25446_D90_34l.jpg

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Camera-Lenses/2159_AF-S-DX-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-18-200mm-f-3.5-5.6G-IF-ED/Views/2159_AF-S-DX-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-18-200mm-f-3.5-5.6G-IF-ED.jpg

I even splurged a little bit more. Kata DR-467
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/multiple_images/item_images/IMG_7591.jpg

All should be here Wednesday.

STScott

03-01-2009, 06:17 PM

Nice purchase!!! :clap:

Outlander

03-01-2009, 08:36 PM

Happy BD. These are good presents.

I finally got the 18-200 three weeks ago. I'm loving it.

Brotha J

03-02-2009, 09:28 AM

NICE!

We got the D80 and it was worth every extra minute I had to spend at work to put it on the credit card. :trust:

Does the lense on the 90 have image stabilizer?

sparkyphotog

03-02-2009, 11:26 AM

OK... I really, really, made up my mind this time. B&H and I became friendly again last night. Happy Birthday To Me!
All should be here Wednesday.

Happy birthday! I have that lens, really like it. I'm interested if you will be using the video recording mode on the D90. If you do, I'd like to hear what you think about it.

dixonduke

03-02-2009, 08:11 PM

NICE!

Does the lense on the 90 have image stabilizer?

Yes the lens is VR (Nikons initials for Vibration Resistance).

I'm interested if you will be using the video recording mode on the D90. If you do, I'd like to hear what you think about it.

I am sure that I will shoot some video with it, but I have no notion that this is a video camera (camcorder).

This has been a long (multiple year) journey for me. Originally I wanted a d40, then the d200, then the d300. I breifely coveted my sisters Canon 40D, but for reasons that I can't explain, I preferred the Nikon over Canon. I honestly can't give a real reason why... Guess is Chevy/Ford type of thing... :shrug:

The D90 was cheaper than the D300 which was a plus, and at my skill level, from what I am reading and have read, the D90 shares some of the nice things that the D300 does. It (the D90) is a slower camera by half on shutter speed and again half on frames per second. But I think I will be able to get by with 1/4000 and 4.5 fps;-)

In the end it came down to cost, I was able to get the lens that I wanted and body for less than what just the body of the D300 is advertised most places. Also the neat addition of the "just because its there" factor of the HD Video.

Oh and Sparky... Check out this video from a guy over on DGRIN.COM.

My first D90 Movie.

http://erikgodderis.smugmug.com/gallery/6705820_H9J8X/1/#439481712_PGQ22-A-LB

Here are more video examples :link: (http://www.flickr.com/groups/d90_video/pool/)

And lastly

Tracking Detail

Your package is on time with a scheduled delivery date of 03/04/2009.

Type: Package
Status: In Transit - On Time
Scheduled Delivery: 03/04/2009

dixonduke

03-04-2009, 08:29 PM

:clap: UPS delivered it today!

http://r1200gsa.smugmug.com/photos/485343534_E425G-L.jpg

http://r1200gsa.smugmug.com/photos/485342653_kYvar-L.jpg

Now to read the novel of a users manual....

Gilk51

03-04-2009, 08:30 PM

Ho boy! new toys to play with! :clap:

(can I borrow that lens? :trust: ) ;-)

ndmiller

03-04-2009, 08:57 PM

Congrats on the D90, great choice based on everything I have read of late.

On another topic, anyone still thinking about a D80, I am going to post mine up for sale in the next day or so with one lens.

Noah

dixonduke

03-04-2009, 09:00 PM

sparkyphotog

03-04-2009, 09:02 PM

This is my next purchase...as soon as they are released. I love prime lenses. :mrgreen:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Camera-Lenses/2183-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f-1.8G/Views/2183_AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f-1.8G_front.jpg

sparkyphotog

03-04-2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks... I am still afraid to touch it right now.. :-P

Step one: attach lense

Step two: insert battery

Step three: turn it on

Step four: turn the dial until the green camera icon is in line with the white hash mark.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25446-Nikon-D90/Views/25446_D90_top.jpg

Step five: start shooting! :lol2: :mrgreen:

ndmiller

03-04-2009, 09:43 PM

Soooo.... which lense?

50mm F1.8 Speedy fixed lens, very sharp, great in low light.

I dropped the kit 18-55 lens a while back and it died. Don't shoot enough pictures any more and would rather buy more stuff for the bike.

xtnomad

03-04-2009, 10:00 PM

I am still from the old school that sayes good glass and a cheap body + talent = great pics.. I think the digital age has caught up to this and surpased it. I own (2) D-50s and good glass and get great pics. ;-)

dixonduke

03-04-2009, 10:19 PM

took my first picture...

http://r1200gsa.smugmug.com/photos/485401444_MnUgc-L.jpg

Then turned the flash off........ OOPS......:rofl:
http://r1200gsa.smugmug.com/photos/485400191_w2cAV-L.jpg

xtnomad

03-04-2009, 10:38 PM

Good glass and cheap body.

http://sportshots.smugmug.com/photos/201221318_uUukn-L.jpg

dixonduke

03-04-2009, 10:52 PM

WOW!!!! Great Shot!

TexasShadow

03-05-2009, 08:08 AM

I am yet to see the "open source" alternative mentioned here :). May I suggest

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_k200d.asp

What I like about it is the fact that it is most user-wallet-friendly design you can get in SLR's.First time I've seen interest in a Pentax other than myself. The K20D is on my list.

Skillet

03-05-2009, 08:57 AM

I hope you got some $$ left over for an image manipulation tool (like photoshop). I can't remember the last picture I took that wasn't vastly improved with a little dodging/burning, sharpening, hue-changing, contrast changing ....

Also, if you are real masochist and need to shoot RAW, then you will need some additional tools to make that work.

While my D70s has probably 10,000 different combinations of settings (your D90 has even more), I find that I don't fiddle with much anymore other than the basic stuff (aperture, shutter speed, focus-related stuff), and bracket a few shots if it's extra-tricky lighting.

If that 35mm 1.8 is cheap, it would make a great compact lens/body combination. Remember it's a equivalent to a 52mm in film which is a nice shap-shot lens (too short for portraits, too long for landscapes).

I happen to believe that digital photography (along with GPS and satellite radio) have enhanced my life more than any other technologies. Have fun.

Cheers,

Ben

NUTT

03-05-2009, 09:53 AM

Congrats on the purchase & happy birthday Duke.

Let's plan a photo related overnight trip some time this spring!

dixonduke

03-05-2009, 10:33 AM

I hope you got some $$ left over for an image manipulation tool (like photoshop).

On my MBP I have, Photoshop Elements, Paintshop Pro v12, & Light Room 2. Don't know how to use any of them right now though...

Congrats on the purchase & happy birthday Duke.

Let's plan a photo related overnight trip some time this spring!

Thanks, You Too. Sounds like fun. I am headed out to get the GS either next weekend or the following after that. Plan to hit death valley on my way home.