Any photographers in here?

[FunkyBuddha]

Just got back in from France. Filled 2 4GB cards while there, downloading them now. We'll see if renting the lenses was worth it!

woot..welcome back man. Can't wait to see these pictures. How'd you like the rental lenses and which one did you end up using the most?


And to the posters above...I've made some recommendations before...such as getting a more expensive camera used if that's what you're set on. There's a lot of deals out there, just be patient. And don't get the D40 or D40X. I feel those 2 are just scraping the bottom of the entry level, just like Canon's Rebel, and Rebel XT's. If you're thinking of pursuing this as a more serious hobby, buy something 1 or 2 steps up from those models. It'll give you more room to expand and be more flexible in what you want to do. It's almost like buying computer hardware...kinda stay one generation behind but also at the same time...stay as close to the newest stuff possible.

 

[sleeper3]

woot..welcome back man. Can't wait to see these pictures. How'd you like the rental lenses and which one did you end up using the most?


And to the posters above...I've made some recommendations before...such as getting a more expensive camera used if that's what you're set on. There's a lot of deals out there, just be patient. And don't get the D40 or D40X. I feel those 2 are just scraping the bottom of the entry level, just like Canon's Rebel, and Rebel XT's. If you're thinking of pursuing this as a more serious hobby, buy something 1 or 2 steps up from those models. It'll give you more room to expand and be more flexible in what you want to do. It's almost like buying computer hardware...kinda stay one generation behind but also at the same time...stay as close to the newest stuff possible.

great advice here.

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

woot..welcome back man. Can't wait to see these pictures. How'd you like the rental lenses and which one did you end up using the most?

I think I kept the 10-22 on the camera most, but I'd usually pic a lens for a specific place and stick with it for the majority of the visit. Its a bit of a pain in the ass to keep switching back and forth since I only have one body to play with. As for the lenses themselves, the experience so far with renting them has been outstanding. They go back out in the mail tomorrow so we'll see how it all turns out. I took exceptional care of them, as I would my own equipment, so I don't see there being any troubles. I was HUGELY impressed with the 10-22 and see that as being my next purchase for sure.

Gonna be weird not having the weight on the camera anymore... lol

 

[sleeper3]

Can't wait to see the photos man!

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I think I kept the 10-22 on the camera most, but I'd usually pic a lens for a specific place and stick with it for the majority of the visit. Its a bit of a pain in the ass to keep switching back and forth since I only have one body to play with. As for the lenses themselves, the experience so far with renting them has been outstanding. They go back out in the mail tomorrow so we'll see how it all turns out. I took exceptional care of them, as I would my own equipment, so I don't see there being any troubles. I was HUGELY impressed with the 10-22 and see that as being my next purchase for sure.

Gonna be weird not having the weight on the camera anymore... lol

welp, now I'm pretty much screwed. gonna start asking for that for my bday now and hope if I pester enough it'll be worth it to buy it for me so I shut up.

 

[Vocko]

If you can manage to be like this, I think that you're gonna get what you want

 

[subspeed6]

Wrong!!! If you notice there is a guy in here posting with a D50!! Thats a five year old camera and he takes better pictures than 90% of the people in this forum.

One thing you have to learn is that in most cases its not the camera. Its the person holding the camera that makes all the difference. You can have the best camera in the world, but unless you have the eye and can envision the picture before you take it, you will never take good pictures.

On the flipside, you can have a older camera and take brilliant pictures, as long as you know what you are doing.

This. I'm sure you can look through this thread at some of Altspace's old photos with the old camera he was rocking for a while.

My problem is application and understanding most of the settings on my camera. (sadbanana)

 

[JerseyKid]

AMEN TO THAT MAN! Friends of mine sometimes can't believe that I took certain photos with my D50 lol. Sometimes I actually have to pull out the original photos directly off of my camera's memory card just to shut them up LOL.

I need some tips from you pal , i have a d40 with the same lens as you shot with above and i can't get them to be that crisp/clear.



I really want a D90, but modding two cars is killing my camera fund.

 

[DiS]

If you can manage to be like this, I think that you're gonna get what you want

Lulz epic

 

[DiS]

I need some tips from you pal , i have a d40 with the same lens as you shot with above and i can't get them to be that crisp/clear.



I really want a D90, but modding two cars is killing my camera fund.

DJ do you use any kind of filters with your lens? And what about post-processing software? I use a simple U.V. filter and always generally have my D50 dial set to "P" priority, unless I'm taking the photos in the dark enviroment or shooting moving objects. As far as software goes, I use "Nikon Picture Project", but soon getting "Nikon Capture NX2".

D90 is an incredible camera and I would love to have it, but that's going to happen only next summer, hehe.

 

[sleeper3]

 

[sleeper3]

DJ do you use any kind of filters with your lens? And what about post-processing software? I use a simple U.V. filter and always generally have my D50 dial set to "P" priority, unless I'm taking the photos in the dark enviroment or shooting moving objects. As far as software goes, I use "Nikon Picture Project", but soon getting "Nikon Capture NX2".

D90 is an incredible camera and I would love to have it, but that's going to happen only next summer, hehe.

I believe P is for "program mode." If you want to shoot one of the priority modes, shoot Av or Tv. Av is for Aperture Priority, and Tv is for Shutter Priority.

 

[roy obanion]

woot..welcome back man. Can't wait to see these pictures. How'd you like the rental lenses and which one did you end up using the most?


