Nikon DSLR Question

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Dale" <dneid@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:da9pe.29059$j51.6861@tornado.texas.rr.com...

> 2. Found an ad for Nikon D70 equipment at a place on the web
> called BestPriceCameras.com. The prices seem to good to
> be true. Are they? Does anyone have any experience with
> these guys? I plan om calling the BBB in Brooklyn tomorrow.
> I just thought I would ask the newsgroup for their collec-
> tive experiences.
>


BestPriceCameras.com is a typical, bad news bait-and-switch operation. Look
at http/resellerratings.com/seller8754.html and be sure to scroll down to
read the reader reviews.

If you're going to order online, you will find that the lower the price is
below that of B&H Photovideo, the more likely you are to get screwed. Look
at http/www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/lesson08/camera_2.html for a
good tutorial on online camera buying.


HMc

 

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Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Alan Browne" <alan.browne@FreelunchVideotron.ca> wrote in message
news:d84ba0$9ki$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Norm Dresner wrote:
>
>> I've picked up a friend's Minolta digital and even though I used Minolta
>> manual focus film SLRs exclusively for over 20 years I couldn't
>> figure out where to start.
>
> You turn it on. All photographic controls are on dedicated dials,
> buttons, switches. Set to A,S,M or even P if you're that way inclined.
>
> The only 'thing' to know is that the the right rear 'wheel' controls
> aperture; right front wheel controls speed. (Or in A or S mode both
> wheels control the prioritized setting).
>
> Shoot.
>
> Unlike the D70 where menu diving is required, most things you will need
> are on the the camera body as buttons, switches, levers, etc.
>
> Cheers,
> Alan
>

Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't remember a
single time I needed to use the menu.

Disinformation from a loyal Canon user?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Tom Scales wrote:

> Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't remember a
> single time I needed to use the menu.

Compared to the Max 7D, the D70 requires a lot more two-handed
operation, or a button push then action. On the 7D just about all photo
related functions have a dedicated wheel, button, switch, lever, etc.
For example exp comp has a lever-wheel; flash comp has another; metering
mode has its own lever; etc. etc. So most modes' status is visiible
whether the camera is on or off.

Cheers,
Alan


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Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Walt Hanks" <walthanks@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>"Tony Polson" <tp@nospam.net> wrote in message
>news:74saa1hqr4bmjtcb7m7rc8u4s49lagkfl6@4ax.com...
>> "Walt Hanks" <walthanks@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>>I would go with the kit lens and a 60mm macro lens. With the 1.5 crop
>>>factor, the 60mm becomes the equivelent of a 90mm macro, which is an
>>>almost
>>>perfect focal length for what she likes to do and would make a great
>>>portrait lens as well.
>>
>>
>> That is very poor advice. The 60mm macro has unpleasant, harsh bokeh
>> and renders portraits in a very unflattering way. Portrait subjects
>> will not thank you for using this lens.
>>
>
>Interesting. I have a friend who uses his for portrait work regularly. Of
>course, he almost always adds a soft focus filter or diffuser, so that might
>elliminate the harshness you report. I still feel that it is the best lens
>for the flower work the OP's wife does though. The added distance from the
>subject needed to use the longer macro would not yield an appropriate
>perspective, in my opinion. Though that is mostly a matter of taste.
>
>Thanks for letting me know, though.


You're welcome. The 60mm Micro Nikkor is a fine macro lens and I
fully understand your concern about using a longer focal length.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Dale wrote:

>
> 2. Found an ad for Nikon D70 equipment at a place on the web
> called BestPriceCameras.com. The prices seem to good to
> be true. Are they? Does anyone have any experience with
> these guys? I plan om calling the BBB in Brooklyn tomorrow.
> I just thought I would ask the newsgroup for their collec-
> tive experiences.

