SLR thread

[TheHamofMam]

Anyone with experirence with a Nikon D700? Want to buy it for my fiance paired with a 70-200 2.8 for wildlife and schit..

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

Anyone with experirence with a Nikon D700? Want to buy it for my fiance paired with a 70-200 2.8 for wildlife and schit..

Only that they're shiit hot. Full Frame 13mp. Fast and great low light performance. Also consider the Canon 5D MkII

Michael

[mdt]

Where are you going for your honeymoon, Northcote?

[J-Tim]

Quote, originally posted by mdt »

Where are you going for your honeymoon, Northcote?

"Vacation photos" or bust.

[group 3]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

Anyone with experirence with a Nikon D700? Want to buy it for my fiance paired with a 70-200 2.8 for wildlife and schit..

Yep, lots.

It's an awesome camera for low light but with that lens (which is also great in either version) it'll be a very heavy rig. Two options to consider would be going for the 70-300 VR lens which is still nice and sharp but much lighter or if you don't need full frame get a D90 body and/or the 70-200 or 70-300.

[dkr]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

Anyone with experirence with a Nikon D700? Want to buy it for my fiance paired with a 70-200 2.8 for wildlife and schit..

D700 is outstanding, but for wildlife (can't comment on the schit, I have little experience with that subject matter), you'd be better off with the D300s. DX format means you get a bonus 50% focal length (your 70-200 2.8 becomes an effective 105-300mm), and the D300s has the same CAM3500 AF as the D700, but the focus points cover almost the entire frame, so if your wildlife moves, it'll track almost anywhere as long as you keep the subject in the viewfinder. CAM3500 only covers the centre (DX equivalent area) of the D700 viewfinder. D300s also does HD video, D700 does not. Also agree with group3 that it would be quite heavy, especially for occasional/recreational purposes. This may not matter too much, but to get to the more interesting wildlife, you generally need to be prepared to hike to out of the way places, and a lighter rig can often make the difference between getting out there and not being bothered to haul all that weight. D700 is better (IMHO) at portraits and wide angle stuff. FX means you can go real wide (but there's also the 10-24mm for DX, which comes close to the angle of view on the 14-24mm 2.8 FX), and also means you can throw on the 50mm 1.4 and get ultra thin depth of field in portraits, which DX doesn't do as well.

If you want to shoot skittish wildlife, you'd also probably want a longer lens than the 70-200mm. The 70-300 VR is a pretty high quality lens in the 70-200mm range (almost as sharp as the 70-200, minus the faster aperture), plus you get an extra 100mm beyond that. And on a DX camera like the D300s, you are essentially getting a 105-450mm lens.

I shoot a bit of wildlife, with a D90 and the 70-300mm, and always wish I had something longer. I'm just waiting out for the 80-400mm replacement.


Modified by dkr at 7:10 PM 3-11-2010

[thepowercosmic]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

Anyone with experirence with a Nikon D700? Want to buy it for my fiance paired with a 70-200 2.8 for wildlife and schit..

If I'm not mistaken the D700 replacement should be due out shortly.

[Jim Bookie]

Quote, originally posted by auR32 »

Couldn't help it: \.

wow. what's the damage on that? is that a 4/3rds compatible or you got the adaptor?
let us know how it goes, as i would like some zoom to play around with as well.

[TheHamofMam]

Thanks for all the well-reasoned responses.

I'm up now just surfing the webs and thinking I may even start the fiance off on a used Nikon F4.
She's pretty attentive and loves to understand how things work.
I minored in photography at uni, but it's pretty hard to impart the functionality of f-stops, compensation and ISO ratings on a new-fandangled Leica...

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by Jim Bookie »

wow. what's the damage on that? is that a 4/3rds compatible or you got the adaptor? let us know how it goes, as i would like some zoom to play around with as well.

It's a M43 lens, no adapter. 7-14mm gives 14-28mm 35mm equivalence. F4, OIS.

