Nikon Questions...

The Mad Rapper

The Mad Rapper

The Mad Rapper

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I am toying with the idea of getting back into photography to keep me busy in my spare time. I used to work in a semi-pro capacity years ago while I was serving in Germany. At that time I had the following:

Nikon F90
SB24 Speedlight
80 - 200mm 2.8 ED
35 - 70/80mm Nikon Zoom (can't remember exact upper focal length)

I no longer have any of this equipment, so will be buying from scratch. I am looking at Nikon only and think perhaps now is the time to try digital.

I have identified two models, the D3 and D300. The D300 seems to do almost everything the D3 can do at a third of the cost. I would welcome thoughts as to whether the additional capability of the D3 justifies the price tag, or whether the D300 is a more than adequate F90 digital equivilent?

I shall be purchasing the following lenses/equipment initially:

Nikon 14 - 24mm AF-S ED
Nikon 24 - 70mm AF-S ED

Then either:

Nikon 70 - 200mm AF-S ED

or

Nikon 80 - 200mm AF ED

SB800 Speedlight
Various lens hoods and filters etc.

Can I also have opinions as to whether the 70 - 200mm or the 80 - 200mm zoom telephoto would be better? The 80 - 200mm is the lens I used to own and it was lovely, but that was almost 10 years ago and have no idea what the advances have been like since.
 
I can't help you with the comparisons to the Nikon F90 as ive never used film. However the D3 and D300 will no doubt make you very happy. As to which is best for you really depends on what you tend to shoot most. As you say the D300 is 90% of the D3, however the D3 really wins when it comes to high ISO noise and its also full frame, whcih may be of benefit if you do a lot of landscapes. However if you shoot a lot of wildlife or sports, the 1.5X crop factor the D300 will give you a benefit.

A very nice selection of lenses you have your eye on there. Later in the year im hoping to get a 70-200VR. The 80-200 is supposed to be a tiny bit sharper (And is still a top performer btw.) But the 70-200 VR obviously has vibration reduction as well (Is it the VR version you are looking at?), but both are seriously good lenses.
 
Messiah Khan said:
I can't help you with the comparisons to the Nikon F90 as ive never used film. However the D3 and D300 will no doubt make you very happy. As to which is best for you really depends on what you tend to shoot most. As you say the D300 is 90% of the D3, however the D3 really wins when it comes to high ISO noise and its also full frame, whcih may be of benefit if you do a lot of landscapes. However if you shoot a lot of wildlife or sports, the 1.5X crop factor the D300 will give you a benefit.

A very nice selection of lenses you have your eye on there. Later in the year im hoping to get a 70-200VR. The 80-200 is supposed to be a tiny bit sharper (And is still a top performer btw.) But the 70-200 VR obviously has vibration reduction as well (Is it the VR version you are looking at?), but both are seriously good lenses.
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Yes, it is the 70 - 200mm I am looking at. I understand that it focuses 20% faster than the 80 - 200mm, but it's obviously almost £1000 more. I'm not sure if I can justify that for 10mm more range and 20% speed. Not if I am being reasonable anyway ;)

I shall mostly be using it for wildlife, sports and I am going to try and get back into press work, albeit in a limit capacity.
 
Oh, I know I had another question!

I will also be buying the MB10 vertical grip, but I have read a number of bad reviews about it. These seem to center on the inability to swap the body battery without taking the grip off. Do you need to have a battery in the body if you're using the grip?

Other complaints centered on the placement of the controls. Can any of you shed any further light on this for mor me? Is it an issue or are people being unneccessarily critical?
 
I haven't got my MB10 yet, so im not entirely sure, but I think you can use the grip battery without a battery in the body of the camera. You can certainly choose which battery is used first. When my grip tirns up im going to use the grip battery, and just keep the otehr one in the body as a backup.
 
Messiah Khan said:
I haven't got my MB10 yet, so im not entirely sure, but I think you can use the grip battery without a battery in the body of the camera. You can certainly choose which battery is used first. When my grip tirns up im going to use the grip battery, and just keep the otehr one in the body as a backup.
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Thank you.

I've seen some of your work in other threads by the way, very nice ;)
 
No idea on the D3 to D300 point but on the 70-200 vs 80-200 I would go with what your budget allows. From what I've seen the 70-200 and 80-200 are pretty similar in the sharpness stakes but then the 70-200 has the VR. Also prefered the size, build and feel of the 70-200 but that's just me. I've heard some dodgy things about the tripod mount on some variants of the 80-200 which may be a point worth noting, kirk make a replacement though. Luckily I got my 70-200 abroad and it cost me about the same as the 80-200 would here so it made sense. Both would give you great results I'm sure.