In the camera biz, beware prices far below what reputable dealers like
B&H offer. Here's some info about BestPriceCameras:

http/www.resellerratings.com/seller8754.html

--
Albert Nurick | Nurick + Associates - Web Design
albert@nurick.com | eCommerce - Content Management
www.nurick.com | Web Applications - Hosting

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Dale wrote:

> 2. Found an ad for Nikon D70 equipment at a place on the web
> called BestPriceCameras.com. The prices seem to good to
> be true. Are they? Does anyone have any experience with
> these guys? I plan om calling the BBB in Brooklyn tomorrow.
> I just thought I would ask the newsgroup for their collec-
> tive experiences.

I just looked at their web site. I'd stay far, far, far away. $99 for
a filter? And the comments on resellerratings.com indicate a great
deal of BS.

--
Albert Nurick | Nurick + Associates - Web Design
albert@nurick.com | eCommerce - Content Management
www.nurick.com | Web Applications - Hosting

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:13mpe.107758$IO.16749@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
> "Alan Browne" <alan.browne@FreelunchVideotron.ca> wrote in message
> news:d84ba0$9ki$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>> Norm Dresner wrote:
>>
>>> I've picked up a friend's Minolta digital and even though I used Minolta
>>> manual focus film SLRs exclusively for over 20 years I couldn't
>>> figure out where to start.
>>
>> You turn it on. All photographic controls are on dedicated dials,
>> buttons, switches. Set to A,S,M or even P if you're that way inclined.
>>
>> The only 'thing' to know is that the the right rear 'wheel' controls
>> aperture; right front wheel controls speed. (Or in A or S mode both
>> wheels control the prioritized setting).
>>
>> Shoot.
>>
>> Unlike the D70 where menu diving is required, most things you will need
>> are on the the camera body as buttons, switches, levers, etc.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Alan
>>
>
> Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't remember
> a single time I needed to use the menu.
>
> Disinformation from a loyal Canon user?

Not really paying attention, are you... He shoots Minolta.
And I shoot a D70, have used it for various events from the Governor of
Michigan signing proclamations, to weddings, and I have to occasionally dive
in to the menu--usually to turn off something I enabled when I was playing
around.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Once again, thanks to all who took the time to provide me with some very
useful feedback. It has been fascinating to read some of the "opposing,
point/counterpoint" responses. You guys all appear to very very cordial
with each other. Something that is refreshing to see in today's online
world.

As for the BestPriceCameras and others... if it is too good to be true
it usually is. I found the resllerratings.com site just after I posted
my original message. Whoa!!! Thanks to you all for saving me from
vendors such as these. Looks like it will be either B&H or the local
Nikon guy here in Austin, TX.

Thanks once again to you all for all the help. You have made this an
enjoyable experience.

--
Regards,
Dale Neidhammer |
John 3:16 --+-- Matt 11:28-30
Any Proverbs!! | Live for Him
|

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Dale" <dneid@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:FEupe.35324$j51.19041@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> Once again, thanks to all who took the time to provide me with some very
> useful feedback. It has been fascinating to read some of the "opposing,
> point/counterpoint" responses. You guys all appear to very very cordial
> with each other. Something that is refreshing to see in today's online
> world.
>
> As for the BestPriceCameras and others... if it is too good to be true it
> usually is. I found the resllerratings.com site just after I posted my
> original message. Whoa!!! Thanks to you all for saving me from vendors
> such as these. Looks like it will be either B&H or the local Nikon guy
> here in Austin, TX.


Another online seller to consider is Cameta Camera, which sells only through
eBay as cametaauctions.com I just purchased the D70S Kit with a 1gb card
and got an outstanding deal. No high pressure, they took my order and I'll
have the goods by Friday. Very reasonable shipping prices too. I had all
of the stuff in my "cart" at the B&H website and the price was over $100
better @ Cameta. Actually, B&H and Adorama both just raised the price on
the D70 kit from $999 to $1049, plus the $100 rebate. Check Cameta out at
reseller ratings as well, very high marks.

BTW, thanks for the earlier response to my D70 vs 10D question, obviously
decided on the D70 (D70S).

