My New Rig - Updated w/ D70

[ae86_16v]

http://img130.imagevenue.com/loc129/th_17278_IMG_0163.JPG (http://img130.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc129&image=17278_IMG_0163.JPG)

[ZfrkS62]

sweet dude, what that set ya back?

[5vz-fe]

congrads dude.....now go get some pics for us

[dutchmasterflex]

Glad I could recruit another member to the D50 gang ;)

Before you go to Yosemite you should look up the Photographer Ansel Adams. He grew up taking pictures of Yosemite and is one of the worlds best black and white photographers.

[ae86_16v]

^ And be an Ansel Adams wannabe ;) . They have an entire museum there for him.

sweet dude, what that set ya back?

$600 even w/ the Kit Lense 18-55mm AF-S DX ED f/3.5-5.6G :D. Which I heard from many as one of the best "kit" lenses around!

I know I know, I gotta prove it w/ some pictures!

Thanks for everyone's help the past few months. I couldn't decide a highend point and shoot or a DSLR. In the end, the highend Point and Shoot were just too expensive. All of the Sony R1s and Nikon 8800s were still in the 600 - 800. So I figure why not pick this up and go from there.

Thanks again!

[TransAm]

Nice camera!

Funny how the term 'rig' can be applied to so many things, I wasn't quite sure what you'd bought til I opened the topic :lol:

Could have been a semi truck, hypodermic needle*, sound equipment...

* Not that I thought anyone on here is into that shit. 8)

[MartijnGizmo]

$600 even w/ the Kit Lense 18-55mm AF-S DX ED f/3.5-5.6G :D. Which I heard from many as one of the best "kit" lenses around!

I think you got that confused with the 18-70 from Nikon. :)

[dutchmasterflex]

^ thats the lens that comes with the D70 kit right?

That lens is still a couple hundred dollars more expensive than the 18-55 that comes with the D50.. a 18-70mm would be fucking sweeeeet though..

[ae86_16v]

$600 even w/ the Kit Lense 18-55mm AF-S DX ED f/3.5-5.6G :D. Which I heard from many as one of the best "kit" lenses around!

I think you got that confused with the 18-70 from Nikon. :)

Well, I heard great things about the 18-55mm too. But yeah, the 18-70mm from the D70 would be nice as well.

[5vz-fe]

Don't forget to buy filters :)

[ae86_16v]

Don't forget to buy filters :)

Any recommendations? :D .

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

[5vz-fe]

A circular polarizer and a UV filter is a must.
I would recommend B+W for both.

www.MaxSaver.Net

^They are pretty good in pricing.

[nthfinity]

^^^^^
its not often i find many advantages of the UV filter; practically speaking.

B+W (red, or yellow) filters are nice for concerts... but i havent used that much.

[5vz-fe]

It does prevent ur lens from scratches.....:P~

[ae86_16v]

First Test Shots!!! Took long enough I know. First sunny day in about 2 weeks. I also have about 200 pictures from Yosemite I have to sort through.

Here are some first impressions.

http://img45.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64294_DSC_0001.jpg (http://img45.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64294_DSC_0001.jpg)http://img23.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64301_DSC_0004.jpg (http://img23.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64301_DSC_0004.jpg)http://img11.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64309_DSC_0006.jpg (http://img11.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64309_DSC_0006.jpg)


http://img25.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64660_DSC_0027.jpg (http://img25.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64660_DSC_0027.jpg)http://img14.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64667_DSC_0033.jpg (http://img14.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64667_DSC_0033.jpg)http://img17.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_64673_DSC_0037.jpg (http://img17.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=64673_DSC_0037.jpg)

http://img145.imagevenue.com/loc278/th_64792_DSC_0047.jpg (http://img145.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc278&image=64792_DSC_0047.jpg)http://img34.imagevenue.com/loc164/th_64786_DSC_0045.jpg (http://img34.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc164&image=64786_DSC_0045.jpg)


http://img31.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_65276_DSC_0060.jpg (http://img31.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=65276_DSC_0060.jpg)http://img46.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_65282_DSC_0065.jpg (http://img46.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=65282_DSC_0065.jpg)http://img131.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_65289_DSC_0070.jpg (http://img131.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=65289_DSC_0070.jpg)

And of course the Badge pics ;) .

http://img145.imagevenue.com/loc213/th_65823_DSC_0093.jpg (http://img145.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc213&image=65823_DSC_0093.jpg)http://img42.imagevenue.com/loc116/th_65830_DSC_0096.jpg (http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc116&image=65830_DSC_0096.jpg)

[sameerrao]

Superb!! It may not be the best lens (acc to the more knowledgeable ones amongst us) but for a layman like me it is superb and does the job!

Where did you buy it from?

[dutchmasterflex]

Some nice shots you got so far.. What mode were you shooting in?

