D90: guide to set up a DSLR system

L

lasvalley

Active member
I've decided to take the D90 plunge! Perhaps this topic can also serve to orient prospective/ new D90 owners and help them wrap their heads around setting up a useful, working DSLR system!

I have already read several threads in this forum area, and wanted to post some last-minute questions/ comments for our resourceful and helpful members.

Your feedback or advice will be considered carefully and would be much appreciated, thank you!


NOTES:
1) I will be using the D90 primarily for shooting indie shorts; yes, I am aware of the camera's limitations
2) I am on a tight student budget

LENS:
I can afford only two lenses right now, so going for these...good plan?
- Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF (is the f/1.4 model worth double the cost? besides the extra stop?)
- Nikon 28mm f/2.8D AF
- Budget: under $600

DSLR RIG:
What I absolutely *need* is:
- Baseplate w/rods (it should be easy to switch from tripod to stabilizer)
- Follow focus (with no or, hopefully, absolutely minimum play)
- Budget: under $1000

I'm not sure if my dollar can stretch to accommodate a shoulder support system, but some stabilizer would be nice. I'm thinking of skipping the mattebox for now. OK?

I have read about the various DSLR rigs such as the Zacuto, Redrock and IndiFocus. Given my budget, IndiFocuPRO seems appropriate, although I am aware of the problems users have faced with play on FF and build quality...should this be the deal-breaker against affordability? Has the new PRO systems from IndiFocus been dramatically improved?

What should my strategy be to acquire, at the very least, a baseplate w/rods (15mm, yeah?) and follow focus, and possibly a stabilizer to reduce jello? Are there other makers of such rigs -- besides Zacuto, Redrock, IndiFocus -- that I have missed?

Thank you again for taking the time!
 
I'd forget the AF lenses and go for some old nikon primes, ai or ai-s. Non ai will not fit on the D90 without a mod. You can get a 50mm f/1.8 mint on ebay for around $80-$100. An f/1.4 for around $100-$130. A 28mm f/2.8 for about the same money.

You will need the extra money for a sound recorder and some good quality filters. For outdoor shooting the pro's on this forum recommend an ND8 filter and a polarizer. get a step-up ring and larger diameter filters or you will get some vignetting unless that's the look you want .

The best bang for buck sound recorder would be the zoom H2.

I'm using a steadytracker extreme to stabilize my D90, I've also used the steadytracker ultralite. They both work very well and are reasonably priced. They don't have a gimble so u can focus without throwing it out of balance. I originally considered a shoulder rig instead but I can't get smooth shots running with one like I can with a steadytracker. You can mount rods onto the steadytracker and it will still be pretty easy to handle. the extra weight will make it even more stable. The other option is to build your own stabilizer- http://www.stabilizerflex.com/

the cavision rods are good value- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=486498&is=REG

The cheapest follow focus units are the one's on ebay from india. I'm planning on getting one myself-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CINE-Follow-...7196813QQihZ022QQcategoryZ15215QQcmdZViewItem

Instead of a mattebox you can get an old hasselblad bellows on ebay for about $50. You can get a rubber lens hood for about $10 to connect the bellows to the lens.

The beauty of a HDSLR rig like this is that in a couple of months time when the D90 'brain' becomes obsolete you can flog it on ebay and upgrade the 'brain'.
 
That is such a comprehensive and excellent response, Squig!

squig said:
I'd forget the AF lenses and go for some old nikon primes, ai or ai-s. Non ai will not fit on the D90 without a mod. You can get a 50mm f/1.8 mint on ebay for around $80-$100. An f/1.4 for around $100-$130. A 28mm f/2.8 for about the same money.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. I'm a bit green re. photography/ cinematography, so this advice is extremely valuable. I just read here that AIS is not always better than AI. What's your take on this point?

squig said:
For outdoor shooting the pro's on this forum recommend an ND8 filter and a polarizer. get a step-up ring and larger diameter filters or you will get some vignetting unless that's the look you want .
Click to expand...

