duncan_mcmorrin2

Joe,

here's a combo where you will get great performance form two Nikkor lenses. Firstly, the Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF is small and compact and will offer you effectively a 27-52mm lense. Being as the the camera is only using a central part of the glass (hence the cropping factor of 1.5) you'll get some high quality results from this lense on your D100 and have both wide angle and normal. You can pick up a new one for around $500 or a used one for slightly less.

Then, an 80-200mm (push pull version or older two touch) can be had used for around $500-600. With those two lenses you've got a great range of focal lengths which will handle most of what you want to do and a wee bit more. Add to that a $50-60 (used) 50mm 1.8 and you've got most of it covered with three very good lenses....

 

All the best, Duncan

Dan, that's true but with Nikon's current warranty issues, well...we end all the way back at that "can I get my new USA D100 serviced here in Europe?" thread...:-)

 

Cheers, Duncan

Keith,

just enjoy that camera which I'm sure you'll love! I'm British myself but am married to a Swede so I live in Sweden. If you think the UK prices are bad, wait 'til you see ours:-)

Have fun with that D100 and post some images some time for us to peruse.

 

All the best, Duncan

Keith,

you should get a CF card directly. You'll probably find you'll shoot more frames with the digital than you did with analogue and if you shoot RAW files you'll use up alot of space quickly. Get at least a 512 mb card. I use 1 Gigb Lexars and find them very fast and reliable. Sandisk are reliable too, in my experience.

 

Quality-wise, yes, it should do the job. Just remember that with digital, some processing work is required to get the most out of each image so practice your Photoshop technique:-)

 

Bests, Duncan

Keith,

no, not really. If you want to use your Nikon lenses you basically have the D100 or Fuji S2 Pro. The difference between those two bodies is minimal and mostly a matter of taste.

 

BTW The F100 is still called the F100 in the States, too:-)

 

Cheers, Duncan

I agree with the above entirely. Go get that 17-35. If I had to only own one lens (Lord forbid:-)) this would be it. I use mine on a D1x.

 

Cheers, Duncan

Jan,

these are just scams, believe me. Somtimes the "sellers" have hijacked other peoples ID's and are using them. Don't go ANYWHERE near those cameras or you will simply lose your money.

 

Bests, Duncan

Cham,

I wouldn't worry about the clamp wearing. It's extremely well made and I doubt many people would wear it out in their lifetime. If you ever did wear it out, though, just buy another; you'll probaly have got your money's worth out of the first one:-)

 

Cheers, Duncan

Yes, very nicely finished, too. I also got the plate for the D1x and another for the 70-180 AF Zoom Micro Nikkor. Very pleased with both of those, too. Also, while I didn't ever interact with the previous owner of RRS, I heard alot of people complaining of his abruptness. Well the current owner is very pleasant to deal with. I called him from here in Sweden and he chatted away, most unstressed. Fun transaction and as Arnold says: "I'll be back!"

 

Bests, Duncan

Folks,

I have been testing this

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/media/full_size/b2proLR_closed.jpg

 

quick release system system on an Arca Swiss B1 mounted upon a

Sachtler DA 75 L. I actually have the B2-Pro AS which fits my latest

model Arca. All I can say is "wow!"...this is all it's advertised to

be and despite the $112 price tag, I can highly recommend it!

Top end loading is a big plus and the lever lock save heaps of time.

Anyone interested in one, just go for it....IMHO..:-)

Mike, me too. I find Björn most reliable in his reviews and have always been glad when I listened to him.

 

Bests, Duncan

Chuck,

there's a simple one here:

 

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details.aspx?countryId=12&languageId=12&prodId=386&catId=117

 

Bests, Duncan

Let's try again: Frank, you must have made a mistake; this is the NIKON forum, old boy:-)

Frank, you must have made a mistake: this the NIKON forum, old boy!

 

Duncan

Naji,

I honestly don't think you lose much quality with a 17-35 AF-S over many of the primes in that range. Speed perhaps, but quality?

 

Duncan

Ivan,

for travelling that would not be a lens I would want on my camera:-) Waaay too big and heavy, especially with that hood. One of the things to consider when travelling is the subtlety of the kit you have. One doesn't want to "stick out" too much and the 28-70 AF-S is not a lens that lends itself to blending into the background..:-)

 

Best, Duncan

Doug,

I think that 35/85 combo would do the job just fine. Otherwise a 35-70 f2.8 might be on my list, just for the extra range and easy framing.

 

Best, Duncan

Bruce, yes, but I think you missed the point of the original question here. If your situation requires that you stop down the lens a bit, so be it, but as a first and alround lens on a manual body, the 35 1.4 is still not a bad choice at all. There are many situations other than the one you describe where that extra speed WILL come in very handy and Hugh stated he'd rather not use flash.

Hugh,

I'd say that 35mm f1.4 would be a great choice. Good alround focal length and plenty of light. Well built too.

 

Best, Duncan

Mat,

I wouldn't be too cheap on that tripod/head combo if I was you. You'll surely regret it in the long run. To invest in such a fine camera and lenses and then support them with a below par tripod would be tantamount to negligent.

I use a Sachtler DA 75L with a an Arca Swiss B1 head (just received the latter but I like it so far). I find the Sachtler to be rock solid and far superior to the Gitzo G1228 I previously used. This combo set me back about $700 and then another $225 for the RRS plates etc.. I wanted for it, but I really think it's worth every penny. Indoors I have a reasonable combo and outdoors it's light enough to lug around (around 2.7 kilos with the monoball in place).

I don't use any really big glass, but if I did this combo would support it without a problem. My kit is not so disimilar to yours: 17-35mm AF-S, 50mm 1.4 AF-D, 85mm 1.4 AF-D, AF 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Micro and a 200mm F4 AF-D Micro. All these are used together with a D1x.

 

If you want any more info on the Sachtler, look at Björn's site here:

 

http://www.naturfotograf.com/sacht3.html

 

All the best and good luck,

 

Duncan

Shun,

I personally think that you don't always have to take away the initiative from users. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that people can use their own judgement and good sense in deciding what is appropriate, without a multitude of rules and regulations being thrown upon them. Also, how is a new user going to have any chance of hearing/knowing about this "FS/WTB" bible of rules.

We all use tripods and ballheads and the likes with our Nikon gear, so how far off base is that, really?

I just think that you're "barking up a tree that doesn't need to be barked up", if you'll pardon the expression..:-)

I think you'll find that the average person will understand that this isn't the place to advertise their Jeep....

 

Best, Duncan

Another good choice would be an AF 35-70mm F2.8 zoom lens. This is a very sharp lens with a useful focal range for everyday use, BUT with macro capabilities to boot.

 

Best, Duncan

Massimo, "hunting" is when the lens is trying to autofocus but failing to lock onto the subject.

 

Best, Duncan

Has any conclusion been drawn on this, yet?

 

Best, Duncan

Well, one great little zoom is the Nikon AF 35-70 f2,8. If you keep an eye on ebay you might find one for under $300 or around.

I believe that money is better invested in a good lens than in a fancy body so it can be worth saving a wee bit to get something worthwhile and the above lens is certainly worthwhile, even if the range is quite limited.

A Nikon 28-105 is another idea...

 

Best, Duncan