What Jeff said. The most useful thing you can do to make a better picture is to put the camera on a good tripod.
Mike
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What Jeff said. The most useful thing you can do to make a better picture is to put the camera on a good tripod.
Mike
James,Quote:
Originally Posted by James-EG
More advice you don't have to follow from someone who knows a little about GAS: Can't speak to the bodies but I would think either of the FMs would get tired of waiting for you to get up to speed :). About the lenses, the 28 f/2.8 AiS is killer; buy it. The 50mm f/1.4? I prefer the f/2 for its look wide open but you're going to wish you had bought the extra stop so go with that 1.4, they're all wonderful. For a tele a 135mm f/3.5 is very sharp and it's cheap and light, but it's also f/3.5. This might be a downer for you. If you're going to go the 105mm f/2.5 route you'll have to work a bit to find one cheap that's not beaten to death. They are the ultimate expression of everything that has become Nikon; you'll be buying the technology and the mythology of Nikon with that one. I doubt you'll regret it. Also look into the 100mm E series. There's at least one person here who speaks very highly of it and he's not inclined to say things he doesn't mean. MY opinion is to ditch the zooms; too many focal lengths from which to pick.
At this point, although there's a universe of stuff left to buy (GAS, remember?), FULL STOP. Cool your jets a bit and think about where you want to go initially with you images. This will determine in part what you want/need to buy next. Your teachers can help you here and APUG too once you get your bearings. Always remember (paraphrasing some economist here) Photography can supply things longer than you can remain solvent.
Welcome, and enjoy. How can you not like this stuff?
s-a
I would say buy the camera and perhaps the zoom lens first. I would prefer 28-105 as it will give you a true wide angle as well as a very useful short tele/portrait lens. A good tripod is one of the most useful accessories. Get used to working with these before you spend a lot of money on other lenses,etc. you can very easily acquire a lot of stuff that you never use. Keep it simple to begin with and concentrate on your images. Enjoy your course! Alex.
Sorry for this late reply. Thanks for all the help, I very much appreciate it, after reading all the posts I think may try and buy all prime lenses, but if I can't get them I'll just buy a cheap 28-105mm until I can get a prime. I'll also be looking for a good bag and some of the accessories mentioned. Thanks again.
James
So, to begin with what do you think of this?...
Nikon FM2n
50mm f/1.4
28mm f/2.8 E (they E series s cheaper, and from what I have heard, almost as good as AIS)
135mm f/3.5 OR 105mm f/2.5 Depending on price
Then a camera bag and various accessories mentioned on this thread. And when I have managed to buy this equipment, which lenses should I be looking to buy? Or should I keep with this setup?
Thanks, James
I'll probably get banned for this but read this, Rockwell is hated by everyone except real photographers.Not to say hes the last word or always correct, but does presents FACTS.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#e
Thanks, I think I will definitely be look for a 28mm series E, after reading this they seem just as good as the AI/AIS lenses, and are much more affordable!Quote:
Originally Posted by fstop
Also, a question to everyone, what kind of camera bags do you use? I have looked at Domke and Billingham Hadley, but they are both very expensive. I love the style of the bags but they are just very expensive.
James
One more question, I found a very nice Nikon 80-200mm f/4 AIS for sale on eBay, for only £60, I have read that this is 'the best Nikon telephoto zoon', so should I buy it instead of prime lense for the time being?
Thanks
James
I like my 80-200 f/4 very much.
A 50/1.4 is relatively inexpensive, and I might get a 35 or a 24 for wider shots.
For a bit more, you can get the well respected 35-70 f/2.8 (KEH has them for around $400, but I realise you are in the UK). It's my walk-around lens.
This page http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html has some evaluations of Nikon lenses...
I'd rather have just a 50mm and the 28mm f/2,8 AIS than any zoom, but thats probably just me.
The 28mm is faster, smaller, wider and (IIRC) focusses closer (around 20cm) than the 35-105 zoom. My favorite combo is 24mm, 50mm and 105mm lenses and with the 105 as a makro if possible.
Best regards