Nikon User Thread

That's a nice shot... I like how the lifeguard post gives it a sense of place... and the sunset side light shows the texture of the wall and patterns in the sand... good color saturation too.

Honestly what I like best about this shot is that as I was scrolling down I thought to myself "man this is another great example of the cool look that you can get with a d50 that you just can't get with the d70s"... then cool... it is a d70s. (my same cam)
 
Hey Sonic Freak,

To reiterate what Matt said, I think that is an excellent shot with nice composition and a very clearly defined background to establish location. Nice work.

I have read a lot of debates regarding the differences between the different 4 Nikon models, D50, D70s, D80, & D200 and ultimately it breaks down like this (in fact I had this conversation last night).

Between a $100 and $500 digital camera there is a mile long difference of features, whereas between a $500 camera and an $8000 camera there is a foot of difference. The differences you are going to find are so small and minute that most people aren't going to be swayed. That being said, I believe that it comes down to finding the tool that works best for you and what you are looking to shoot.

You have already addressed one of the major differences between the D200 and any other unit. The D200 will give you that fast FPS shooting with a large MP count coupled with good image quality (while still having some minor chroma noise because of the MP count).

On the flip side, the D50 will offer some of the best images straight out of the camera while lacking the commander function and DOF preview of the other models, yet it does have the most solid and pleasing overall image right out of the camera, IMO.

The D80 has the potential to be the best of all worlds offering solid FPS shooting, D50 type imaging, D200 image size, D70s commander function, and weight falling more towards the D50 than D70s. Then again, the D80, accoring to some, is being rushed out so...

I know the differences seem overwhelming and it is a complicated decision, but ultimately the price differences are set up in a manner to help you decide between each model and decide which features are most important to you.

One of my friends debated between dealing with the noise of the D70s but having the commander feature or losing the commander and getting the image of the D50. Ultimately he chose the D70s because that function was so important to him, and I agree with his choice.

As I have started to get more into studio photography that commander function not being included in my photography has started to bother me, then again, I love the D50... So I am upgrading to the D80 because I don't need the cost, weight, or FPS of the D200. Assess your shooting and figure out which functions you need versus which you want.

Regarding the Canon vs. Nikon debate, there has been a lot of discussion regarding this but I think there are three big differences, in my opinion.

Cost: Canon glass is available at 10-20% less than Nikon glass. Sigma or Tokina glass is about the same price, but Canon makes so nice optics and sells them for less than Nikon does. This could be a huge factor because it is the glass more than the camera that will yield the image that you are looking for (hence why I believe that a lower level camera can do better with a better piece of glass versus a more expensive camera with cheap glass).

Image: I think that the Nikon versus Canon image debate can be best described as the Nikon looks more like 35mm film while the Canon looks colder and more like digital. This isn't the DVX vs. XL2 mojo, but just my opinion from what my eyes see. Some might see it differently, so ultimately look for yourself. Raw images can be seen at www.dpreview.com from both cameras.

Ergonomics: Some people really like the way Nikons feel and some people like the way Canons feel. Go to Circuit City and hold them both... Personally my hands are too large to hold the lower Canon versions comfortably.

The 20D is a bad ass camera, but I'm now so invested into Nikon glass that I'm a Nikon man for good, which I like because I like Nikon.

I don't know if my rambling helps you at all, but hopefully amongst the words, stories, and opinions laid out as fact you find something that helps you with your choice. Remember, the most important thing is to just get out there and shoot something.

-Jeremy
 
Matt and Jeremy,

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Reading this thread got me going to take some pictures. I used to own a Nikon N70 film camera about ten years ago. I'm probably gonna get the D80. That camera should be everything I could ever need.

Jeremy, I can't wait to enter the 'summertime' photo contest. I'm a beginner when it comes to picture taking on a serious level: lenses, WB, ISO, shutter speed, etc... but reading this thread helped helped revive my desire to take pictures, and Ken Rockwell's site as well. One of the main things I've gotten is that it's not the technology side that matters really. Just a desire to capture compelling images. Or at least have an instinct for a cool look or vibe. (but hey...if you can get a great camera...even better!)

