PC Pals Forum
General Discussion => Hobbies & Crafts => Topic started by: Simon on November 14, 2009, 13:29
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This might be a good place to start. :)
http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Your-Digital-SLR
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Looks a very useful website! My digital is not an SLR but I am considering buying one.
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Go for it, Clive, but start by looking at the lenses you will want. Personally, I favour Nikon optics, but most of their lenses don't yet have image stabilisation, though they do a wonderful f2.8 AF 21-36mm equivalent, then a 36-105, also AF f2.8. The front element of the former is a brute, the lens weighs 33 oz!
There's also a good all-rounder 18-200 (27-300) f3.5-5.6, but the big brutes are great.
The big difference with DSLR is the number of choices you have to make in camera: image size/quality, white balance, ISO sensitivity (film speed). Plus a plethora of shooting options, eg AF point, metering type etc.
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I went through all that with my original Pentax ME Super and bought all the lenses and filters. Will they fit?
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Possibly, but obviously only a Pentax or Samsung.
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I keep thinking about buying a DSLR but I doubt I could be bothered carrying around all the lenses.
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I guess you just carry round a basic all rounder, and take the more specialist ones with you on planned photo excursions. That's probably what I would do, anyway.
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It's the way I work, Simon. The all rounder is an 18-200 (27-300 equivalent) f3.5-5.6 max aperture with VR (image stabilisation). That will get almost any job done, but it's not a perfect lens. When I'm out with the tripod, I carry the 14-24 (21-36 equiv) f2.8, the 24-70 (36-105 equiv) f2.8, plus a 50 prime (75 equiv) f1.4. The latteris particularly good for candid portraiture in low light. At some point, I'll probably add the 70-200 f2.8, but it's a hack of a price and weight. Even the 14-24 weighs just about 1kg. I don't tend to shoot a lot at the telephoto end, I'm much more a wide angle > medium telephoto photographer, so I might add a w/a prime at some point, and a macro in the 60-70mm range.
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Any chance of getting out and about with the new camera soon?
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Sadly, not yet. I bought the damned thing two days before I was taken into hospital and I'm still not strong enough, or steady enough, to use it without a tripod. I'm working on it, though.
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It's good to have something to work towards, and I'm sure it will help the recovery process, albeit, psychologically. :thumb:
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For now, I'm reading the manuals and getting familiar with the controls, so it's not totally lost time.
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You could always take some indoor shots.
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I have, but the shakes are still an issue, and will be until I get off these meds. Hence, I've added a monopod to the tripod this week...
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:thumb: When is London?
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Don't know yet. It ought to be in the next 3-4 weeks.
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OK.
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You'll know when I do.
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Indeed.
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I've looked at getting myself an entry level DSLR, but for the very occasional photography I do (mainly when I'm out hiking) my Fuji S5800 is adaptable and featured enough for what I need.
Fuji S5800 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/03/28/Fujifilm-FinePix-S5800/p1)
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That looks like a nice camera, though I'm always turned off by AA batteries..
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I believe I looked at that one myself, Dave, but ended up going for the Panasonic G1.
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I've had a couple of Fuji bridges and I rate them highly, particularly those using the Super CCD. AA batteries are less off putting these days if you buy Hybrios, they combine the best elements of alkaline and NiMH.
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We should recommend those batteries to David. :)
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I did. :)
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Perhaps he's gone to find some? :dunno:
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Hi
This is my first post to this forum as I need a little advice.
I have the option of two extra lenses for my Nikon D40X.
These are either a Nikon 35mm f1.8 AF-S lens or a Sigma 24mm f2.8 AF lens.
Can you suggest why I would need either and how they compare with each other and what I would use them for.
I don't want to have a lens that I would have no use for
Thanks
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:welcome:
Rik's the Nikon guy. He'll be back later. :)
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Hi Mike, or Nel ;)
The Nikon lens is amongst the best optics in the world, imo, and that 35mm is equivalent to 52.5mm for 35mm film. TBH, it's a lens length I rarely used, because it mimics the angle of view of the human eye, and part of my photography is about bringing a different perspective to the picture. That said, the extra 1.6 stops will come in handy in low light conditions, though it has no VR on it.
The Sigma is a good lens, and a 24 is equivalent to a 36mm lens. To me, that's a middle ground lens, not wide enough to be really wide angle, so of the two, I'd probably buy the Nikon.
My own current range is the 14-24 (21-36) f2.8 zoom (weighs a kilo, but it's a great lens), 24-70 (36-105) f2.8 zoom, an 18-200 (27-300) 'single lens' zoom, f3-5-5.6, and a 50mm (75 equivalent) f1.4 prime. I'd normally be looking at something nearer 60 for this, but they don't have one at present. This lens is great for portraiture and low-light shooting. I'm planning to add the 60mm macro (or micro as Nikon call it) when the VRII version hits the streets, and I'd like a wide angle prime 24-28mm.
However, the real answer to your question has to start with a question, what sort of pictures do you want to take, ie subjects?
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Hello Rik,
Thanks for the advice. From what you say, it would appear that I might not gain any advantage from either lens.
I came across these two lenses while trying to find an economically priced lens for macro or close up photos.
My current lenses are 18-55 mm 3.5 - 5.6 VR and 55-200 3.5/5.6 VR.
I belong to the local camera club but get conflicting advice as to why my photos entered in competitions are not deemed good enough. I would like to be able to take photos, for example, of the insides of flowers, or of insects and have them turn up very sharp with the background out of focus. I am happy with distance photos taken with the current lenses.
I have on order a bellows unit which is what made me ask the question about the two fixed focal length lenses
Any advice would be appreciated (or questions)
Thanks
Micheal
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Take a look at the micro (macro) lens, if your budget can run to it, Michael.
http://www.europe-nikon.com/product/en_GB/products/broad/1863/overview.html
It will be much easier to use than a bellows unit.
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Thanks for the suggestion about the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR . I sounds ideal but:
a. It seems to be way beyond my budget
and:
b. Amazon say that it is not yet available
Thanks
Micheal
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It isn't, I'm waiting. :) See if Sigma have anything similar, and check eBay for any 'used' lenses.