RRP from Panasonic Aus is $2200 I haven't seen it under $2k here, but the nice folk in Japan are great indicators of the local ripoff. Got it on ebay for US$1038 + EMS = just under AU$1200

BTW, it's slightly smaller than the image I posted. LOA is 83mm with the hood (non-detachable)


Modified by auR32 at 7:32 AM 3-12-2010

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

I may even start the fiance off on a used Nikon F4.

I'd be tempted to start with LW DSLR - instant feedback teaches quickly to the attentive. Nikon D40's with several kit lenses go for $5-600 on ebay.

[TheHamofMam]

LW?

[group 3]

I also have an F4 (and F6 and F3 and... etc) if she wants a great real camera to learn the ropes then the F4 is a great option, the ergonomics and user friendliness is awesome, terrific to learn on and cheap as chips used.

I think auR32 means lower end DSLR, personally I prefer something like the F4 because if you really want to understand photography having direct control over the camera beats playing around with menus etc on a DSLR. But of course you then have to wait to get the film back to see your results... if I was playing around with different settings I make note of what I used for each frame so I can then compare my results later.

[Jim Bookie]

lightweight?

[Lima]

Quote, originally posted by TheHamofMam »

LW?

Long willy.

[Jim Bookie]

leng wayne

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by Jim Bookie »

lightweight?

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by group 3 »

I think auR32 means lower end DSLR, personally I prefer something like the F4 because if you really want to understand photography having direct control over the camera beats playing around with menus etc on a DSLR.

Yes but, Mike will be there. He can do the menu fiddling and get it into Manual mode, coach her on aperture and speed and let her go for it. F4 is cool and all, but I'm not sure playing with film for someone who never has will make the learning better or faster.

[TheHamofMam]

Quote, originally posted by group 3 »

I also have an F4 (and F6 and F3 and... etc) if she wants a great real camera to learn the ropes then the F4 is a great option, the ergonomics and user friendliness is awesome, terrific to learn on and cheap as chips used. I think auR32 means lower end DSLR, personally I prefer something like the F4 because if you really want to understand photography having direct control over the camera beats playing around with menus etc on a DSLR. But of course you then have to wait to get the film back to see your results... if I was playing around with different settings I make note of what I used for each frame so I can then compare my results later.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter so far.
I hear you Michael and a LW DSLR may be a better option especially for trial and error,
but I figure this may be a great excuse to buy some nice gear for myself, albeit a surreptitious manner.

[Jim Bookie]

give her your d-lux, and get an m8 for yourself.

[Tank Engine]

How come there is no religious war going on - like buy a Canon 'cos Nikon's suck balls.

[Timbo_S3]

Buy Nikon...and sell me your old Canon gear cheap

[Lima]

Canon.

[Jim Bookie]

panasonic

[FL00DY]

Nikon

[J-Tim]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Canon.

^ This man knows.

[Lima]

Hanimex.

[auR32]

Buy one that works (that's all of them)

Mike, I see where you are going with this, it's not a bad path to tread. Also, good to break her in to sneaky manipulative strategies early - you might as well find out if she can see through you sooner rather than later.

[mdt]

Quote, originally posted by auR32 »

Buy one that works (that's all of them) Mike, I see where you are going with this, it's not a bad path to tread. Also, good to break her in to sneaky manipulative strategies early - you might as well find out if she can see through you sooner rather than later.

She worked Mike out a long time ago.

[TheHamofMam]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Canon.

Haha, and to think that I can get get 30% off rrp on all Canon DSLR gear...
Ever since dad handed down his old Nikon FM to me, I've been finding an excuse to get back into the brand.

[group 3]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Canon.

Boo!!! Hiss!!!

Crown Graphic ftw

[Lima]

Hasselblad.

[group 3]

Now you're just being silly

[thepowercosmic]

Can anyone recommend a monopod and if I should get a head with it?

Needs to be able to support a Canon 100-400mm.

There's a Manfrotto 681B that's on the short list. Anyone suggest anything else?

TIA

[Timbo_S3]

I have the Manfrotto. No quibbles