Eric, I used your New Point Loma pictures compared against mine in the mystery lighthouse thread to show my husband why I wanted a new camera. So you aren't doing too bad. I am getting a DSLR, but I might go with a refurbished or used one in order to be able to afford what I want. That worked well for me the last time when I got a $700 camera for $160. As for what I want want...I am still trying to figure that out.
Laura
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19792912/03/1009:29 PM
I have been using a Nikon Coolpix P80. This has been a good camera for me to learn on for digital, but I wanted something more advanced so I bought a Canon EOS Rebel X Si that I bought discounted when Circuit City went out of business. It came with a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and I purchased 70-300 mm lens for longer shots. Not ever having had a "fancy" film camera before I went to digital, I don't know how to properly use this camera to its best advantage, but have taken a "beginners" class and will take a more advanced class at some point. This is the camera I want to use on the Alaskian cruise.
Melody
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793012/04/1012:07 AM
I have a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and to say the least it lacks alot. I need to get a new one and learn how to use it before the Alaskan cruise. I looked briefly at a Fuji Fine Pix. It was apparently a point and shoot not a DSLR. Does anyone know anything about the Fujis or have any other suggestions, such as are there any good suggestions that aren't DSLRs?
Thanks, Kathleen
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793112/04/1012:27 AM
I am on my third Cannon Power Shot. Love the camera so much I have been updating as a new model came out I now have The SX20 which is 12.1 mega pixels. At least half a dozen people I know have also bought this model, including Ron Foster who takes wonderful pictures. Go to a camera store and try it out. Then go on line an get a better deal. By the way I took pictures of Fastnet in Ireland from shore (8 miles away) with the previous model.
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793212/05/1002:06 AM
8 miles...wow! I'd like to see that one. Still studying and thinking. Right now I am between a refurbished Nikon D90 and a new D5000. Melody, I need to take some classes also. I want to be ready for the cruise in June and then Ireland (and Fastnet) in August. I need all the advice I can get from people taking the same kind of pictures I do and I thought it would be interesting to see how many different cameras are used.
Laura
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793312/05/1005:17 AM
I have a Nikon D2X here, I want to upgrade to the D3X if the the wife is willing... It is an awesome 48 million pixels per.. That is around 128 MB per raw image, a lot of memory on each of the dual cards is needed badly..
Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793412/06/1012:56 PM
Originally posted by WackoPaul: I have a Nikon D2X here, I want to upgrade to the D3X if the the wife is willing... It is an awesome 48 million pixels per.. That is around 128 MB per raw image, a lot of memory on each of the dual cards is needed badly..
What was that little Nikon that you had in Florida and in Vermont?
LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793612/06/1008:28 PM
I also use a Nikon N65 but with a 28-300 mm lens. I got tired of swapping lenses. I also have a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital, but the film camera is my main lighthouse camera.
I finally decided. I have a new Nikon D90 on the way. Price had dropped in the last few days, and then when I actually put it in the shopping cart another $70 disappeared! Great deals out there right now if you are in the market. Caution though...beware of the deals that are too good to be true and research the seller. I almost got caught. I currently only have a prime lens coming. Now begins the search for good deals on the rest of what I need for those offshore lighthouses. I am still looking for some classes, but not finding anything. I may have to settle for online classes or books.
Laura
Re: Lighthousing camera survey#19793912/11/1001:06 AM
I'm using a Nikon D50, which I've had since 2007, when I got it on an out-of-production sale. Love it, and it's a tank with all I put it through, but do eye up the new D7000...
As for lenses, I have an 18-55 kit lens, which I switched back to after my 18-135 broke, a 50mm 1.8 prime, and an old 75-300 zoom. I really need to do some upgrading, hopefully to a 16-85mm and a 70-300VR, hopefully by June. Also thinking about upgrading the body, after the lenses.
Overall, I'm very happy with my Nikon gear. Good quality equipment.
I use the Nikon D90 and my 2 most used lens are the 17-55 2.8 and 70-300VR. I do have others but those are used most. If you have a Nikon and want to get Nikon used lens or cameras go to the Nikonians.org. I have bought and sold there and the bargins are great and these people baby their equipment. I have learned alot there. For Alaska I bought the Sigma 150-500 and hope to get some good shots.
