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DSLR camera which can use my SLR lens?


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38 replies to this topic

#21
Merco_61

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The 35-80 is optically a nice lens, and the early version is well-built too. The second one with the narrow plastic focus ring doesn't feel nice to use as it feels cheap. It still draws the transitions from sharp to unsharp as nice as its predecessor and the corners have more contrast.

 

The Macro in the Sigma model name is a bit of an exaggeration. It can focus a bit closer at the 300 mm zoom setting, that's all it means. Like most older lenses with 70-300 range, it loses contrast and sharpness at the tele end, but it is better than nothing.



#22
raylock

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Thanks.  Somehow I get the feeling that this will not be my last purchase on this journey.



#23
raylock

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Pretty excited.  The D700 arrived today. It was in the original box with a manual (in Spanish, unfortunately for me at least), battery, charger some cables and software and a strap.  Unfortunately, I realized that all of the information I got from watching those YouTube videos just left my head. I will now go back and re-look at them with the camera in hand.  Hopefully that will help the information to stick :)

 

Another question, however.  In looking through my wife's camera bag, which she has graciously given me (including the film N50) I find she has a Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-23.  Looking through the instruction manual It does not list the D700 as an applicable model.  I suspect this might be because it predated the D700.  Anyone have information on whether this light can be used with the D700?

 

Thanks

Ray



#24
Merco_61

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Unfortunately, the SB-23 needs the old, pre-digital TTL-metering and only has full output if you try to use it on a digital body. The D700 needs the later three-digit speedlights to meter and control the flash. The thing to look for in specifications are the terms i-TTL or CLS. i-TTL fires a weak preflash for the camera to measure and CLS is the whole digital flash ecosystem (Creative Lighting System).

 

When you feel you are ready to add the complexity of artificial lighting, just ask. 



#25
krag96

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Good plan, watching the videos with camera in hand, just make sure you charge the battery first.  The 28 part video has a lot of good information, but think about how you want YOUR settings and set accordingly.  They do a pretty good job of explaining things and you'll probably choose a setting or two you'll want to change later, but it's all part of the learning aspect. 



#26
raylock

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As always thanks to both of you. 



#27
raylock

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Just checking in.  I have the D700, it looks really nice.  I have been trudging through the videos and the D700 guidance from Ken Rockwell.  I downloaded and installed the picture controls suggested by Merco_61.   Now I need to take some shots.  I think this is going to take a while because there is a lot of controls on this "simple" camera :)  I guess that I could just use the Program mode to start with, but not sure I would learn much from that.   Again, thanks for the help and guidance from both of you. I am sure that I will have a ton of questions when I start actually taking pictures.



#28
Merco_61

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Some basic setup to get going:

Are you familiar with how a centre-weighted light meter works and how to compensate for a light or dark background? If not, set the metering pattern to matrix as you will get fewer misexposed photos for the time being. (The ring around the AE-L/AF-L button straight up.

I'd start by taking control of the compositional parameters and letting the camera handle focus, shutter speed and ISO. Set the focus lever (the CSM one) to S for single-shot autofocus as you will probably want to start by shooting more or less static scenes. Set the focus mode selector (the lever above the CF light) to single-point. You can now move the focus point around with the four-way selector. The next step is setting up the Auto-ISO. Set the base ISO to 200 and cap the Auto-increase to 6400. Set the shutter speed threshold to 1/60 or 1/80 to get the most out of your 35-80. Activate Auto ISO. Set the camera to Aperture priority and go out to use the camera.

 

You now have control of the angle of view using the zoom ring, the viewpoint using your feet and the depth of field using the aperture. A big aperture, indicated by a small number means a shallower DOF. 

 

This is based on the "Get to know your new camera" workshops I held for many years.



#29
krag96

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It's going to take some time and practice, but in a few months you'll look back and say, ''This IS simple!''



#30
raylock

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I got a copy of Thom Hogans 800 page guide and am really realizing how much there is to learn.  Unfortunately, when I started to use the camera, I found that the door/flap covering the battery compartment was broken and falls off the camera when you open it.  Is there a market place that sell spare or replacement parts for the D700?  I reached our to MPB also.  Thanks.



#31
Merco_61

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Amazon sell a cheap replacement door. https://www.amazon.c...s/dp/B07L16MC8J

#32
Ron

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You can also get a replacement battery door directly from Nikon...

 

DSLR Parts from Nikon

 

The price is under $5.00US. 

 

--Ron



#33
raylock

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Yes,  I ordered one from amazon.  Thought I edited my earlier post.  I must have forgot to hit send :(

 

Thanks for the link.  I'll keep that for future reference.  Unfortunately it is not Amazon Prime so I have to wait  four weeks for delivery.  Ordered one from Walmart also.  Maybe one will get here sooner.  Now that the weather has improved I am frustrated I can't get out and use it .  More time to try and learn some of the Hogan stuff.



#34
Ron

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Yes,  I ordered one from amazon.  Thought I edited my earlier post.  I must have forgot to hit send :(

 

Thanks for the link.  I'll keep that for future reference.  Unfortunately it is not Amazon Prime so I have to wait  four weeks for delivery.  Ordered one from Walmart also.  Maybe one will get here sooner.  Now that the weather has improved I am frustrated I can't get out and use it .  More time to try and learn some of the Hogan stuff.

There's always gaffers tape. Don't use duct tape tho... it leaves a horrible residue that's nearly impossible to remove. Gaffers tape holds strong and leaves no residue.

 

--Ron



#35
raylock

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Thanks for that.  I somehow managed to get to my advanced years without knowing about gaffers tape.  Seems to work wonderfully.  Interesting the battery cover I ordered from Amazon is being shipped from China and should be here late April or early May.  The one ordered from Walmart is being shipped from Hong Kong California :) and should be here in a few days. Who knew...



#36
Merco_61

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Remember, gaffers tape is just like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together!


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#37
krag96

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Aside from the battery door problem, how are you doing with your D700, Ray?  



#38
raylock

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Sorry I did not see your post Krag96.  Many things have gotten in the way of very much progress.  I now understand why you all said that I need to practice with the camera.  I set my camera up like Merco_61 posted in a separate thread.  That seemed to make a lot of sense after trying to get through most of the basic parts of Hogan's D700 book.  But I could not understand why the shutter would periodically not work.  Finally I found that my finger was pushing the mode button rather than the shutter release.  I am very pleased with the camera so far and am thankful that I found this forum for great advice.  I am now in the second stage, i.e. trying to make sense of the picture software from the Nikon website.  I have downloaded Nikon Studio, Nikon Transfer 2, Nikon Capture NX-D and Nikon Picture Control.  I think some of these might be redundant but not sure.  I found manuals for the first two and will tackle them soon.  Thanks for your interest.

Ray



#39
Merco_61

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I suddenly remembered another low-light thread of mine. Hiroshima day in Uppsala - Street Photography - NikonForums.com

 

Nikon Studio is the replacement for Capture NX-D and, I think, Transfer2 as well as ViewNX-D. You have to decide which UI suits you better. I tend to work faster in Capture NX-D than anything else, but that is definitely more of an experience thing than a better UI...