What DSLR do you shoot with???

[GregLS]

And what is your most common lens used?

Looks like Fathers Day may bring me a gently used Nikon D80 w/ the 70-210mm lens.

I'm gonna need a few lessons. BG Grizzz, Gatorbyte, TroutTackler????

I have the 35mmSLR and lenses from days of old schooling it so now I'm entering the digital age. Once I learn my way around its features I may be pinging you guys for some guidance. Wish me luck. The revitalization of an old hobby. :yikes:

[kevin m]

The D80 is a great camera. I have a D70 and a D40X but mostly shoot with the D70. I have an 18 to 200 lens that does 90% of what I shoot. If you are familiar with 35mm film you will need to get used to the "crop factor" when selecting a lens. Typically multiply the lens by 1.5 to compare it to 35mm. That make my 18 to 200 about a 27 to 300 in 35mm.

I think digital has made me a better photographer. You can experiment all you want because there is no cost of developing. However film is still the best for true high quality images.

[Gatorbyte]

I picked up a Canon T1i. I mostly use the 28-300 zoom due to wide range. I really like to kit the lenses it came with especially the 55-250 with extension tubes when doing macro. It's a lot lighter than the 28-300 and is sharp as a tack.

[TroutTackler]

I shoot with the Nikon D80 and just got a D300s! It is incredible!

If you're going to spend money on ANY lens, Greg, pick up the 50mm fixed f/1.8 Nikon lens FIRST! It is incredible, fast, has awesome glass (the most important thing in photography) and only costs about $100!

I listened to a podcast a while back that featured an interview with a National Geographic photographer. He was saying that he uses nothing but fixed lenses (for example, instead of getting the 14-24mm wide-angle zoom lens, he'll get the 14mm fixed lens). He explained that these lenses have less glass to shoot through and the image quality really jumps up a notch when you use the fixed focal length lenses.

I use that fixed 50mm lens for about 60% of everything I shoot for work, which is everything from jewelry to food to portraits to event photography. And if I want to zoom in... I take a couple steps forward!

Have fun with it and I can't wait to see what all you post here with it!

[Scott Spencer]

I shoot a Nikon D200 with multiple lenses - depending on what I am doing with the camera at the time of course. I have to agree with David on the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens!! BUY ONE..... It is the best lens for the money in any format!!

[SlowStreamer]

I shoot with the Nikon D80 and just got a D300s! It is incredible!

If you're going to spend money on ANY lens, Greg, pick up the 50mm fixed f/1.8 Nikon lens FIRST! It is incredible, fast, has awesome glass (the most important thing in photography) and only costs about $100!




Do you mean the 35mm that has the digital equivalent of a 50mm?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+AF-S+DX+Nikkor+35mm+f/1.8+Lens+for+Nikon+F-Mount+Digital+SLR+Cameras/9542328.p?id=1218121951399&skuId=9542328

I have a Nikon D90 after it was upgraded from a D80 when it experienced a firmware phoobar that they felt warranted a replacement...no complaints here. The D90 came with a 18-105mm VR lens that is very good, but I bought the fixed lens cause of it f-stop for faster and lower light shots. I had a 18-200mm VR I bought for the D80 and it was my all purpose lens and gave me the shots I needed.

[TroutTackler]

No, the 50mm (which is really a ~75mm).

[Grizzz]

Greg,

I know you will love the Nikon. Now I am not the greatest one to try and learn from (still learning myself) but will be glad to tell you what I know. Also, I have a few of the different lenses that you can borrow to see how they work before you buy. That is one of the nice benefits from having a friend with the same make camera as you are buying. Biggest thing I can say to help you along though is get out and shoot. Best way to learn.

Oh yea, I shoot a D300.

[GregLS]

Well, mine should be on its way. I actually wound up with a much better deal. I had been watching SEVERAL D80's and got out bid on the one w/ 70-210 but did get one with the 28-80mm. With shipping.....$425.00 :D:D:D :cheers:

I bought for my office last year a D40 kit w/ the 18-55 but never really played with it until a new project came along and I've been snapping some pics for our new web re-do project. It has rekindled that old interest and I figured it was time to enter the DSLR game.

Since this started I've been heavily researching the different models and what would fit my budget and I settled on the D80 due to its features and its ability to use the older AF lenses.

Grizzz, Once I get it and learn my way around this thing I'll be over to pick your brain and shoot some of your lenses. I do appreciate that offer.

[zacmac2112]

Greg, Don't focus on the camera, buy a decent lens with a low aperture. Digital camera bodies seem to depreciate by 1/2 every two years so a D80 would be a great buy that will do more than enough for what you want to do right now. Lenses on the other hand tend to only depreciate slightly and will last you a lifetime if well maintained.

I shoot a Canon 30D body with a canon 10-22mm and a canon 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto. I have been looking for a good walk around lens in the 17-70mm range that i will probably buy this summer.

I also recommend getting a mac with photoshop or aperture to do post processing. I will probably pick up photoshop elements at some point in the near future as well.

its an addictive and expensive hobby.

[Drifter]

Greg,

I have a Nikon D70s and a D90.