Have you tried your Sigma yet? I would be interested to hear how you like it. For the really long shots, using a tripod and manual focus I think would be fine. I am looking at some weird old ones like a Tele-Astranar.
I used it at Santa Cruz with the people surfing. The pictures were sharp and the color was great. My sigma is heavy but I was able to hand hold because it had VR. It takes some getting used to. I have a monopod for the times my arms get tired.
The mono helps with long time use but for short term the VR(Sigma calls it something else) makes a big difference. I have tendonidus (Hope I spelled it right) in my right arm so it has been really difficult. If it is a moving target i shot a couple shots in a row. All the shots are not perfect but I get many many good ones. Last summer I had an air show fly over my backyard and got some really cool shots. The small airport was not far from my house. I am still learning. My plane shots are on facebook.
I looked at your air show pictures...very cool! Those planes would be hard to follow with a tripod. Nancy and I both have a hard time with camera movement because our hands shake. She has been using a tripod, but I have just finally ordered one. I checked out your Sigma lens...awesome. Bit out of my range just now. Wish list!
I did not know much about tripods and monopods. I happened to be in Wolf camera and got to talking to one of the sales people before I bought the sigma. He showed me a head that goes on the monopod that holds the camera and you tighten it but you can stillmove the camera from left to right and up and down. That is how I was able to follow the planes. It was hard to do but with practice I got some good shots. I am having a hard time with flying creatures so I will practice. I was also able to buy the lens because I sold some jewelry. I dont wear as much and had enough to buy the sigma and a Tripod. I never thought I was going to pay so much for a tripod, but they say buy once and buy right. My first tripod was 60 bucks from Ritz. It was a problem switching from verticle to horizontal. Every time I did I had to rescrew the camera in and sometimes the camera slip down. Photography sure dont come cheap and sometimes exposure is frustrating. Oh buy the way I paid for the lens with bill me later 6 months to pay. Just in case money was needed for something else.
This is the tripod I've been using...not always steady, but it quickly goes from horizontal to vertical. I just got a Tokina SD 400mm f/5.6 on ebay. It won't be point and shoot, I will have to experiment with settings and use a better tripod..
They work for small point and shoot cameras however I haven't found positive reviews on any with a DSLR and a decent size lens.
Recently I took a trip to ST. Thomas so I was looking into one since I did't want check my tripod with my luggage. I decided that no tripod was better then a Gorillapod for my DSLR.
If you want a small tripod they do make some small travel ones or go with a monopod.
I did not know much about tripods and monopods. I happened to be in Wolf camera and got to talking to one of the sales people before I bought the sigma. He showed me a head that goes on the monopod that holds the camera and you tighten it but you can stillmove the camera from left to right and up and down. That is how I was able to follow the planes. It was hard to do but with practice I got some good shots. I am having a hard time with flying creatures so I will practice. I was also able to buy the lens because I sold some jewelry. I dont wear as much and had enough to buy the sigma and a Tripod. I never thought I was going to pay so much for a tripod, but they say buy once and buy right. My first tripod was 60 bucks from Ritz. It was a problem switching from verticle to horizontal. Every time I did I had to rescrew the camera in and sometimes the camera slip down. Photography sure dont come cheap and sometimes exposure is frustrating. Oh buy the way I paid for the lens with bill me later 6 months to pay. Just in case money was needed for something else.
You are so right with when you buy a tripod buy a good one first. I bought one that with the head cost about $250 if I recall. It was so heavy though we never took it. I upgraded to a Gitzo 2531 with a Really Right Stuff BH40 and I take it with me any where I can. Granted the combo set me back $1000 however it's a sweet tripod that will last me a long time.
I finally decided. I have a new Nikon D90 on the way. Price had dropped in the last few days, and then when I actually put it in the shopping cart another $70 disappeared! Great deals out there right now if you are in the market. Caution though...beware of the deals that are too good to be true and research the seller. I almost got caught. :o I currently only have a prime lens coming. Now begins the search for good deals on the rest of what I need for those offshore lighthouses. :D I am still looking for some classes, but not finding anything. I may have to settle for online classes or books.