The first two pics of the purple flowers look over exposed but the last one looks great.

mmm.. bmer ;)

Lookin forward to seeing your Yosemite pics!

[c0wb0y007]

http://img130.imagevenue.com/loc129/th_17278_IMG_0163.JPG (http://img130.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc129&image=17278_IMG_0163.JPG)

ae86_16v,

Congrats with your new camera :!: :wink:

You have made a wise decision buying a DSLR

The best of luck with it :!:

Cheers

[ae86_16v]

sameerrao - Picked it up from Beachcamera.com. I definitely like the results I am getting so far from the lens.

Dutch - Most of the shots were taken in Macro mode :) . Fully auto right now. Still learning the camera.

Cowboy - Thanks for your help earlier. Your and everyone elses opinion on this forum definitely help lean me towards the DSLR :good: .

Thanks for everyone's help again :!: :!: :!:

Dutch, I'll try to get them up this weekend, will post in the Vacation forum :D.

[sameerrao]

BTW, the 18-55 lens is considered to be a good purchase... this is what I read here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm#digital


"Mid Range Zooms for Digital back to top

The new 18 - 200 VR lens is all 90% of everything anyone would want for everything. It's a breakthrough. There's never been anything like it in my over 30 years of photography. Now that I have one it never seems to come off my D200! It's expensive, about $700. If you're considering it I'd advise just getting it. It's unlike any other all-in-one lens I've ever used. You'll love it! It's rare that I need anything longer.

On a more reasonable budget I'd suggest the 18 - 55, which you can get with a camera as a kit. It's inexpensive, about $140, and works as well or better than the more expensive 18 - 70 ($330) and 17 - 55 ($1,500) lenses. There's no reason you can't make thousands of fantastic images with just the 18 - 55. Of course each of those lenses is progressively heavier, more sensitive in low light and more durable, too. If you take care of your gear and make casual use of it I'd go for the cheapest 18 - 55. If you beat on your gear, or are a full time pro, by all means pay ten times as much for the 17 - 55, just don't expect to see a visible difference in the images.

BTW, I also just bought a D50 with a wide zoom lens (12-24mm). I am waiting for the 18-200 to re-emerge on the market.

[MartijnGizmo]

1 important thing about camera's: never believe Ken Rockwell! :D

[ae86_16v]

1 important thing about camera's: never believe Ken Rockwell! :D

Oh yeah? Why? Is he really bias?

[gigdy]

id say if u dont have a lense, and are not going to use it for action shots the 17-200 is fine. But id much rather have my 17-70 and 80-200 f/2.8 then that lense

[MartijnGizmo]

1 important thing about camera's: never believe Ken Rockwell! :D

Oh yeah? Why? Is he really bias?

Yup, a lot of people consider him to be a clown. :)

[ae86_16v]

Still learning a lot about this camera, but I think I am falling in love with the pictures that I produces:

http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc44/th_50033_DSC_0156.JPG (http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc44&image=50033_DSC_0156.JPG)http://img145.imagevenue.com/loc113/th_27935_DSC_0174.JPG (http://img145.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc113&image=27935_DSC_0174.JPG)
http://img11.imagevenue.com/loc266/th_27331_DSC_0020.JPG (http://img11.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc266&image=27331_DSC_0020.JPG)http://img147.imagevenue.com/loc103/th_27403_DSC_0042.JPG (http://img147.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc103&image=27403_DSC_0042.JPG)

[dutchmasterflex]

Beautiful landscape photography.. Glad to see you're taking the D50 to so many nice areas.

You should try shooting in RAW or play with the saturation to make the colors really stand out.

I am still learning about the D50, there's just so much to think about when using a DSLR

[ae86_16v]

Couple more, criticism needed ;) . . .

http://img9.imagevenue.com/loc239/th_49638_DSC_0076.JPG (http://img9.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc239&image=49638_DSC_0076.JPG) http://img142.imagevenue.com/loc218/th_49645_DSC_0078.JPG (http://img142.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc218&image=49645_DSC_0078.JPG)

[sameerrao]

Looks nice! Though maybe a polarizer would help as the cranes look too white in the picture because of the direct sun on it.

Is this taken near the Jack London Square by any chance?

The Golden Gate picture is perfect. Very nice composition. The Bay bridge shot on the lower left has great panoramic effect. Maybe if you took the picture later in the day when the sun is behind, it might be better - you can see the sun reflecting off the water quite a bit. Try taking these pics at twilight with a tripod, I bet it will come out amazing :)

[ae86_16v]

Beautiful landscape photography.. Glad to see you're taking the D50 to so many nice areas.

You should try shooting in RAW or play with the saturation to make the colors really stand out.



Thanks, well right now it is in default color mode which is IIIa. Since I picked up a 2GB Card, I shoot in both RAW + Basic JPG at once. I still have yet to go through 200 Raw files from Yosemite ;) . JPG makes the job a bit easier.