I'm a musician by trade (and have many shots from years of touring) but I've always somehow taken pictures. With any camera I had. I had a Sony camera that you loaded a floppy disk into the side! Now the storage cards are HUGE. Imagine trying to capture all your shots on a floppy disk!

-Murphy


1156178042.jpg

not a particularly amazing shot, I just thought it was funny. She (dog kayla) is such a constant begger. Always looking for scraps.
D70s, ISO 200, F6.3
 
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Sonic Freak,

The most important thing is just to shoot... and regarding the D80, all I can say is if you want it before the end of the year then you should certainly put a deposit down now or pre order because Nikon is very strange with stocking stores with their products. I was able to get #1 spot in Charlotte by putting just $200 down :)

Howdareme,

I like the image a lot and the lighting looks good, but it is just those two bright spots on her shoulder and hair that are distracting. I love the placement and the shot though! Really nice bokeh. Nice shot.

-Jeremy
 
HDM. Yeah the blown highlight sucks but wow... very nice... I'd like to see more shots of that subject.

SF. Yeah I like how the dog has only ONE thing on her mind right now. Funny.
 
Yeah I pre-purchased my D80 on RitzCamera a week ago and they said 3 weeks... but they slipped and said, wow, you're lucky.
 
thanks

thanks

thanks for the thoughts, i have a bunch of shots with that subject, she's my fiance....i know, i got real lucky! I havn't touched them up with photoshop yet, thats my job for tonight. here are two more...

annieheadshotB.jpg

AnnieheadshotC.jpg
 
HowDareMe said:
Thsi is one of the pictures from my shoot over the weekend. What do ya think?
Click to expand...

Very interesting bokeh and very good shot indeed.
Maybe if i had to do something with this shot would be a little cropping.
Something like this:
annieheadshotA_2_.jpg


Anyway, this seems a great shot to me! Looks so natural.
Keep it up!!!
 
Maybe if i had to do something with this shot would be a little cropping.
Something like this:
Click to expand...

Oh, I totally disagree. You've cropped it way too tight there. The composition was just fine the way it was, it just has problems with dominance. The problem is in the lighting. My eye can barely track the girl at all, because it's way too distracted by the bokeh you got going on, which is overly bright and stylized. If she were lit brighter and with more contrast, I'd be able to focus in on her rather that feeling lost in the image.

Of the three, the third one is definitely the strongest, although I'd still like to see more light and contrast in her face.
 
It's not that I don't like the image, but I am having a hard time finding an exact focal point... my eye isn't drawn to any one area, I sort of float over it and it doesn't hold my attention. I like the colors, though.

-Jeremy
 
Yeah I know. I just got excited about a couple of lenses I rented. I rented the D70s again. That was my shaky hand trying to hold the camera last night. Not very good. I just liked the vibe of the colors. Posting a few others when I can. I'm new to this. Trying not to post my photos too big to annoy everybody.
 
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Blaine said:
Everyone's been posting pictures of their cat everywhere so I felt an overwhelming need to give equal time to man's best friend. My (daughter's) dog, Charles. I call him Charlie.

Tired_Charles.jpg

Charlie, "What's all the hubbub about these darned cats?"
Click to expand...

THat's AWESOME :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) So cute!
 
So I just updated my D70 firmware. I hadn't done it in about a year. Before I could take 95 photos in Raw mode, but after the firmware I can take 179 with a 1gig CF card. Just saw this under the firmware update.

Maximum number of exposures displayed when a 256-MB CompactFlash memory card is used:

Version 2.00: NEF (RAW): approx. 44 exposures; NEF+JPEG Basic: approx. 39 exposures
Version 1.03 or earlier: NEF (RAW): approx. 23 exposures; NEF+JPEG Basic: approx. 21 exposures

Pretty sweet. :)
 
That surf pic is divine! The waters look like snowy mountains.
The other is great too, is one of those pics where you staring and discovering little things .
 
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