Congrats on the D90. It's a nice camera. I have the D80 which the D90 replaced. The reason you are seeing the deals on the D90 is Nikon is discontinuing it. The D7000 replaced the D90 so the price on the D90 is really starting to drop. A lady I work with has the D90 and loves it.
I looked at the gorilla pods, but they made me nervous. I got a decent tripod, I think. Lightweight, tall enough and sturdy enough I hope, for $60. I guess I will see. I have heard of a monopod doubling as a walking stick...that sounds interesting, especially when I see pictures of Skellig Michael. I will have a 50mm, 200mm and 400mm prime lenses, and a 55-200VR. The last 3 are on their way and only the 50 and the 55-200 are new. My aim was to have good equipment, and still have money to travel. I have come across a lot of lighthouses that I couldn't get very close to. I am hoping to get better pictures of the far off ones. I can't wait to see what Fran can do with that Sigma.
With the 200 and 400 being prime you should also be able to use a tele convertor on it as well. I know on my 70-300 it's not recommended since the results would be poor.
I had a tamron 200-500 lens for a short time and tried a monopod. I didn't like the lens so everything went back. I should have kept the monopod to play with it more. I have treking poles so I don't need one for a walking stick but they are nice since they can become compact.
Hey Laura Fran is waiting to see what Fran can get. I am still learning also. You should get great shots with the 400. My husband just saw the sigma for the first time last night and just stared at it. He said you got to be kidding. How do you hold this sucker. Well I am not sure but I will have to build up some muscles for it. Plan to use the mono when I need to. Maybe ask a child to stand in front of me.
I am told that the Canon vs. Nikon questions are mostly a matter of opinon. The responce is so great for Nikon that I hesitate to say, I have a Conon with a 50mm prime, 15-85mm, and a Tamron 70-300.
I am told that the Canon vs. Nikon questions are mostly a matter of opinon. The responce is so great for Nikon that I hesitate to say, I have a Conon with a 50mm prime, 15-85mm, and a Tamron 70-300.
I would agree with you. What is better a Chevy or a Ford? The debate can go on forever. Each mfg has it's plus and minus. When I bought my camera I looked at both the Canon and Nikon. Nikon won since it felt better in my hands. I just didn't like how the Canon felt.
That being said I bet once you buy one mfg you stay with them since you have the lenses. Right now I'm looking at upgrading my D80 but it's to a higher end Nikon. I won't even consider Canon since I don't want to start all over with the lens expense.
The main thing is buy what you like and take photos. That's what it's all about. Now days there are enough online reviews for you to do some research before heading to the store.
I have a Canon since the Michigan Reunion and love it. I bought the Canon based on the lenes and price. I started with a 20D and now have a 5DMarkII. My main concern was a fast IS lens,2.8. Current lens of choice is a 70-200 2.8 and I recently purchased a shorter 2.8 zoom for portraits and moving grandchild. I sat in the audience at a dance recital and videod a 4 minute performance in HD digital with the 70-200 zoom lens w/o autofocus and hand held. I think it's network quality.
Both brands great - make a list of your priorities, and check your options. If your buying any lenses , make sure they are compatible if you upgrade your camera body in the future.
It will be interesting to see the video feature on my next camera. When I bought my D80 I don't even know if video was available on the high end cameras. I'm still buying the camera for the great pictures but having video will be nice as well.
There is a Nikon mount, 400mm Tele-Astranar lens on Ebay if anyone is interested. I would be if I hadn't already bought a 400mm. The reviews of these old lenses are very good. Lens on Ebay
So you aren't doing too bad. I am getting a DSLR, but I might go with a refurbished or used one in order to be able to afford what I want. That worked well for me the last time when I got a $700 camera for $160. As for what I want want...I am still trying to figure that out.
I just got a Tokina SD 400mm f/5.6 on ebay. It won't be point and shoot, I will have to experiment with settings and use a better tripod..