james_c._turner

If it is a true backup camera to the one you use, it may not get much use. If it is the same as you use daily, D200, going to another D200 would be seamless. But if your backup camera is a different model, and does'nt get much use, when you need it, you may not be as familiar with it at a moments notice, such as your main camera going dead in the middle of an assigment.

I thought using P Program, the camera takes over, using what settings it thinks is best?

Either lens would be good, with extension tubes. If you don't have one, pick one up on your way. Have fun.

The Sigma 90mm from a few years ago is an awesome lens and goes used for around $100. Also a reversing ring used with the 50mm you already have is a very good option too. Good luck, have fun.

your iso200 is at the lowest end, to use less exposure compensation, bump up your iso.

I believe Tim is on to something!

"...I intend to go back every time I need fast customized advice..." PLEASE! That has got to be the most ignorant thing I have seen in a while here. If you state your question clearly here, you will get plenty of advice, most of it good. What a joke.

I use my D1H every day, and am happy with it. I guess it depends on what your needs are. I did buy a D70, to take on casual outings or vacation, for size and weight concerns. Buy what makes you happy, have fun!

Charles Webster ...."where even a minimalist laptop has a ~200 GB hard drive these days"..

I really don't know where you get your "facts"? But I believe your WAY off base. Most major PC/Laptop manufacturers just announced 200GB in their laptops this past summer, and they are by no means minimalist, most are double the price of a mid grade laptop, $3k and up. Fujitsu and other major HDD makers will not have them out before 2007.

....."As for the recommendation that it include a DVD writer, that's of little or no help"

I think a part of photo processing, actually the first part, is to backup your work, if it means anything to you! Two backups are a standard with me, harddrive and DVD. This is the FIRST thing I do once I start to process my photographs. Don't want to have all your eggs in one basket, that would be very irresponsible, and foolish.

I think a laptop with a DVD writer would be better, holds alot more data, four or five times as much.

Last generation Sigma 90mm AF Macro, usually goes for around $90, and is a very good performer. Good luck.

Rent, sounds like the best option.

I don't know if your lens is good? Send it to me and I will check it out.

I would get a camera that I like in my hand, weight, balance, etc... and learn to use proficiently, then build a nice glass outfit.

F100 or F5, good prices, great cameras. Easy use of functions. I had a N90S, and some functions only work with the extra data back, and then it was very unpractical to use, complex.

F4S is a cheap option too. Good luck, have fun.

http://www.adraycamera.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=374

Another vote for the Nikon 85 f1.4

You are comparing apples and oranges. Canon's Pro camera versus Nikon's Consumer camera, not much of comparison in my opinion.

I get a major black circle at the bottom center of my pictures @18mm, but when I take off the lens shade it does not appear?

I would not. I would send them the High Res they asked for, for MONEY.

Yes, Umut you should run right out and sell all your Nikon gear.

I use both available light and flash for portrait and candids. I like using fill flash with the sun at the back of the subject, the backlight of the sun lights up the hair nice, and the fill flash illuminates the face just enough, sometimes even -1 stop fill. I also like the sun / available light to cast over one side of the face, with no flash, this can lead to some dramatic tight head shots.

Take your models out and fire away, experiment alot, get something dramatic, unexpected! Have fun and good luck.

You should be able to "see" the SD card as a removable drive, in the same area as you can see your c:\ drives and dvd drives. I think you can right click on it, which brings up a menu with format on it. But if it is being used with a camera it is best to format in the camera it is being used with. Good luck.

I thought on any book, inside the cover on the page with all the publishers information, the first edition should only show the one year, in your case 1986. Any other editions would have 1986, and the year the next edition is printed.

For the price for this junky lens, I would take it back and demand a better specimen. Truly pitiful. Good luck.

The thin filters are for wide angle lenses, so there will be no vignetting hopefully. As for the multi coatings, I guess the more the the better.