Photography related discussions

[Sheep]

In that vein, what's your take on this:

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G

Also, what do anybody here think of Ken Rockwell?

www.kenrockwell.com

I hear he is a little biased towards Nikons. Should a newbie like me heed this advice or not? If I were reading his review (for the first time), I feel like he knows what he is talking about. But, after reading some posts in dpreview.com, I don't know anymore.

Oh btw, I have a Nikon D70 and I think the lens mentioned above. Also, I have an SB-600 flash with the Sto-Fen diffuser.

Rockwell is Nikon Biased. If you figure out the facts behind photography, all that's left is composition.

Are you SURE, you have a 28-80 and not the 28-70? The 28-80 was not a G series lens. Get that information straightened out, and I can tell you have well it performs, and where.

SheepStar

 

[GirgleMirt]

I'm just starting out; just got my business cards back that say: Playboy Freelance Photographer.
What camera should I get?
Is this considered a thread hi-jack, even if I use the word 'camera' in it?

Girgle, I think he was joking.

Ah ok... Guess I just didn't see any humor in "I'd like to get a camera to shoot nudes"... Do some people still consider Playboy or nude photography taboo? 50+ years ago you could say it was controversial, and in some backwards asian/muslim countries they surely are today, but in western countries, the only people I see who might have any issues with it might be very religious people and woman rights activists...

Anyhow, sorry I guess, I didn't see anything funny about shooting nudes... But I guess in some circles suggesting buying a camera to do so might be considered witty and humorous...

Here's a serious question, who wouldn't like to shoot nudes? Immortalizing the beauty of women in its entirety... Personally, I'd have found it a lot more humorous if some dude said: "I want to buy a camera but under no circumstances would be interested in doing any kind of nude photography" lol now that would have been funny!

 

[GirgleMirt]

More zoom range usually means some degradation in sharpness, but it’s not very practical (or $ wise) to carry around a slew of lenses, and changing them often can allow dust to enter the body & get on the CCD. A wide to medium zoom & a medium to long zoom are all most people need. A 50mm 1.8 (or there about) can be had for cheap for most cameras, and they make a nice sharp lens for portraits.

There's other very significant issues with zooms other than sharpness... CA (Chromatic Aberration), distortion, vignetting, flare, max aperture in some cases, size, weight... That said, for the casual photographer, zooms make a lot more sens as the flexibility of a zoom usually tend to be wort more than the slight IQ benefit of a prime... And zooms are pretty good these days.

Most people couldn't tell a picture taken with a good zoom vs a prime apart at regular print sizes. As mentioned, a 100$ 50mm 1.8 lens usually is a good place to start to see how you like primes.

 

[Sheep]

There's other very significant issues with zooms other than sharpness... CA (Chromatic Aberration), distortion, vignetting, flare, max aperture in some cases, size, weight... That said, for the casual photographer, zooms make a lot more sens as the flexibility of a zoom usually tend to be wort more than the slight IQ benefit of a prime... And zooms are pretty good these days.

Most people couldn't tell a picture taken with a good zoom vs a prime apart at regular print sizes. As mentioned, a 100$ 50mm 1.8 lens usually is a good place to start to see how you like primes.

Be careful with the Canon 50mm F1.8. It has a plastic lens mount so you should be holding the bulk of the camera weight with the right hand.

SheepStar

 

[audioholic212]

Are you SURE, you have a 28-80 and not the 28-70? The 28-80 was not a G series lens. Get that information straightened out, and I can tell you have well it performs, and where.

SheepStar

Ok, sorry to post so late, but, I am looking at the the lens right now.

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.3-5.6 G

 

[mike c]

Flash Photography Techniques
http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

Assorted Tips
http://www.photosecrets.com/links.tips.html

 

[Sheep]

Ok, sorry to post so late, but, I am looking at the the lens right now.

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.3-5.6 G

Any chance you could take a picture of it? This thing sounds old...

SheepStar

 

[Sheep]

Ok, sorry to post so late, but, I am looking at the the lens right now.

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.3-5.6 G

Nevermind, googled it with the full model number. That is a really obscure lens.

Sheepstar

 

[audioholic212]

Nevermind, googled it with the full model number. That is a really obscure lens.

Sheepstar

Yeap, it is a basic lens. Bought this as part of a D70 package around 4 years ago. But, I used it extensively and now I am ready to upgrade.


Just bought a Nikkor 50mm 1.8D AF lens off ebay. So, I am ready to sell this one AND and Nikon 70-300mm I have got too.

Here is the review of the lens.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm

But, I have the 'black' version.

 

[Sheep]

The 50mm F1.8 is a great lens, but it won't replace a 28-80 and 70-300. You're going to miss the reach the 300mm has, I miss my Extended Zoom PnS for that very reason.

