Mike_R1664876643

<p>And it also sums up very nicely why I <a id="itxthook5" href="/nikon-camera-forum/00d0CR" rel="nofollow">plan<img id="itxthook5icon" src="http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png" alt="" /></a> on sticking it out a while longer with my D300s (I think). But the $300 discount in addition to the lens rebates does make for a good deal.</p>

<p>After having a fairly expensive Nikon UV filter shatter and scratch my new Tokina 11-16 lens, I bought the Hoya High Density UV filter that supposedly has extra strong glass. So far I really, really like this filter. I like keeping good UV filters on my lenses most of the time as I often shoot in wet conditions.</p>

<p>Thanks. I'll check out the I-40. I did find the Di-600 a little cheaper at $179 at Adorama.</p>

<p>I looked at B&H and they sell the Nissin Di600 for $199. The guide number on the Nissin is 145' (105mm) compared to 92' (35mm) on the Nikon SB-700. The Nikon gives you a few other things like a wide angle diffuser & case, but at $125 less the Nissin looks like a good option. Thanks again for everyone's input</p>

<p>Thanks everyone. I'll check out the Nissin flashes. This is the first time I've heard of them. When Lorne said Nissan I immediately thought of the car company and wondered why they were also making camera equipment! I'll also look around the used market for an SB-800. I have heard a lot about that unit having owned the SB-600 before.</p>

<p>I want to pick up a flash unit for my D300s and eventual D810 just for occasional use. I don't do a lot of flash photography, but want a flash to shoot some photos at my daughter's wedding next year, and just to have when needed. I've been looking at the SB-700, but at $326 are there any less expensive third party options that would work about as well as the Nikon flashes? What disadvantages would there be with a third party flash? I know long ago I had Vivitar and Sunpak flashes, they seemed to work well, but that was before cameras became as complex as they are today. Also, I used to have an SB-600, but regrettably sold it a couple years ago from lack of use. I've missed it ever since.</p>

<p>I'm hoping for a D810 price break either by itself or with the 24-70 f2.8 before the end of the year. But not sure if Nikon ever discounts their 2.8 zooms.</p>

<p>The D750 would be a great choice for any type of photography, but especially for shooting weddings, events, etc. Personally, I think far too much is made of resolution. Sharpness in a photo is important, but resolution is absolutely not unless you're making very, very large prints. I'm still shooting with my D300s and it still takes great photos. . . I find 12mp plenty for my landscape photography, or anything I shoot. I always like looking at the top rated photos on Photo Net, and am always amazed at how many outstanding pictures are taken with 10 or 12 mp cameras, or less. A smaller, more agile camera body definitely has its advantages. And the $1,000 difference is no small amount. That could help buy a great professional lens.</p>

<p>I received the .9 Lee soft grad. Other than feeling a little not too bright for spending so much on a piece of plastic, I'm very pleased with it and think I made the right choice going with the .9 grad. I may get the .6 hard grad someday to go with it. I haven't decided yet whether or not to get the Lee holder and wide angle adaptor, which will be another $150. I had bought the Lee holder when I bought the grad but had to send it back because it vignetted too much. From the reviews I've read, the Lee is better in that respect. </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your comments and input. In the end I decided to go with the .9 Lee soft. Later I may add the .6 soft and a .9 hard. These things are ridiculously expensive. Hopefully they're worth it.</p>

<p>I would like to get a Lee split neutral density filter with the Cokin Pro Z holder. I want to use the filter primarily for mountain sunsets and sunrises. For now I can only afford to get just one, so was leaning towards the .9 soft. I noticed that they come in .6, .75, and the .9 strengths. If getting just one filter, would the .9 be my best choice? Thanks.</p>

<p>Thanks Shun. I'm interested how smooth & quiet the D750 shutter is, because I've heard the D810 is very nice. I agree that 24mp is probably more than enough resolution for me, or anyone for that matter. Just looking at the DXOMark lens scores, the D610 more than doubles the resolution I get with any of my lenses on my D300s and I expect the D750 will as well. The D800e nearly triples it.</p>

<p>I'm really on the fence now over which FX DSLR to upgrade to from my D300s, between the D810 and D750. I had purchased the 16-35VR lens earlier this year because of the rebates, with a plan to go FX by the end of the year. I do mainly landscape photography, which would favor the D810. However, the D750 seems like the better "all-around" DSLR being smaller and lighter, more sensible file sizes (yet a still impressive 24mp), and best of all a full $1,000 less. I could see myself wanting to do more people photography if I had the D750. The articulating screen also seems extremely useful for low angle landscape or architectural shots. The only feature I might miss from my D300s is the 10-pin connector, since I have the MC-30 cable which I use a lot. Nikon has a lineup of FX cameras now that are clearly distinguished from one another, which may be good for their profits, but bad for people like me who have to make a decision on which to go with.<br> Personally, I don't get all hung up on what number Nikon wants to assign to their cameras. As far as I'm concerned they could have named it the D81 and I could care less if it's a well thought out camera, which the D750 seems to be. </p>

