Camera Buffs

[caseydog]

One other thing to keep in mind when getting a digital body... some of the newer, cheaper bodies will not autofocus with your AF lenses. They only autofocus with the newer AFS lenses that include a built-in focusing motor. I'm not sure where the cutoff is, but I know the D80, D90, D200, D300 work fine. The D40, D60, D3000, etc. do not.

You can look at the body and easily see if it will autofocus an AF lens -- there's a drive screw on the lower left part of the lens mount that drives the lens.

Are you sure about that? I'll have to make a phone call to be sure, but that does not sound right. Yes, the AFS lenses have built-in "motors," AKA "silent wave" focusing, but do some new cameras really omit the in-camera focus drives?

ERV is favoring a D300S, so this is academic, but I don't know for sure that the other lenses won't work on the entire nikon camera line.

CD

[iOpine]

See my tag line? Of course I'm sure!

Take a gander at this: http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/art ... photos.jpg
Or look about halfway down this page at the table comparing features of the "consumer" Nikon DSLRs, the D40/60, 3000 & 5000: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3000/

The D80/90, D200/300 and pro cameras still have the built-in motors.

[ERV]

Hi all
Thanks for all the replies! Son has been busy with school and work, so I have not been able to get it on ebay. He is starting his spring break this next week so he is going to help me put it on this weekend. If everything goes as planed I hope to get the D300s. Going to keep the 80-200 and maybe the 60 for a walk-around lens. I do see some nice lenses on ebay tho.
Thats what I need, an old hobby to put money into again, but in the long run it will save some money not buying film and getting pictures made. Plus I will be happier with the pictures I get back. My little Nikon does pretty good for what it is. But I take a lot of pics. Happy with about 75 % of them. Having a nice camera again will be great. Keep you all up-dated on how I am doing. Erv

[ERV]

Al
In my younger years I got together with a friend that had a really good telescope. We mounted my camera to it and got some great pictures. Wish I would have save some of them! Nothing like his tho. He did get a few of them published, but I don't know where. Should have kept up with it. At that time tho I was into cars and trying to kill myself with speed, ha.

[goramsey]

Hi, I was wondering what to do. Yesterday I had a Nikon F6 given to me, it also came with 4 lenses and a flash. Plus a lot of other stuff. It looks to be in new condition. But the thing is, it is a film camera and not digital. Back in the day I had a Nikon F2 Photomic. Took it through 50 states taking pictures, and even a few weddings for friends. But now I use a small Nikon coolpix. I just like the fact that I can use it with the computer. I looked on E-bay and it looks like just the body is going for $1600. Does any one know which Nikon D's is the best one for just family pics and camping. Or which camera you would buy or trade for. I would like to play with this one a little, but also would like a nice digital one in the end.

Thanks, Erv

Here is a web page where you can see all that it can do. It is or was a high end pro camera 35mm. But today most if not all pros are shooting digital. B & H photo is a great photo store/web site for all you photo needs. They still sell film and paper and all the darkroom gear.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... ifications

Have fun.

[caseydog]

Hi, I was wondering what to do. Yesterday I had a Nikon F6 given to me, it also came with 4 lenses and a flash. Plus a lot of other stuff. It looks to be in new condition. But the thing is, it is a film camera and not digital. Back in the day I had a Nikon F2 Photomic. Took it through 50 states taking pictures, and even a few weddings for friends. But now I use a small Nikon coolpix. I just like the fact that I can use it with the computer. I looked on E-bay and it looks like just the body is going for $1600. Does any one know which Nikon D's is the best one for just family pics and camping. Or which camera you would buy or trade for. I would like to play with this one a little, but also would like a nice digital one in the end.

Thanks, Erv

Here is a web page where you can see all that it can do. I is or was a high end pro camera 35mm. But today most if not all pros are shooting digital. B & H photo is a great photo store/web site for all you photo needs. They still sell film and paper and all the darkroom gear.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... ifications

Have fun.

