Buying an SLR camera and need advice

[Buchpteclare]

Greetings; I went digital about five years ago. The first digital was one of the smaller types with a shutter lag that drove me crazy. I had used all sorts of film cameras in the past from Kodak, Zeiss, Nikon, and my favorite, a Contax 3A. I finally went for a Nikon D70 - and I LOVE it! All the top makes have their features - arguing about - say Canon and Nikon, is a waste of time. Go with the more-or-less thousand dollar digital camera, editing software may cost about the same - but you wont regret it.

Polarizing filter - keep it on the camera all the time. It will not interfere with operation, and will give some added protection to your much more expensive lens.

As for the weight - thats true, but not as heavy as a 4X5 Speed Graphic with Strobe. (VBG) Oh yes, consider a larger flash unit such as a Nikon SB-600. (I use that brand only because it's what I'm used to).

[Krummhorn]

Hi Buchpteclare

Firstly, welcome to MIMF, a super forum community that has some interesting discussions ongoing for just about everybody.

Secondly, congratulation on your Nikon purchase. I'm quite elated with my D40 that I purchased about two months ago. I added an extra battery pack and the IR remote when I ordered mine.

Spot on about the filters ... I opted for the UV filter (bought two - one for each of the two lenses). Those filters are cheap insurance against possible expensive lens damage.

These newer Nikon's are surprisingly lightweight - lighter than my Chinon 35mm SLR. Someday, if the need arises, I'll invest in a larger flash unit - for now, the built in flash handles all my current needs.

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha buchpteclare,

Welcome Aboard! Please do make yourself feel right at home around here and plan on staying for awhile as this forum is highly addictive.

Cheerio,

Corno Dolce

[Albert]

Circular Polarising Filters are used if you're taking photos with bright sunlight and you want to maintain the integrity of your reds (aparently).

Not quite. A polarizing filter is used to cut through reflections by taking only the light rays that are polarized to the angle to which you set the filter. The circulars are more expensive, but the linears tend to muck up the autofocus system, so you need to use the circulars.

They are primarily used in these situations:

1. To darken blue skies to make the clouds stand out more. This works best at 90 degrees to the sun.
2. To eliminate reflections on foliage so that the colours come through better. This is especially effective right after a rain shower. The colours just snap. All the foliage is clean after the rain, and the filter cuts through the reflections of the light.
3. To take pictures through windows. Turn the filter just right, and the reflections of all the people making faces at you from behind are cut out of the picture.

Enjoy your new SLR.

[Buchpteclare]

True - the polaroid filters do all that - and they also limit the UV to a great extent. I'm not sure if UV affects digital cameras as much as it did film because of the built in sensor filters in digital. I also find the 'circular' polarizing is not as effective as the linear polarizing when trying to reduce reflections. I read somewhere we could not use the linear type of filter as they interfere with the autofocus feature. (With my eyesight I depend on autofocus virtually all the time.

Present project is photographing local backyard wildlife - mostly raccoons. It's lots of fun.

Rusty

[Dorsetmike]

Just found this thread, still finding my way round the place!!

I started semi-serious photography about 50 years ago with a Voigtlander folding rangefinder camera that took 120 size film, soon moved on to 35mm film though.

My last film camera was a Minolta 7000 which lasted me about 20 years until I got a Minolta 5D DSLR and gave the film camera to a granddaughter who was starting a college photography course.

I've probably got about a dozen lenses I can use that I have bought over the years, mostly only use about 4 of them though.

I shoot quite a variety of things, garden, wildlife, landscapes, some macro, aircraft, Folk dancing, nostalgic things like classic cars and steam railways, sometimes even take people!

Must put some photos in the gallery Done

Most important advice I would give anybody buying a camera is to start by making a short list of cameras that have the specification you want and are within your budget, then go to a dealers and handle as many of the short list as possible. There is no point in buying a large camera if your hands are small and can't easily reach all the controls or vice versa, make sure the controls are easy to use. Ask if the dealer will price match with online prices, but also consider that the dealer will be on the spot if any problems arise and you wont have to pay postage etc so you may be able to get a satisfactory price even if not as low as the online price.

If you have a film SLR camera, it may be possible to use the lenses you already have on a camera of the same make. This could save you money.

There are plenty of photography forums, some of which specialise in specific makes, others more general. Check them out, join, ask questions.

[dpurq]

Perhaps this question as been addressed already - so this may be redundant:

There are two types of polarizing filters — linear and circular. Linear polarizers are more effective and less expensive than circular ones. But circular polarizers are needed with just about any camera that has a through-the-lens metering system, or autofocus.


This is because both of types use semi-silvered mirrors to sample some of the light coming though the lens. If that light is linearly polarized it renders either the metering or the autofocus ineffective - so one should use a circular polarizer.


On a clear day much of the light from the sky is naturally polarized. and light reflected from water can be even more so. A polarizing filter reduces the "masking" glare from both sources thus producing better contrast. They also reduce a good amount of diffuse light. Some photographers just leave a polarizer on their camera since it's useful most of the time and also serves to protect the lens.

Good luck, and happy picture taking!
dpurq

[Mat]

Hey CT,

How's your camera doing (and you too, btw;-) ?

By this time you should be acquainted with it good enough to take pictures without using pre-arranged programs. Have you sorted manual settings and filters' usage out yet?

I've bought new Eneloop rechargeable batteries recenlty. I'm hoping to increase the runtime of my little Olympus... I've been thinking about buying myself some kind of filter, too.

Can't wait for summer to come.

[dll927]

The minute I saw the title of this thread, I knew it would go on forever.

The usual answer: Get thee to a decent camera store (unless you live in the outer reaches of Montana) and try out the various brands and models. Only you can decide what suits you.

And be forewarned - the camera will be a "previous model" in six months.

I'm not advertising, but the best stores are in that burg known as the Big Apple - B&H, Adorama are two of the best. Closed Saturdays and all Jewish holidays!!

[mathetes1963]

I actually do telephone tech support for a digital camera manufacturer, and just found this thread.

I'm not much of a photographer myself, though I do tinker a bit with the toys they let me take home from time to time. When I get ambitious, I may upload a few things here for your consideration!

[dll927]

Now, there's the epitome of unbiased opinion. Works for a camera mfg., but doesn't take many pictures. He even took care not to mention WHICH mfg.

Question: How does he answer technical questions if he doesn't use the products? Memorize the instruction book?

[mathetes1963]

"He"?

dll927, I find your comment to be condescending, to say the least. Rather insulting to refer to someone standing in the same room with you in the third person, don't you think? A little forum etiquette, if you don't mind.

FYI- I take pictures as I have opportunity because I enjoy it, regardless of my supposed skill level.

Most of what I know of photography, I learned in the course of my employment with the company, via training and hands-on experience. I probably know more at this point than 90% of the people who call in (which as anyone who has ever done telephone tech support would tell you is not saying much). As for my not mentioning the manufacturer, I deliberately avoided doing so to appear self-serving.

Now, there's the epitome of unbiased opinion. Works for a camera mfg., but doesn't take many pictures. He even took care not to mention WHICH mfg.

Question: How does he answer technical questions if he doesn't use the products? Memorize the instruction book?