Tim

Tim & Christine Walsh
Arizona Tribal Collectors
www.tribalcollectors.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 16:32:36 -0400, Alan Browne wrote:

> Tom Scales wrote:
>
>> Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't
>> remember a single time I needed to use the menu.
>
> Compared to the Max 7D, the D70 requires a lot more two-handed operation,
> or a button push then action. On the 7D just about all photo related
> functions have a dedicated wheel, button, switch, lever, etc. For example
> exp comp has a lever-wheel; flash comp has another; metering mode has its
> own lever; etc. etc. So most modes' status is visiible whether the camera
> is on or off.

Clearly that would make you a much better photographer and also explains
why Minolta is undoubtably the first choice of the world's top
photographers...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Alan Browne <alan.browne@FreelunchVideotron.ca> wrote:

>Tom Scales wrote:
>> Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't remember a
>> single time I needed to use the menu.

>Compared to the Max 7D, the D70 requires a lot more two-handed
>operation, or a button push then action. On the 7D just about all photo
>related functions have a dedicated wheel, button, switch, lever, etc.
>For example exp comp has a lever-wheel; flash comp has another; metering
>mode has its own lever; etc. etc. So most modes' status is visiible
>whether the camera is on or off.

If find shooting RAW means you need a lot less menu diving. Most
of the time I'd use it for contrast adjustment on JPG. The D70
could maybe use a button/wheel for contrast, or for selecting
one from a programmable custom "sat/contrast/sharpen" group.

--
Ken Tough

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Matt Clara" <critics@large.com> wrote in message
news:WJtpe.313784$H_1.267893@fe04.news.easynews.com...
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:13mpe.107758$IO.16749@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>>
>> "Alan Browne" <alan.browne@FreelunchVideotron.ca> wrote in message
>> news:d84ba0$9ki$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>>> Norm Dresner wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've picked up a friend's Minolta digital and even though I used
>>>> Minolta
>>>> manual focus film SLRs exclusively for over 20 years I couldn't
>>>> figure out where to start.
>>>
>>> You turn it on. All photographic controls are on dedicated dials,
>>> buttons, switches. Set to A,S,M or even P if you're that way inclined.
>>>
>>> The only 'thing' to know is that the the right rear 'wheel' controls
>>> aperture; right front wheel controls speed. (Or in A or S mode both
>>> wheels control the prioritized setting).
>>>
>>> Shoot.
>>>
>>> Unlike the D70 where menu diving is required, most things you will need
>>> are on the the camera body as buttons, switches, levers, etc.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Alan
>>>
>>
>> Menu diving? I've shot thousands of shots with the D70 and can't
>> remember a single time I needed to use the menu.
>>
>> Disinformation from a loyal Canon user?
>
> Not really paying attention, are you... He shoots Minolta.
> And I shoot a D70, have used it for various events from the Governor of
> Michigan signing proclamations, to weddings, and I have to occasionally
> dive in to the menu--usually to turn off something I enabled when I was
> playing around.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Matt Clara
> www.mattclara.com
>

Actually, Alan seems to spend more time touting Canon, so who knows if he
even OWNS a camera.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Tom Scales wrote:

> Actually, Alan seems to spend more time touting Canon, so who knows if he
> even OWNS a camera.

Three. All Minolta. I don't 'tout' Canon, I just recognize that all
things considered, it is the best lineup available for DSLR. I'm too
heavilly invested in Minolta glass to make a jump to Canon. Out of 6
lenses, there are 5 I just "have to have" and having those in Canon
would be a costly proposition, not to mention flashes and TC's. I'm
very content with Minolta and I've built a very, very good lens
collection. The Maxxum 7D is a superb DSLR, and in the context of this
thread-splinter, I would state that it has the best user interface of
all DSLR's, period.

I have nothing against Nikon, just find it a more awkward proposition
than Canon. I have several friends who are Nikon users and they are all
very good photographers. And that's what counts. Use the tool to do
the job.

Cheers,
Alan.


