New Camera

[Randy]

I just bought a new camera!! A rather expensive camera but one I've been wanting since digital cameras came out. One that is very close to film.

I got a Nikon D300. It comes with an 18-135 lens and an adapter for superwide angles that will also shoot macro as close as 1/4" that adds onto the lens. It should be here next week. OMG, I can't believe I just spent that much money!!

Tomorrow I go buy a couple new orchids at Waldors "after the flower show" sale.

No worries from me!
Randy

[Ross]

Nice catch! I use the D200 and so-far don't see a need for the newer model. For real closeups consider either the 105micro with VR or the 60mm micro. Both excellent lenses that will go to 1:1.

[flhiker]

Great camera! Lucky You! Looking forward to some Pictures.

[Tindomul]

Nice, is this an SLR??

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Nice, is this an SLR??

It's a digital SLR with interchangeable lens.
D300 from Nikon

[Randy]

Greetings,

So far the only digital cameras I've used have been cheapies, $100 models. I've been waiting for one a Nikon SLR that would give me very close to film quality photos, or truly film quality photos.

Even though it has autofocus, it will use my fully manual lenses from my FM10, although they will be much slower and I'll have to program the camera for them if I want to use them. Those lenses also won't give me the same quality photos through the D300 as they do through the FM10. Likely I will shoot some pictures with film and digitally side by side to see the difference. One thing you can't do with a film camera is adjust the color right there inside the camera while looking at the subject to make sure it comes out correctly.

I also got a 4 hour battery and 2 4mg cards, so I should be set up. I can't wait for it to come sometime this week.

Randy

[flhiker]

I thought that 35mm couldn't be beat, but I was wrong. The fact that the picture quality in a digital camera is so close to film. It doesn't make any sense to me to pay for film and developing with little control. And no waiting for the drug store to develop them. I would pick my shots more carefully with film because of the cost. Not so with digital, snap away
From 1 convert You will be extremely happy
I have a Pentax zx-60 and have used it 1 time in 2 years.

[Ross]

OK, I need to correct one misconception I have heard from time-to-time (I am agreeing with Dave here): Modern high-quality digital SLR camera bodies such as the high-end Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc. are in fact better than equivilant model 35mm film bodies. I can prove it with my work. The digital bodies have greater resolution, better dynamic range, are able to give the user an accurate assessment of the exposure nearly instantly, and (when using one of the RAW formats) the photog can make pretty major adjustments in exposure, sharpness, color rendition, etc. after-the-fact. Also the user can switch color modes (similar to switching films) for any shot desired. The user of digital SLR bodies can save tremendous amounts of money since no film is being used and the purchase was pretty-much one time.

Now Randy, I do not agree with your conclusion your older manual lenses will not give you the same quality as the FM10. (Technically you are correct - they will be better on the D300 than you ever got with the FM10!) I use several way older Nikkor lenses, manual, with my D200 (previously I used the D1X) and get very accurate and sharp exposures (check my gallery for examples).

Your end result will be dependant on your understanding of proper photographic technique, more than new lenses. You can do very well with the older manual lenses. True you will give up auto focus and a few other features, but I use my auto-focus micro lenses in manual mode all the time. I also use the manual exposure much of the time. You will be able to set the body to the "A" mode and the camera meter will make accurate exposures as well as set the shutter speed automatically. Enjoy your new camera, it may very well be a bit "over the head" at start, but if you any questions or want to get a bit of training from me, just PM or e-mail. I am always happy to share my years of experience, even with an old hippy

[Randy]

Thanks Ross,

I'm sure I'll need some help going from a fully manual, old fashioned film camera to a new fangled digital, auto everything, if you want it to be, digital camera!!

I'm no techno wiz but I'm no techno idiot either. There are a lot of things I'll figure out then other things will go right over my head.

One thing I don't understand well are the differences in the formats. Yes, I understand that a .jpg is a compressed format and that a RAW is an uncompressed format that is easy to work with. But what else is the difference? Also, what is the best software for me to get to use to manipulate RAW files and to do art work if I want to? (Create nice B&W images from color, place one image into another photo, etc)


Thanks,
Randy

[Ross]

Randy, check your PM messages.