Do you prefer to use polarizer and filters in the filter tray of the mattebox? What if I put a circular polarizer on the lens itself? And what about the lens hood that comes with?

squig said:
I'm using a steadytracker extreme to stabilize my D90, I've also used the steadytracker ultralite. They both work very well and are reasonably priced. They don't have a gimble so u can focus without throwing it out of balance. I originally considered a shoulder rig instead but I can't get smooth shots running with one like I can with a steadytracker. You can mount rods onto the steadytracker and it will still be pretty easy to handle. the extra weight will make it even more stable.
Click to expand...

So if I were to buy the baseplate w/rods, slap a follow focus on it, along with mattebox, would the Steadytracker Extreme be able to take all of it? Will it not get tiring for the camera operator in the absence of a vest? What has been your experience so far?

squig said:
the cavision rods are good value- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=486498&is=REG
Click to expand...

Is the riser block on this good for the D90?

squig said:
The cheapest follow focus units are the one's on ebay from india. I'm planning on getting one myself-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CINE-Follow-...7196813QQihZ022QQcategoryZ15215QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

That looks pretty good. The same seller also offers this D90 rig. Your thoughts?

Thanks again.
 
lasvalley said:
That is such a comprehensive and excellent response, Squig!


That was the edited version. As you can see I've had to research the whole HDSLR thing for myself.


You're absolutely right. I'm a bit green re. photography/ cinematography, so this advice is extremely valuable. I just read here that AIS is not always better than AI. What's your take on this point?


OK it depends. Nikon changed the coloration of the lens coatings over time. In the ai days the coatings had more of a green/brown/yellow hue. The ai-s tend to be more pinkish. Probably not a big deal when you can color grade in post. I have ai and ai-s glass. the focus rings on all my ai lenses tend to be a bit loose. I'm not certain if it's the design or they are just old and worn in. my ai-s lenses are well damped. the ai lenses also are supposed to have a longer throw focus ring. The optics of the ai and ai-s lenses didn't generally change much.


Do you prefer to use polarizer and filters in the filter tray of the mattebox? What if I put a circular polarizer on the lens itself? And what about the lens hood that comes with?


I haven't bothered to get a mattebox, they are so damn expensive. I bought a 52mm to 67mm step up ring and 67mm (round) filters and a 67mm round rubber hood. I'm gonna attach a hasselblad bellows to that when I get my cavision rods.


So if I were to buy the baseplate w/rods, slap a follow focus on it, along with mattebox, would the Steadytracker Extreme be able to take all of it? Will it not get tiring for the camera operator in the absence of a vest? What has been your experience so far?


I haven't mounted the rods and follow focus onto mine yet but the steadytracker extreme is made for mid size camcorders that weigh more than a D90 with rods and follow focus etc. The camera operater would have to be pretty weak to struggle with this rig. Cavision make all the bits to add a shoulder rig to your rods if you want to go that way later.


Is the riser block on this good for the D90?


It looks OK but I haven't tried it yet. I'll be getting mine in about 6 weeks. I know the tall indifocus block works because one of the other members here bought one after I suggested it to him.


That looks pretty good. The same seller also offers this D90 rig. Your thoughts?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...


you're welcome

I read somewhere that the indian matteboxes are no good, something about the paint job causing light reflections......but it's just something I read on the internet so who knows for sure. I haven't come across any complaints about the follow focus units.
 
I read that there is no metering option when using AI or AIS lenses on the D90.

Would I have to guess or check exposure with a light meter? What about setting shutter? Can Live View help at all?

(Sorry, I've never used a D90 in combination with AI/AIS lenses.)
 
you can't adjust shutter in movie mode

No metering. For stills I just take some test shots and check them in live view and make the appropriate manual adjustments of shutter/iso/aperture. Fine for portraits not so good for action.

for movies follow koli's instructions for setting exposure etc- http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=146661
 
As far as a rig I'd beg, borrow cheat my way into a Zacuto. I love my follow focus but would rather just have the zacuto baseplate along than a lesser ff and rails. They're setup really is that good - have several reviews of it up on my blog - www.maxo-facto.com/blog More to come as things progress.
 
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