SheepStar

 

[audioholic212]

The 50mm F1.8 is a great lens, but it won't replace a 28-80 and 70-300. You're going to miss the reach the 300mm has, I miss my Extended Zoom PnS for that very reason.

SheepStar

I get your point, but, then, I seldom used the 70-300mm and also I was planning on getting 18-200mm VR sometime next year. And maybe a used D90 too to boot.

So, I may be going from:

Nikon D70 + 28-80mm + 70-300mm

to

Nikon D90 + 50mm f/1.8D + 18-200mm

This move is going to cost me. I was hoping it wouldn't cost me too much.

Here is my ebay link to sell the 70-300mm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260521825679&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

 

[Sheep]

I would go another route. The 18-200 is only moderately sharp, and suffers from complex distortions if I remember correctly.

Also plan your lens purchases around your future body. I'm not going to buy another DX body after my D5000, so I'm not buying any more DX glass. My ultimate setup would be..

D3S + 14-24mm F2.8G + 24-70mm F2.8G + 70-200mm F2.8G VRII + 150mm F2.8 Marco (Sigma) = A shitton of money.

SheepStar

 

[mazersteven]

While looking at cameras I see this term alot. (Body Only) Description please?

 

[GirgleMirt]

While looking at cameras I see this term alot. (Body Only) Description please?

Body only means that there's no lens, just the body, so you'll need to buy a lense(s) separately. (if that's not what you're asking, I don't know what you're asking )

If you already have lenses, of course body only is the way to go, but sometimes there's good combo deals with body+lens.

 

[Sheep]

While looking at cameras I see this term alot. (Body Only) Description please?

What Girlge said. I bought my Camera Body and lens separate.

SheepStar

 

[mazersteven]

So "Body Only" means it don't even come with a stock lens? Wow

So which is the best way to purchase a camera? Combo package, or lens separately? Or is there no best way? Just shop for the best deal.

 

[mike c]

So "Body Only" means it don't even come with a stock lens? Wow

So which is the best way to purchase a camera? Combo package, or lens separately? Or is there no best way? Just shop for the best deal.

if you want something better than a point and shoot
if you want a really light and cheap zoom lens
if you don't know what you want
if you have no idea what is what
if you're mazersteven

it's better to get the combo package

-0-

if you already know what lenses you want in the future
if you want to do artsy fartsy stuff

it's better to get the body only since the kit lens is normally only a bit better than point and shoots

 

[mazersteven]

if you want something better than a point and shoot
if you want a really light and cheap zoom lens
if you don't know what you want
if you have no idea what is what
if you're mazersteven

it's better to get the combo package

-0-

if you already know what lenses you want in the future
if you want to do artsy fartsy stuff

it's better to get the body only since the kit lens is normally only a bit better than point and shoots

So since I "don't know what you want"
So since I "have no idea what is what"
So since I "want something better than a point and shoot"
And since I am "mazersteven"

Sounds to me like purchasing a "Body Only" and a nice lens is the way to go.

 

[Sheep]

if you want something better than a point and shoot
if you want a really light and cheap zoom lens
if you don't know what you want
if you have no idea what is what
if you're mazersteven

it's better to get the combo package

-0-

if you already know what lenses you want in the future
if you want to do artsy fartsy stuff

it's better to get the body only since the kit lens is normally only a bit better than point and shoots

I'm sorry mike, but you're banned from giving Camera advice. This is absolutely worthless information.

Body only camera's are for people that are UPGRADING (you, of all people, should know what this is) their body. No need for a kit lens if you have a slew of others already.

ANND, the kits lenses are not that bad. Some are actually pretty good. It all depends on the cost of the lens, and how it's built. Also, all lenses have sweet spots (macro being the exception, extremely sharp in almost all settings). You need to learn where your lens performs best to get the most out of it. I will say, that virtually EVERY DSLR plus Kit, will perform better then any PnS.

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

I'm sorry mike, but you're banned from giving Camera advice. This is absolutely worthless information.

Body only camera's are for people that are UPGRADING (you, of all people, should know what this is) their body. No need for a kit lens if you have a slew of others already.

ANND, the kits lenses are not that bad. Some are actually pretty good. It all depends on the cost of the lens, and how it's built. Also, all lenses have sweet spots (macro being the exception, extremely sharp in almost all settings). You need to learn where your lens performs best to get the most out of it. I will say, that virtually EVERY DSLR plus Kit, will perform better then any PnS.

SheepStar

you seriously need to deal with more people. (without the use of fists)

your own opinion is not always the right thing.

does it look like mazer has an SLR?