Let me say this about buying online. I use B&H for purchases of small items and sometimes even lenses. But, I buy my camera bodies locally in Dallas from Competitive Cameras. They are the local "pro" shop.

Why?

Well, my camera body was $5,000 new, and it is the forth pro body I bought from them. If that camera needs repairs, they will take care of it for me, and loan me another $5,000 camera body for any shoots I have to do while my camera is gone.

There is a another good camera store closer to my home called Camera Stop (Plano) that I buy from, too. The owner and his staff are passionate about photography, and can talk to me, a seasoned pro, and impress me with their knowledge. That is worth paying extra for, IMO.

B&H isn't going to do that for me.

As for consumers, Competitive cameras in Dallas takes equally good care of their local customers at that level.

A good local camera store will teach you how to use your camera, and if your photos are turning out bad, they will tell you why, and show you how to correct the problem.

Yes, you can save money online, but you give up that personal service that makes a big difference in the quality of your images. Support your local camera shop, and they will support you.

Now, places like Best Buy or (cough, cough) WalMart may be local, but the people who work there generally don't have the expertise to help you make a wise purchase, or to help you if you have a problem.

So, don't just think price if you want to get serious about taking good pictures. Pay a bit extra to build a good relationship with a good local camera store. It is well worth it.

CD

[goramsey]

Hi, I was wondering what to do. Yesterday I had a Nikon F6 given to me, it also came with 4 lenses and a flash. Plus a lot of other stuff. It looks to be in new condition. But the thing is, it is a film camera and not digital. Back in the day I had a Nikon F2 Photomic. Took it through 50 states taking pictures, and even a few weddings for friends. But now I use a small Nikon coolpix. I just like the fact that I can use it with the computer. I looked on E-bay and it looks like just the body is going for $1600. Does any one know which Nikon D's is the best one for just family pics and camping. Or which camera you would buy or trade for. I would like to play with this one a little, but also would like a nice digital one in the end.

Thanks, Erv

Here is a web page where you can see all that it can do. I is or was a high end pro camera 35mm. But today most if not all pros are shooting digital. B & H photo is a great photo store/web site for all you photo needs. They still sell film and paper and all the darkroom gear.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... ifications

Have fun.

Let me say this about buying online. I use B&H for purchases of small items and sometimes even lenses. But, I buy my camera bodies locally in Dallas from Competitive Cameras. They are the local "pro" shop.

Why?

Well, my camera body was $5,000 new, and it is the forth pro body I bought from them. If that camera needs repairs, they will take care of it for me, and loan me another $5,000 camera body for any shoots I have to do while my camera is gone.

There is a another good camera store closer to my home called Camera Stop (Plano) that I buy from, too. The owner and his staff are passionate about photography, and can talk to me, a seasoned pro, and impress me with their knowledge. That is worth paying extra for, IMO.

B&H isn't going to do that for me.

As for consumers, Competitive cameras in Dallas takes equally good care of their local customers at that level.

A good local camera store will teach you how to use your camera, and if your photos are turning out bad, they will tell you why, and show you how to correct the problem.

Yes, you can save money online, but you give up that personal service that makes a big difference in the quality of your images. Support your local camera shop, and they will support you.

Now, places like Best Buy or (cough, cough) WalMart may be local, but the people who work there generally don't have the expertise to help you make a wise purchase, or to help you if you have a problem.

So, don't just think price if you want to get serious about taking good pictures. Pay a bit extra to build a good relationship with a good local camera store. It is well worth it.

CD

That is good advice. I have been a shooting pro and based designer for 33 years, I tend to forget about the new people who might need help. If you are know what you want then B&H photo is right on. Another good online store is Adorama. I have purchased from both. They back up what they sell. Any repairs are always taken care of by the manufacturer. They also have actual stores you can go to if you are in there N.Y. areas. When I go to my local stores I now go mostly for supplies for photo shoots. There is so much equipment on the market today it is very hard for the local dealers to carry everything. You may find that what you are looking for may not be available or needs to be special ordered. It has happened to me.