<p>We had a great trip up to Zion and Kanab Utah a couple weeks ago. I highly recommend the Victorian Inn for anyone looking for a nice place to stay in the area. We decided to cut out Cedar Breaks and just focus on Zion over the two day period. Unfortunately, because of time I didn't get to shoot as much as I would have liked but did get a few good shots in Zion. We even saw some big horn sheep on the rocks on the east side of the park which was neat. One of these years I would like to take a dedicated photo trip to the southwestern Utah/northern Arizona region and take at least a week. The landscape and the light is so amazing in that part of the country. Thanks again for all the advice everyone gave me in advance of our trip. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Charles, I'll check those places out. You are right, probably more driving than photographing. One of these years I'm going to make a dedicated photo trip out that way, and less a Las Vegas vacation. Thanks again everyone for all of your suggestions. </p>

<p>I finalized our route. We will drive from Las Vegas to Cedar City this weekend, then up to Cedar Breaks. After that, we will head towards Kanab via SR 14, staying at the Victorian Inn. The next day it will be Zion before heading back to Vegas. I've visited Zion four times already so we won't need to spend a lot of time there, but I know I would really regret not going once again while we're so close. There is no place like it I've ever been to. I also want to stop at the Grafton ghost town outside of Springdale. Not sure whether there is much to see or photograph there but it's only a few miles from the main highway. <br> I'm excited, because last year I went to Zion with nothing wider than my 16-85DX. Then to make matters worse it was overcast and pouring down the rain while we were at Zion and Bryce due to a tropical storm. It probably rains five times all year in the desert and it rained about the whole week we were there. This year I have a new Tokina 11-16 2.8 and hopefully we'll have much better weather!</p>

<p>I bought the Tokina 11-16 2.8 last year and can't recommend it enough. I know the range is limited but I see that as a good thing as it forces me to think exclusively wide when I have this lens mounted. I use it in combination with the 16-85VR. The 11-16 2.8 is the lens that makes me hesitate at times moving up to an FX camera, because the quality you get for the price is really unmatched.</p>

<p><br />Thanks Bob. Yes, we'll drive up to Cedar Breaks the second day on our way back to Vegas since we'll be going to Kanab via the southern route. I'll may try to work in Coral Pink Sand Dunes on our way to Kanab, and the Best Friends Animal Society sounds neat too. I had thought about driving over to Page, AZ after we get to Kanab to try to photograph Horseshoe Bend at sunset but I'm afraid we would be beat by then and it wouldn't be enjoyable, and would then have to drive all the way back to Kanab. Crazy that we didn't plan more than one night but oh well. I've read good reviews of the Victorian Inn so we're looking forward to that. Last year we stayed at the Best Western Zion Park Inn and it was nice too (especially the breakfast buffet!).</p>

<p>Thanks very much for all the suggestions. I realize we probably aren't going to be anywhere the best time of day to take great pictures this go round but that's okay. Cedar Breaks looks like a neat place. Last year we went to both Zion & Bryce Canyon so looking for somewhere new. Since my original post I made a reservation in Kanab the night of Aug 16 (Victorian Jnn) rather than St. George. In hindsight we should have tried to stay there at least two nights to give us more time. </p>

<p>My wife and I are staying in St. George Utah next week for one night and are going to make a trip up to Cedar Breaks National Monument, then loop all the way back to St. George Utah via Routes 14, 89, and 389. We've been to Zion the last two years so I really don't want to pay the $25 fee just to drive through it (although it's probably worth every penny of that just to see it again). Can anyone tell me how the scenery & photo opportunities are along Route 14 over to Route 89? Or is there another route that would be better to take? We only have the one day then are heading back to Las Vegas. Thanks.</p>

<p>Fantastic pictures John. Now those make me want to move up to the D810 today (or a good used D800/e)! </p>

<p>Nice review. I'm debating a similar upgrade (from a d300s) but am having a very hard time deciding, I think mostly because of the price tag and knowing I jut got my D300s about 5 years ago. It has a lot of life left in it. I look at how much the D800 has suddenly dropped in market value and it kind of scares me, not that I would ever plan to sell a camera less than 2 years after I bought it just to have the latest model, as some are doing now with their D800's. Shooting mostly landscapes I can't decide whether to stick with DX (better DOF) & save some money, or switch to FX and possibly get slightly better image quality, but at a hefty price. I'm also weighing whether it would be worth waiting a year to see how the D610 gets upgraded. Having so many options these days is both a good and bad thing. </p>

<p>I would think DSLRs should last about as long as later model film cameras. However, with digital cameras most probably shoot far more exposures than they did with film which would cause parts to wear out faster. With my D300s, I surely hope it lasts a good 8-10 years before it really needs replaced, not to say I might not do it sooner if I get a good deal on a newer model. I've had it going on five years now. </p>