And to the posters above...I've made some recommendations before...such as getting a more expensive camera used if that's what you're set on. There's a lot of deals out there, just be patient. And don't get the D40 or D40X. I feel those 2 are just scraping the bottom of the entry level, just like Canon's Rebel, and Rebel XT's. If you're thinking of pursuing this as a more serious hobby, buy something 1 or 2 steps up from those models. It'll give you more room to expand and be more flexible in what you want to do. It's almost like buying computer hardware...kinda stay one generation behind but also at the same time...stay as close to the newest stuff possible.

Sorry, but I disagree here. If you grab a D40, D50, or D70 cheap, you can buy an extra lens or something with the money you saved. If there are features you really need in the higher end bodies, go for it! Quality lenses are going to last most of your life, but bodies change so fast...

 

[JerseyKid]

DJ do you use any kind of filters with your lens? And what about post-processing software? I use a simple U.V. filter and always generally have my D50 dial set to "P" priority, unless I'm taking the photos in the dark enviroment or shooting moving objects. As far as software goes, I use "Nikon Picture Project", but soon getting "Nikon Capture NX2".

D90 is an incredible camera and I would love to have it, but that's going to happen only next summer, hehe.

Yes i do, i have the stock lens and the 55-200mm lens. I have a UV/CPL filter. Up until 2 months ago i only used to shoot in JPEG, but ive been shooting in raw the last two months. I ONLY shoot in Manual mode, i do everything myself. I have Adobe CS4 and Photomatix. I was having a weird stretch of everything looking pastelly and unsharp, but i cleaned the camera and have been trying to avoid that look. I don't know how it happened or what i was doing wrong. You can check my flickr for all my shots ( if you don't mind and let me know ) , i leave all the exif data up to so people can check. I was actually happy with the shots from the OCC meet, the Sandy Hook meet shots, and any of my East Coast bash stuff. ( You will see the sets at the link ----> Clicky here! )

I guess maybe i need more seat time, or a better lens? I also need to start night shooting, ive never really done it.

 

[judman13]

Sorry, but I disagree here. If you grab a D40, D50, or D70 cheap, you can buy an extra lens or something with the money you saved. If there are features you really need in the higher end bodies, go for it! Quality lenses are going to last most of your life, but bodies change so fast...

Well it really depends. I have to agree and dissagree, its totally situational. If you have someone that wants to just take snapshots of the kids or of their cars and not try to purse photography as an income maker then a D40 or Rebel with kit lenses is more than enough. Most people never print images larger than 8x10 and a D40 with is 6MP sensor can produce those quite well.

However if someone wants to get serious about photography and turn it into a serious hobby, side job, or full time job then the investment in semi pro cameras such as the D300, D700, 5D, 50D or 7D is completely justifiable because they allows for larger prints, more functionality, more control, better low light shooting, faster frames per second, and better durability. All things that pro or serious hobbyist need to produce quality images.

I am stuck right in the middle. I have done a few paid events, but most of my stuff is for my own personal enjoyment. So, I have a 3 year old camera with well over 35,000 pictures on it and I think I have turned out some good pictures. Why? because I learned how to take good pictures with a little Casio P&S. Luckily it gave me some advanced controls so I was able to learn what shutter speed did and how aperture affected a picture. In the end it all comes down to the basics of technique and have the "eye" for the picture. If you don't know what you are looking for and how to get it, then no camera in the world will help.

/rant. Back to pictures!!!

 

[JerseyKid]

^
The only real gripe i have the D40 is that the A/F is built into the lenses and not the body. So you have to look for specific lens and can only use ones that do focus, which as you suspected are always more expensive.

I use mine as a hobby and have received a few bucks for my shots ... the price on the D40s have come down alot - Im sure im missing out on alot of things i dont know about the camera, and leaving some on the table. Which is one of the reasons i havent upgraded yet. Like it was said above, 90% of it is the photographer , and i feel like i only know 40% .

 

[FunkyBuddha]

DJ do you use any kind of filters with your lens? And what about post-processing software? I use a simple U.V. filter and always generally have my D50 dial set to "P" priority, unless I'm taking the photos in the dark enviroment or shooting moving objects. As far as software goes, I use "Nikon Picture Project", but soon getting "Nikon Capture NX2".

D90 is an incredible camera and I would love to have it, but that's going to happen only next summer, hehe.

I would start venturing out of your P mode. You haven't even touched half of your camera's capabilities. Experiment a bit more.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Sorry, but I disagree here. If you grab a D40, D50, or D70 cheap, you can buy an extra lens or something with the money you saved. If there are features you really need in the higher end bodies, go for it! Quality lenses are going to last most of your life, but bodies change so fast...

That's why I mentioned that "if you're thinking of pursuing this as a more serious hobby..." And yes..definitely the quality of glass is totally appreciated with any camera body you have. Can't go wrong with good glass.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Wrong!!! If you notice there is a guy in here posting with a D50!! Thats a five year old camera and he takes better pictures than 90% of the people in this forum.

One thing you have to learn is that in most cases its not the camera. Its the person holding the camera that makes all the difference. You can have the best camera in the world, but unless you have the eye and can envision the picture before you take it, you will never take good pictures.

On the flipside, you can have a older camera and take brilliant pictures, as long as you know what you are doing.

Yes, I understand this. I did photography for years, and even took some classes. My camera does nothing I need it to do. It is very limited, and I can't change out the lens. I've had this camera since January of 2004, and it was an old model then. It was all I could afford then. That being said, it is very decent. I want the D300 (maybe even the D300s), not to make me some super photographer or something, I just want more features, with a camera that is more modern.

This is my current camera: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms5000/

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Dude! That's actually a pretty decent camera. The only thing you're missing is the wide angle and a tripod for yourself. It's got up to iso800 which is as high as you wanna go on a sensor size that big, plus you have manual exposure to adjust all your settings such as aperture, iso and shutter speed.

What kind of stuff have you been trying to take pics of?