My pro buddies and I get together have a few beers/wine and shoot the breeze and this and that. We put gear through the paces. Can you believe that we still have a guy that shoots traditional 8 x 10 format. But he is doing it for fine art only. I switched to digital in the very early days. Bought my first Mac as well. Trying to talk a client into shooting digital was a real sales pitch. They always said "nothing can beat film" until I showed them the digital images. Then, they farted bricks. And that was that.

Today there are so many really cool digital cameras. They are all good. The optics are all fantastic. I have shot with many brands over the years, and never was unhappy. My first 35 mm cameras were Nikon then many years later I switched to Canon - loved them as well. I have had Mamiya 6x7's, they were great, Pentax 6 x 7's, Sinar view cameras - they were also great tools to work with. The bummer was shooting all day and then have to spend the night in the darkroom. Glad that is no longer. Whew!!

If there is anyone is Orange County CA. you can go to Sammy's Camera. A great store. Calumet - another great store. In Costa Mesa there is Cal's camera, and Pro Photo Connection Inc. in Irvine.

Cheers,

[ERV]

CD and everyone else that has helped. Got my camera a few weeks ago. Sold the F6 for pretty good money. I got a D300S from Dodds camera. They have been very good about helping me learn the camera.

Could have gotten it a little cheaper on E-bay, but it is nice having help at a local store.( Thanks CD) Glad I went that way. First camera would not format the card. They just handed me another one.

I have been playing with all the lenses, and having fun seeing what each will do. I made enough selling the F6 that I got a 28-105 f3.5 -4.5 from a friend for a very good price. It is in pretty good shape, but well used. Thought I could use it for a walk around lens while I am learning. And it has micro to play with too.

Is was a good choice , I am glad you all steered me in that direction. I don't know if I will ever learn all that it can do, but I have been reading the manual every night for about an hour, ha. The store also gave me a book by Simon Stafford that is pretty good too.

I will try and post some of the pics I have been taking. Just need to find time from work to play more.

Thanks again. Nice having an internet family that is so kind and full of knowledge.



Erv

[Shadow Catcher]

One of the problems that I have with the digital is the obvious planned obsolesce in using a less than 35mm CCD/CMOS and yes I own one a Nikon. You are now starting to see the full 35mm format. Yes you can have good results digital and realistically no you can not match film performance for a given format. I have a 16X20" print that came from a quarter of a 35mm Kodacrome transparency (film no longer available) that has no grain visible.
I find that I do a better job of focus and exposure that letting the camera do it for me and this allows me to use the 85mm F1.8 and 35mm F2 lenses from my Nikon F for low light situations.
This is not an either or proposition, you use the tools you are comfortable and competent to use and the biggest advantage to digital is that you can shoot lots and lots of pictures and some of them are bound to turn out. I used to say the difference between the professional and the amateur photographer is that the pro takes ten times as many and throws nine away. So take LOTS of pictures and share the good ones here

[caseydog]

One of the problems that I have with the digital is the obvious planned obsolesce in using a less than 35mm CCD/CMOS and yes I own one a Nikon. You are now starting to see the full 35mm format. Yes you can have good results digital and realistically no you can not match film performance for a given format. I have a 16X20" print that came from a quarter of a 35mm Kodacrome transparency (film no longer available) that has no grain visible.
I find that I do a better job of focus and exposure that letting the camera do it for me and this allows me to use the 85mm F1.8 and 35mm F2 lenses from my Nikon F for low light situations.
This is not an either or proposition, you use the tools you are comfortable and competent to use and the biggest advantage to digital is that you can shoot lots and lots of pictures and some of them are bound to turn out. I used to say the difference between the professional and the amateur photographer is that the pro takes ten times as many and throws nine away. So take LOTS of pictures and share the good ones here

I no longer own any film cameras. My D3 is a full 35mm format, and I can shoot in very low light and get good results. I shot an auction last week hand-held, at 3200 ISO.

Oh, at that auction, the back of the auction tent was dominated by murals of a Bugatti and a 1934 Alfa that were about 150-percent of actual size -- shot on my D3.

The chips just keep getting better and better.