PHOTOGRAPHIC THREADS: camera queries, any photo tech stuff!

[Slug Killer]

Hi,

The camera came with the standard 18-55 lens. I'm going to get to know the camera first before spending the money I saved getting it cheap on a decent lens.

Dave

[Carlo]

I shoot RAW all the time. How are you to know in advance which photos will be important? I've always got the option to convert a copy to JPG later...and I don't lose any of the information that I would if I only shot JPG.

[Slug Killer]

Theres nothing unfortunate about having to use Nikon. They were late coming in to the digital camera market to start off with but have certainly made up for it now. I was torn between Nikon and Canon and only opted for the Canon because I've had several before and never a single problem (touching wood as I type).

Carlo
I agree. What I meant was - this is a new camera and I'm getting to know it and therefore just shoot away at lots of unimportant stuff that I will never keep and use jpeg for quickness.

[Carlo]

...and by the way, the current version of Photoshop is CS3....CS2 is old news...

[Slug Killer]

Hi, Yes I know but CS2 is expensive enough and does enough without the need for an upgrade. I could probably get away with photoshop 7 if it had all the RAW compatability for what I need.

[Carlo]

I agree with Dave on Nikon. I've used them (film then film AND digital) for decades. I"m shooting the the DX2 now and love it--still experimenting....

The hardest part for me has been buckling down and establishing a workflow to get everything into a process/methodology. I'm studying the programs I'll be using and taking my time...BUT spring is busting out all over and I should be shooting every day....

[David Lyttle]

Carlo, you have not got that problem on your own.

I have been using a program called Capture NX that came with my Nikon D300. It is very easy to adjust RAW images and convert to JPEG etc. I have Photoshop but I find it cumbersome and difficult to use. It more or less offers you a second chance to take a photo if you have mucked it up in the field.

[Anthony Darby]

Nikon D300 still nearly ₤1000 just for the body so I'll have to start saving. The D2x I can only dream about.

[Paddy Tobin]

Carlo,

You wonder why I would not shoot in RAW all the time. I suppose it is because I find the transferring to Jpeg cumbersome and too much bother for what I consider simply snaps. When I go to take photographs with a particular end in mind and when they are photographs I will wish to keep for a particular purpose, then I use RAW.

David,

I haven't used the Nikon software at all, didn't even install it, using Photoshop 7 for editing. I must have a look at it now that you have praised it so much.

Anthony,

With the introduction of the Nikon D300, the D200 has dropped in price and is also a wonderful camera. Particularly it is a very comfortable camera in the hand, very strongly built aluminium casing. When buying I compared it with Canon cameras of a similar standard and it was the feel in the hand which made me pick the Nikon. I found the Canon models a little too small for my chubby digits. It lacks the sensor clearer of the D300 which I think was the main improvement they were after. There may be other developments also but I am not au fait with them.

Paddy

[Carlo]

Actually, with the D3 out you may be able to find a more attractive deal on a D2x. These camera manufacturers sure have us going!

[Anthony Darby]

I think, as Ian Young said many moons ago, the sensor cleaner is a plus point. I have a bit of dirt on the sensor on my D70, as you may see in some of my pics. I know the D80 has this, but I want to move up to the D300 eventually? The D2x is a huge camera and also twice the price at ₤2000. Does it have the sensor cleaner?

[Paddy Tobin]

Anthony,

I think with the D2x you are into a truly higher realm of specifications, top-of-the-range camera really, professional standard, but well outside my pocket and requirements. Even the D200 is really better than my photographic skills but I had saved hard and decided that I would buy a camera which left plenty of room for me to learn and do more than I would with what I might call a more ordinary model. To date, I am delighted with it though I know I haven't explored the full range of its facilities.

The D300 would certainly be an excellent choice as it builds on and improves on the D200. Save your pennies!

Paddy

[Carlo]

Paddy,

The same can be said of the DX2, which I bought from a friend because the price was nearly the same as a new D200 (at the time).  I love the beast and wouldn't hesitate to look at the D3 or D300 for my next camera body. Both of the newer models have self-cleaning sensors (although I haven't any idea how good a job they do on their own) and the D3 has a full frame sensor--the first Nikon digital to do so.

[Slug Killer]

Can anyone tell me if the sensor cleaners work or are they just a gimmick? They shake the dust away - where does it go? As far as I can tell theres no trap door underneath the body to eject the dust , so does it come back again and again and again so you keep shaking the same dust all the time? Eventually having to clean it properly.

I've never had a camera with one on say I'll hold judgement until the day I do but would be interested to hear others views on this.

Dave

PS A mate of mine has the Canon 1Ds and it would never work on his camera if it had it. I cringe when I see it caked in dust with fingermarks all over the IS lenses. He paid about 10k for the complete kit years ago. One of these people that has to have the best (which it was at the time). He still takes crap pictures. Hopefully he will need to upgrade soon and sell it to me cheap, I'll try and persuade him to go for a Nikon so he won't keep the lenses .

[Carlo]

I've got cleaning equipment for my sensor (though I haven't done it yet!) and I suspect that I'd hand-clean--very carefully, anyway. I too am interested in what people have to say about the automatic systems...