My most-used lens is a Tokina 12-24mm. I know....I know...third party lens but many give it rave reviews and say it's as good or better than the Nikon 12-24mm. It's built like a tank (magnesium housing). A good used one can be found for $400. My second most used lens is a Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR. It's expensive ($1800) and heavy (about 4 pounds). I have a Nikon 18-70mm kit lens to fill the gap. Lastly....I have a Nikon 60mm macro (micro in Nikon speak) that is fun to play with.

Like Adam stated.....invest your money in the lenses.

[Dubya]

I shoot with an (old) Canon 20d. I have a 18-55s kit lens, 70-300 canon, 50mm 1.8 Canon, 24-70L Canon lenses. Typically to carry around the kit lens works. The 24-70L is my king of sharp but it's heavy as a boat anchor. ;)

[EJ_D_09]

My DSLR is a Nikon D5000. For wide i have the Sigma 10-20 f4, for my medium lens i have the Tamron 17-50 f 2.8 with VR and for telephoto i have the 70-300 Nikon.

That being said i tend to shoot a lot more with my compacts do to the convenience. As luck would have it when i got home from my trip Best buy had sent me a decent amount of rewards points so I ebayed my Canon G11 and took the rewards dollars and picked up an Olympus E-PL1. Basically it was a wash financially. The E-PL1 has awesome image quality and the Micro 4/3rds format is really worth looking into. The Sensor size while not quite as big as APS-C is still about 8 times bigger then the sensor in the G11. The actual camera is a bit smaller then the G11 body but the lenses tend to be just a bit bigger. I guess the only down side depending on how you - or your wife looks at it) is that now there is a whole new set of lens options instead of a single lens on the G11..... Another cool thing about the micro 4/3rds format is that any 4/3rds lens from any manufacturer will work on your camera body. No more having to buy into a camera line like Canon or Nikon. You buy the lenses you want (regardless of manufacturer) and if a different manufacturer comes out with a new body you like you are free to move.

[Grizzz]

Went to the GNPA meeting tonight and once again I was shown that it is not your equipment that makes you a good photographer. Take a look at this portfolio by Kevin Nickel. It was on display at the Atlanta Airport for a while. Shots were all done with a Canon Rebel.

http://kevinickel.com/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=58430&AKey=N7EHNS2F

[BirdDawg]

Nikon D90. Just upgraded from a Nikon D300.

[EJ_D_09]

Grizz,

I saw some of Kevin's prints down at the Showcase school. They are amazing. I believe it was you who reccomended i go down there if i was interested in taking some classes. So far i have taken Digital 101 and Composition during the spring and early summer. I have really enjoyed it and the composition class was a huge help! If anybody is looking for a way to improve their photography i would highly reccomend the Showcase school. The classes usually meet once a week for 2 hours for six week and they are very reasonably priced. They also have a number of one day workshops and field trips. Well worth the time and money.

Ed

[Grizzz]

Well Ed, after seeing some of your shots from out West, I think you learned a lot from the classes. They are great.

Birddawg, got a question. Upgraded from a D300 to a D90? You might get a few Nikon shooters mad at you with a comment like that.::ke:

[RoyC]

Well Ed, after seeing some of your shots from out West, I think you learned a lot from the classes. They are great.

Birddawg, got a question. Upgraded from a D300 to a D90? You might get a few Nikon shooters mad at you with a comment like that.::ke:



Grizz, maybe he likes the way the all plastic body warps when a big lens is attached. Might give him that PC-E look and feel.

BTW the UPS gal made me sign for a new 300 f4 Monday.

Roy

[TroutTackler]

Nikon D90. Just upgraded from a Nikon D300.

Upgraded from a D300 to a D90? Did you mean that you upgraded from a D90 to a D300?

[Grizzz]

Actually I think he may have upgraded from a D3000 and just forgot a zero. At least that is what I am guessing.

[BirdDawg]

Actually I think he may have upgraded from a D3000 and just forgot a zero. At least that is what I am guessing.

Yes!! You are correct. My bad. Selling the D3000 on Ebay and enjoying the new D90 I received Friday.

TroutTackler - Is the photo/fishing outing still in the works or did you decide not to do it?

[Mt4:19]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, are there any particular instructors that you recommend at the Showcase school?

Jason

[TroutTackler]

Yes!! You are correct. My bad. Selling the D3000 on Ebay and enjoying the new D90 I received Friday.

TroutTackler - Is the photo/fishing outing still in the works or did you decide not to do it?

Yes sir - I was hoping to do it this spring, but my recovery time from knee surgery has been super-slow thanks to a paralyzed foot! It's waking up slowly now, so hopefully it will be working fully by fall and I'll be able to get around well enough to do something like this.

[BirdDawg]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, are there any particular instructors that you recommend at the Showcase school?

Jason

I just signed up for the Dig 101 class with Amie Ledford, so I'll let you know how it goes. Looking forward to the class.

[BirdDawg]

Yes sir - I was hoping to do it this spring, but my recovery time from knee surgery has been super-slow thanks to a paralyzed foot! It's waking up slowly now, so hopefully it will be working fully by fall and I'll be able to get around well enough to do something like this.

Sounds good. Wish you a speedy recovery and looking forward to the outing.

[TroutTackler]

Same here! I just got my Nikon D300s and it is awesome - the HD video quality (particularly when combined with some great lenses) has far surpassed my expectations. It is fantastic!

It is actually making me want to pick up at least one more D90 so I have another DSLR that shoots HD video as well. I wonder what we'll be shooting with five years from now...