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Posts for: Sladecam
Dec 4, 2018 11:13:42   #
I too have the latest generation of Nikkor 24-120 f4 which came paired with my D750 three years back. Aware of the historical criticism of prior iterations of the lens, I can only say that I have been very pleased with my version. I sold that D750 body (kept the lens) and I’ve now had a D850 for a year. Love the new combo just as much. Now, that said, would I like the extra stop down to 2.8? Yes. I have both Tamron’s 15-30 2.8 (G1) and 70-200 2.8 (G2) and love them both. As has been well documented, they’re superb performers and tremendous value. If I didn’t have the 24-120, the Tamron 24-70 2.8 G2 would be my first choice to round out that trinity...and it may happen yet.
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Jan 12, 2018 13:50:10   #
I too sent my D750 in for the shutter recall a few months back (despite my copy having worked flawlessly with no faults in the near two years I’d owned it). Oddly, the camera was damaged by Nikon (Nikon Canada) while in their possession. Very long story short: to Nikon’s credit they replaced it with a new body. I remain very happy with the products and service.
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Nov 29, 2017 11:14:33   #
I certainly wouldn’t dispatch any lightning your way and am quite sympathetic to your issue. I recently sent in my D750 for the specific shutter problem/factory recall issue that’s been well documented on the 750. However, importantly, my copy of the D750 had never had a problem and has worked flawlessly in the two years I have had it. In fact, I was hesitant to send it in. I also only had about 10,000 shutter actuations. Nevertheless, I did and felt it was the prudent thing to do. Imagine my surprise when I also got that similar email asking me to approve a $699.99 repair estimate for what was described as “impact damage”. To cut a painfully long story short, after considerable discussion with two representatives (of Nikon Canada) they replaced the body with a brand new one. The circumstances of this episode were strange (someone at Nikon managed to burn the inside of the camera just below where the mirror rests) but I give them full credit for doing the right thing. I do have quite a bit of gear but nowhere like your level of longevity in commitment to the brand.
I remain very satisfied and committed to the brand.
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Jul 26, 2017 15:48:40   #
guyaurora wrote:
Being new to this forum, I find it very educational. That said I would like some advice on lenses for a long trip to Zimbabwe,Botswana and South Africa.
I use a Nikon D3200 with a 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses.

Are theses satisfactory for landscape and close ups of the animals.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. I will also take 4 batteries and 4 32gb class 10 SD cards.


Am guessing you'll be shooting jpeg? If so, your card count may well be fine, depending on "how long" you're going. If RAW, I'd respectfully suggest you're radically under-carded. Even if you could backup/download and then reformat daily, you'd only have 1600-1700 total shot capacity. I too went to SA a year and a half ago and was debating on whether to buy a Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 before going. Thank goodness I did. The bulk of my safari pics and surfing ones (Jeffrey's Bay...a gem of a spot) were taken with that lens. In fact, I've taken more pics with that lens than all my other lenses combined (mostly wildlife). Can't say enough positive things about the lens. Sharp, fantastic VR, not at all too heavy for what it is and terrific value. Others suggest a second body and I agree (I only had my D750 at the time) but if I had to choose between a second body and that lens, I'd pick the lens. On your D3200, it'll give you effective reach of 750 mm too.
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Jul 20, 2017 12:16:31   #
Reference has been made here to Mindshift bags and I'll add my contribution. I have some similar requirements for a forthcoming camping/photo workshop trip to Alaska in September to photograph bears. Though my hiking needs will be far less extreme than yours, I still need to take several flights to Alaska, transport heavy photo gear to a base camp (therefore, no wheels on luggage). Perhaps, a "trip of a lifetime" for me, I want to take pretty much all the gear I own.

My bag: Mindshift Firstlight 40L. Just got it. I have trial packed two pro-level gripped bodies, 600mm f4, 200-500, and three more "holy trinity" focal length lenses. Some additional batteries and assorted accessories render the bag ridiculously heavy (for obvious reasons) but I can carry it. I can still strap a carbon fibre tripod to the exterior and carry a gimbal head (I will not take a laptop). The beauty of the Firstlight series is the adjustable shoulder straps and padded waist belt that allow the bag to sit on the hips rather than hang off the shoulders.

Once in my base camp, I expect to remove certain pieces (leave 'em at camp, lighten the load ) and take what I need to our photo locations. Remove the 600 and capacity goes up and, of course, weight comes down. I do have a Think Tank Retrospective 20 shoulder bag (love its quality and innocuous looks) and sister company, Mindshift, similarly make very high quality gear.

Like so many of us experience, the trade-offs are between capacity/weight/flexibility...oh, and the Mindshift bags aren't cheap. Got mine from B&H. Typically great service and competitively priced.

https://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/firstlight-40l
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Jun 2, 2017 13:37:33   #
If you are hiking with some form of back pack on with accompanying straps running vertically down over your shoulders then the Peak Design Capture Pro clip is a God-send. If you are actively hiking, let alone climbing, having your hands free with nothing swinging is a big plus and being able to quickly click in or out your camera for the all-important shot is convenient and very comfortable. Comfort and efficiency however, will be inversely proportional to the size of camera/lens combo. I'm also a big fan of the Black Rapid Sport which I use for casual walking and general use.
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Jun 2, 2017 13:20:14   #
Typically, the MB D17 comes with the AA battery adapter but it does not come with the BL-5 battery cover (relatively cheap) which is what you need to connect to the back of the EN EL18A when used in the grip. Bear in mind too that unless you already have a D4/D5 that came with the charger for the EN EL18A, you will have to get one if you're using that battery...and they're expensive to buy on their own. While I'm not a fan of third party batteries, I would use a third party charger. Wasabi makes one that is compatible. Also, I have been experimenting with single-use lithium AA batteries in the MB D17 grip, specifically to test battery life and back up capability (I have a nine day camping photo trip trip coming up late summer with no power generating capability). Currently, I have taken about 4500 shots on this set up and the lithiums are still going. Downside? The "battery info" indicator on the D500 gives you nothing (neither on the top LCD screen or in the main menu when you're using AAs vs "smart" batteries like the EN EL15 or 18). So my guess is that when they die, they die quickly...make sure you have another back-up.
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