Looks nice! Though maybe a polarizer would help as the cranes look too white in the picture because of the direct sun on it.

Is this taken near the Jack London Square by any chance?

The Golden Gate picture is perfect. Very nice composition. The Bay bridge shot on the lower left has great panoramic effect. Maybe if you took the picture later in the day when the sun is behind, it might be better - you can see the sun reflecting off the water quite a bit. Try taking these pics at twilight with a tripod, I bet it will come out amazing :)

Actually this was taken west of Jack London, it's a brand new park just opened by the city. Polarizer huh? I will have to look into that.

As far as the sun is concerned it was taken late afternoon, to get the sun on the other side of the sky, I would have to wake up kind of early in the morning. And that isn't happening ;) .

Thanks for the help so far!

And some here too:

http://www.motorworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25888&start=40

[ae86_16v]

Went up to Napa the other day and took some of these. . . what do you guys think?



http://img145.imagevenue.com/loc195/th_31688_DSC_0020.JPG (http://img145.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc195&image=31688_DSC_0020.JPG)http://img105.imagevenue.com/loc37/th_31694_DSC_0060.JPG (http://img105.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc37&image=31694_DSC_0060.JPG)http://img124.imagevenue.com/loc200/th_31701_DSC_0062.JPG (http://img124.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc200&image=31701_DSC_0062.JPG)http://img159.imagevenue.com/loc171/th_31709_DSC_0068.JPG (http://img159.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc171&image=31709_DSC_0068.JPG)
http://img141.imagevenue.com/loc93/th_31715_DSC_0089.JPG (http://img141.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc93&image=31715_DSC_0089.JPG)http://img42.imagevenue.com/loc53/th_31722_DSC_0128.JPG (http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc53&image=31722_DSC_0128.JPG)http://img102.imagevenue.com/loc131/th_31729_DSC_0133.JPG (http://img102.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc131&image=31729_DSC_0133.JPG)http://img153.imagevenue.com/loc102/th_31737_DSC_0132.JPG (http://img153.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc102&image=31737_DSC_0132.JPG)

[sameerrao]

I like them. I particularly like the ones with the clouds - the first one in row 1 and the second one in row 2.

Some suggestions - the first has been drilled into me by Sargeant Major TT - re-size the pictures to 1600*1200 for more sharp images and use some photoshop sharpening and save at the highest possible resolution. This will make a difference.

Another suggestion perhaps for the flower image: Crop close to the flower with the bee in it would improve the impact of that picture.
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/3687/31694dsc00605fj.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=31694dsc00605fj.jpg)

Also, you could try and reduce the depth of field to blur the background more - standing a bit further away and zoom in more or increase the aperture or any other means. That way the flower will really standout.
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3414/dsc41266da.th.jpg (http://img77.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc41266da.jpg)http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/2012/dsc10092zx.th.jpg (http://img288.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc10092zx.jpg)

Another trick could be to reduce the aperture a lot to darken most of the image and use the flash to light up the flower as I did with the leaf in the next picture.
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/5553/dsc41229ou.th.jpg (http://img77.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc41229ou.jpg)

[ae86_16v]

Sameero. . . thanks for the tips. I appreciate you taking the time. Yeah, I might mess w/ the Aperture Priority more. You are completely correct because if the Bee picture was with an increased aperture it would even be more evident.

As far as the clouds. . . that was an act of god ;) .

BTW your pictures are AWESOME! Thanks again for the tips!

[ae86_16v]

First try at the moon:

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7457/untitledphotoro5.th.jpg (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledphotoro5.jpg)

[ae86_16v]

Wanted to try something new :D. . .

Sold the D50 and hardly lost any money on it, and picked up this one for only $350, a buddy upgrade to the D200. Haven't really got the chance to play with it yet. Mounted my 18-70mm on it right now, also picked up a Sigma 70-300mm not too long ago. First thing I did was updated w/ the D70s firmware, so the only difference right now is the size of the LCD on the back. (I do miss my larger LCD on the D50 though.)

Will post some more pictures soon:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6545/img0631dm0.th.jpg (http://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0631dm0.jpg)http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9504/img0635pv8.th.jpg (http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0635pv8.jpg)http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8224/img0637le1.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0637le1.jpg)

[sameerrao]

Nice - I am going to wait for a 6-9 months and buy a used D200 or D80 myself. I like the size and features of the D200 - it looks like perfect match for my 70-200 lens. I will keep the D50 for my 18-70 lens. That way I can take both cameras for a photoshoot and don't have to waste time swapping lenses back and forth as I am forced to do now.

The D80 seems like a decent upgrade on the D70s with nearly the same sensor/image processor as the D200 and as a plus it takes a SD card which I have already bought for my D50.

Looking forward to seeing some sample pics from you ....

[MartijnGizmo]

I held a D80 in a store yesterday, difference in size to the D70(s) was smaller than I expected.....