Newb w ancient Nikons, time for Canon?
Jan 28, 2019 11:28:55 #
bobmcculloch wrote:
BTW Reefer sailor, shipfitter.
Is a Reefer sailor one that smokes pot while onboard?
Jan 28, 2019 12:31:20 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
I’m a brand spanking new digital photography baby.... (show quote)
That D700 is an excellent camera, look on Ebay or on-line book resellers for a Nikon D700 Guidebook, since it is a little older, the books should be quite reasonably priced (a few dollars), and will help you get on board very quickly. If you don't want them, they (bodies and lenses) may be worth enough (or more) to build a new outfit. A lot of folks here might be interested, as would I. Cheers and good luck, Welcome to the hog.
Jan 28, 2019 12:54:58 #
Why can’t you see in the viewfinder? Is it broken? Unless you have a giant lens on it why can’t you reach the front? I guess I’m not understanding the problems.
...Cam
...Cam
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
Ohhh that’s the other thing. I prefer to take my pics outside (sorry, migraine fog) when there’s good light, but then I *really* can’t see a thing in the viewfinder or display, and I have yet to find a lens I can comfortably get my left hand in front of while still looking through the viewfinder. I do have a good tripod, at least.
Jan 28, 2019 17:56:30 #
Welcome to UHH Velvet, glad you joined us. Another vote to stay with Nikon, you have some $$$$ tied up in the glass. Nikon models also come with flip up screens, check the D5XXX series among others if that is a feature you like. It also may not be the camera or lens but user error, have been there many times.
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.
Don
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.
Don
Jan 28, 2019 18:28:13 #
tiphareth51
Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
Hello ... everyone above gave you great suggestions. My personal experience, I started out with Canon SLR that served me well for a great many years. When it came time to switch to digital, Nikon had the best bargain. That is how I became a Nikon shooter. Recently I upgraded from Nikon crop sensor to Nikon full frame, purchased a whole new set of lenses and couldn't be happier. Good luck with your endeavor!
Jan 28, 2019 18:41:05 #
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
I need to be able to shoot great macros, close up whole hand and product photos
Thanks!!
-Velvet
Thanks!!
-Velvet
Let's take the "whole hand" requirement first.
Which of the two cameras have you tried this with and what Focal Length lens did you use?
Did you use a tripod?
What was wrong with the results?
What was the Aperture, Speed and ISO settings for one of your failed shots?
If you want to take "great' photos" you are going to have to understand and be able to answer all these questions.
Jan 28, 2019 19:11:35 #
I should say, with the lenses I tried, they didn’t seem to have the right focal length for me to be able to hold my arm far enough away to be in focus while I looked through the view finder. I’m still unpacking a box of my dad’s stuff. I’ll post pics of the lens collection tomorrow if time and migraine allow.
CamB wrote:
Why can’t you see in the viewfinder? Is it broken? Unless you have a giant lens on it why can’t you reach the front? I guess I’m not understanding the problems.
...Cam
...Cam
Jan 28, 2019 19:16:19 #
I have a basic understanding of aperture, speed, and ISO from the film photography I did when I was younger, but I think I wasn’t using the right lens. At maximum reach I could jusssst get my hand in focus and it got tiring. And I was using a tripod, sitting down outside trying to rest my hand on the deck railing. I used the smallest aperture I could get away with without having to worry about blur from my hand wobbling a little since I was at a full stretch. When I’m out of a dark dark room with a migraine I’ll grab the lenses I have and show them. I tried the D700, haven’t tried the D300 yet.
Grahame wrote:
Let's take the "whole hand" requirement first.
Which of the two cameras have you tried this with and what Focal Length lens did you use?
Did you use a tripod?
What was wrong with the results?
What was the Aperture, Speed and ISO settings for one of your failed shots?
If you want to take "great' photos" you are going to have to understand and be able to answer all these questions.
Which of the two cameras have you tried this with and what Focal Length lens did you use?
Did you use a tripod?
What was wrong with the results?
What was the Aperture, Speed and ISO settings for one of your failed shots?
If you want to take "great' photos" you are going to have to understand and be able to answer all these questions.
Jan 28, 2019 19:25:59 #
When I say “smallest aperture” I mean the actual aperture not the F stop; I may not be making sense with migraine brain. I do at least remember from my teens and later optics and image processing courses (the electrical engineering kind, not the photography kind — more radar, telescope, and medical images than anything else), that small opening means greater depth of field, in general at least. But I have yet to translate my basic knowledge into decent photos. I’m quite certain it’s user error.
Jan 28, 2019 19:35:12 #
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
I should say, with the lenses I tried, they didn’t seem to have the right focal length for me to be able to hold my arm far enough away to be in focus while I looked through the view finder. I’m still unpacking a box of my dad’s stuff. I’ll post pics of the lens collection tomorrow if time and migraine allow.
If I’m understand you correctly in the above, you want to put your arm (or maybe hand) on focus through the viewfinder. Easy enough to do, but requires specific lenses. Let us know when you uncover the “treasure trove” and we can point out specific uses for some of them.
Murray
Jan 28, 2019 19:55:51 #
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
When I say “smallest aperture” I mean the actual a... (show quote)
Good info, at least we can now see that you have a basic knowledge.
Based upon a quick test I have just done if using your D700 you are going to be looking for a lens in that collection between 28mm to 35mm focal length to comfortably pose your hand whilst looking through the viewfinder.
I can use a longer focal length but I'm assuming you have not got arms the length of mine
Jan 28, 2019 21:36:53 #
Velvetmarmoset wrote:
I’m a brand spanking new digital photography baby.... (show quote)
OK Velvet. You might want to find someone who is Honest, and Knowledgeable, and go over all your lenses and cameras. Then you may be able to figure out what's what. Switching from one brand to the next is not really a good idea at this point. You may just need to be pointed in the right direction. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask
Jan 29, 2019 08:10:16 #
Gear brand is secondary, technique tops gear everyday. I'm a macro nut but seldom use a tripod. I still have my D300 and it does occasionally get used. Sounds more like the minimum focus distance of the lenses you have tried are too long for what you were trying to do... Welcome aboard mate !!!
Jan 30, 2019 08:17:30 #
Ok, here are the lenses I’ve uncovered so far — go easy on the photos, I just took them with my phone in a hurry!
Jan 30, 2019 08:29:08 #
Nice selection of lenses.... You should be able to get a good shot of your hand with that 105mm F2.8 Nikkor as it has the closest focus distance ( I have the older "D" model). Use the flash for illumination. They are all nice lenses but the 24-120 variable aperture gets the least positive reviews. The 85 and 50 F1.4 ( I have the older non-D models of these) lenses are excellent low light optics. The 70-210 is an older model, slower, variable aperture model that will still deliver in decent light. The 80-400 is the original version ( I have this one as well). Handled right, it too will give you nice shots
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