Nikon...again after all these years.....

WireBeard · 10-01-2008, 03:02 AM

Sooooooo....I am taking some pics to post in the Hone thread and my Fujifilm FinePix stops working. Zoom error. The lense will not retract. I am confused as I have not used the thing in ages and I can't remember if I loaned it to someone or not.....so, started looking on the Net for cameras. Way back in the 80's (that was the tie before the Internet for all you youngsters) I had a Nikon SLR (used film...!) with a telephoto zoom, filters, etc. I sold it after leaving the Army as money was scarce.

So now I see all the cool new Digital SLRs....spolied for choices!.

Finally, I saw a great deal for a Nikon D40 (6.1 M-pixel) with 18-55mm lens AND a 55-200mm lens included, with a nice bag, a couple of videos for the photography novice. I looked at models with more Mp, but I did not see a trade off for the price and this package deal had me going "whatta bah-gan!"

Now, I hope to be able to post nice clear pics of razors when needed...

icedog · 10-01-2008, 12:36 PM

I am a Nikon fan. I still shoot my artsy pics with a Nikon N-90S. I just fried my Kodak digital on vacation and I am leaning on the boss for a Nikon digital SLR to replace the Kodak. I can't bring myself to trade in the N-90S. I still love film. I think it's because my ignorance of the digital world scares me.

I keep my Nikon catalog in the bathroom. I spend so much time staring at that book I get toilet seat scars.

English · 10-01-2008, 03:00 PM

My wife likes photography and thinks the digital cameras are just awesome.

The only input I can give is after sitting next to a professional photographer on an airplane. I new he was a photographer because I saw all of his boxes of kit being loaded onto the plane. He told me that as a general rule, the best cameras still come from Nikon and Cannon.

He said both are excellent companies, but if you like fast action photography, like sports events or motorcar racing, then he believed Cannon had the edge whilst for indoor photo shoots or weddings , Nikon had the edge.

Needless to say, he had both and more than one of each.

So maybe, Nikon is best for photographing razors.

I'm sure you are making a great choice and the camera will give you lots of fun.

holli4pirating · 10-01-2008, 06:25 PM

I'm a big Nikon fan from the film days. I shot exclusively with an FM-10 till I got my D70s.

Quick Orange · 10-01-2008, 07:29 PM

I'm a Canon fan. They have great cameras for sure, but their customer service is on the same level (or better) than Apple.

30Cal · 10-01-2008, 07:51 PM

The nice thing about the D40/40x/60 is that it will mount virtually every SLR lens that Nikon has ever made. It won't meter unless the lens has a CPU,but that's not a big deal when you can glance at the LCD and see whether the exposure is right.

You might want to take a look on eBay for bargains ($100 or less) on older macro/micro lenses. The 55mm ought to fit the bill nicely. I doubt you'll suffer for lack of autofocus or exposure metering in macro photography. Set the camera to "M" and have fun!

holli4pirating · 10-01-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

I'm a Canon fan. They have great cameras for sure, but their customer service is on the same level (or better) than Apple.

I do have to concede that, last I heard, Canon did have better CCD's, which is especially noticeable with low light/long exposures. A buddy of mine has a professional Canon setup, and it is sooooooooo sweet. He's got a nice telephoto zoom lens; if you look at the body of the lens or look at it head on, there are no changes when it zooms or focuses. Very handy if you shoot with polarizing filters.

WireBeard · 10-03-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedog

I keep my Nikon catalog in the bathroom. I spend so much time staring at that book I get toilet seat scars.

Did we need to know that? Eeek.

WireBeard · 10-03-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30Cal

The nice thing about the D40/40x/60 is that it will mount virtually every SLR lens that Nikon has ever made. It won't meter unless the lens has a CPU,but that's not a big deal when you can glance at the LCD and see whether the exposure is right.

You might want to take a look on eBay for bargains ($100 or less) on older macro/micro lenses. The 55mm ought to fit the bill nicely. I doubt you'll suffer for lack of autofocus or exposure metering in macro photography. Set the camera to "M" and have fun!

I have a 55-200MM. Nice to know if I see a good older lens I can still mount it, but just use the screen readings. I was used to taking pics via the LCD, but the Nikon has super nice focusing and "idiot-proofing" via the view finder...so very nice. I took some nice pics of my puppy at puppy training class...turned out very nice!!!!!

What would you recommend for doing macro work? I haven't tried the 55/200 on a razor closeup yet...would a different lens be better?

On the other hand, I don't need a "bazooka" lens...no need to photograph someone's nose pores at 500 meters......

30Cal · 10-06-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WireBeard

I have a 55-200MM. Nice to know if I see a good older lens I can still mount it, but just use the screen readings. I was used to taking pics via the LCD, but the Nikon has super nice focusing and "idiot-proofing" via the view finder...so very nice. I took some nice pics of my puppy at puppy training class...turned out very nice!!!!!

What would you recommend for doing macro work? I haven't tried the 55/200 on a razor closeup yet...would a different lens be better?

On the other hand, I don't need a "bazooka" lens...no need to photograph someone's nose pores at 500 meters......

I don't really do any close up photos. But here's where I go when considering lenses.
Lens Evaluations

stillinkansas · 10-07-2008, 02:24 PM

fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom is a great source for reviews and such as well. I have a Canon 40D and I am completely satisfied with it. Dont rule out Canon!

Smiles · 10-07-2008, 02:34 PM

I would suggest spending a little extra and gettting the D-90. (I have a D-80 and love it.) The D-90 adds 720p 24 fps hi-def movie capturing, which is quite high quality. You'd really have no need for a video camera.

RayG · 10-15-2008, 07:34 PM

Nikon fan here, but mine are from a different era.

holli4pirating · 10-16-2008, 12:56 AM

Nice rig, Ray. My dad has an old Nikon hidden away somewhere; he refers to it as "the black box." He keeps saying he's going to give it to me, but I think hiding it from me has become more exciting for him. I want to say it's an early F series, but I'm not really sure.

RayG · 10-16-2008, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I want to say it's an early F series, but I'm not really sure.

Nice. Those are built like tanks.

30Cal · 10-16-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayG

Nice. Those are built like tanks.

I think it's more correct to say that tanks are built like Nikkormats.

superfly · 10-16-2008, 09:34 PM

Nikon re-user here also. Had the F50, now happy witht the D60

cheers,
Nenad

kubrick · 10-17-2008, 01:31 AM

I have a d40. Great camera, probably the best bang for your buck for a digital slr. Plus, since there are so many of them, there are a ton of resources on them, the d40/d60 flickr group can be very helpful.

The d40 is so light, it's really nice to haul it around all day rather than a d80-d300-d3, etc.

Ken Rockwell has a nice guide on the D40 which is much better than the manual: Nikon D40 User's Guide

Take the rest of his opinions with a grain of salt. They aren't bad, but they aren't gospel either. The 2 lenses you have are probably fine. If you really want to get a macro lens, there are several options out there. Namely the 105mm, but it runs close to $800. Your 55-200 will do decent macro shots if you don't want to drop that kind of money.

Also just remember, all non AF-S lenses won't autofocus on the d40, All AI and pre AI lenses won't autofocus or meter, but yes, they will work.