Depending on your range requirements for wildlife the 80-400 vr is also a pretty good performer although not quite as sharp or fast as the smaller zooms.
 
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Sol said:
Depending on your range requirements for wildlife the 80-400 vr is also a pretty good performer although not quite as sharp or fast as the smaller zooms.
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I'll be buying a Nikon 300mm 2.8 as soon as I can afford one. If I can get a 400mm 2.8 at a reasonable price second hand then I'll buy that as well.
 
Messiah Khan said:
Hope you've got strong arms for the 400mm f2.8 ;) The 300mm f2.8 is a beauty. Love the focus memory feature.
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I am just thinking about a maiden outing to try it all out. My Mum lives in Northumberland, and I visit often; it's where I am at the moment.

I took a trip up the coast yesterday to Holy Island and Sea Houses, you guys would have went crazy - so many superb opportunities!

I'd definately love to get over to the Farne Islands in the summer, that would be just brilliant ;)
 
Incidentally, is there a good UK dealer that sells with a discount?

I am going to pop along to '...exclusively Nikon' next week when I am back to work and have a play with the lens and body just to see how I find it, but I am not sure they're the cheapest ;)

I'll probably pick up the second hand 400 2.8 from them though, they really do sell great quality second hand lenses and bodies.
 
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The Mad Rapper said:
I am just thinking about a maiden outing to try it all out. My Mum lives in Northumberland, and I visit often; it's where I am at the moment.

I took a trip up the coast yesterday to Holy Island and Sea Houses, you guys would have went crazy - so many superb opportunities!

I'd definately love to get over to the Farne Islands in the summer, that would be just brilliant ;)
Click to expand...

Ive been to Holy Island a few times, but not while ive been a 'photographer', probably will head up there again later in the year. Went to the Farne Islands in may last year, deffinately going again. Can't wait to try out the D300+Sigma 300mm f2.8+Gimbal head for puffins in flight. :D
 
Messiah Khan said:
Ive been to Holy Island a few times, but not while ive been a 'photographer', probably will head up there again later in the year. Went to the Farne Islands in may last year, deffinately going again. Can't wait to try out the D300+Sigma 300mm f2.8+Gimbal head for puffins in flight. :D
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I am sure you'd get some great images with that - have you got any examples of your work with that optic you could let me see? I'd be really interested to see what results you can produce with that, it's hardly a cheap bit of glass after all ;)
 
Messiah Khan said:
Please remove that retailers name. Ocuk sell cameras, so anywhere that does the same are classed as competitors. Thanks. :)

Edit; But why the 400mm f2.8? Would it not make more sense to get a 500mm f4 or 600mm f4 if your also going top be getting a 300mm f2.8?
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Edit done.

I suppose it'll depend on price. I shall have to see what I can get for my money once I've made my initial outlay. I may drop the 400 2.8 so my lens progression will be:

14 - 24mm
24 - 70mm
80 - 200mm
300mm

You'll recognise that's a significant investment in glass, but that's the best I can afford, and it shall all be new.

I'd rather not have a hole in my coverage but I love fast glass so I'll have to have a think about it. I can always try a converter but I'd rather not. How much does a Nikon 600mm F4 run to second hand?
 
Heres a small selection of shots taken with the Sigma 300mm f2.8 Shot 1 was with the D300 and 2 and 3 with the D40X. When you get the focus right, it really is a lovely sharp lens. Its also quite hand holdable (Although I prefer using it on the gimbal head). If you can afford it id get the Nikon version though due to the focus memory feature.

Dripping_beak_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


Billy_the_Bluetit_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


Big_yawn_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

:)
 
The Mad Rapper said:
I am just thinking about a maiden outing to try it all out. My Mum lives in Northumberland, and I visit often; it's where I am at the moment.

I took a trip up the coast yesterday to Holy Island and Sea Houses, you guys would have went crazy - so many superb opportunities!

I'd definately love to get over to the Farne Islands in the summer, that would be just brilliant ;)
Click to expand...
I work at the middle school in Seahouses (we're still 3-tier up here). Planning a trip (without kids!) to the Farnes probably in the summer myself. Been twice with the kids, once last summer, but I didn't have the kit or ability to do much either time. Still don't have the ability to be honest, and certainly nothing close to what someone like the Messiah could do. :D
 
I so badly want to get rid of this bug I have had for 2 weeks now.Still feel like **** and banned by other half from leaving house.I want to play with this lot
 
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