--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http/www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http/www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http/www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

 

[frederick]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Dale wrote:

> more s/w than I care to admit - she really likes the GIMP now that she
> has learned it.
>
If she is familiar with the Gimp, then there is a free RAW file
plugin/editing tool (UFRaw) that works very well with the D70. It has
the camera white balance settings for the D70 included as the default.
URL is:
http/ufraw.sourceforge.net/
Windows version is available for d/l from that site.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:IjApe.113400$IO.7304@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
> Actually, Alan seems to spend more time touting Canon, so who knows if he
> even OWNS a camera.

Now, now... Alan's many things, but a liar he's not.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Matt Clara wrote:

>
> Now, now... Alan's many things, but a liar he's not.

I cut down a cherry tree once and said I didn't do it.



--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http/www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http/www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http/www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

 

[frederick]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Tony Polson wrote:
> "Walt Hanks" <walthanks@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>>I would go with the kit lens and a 60mm macro lens. With the 1.5 crop
>>factor, the 60mm becomes the equivelent of a 90mm macro, which is an almost
>>perfect focal length for what she likes to do and would make a great
>>portrait lens as well.
>
>
>
> That is very poor advice. The 60mm macro has unpleasant, harsh bokeh
> and renders portraits in a very unflattering way. Portrait subjects
> will not thank you for using this lens.
>
> It is best to avoid using macro lenses for portraiture, with one
> exception. The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro works well as a macro lens
> *and* offers superb rendering for portraiture.
>
> There used to be several macro lenses that worked well for portraits.
> Alas only the Tamron is still available new.
>
>
The Sigma 105mm f 2.8 EX that I have has beautiful smooth and unharsh
bokeh, so the Tamron cannot be the only one. But either lens, at 90/105
mm is getting a bit on the long side for portraiture on a D70.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Frederick <nomailplease@nomail.com> wrote:
>
>The Sigma 105mm f 2.8 EX that I have has beautiful smooth and unharsh
>bokeh


You should look again. The Sigma 105mm f 2.8 EX is renowned for
having just about the harshest bokeh of any short telephoto lens
that's currently available.

But if you're happy with it, that's just fine.

;-)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <42uca1hqikhbfov74vcspiap90atsmq6pb@4ax.com>,
Bob <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote:

[ ... ]

> How about a small camera bag just to protect the camera itself
>when caught outdoors? I wish they still made those leather custom cases like I
>had on my Mamiya... I hate to carry the big camera bag on walks so I leave it in
>the car... and the camera is unprotected...

You mean what was officially called the "ever ready case", and
usually called by its detractors the "never-ready case"?

Back when I used a camera in one of those, I got very good at
flipping off the snaps for the top with my thumbs as I raised the camera
to my eye, and flipping the case over the camera top so it was out of
the way. But that particular one had a hard top shell, so it would flip
rather nicely. Some of the soft-shell cases were not nearly as easy to
get out of the way, so I tended to not use them.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http/www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

 

[Bob]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On 8 Jun 2005 14:40:45 -0400, dnichols@d-and-d.com (DoN. Nichols) wrote:

>In article <42uca1hqikhbfov74vcspiap90atsmq6pb@4ax.com>,
>Bob <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote:
>
> [ ... ]
>
>> How about a small camera bag just to protect the camera itself
>>when caught outdoors? I wish they still made those leather custom cases like I
>>had on my Mamiya... I hate to carry the big camera bag on walks so I leave it in
>>the car... and the camera is unprotected...
>
> You mean what was officially called the "ever ready case", and
>usually called by its detractors the "never-ready case"?
>
> Back when I used a camera in one of those, I got very good at
>flipping off the snaps for the top with my thumbs as I raised the camera
>to my eye, and flipping the case over the camera top so it was out of
>the way. But that particular one had a hard top shell, so it would flip
>rather nicely. Some of the soft-shell cases were not nearly as easy to
>get out of the way, so I tended to not use them.
>
> Enjoy,
> DoN.

Mine was made of hard leather, and worked pretty well, except when I wanted to
use a tripod... the snaps eventually pulled out however, and it deteriated
quite a bit... maybe I could make my own, just need some leather!

hmmm now where's a cow...