ajaytyagi

I am an avid film user (mainly slides) and was thinking of getting

the coolscan 5000ED from Nikon when it struck me that the D70 can

probably double up as both an affordable camera as well as a slide

scanner for the exact dollar value(1K). I could be talking thru my

@#$% but please hear me out and kindly advise if this is even

possible. Using a PB-6 and PS-6 slide duplicator combo is it

possible to make comparable copies of slides with a D70?? This would

at least for the time being let me scan some of my good slides plus

utilize my lenses, accessories while supplementing the second body

NAS cravings.

I guess the other way to put this is - Does the best image taken

from the D70 even compare to a scan from the 5000ED??

Thank you

AT

It definately depends 'where' you are travelling but my choice has to be the sturdy F5 and the versatile 80-400VR. Leave the tripod home and carry extra batteries. A 50 1.8 with a reversing ring and you have the whole spectrum.

AT

I was wondering if any member is visiting or planning to be at the

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary around March 19-22? I know this is a

stretch but the experience could be more rewarding with similar-

minded people. Iam travelling from the US and will carry my F5 and

the 80-400VR for light travel purposes. Almost thought of renting a

big glass but the duration of total stay is way much. I am carrying

some macro lenses (55 2.8 and Canon 500D) along with a sturdy Tripod

(Bogen 3221) to get up close and personal and this is the area need

some learning to do - so thought I would ask if anyone was

interested in doing the same.

So any plans we still got time...

"They're lovely cameras. They're like ... pets!" - Arnab

 

Hope you treat your pets better than that ;-) AT

The trick I saw the Nikon rep do with the D2H was to point the camera down always when changing lenses. Dust almost always falls downwards unless it is windy then maybe use the plastic bag.

Definately get the F5 but shop more to get a better price as there are other 'buggers' on PN selling it for below $1000. I have one and and with the prices falling want to get another even though DSLRs are comparable.

AT

This is a link from the American Museum of Natural History regarding creating a butterfly garden.

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/garden.html

 

Depending on where you are it may or may not work but does make interesting reading. They do have a winter Butterfly exhibit. Being on the NE in the USA it is my only refuge for getting up-close while I long for spring and summer. I have even tried using the 80-400VR with a 500D and the SB-80DX on a bracket with limited success at this exhibit.

Good luck.<div></div>

Jim,

it stands for Massachusetts and as long as you put USA at the end of the address it should be fine with any State abbreviation. BTW, Maine is ME.

AT

For once it is not a Nikon vs Canon debate!!

Cham,

 

I've being meaning to say this for so long and didn't know if it would be taken well. I discovered PN last year and having absorbed immense knowledge from all the forums, couldn't pass the opportunity of this year's drive to raise money. Transferring money can sure be a problem from a lot of these countries but if B&H can do business around the globe we can sure explore a way for a small amount to be transferred to the US.

 

Now only if I can start supporting NPR for their excellent coverage!

 

AT

KL,

I own the 80-400VR and have a great deal of faith in the VR/IS technology. It has even helped me on macro shoots with a 500D.

Having shot a good deal of wildlife in India from SUVs and Elephants, I think the VR was made for tracking animals on the up and go. The pitch is for the 70-200VR with any one of the teleconverters but maybe a temporary solution can be the 80-400 for its versatility. The slow aperture is surely made up with the VR to some extent but I wouldn't hope to get any 'Chase' scenes due to the slow AF. A 400/f5.6 which can be used as a 400/f2 is not something to ignore given its size and zoom range. Just my $0.02.

AT

I believe Paul means the 70-200VR instead of the 80-200VR!!

I would add another body for sure (maybe rent a F5) to be on the safer side.

Brian,

Totally agree with you as it is so hard to get the right expression/placement from kids and the rate of miss is way higher than the keeps.

 

Fazal,

That is a great picture.

 

As an example even though I hate the space heater in the background and can probably brush it off in PS, this is an expression I have not replicated in 1000 shots of her.<div></div>

FYI,

There was a similar post for Bald Eagles in Wisconsin. I take 'Van

Trips' from the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge to the Eagle Institute

atleast once a year with sure success in the order of 15-20

sightings. This trip requires registration but anyone can make their

own trip near and around the Eagle Institute in the upper Delaware

region. For more information visit http://www.eagleinstitute.org/.

Naturally bring your best optics and prepare for extreme cold. Apart

from pulling off the road there are certain 'Action Spots' to park

and wait. Usually there is a group and spotters to make it easier.

Ezra,

Being familiar with the tropical conditions in India and generally from past experience, I would say the biggest damage is done when the film is not developed after exposing it. Given that you have been accumulating the 90+ rolls since July and unless you had arranged to refrigerate these, the 3-4 months after developing may not be that big an issue. Morever your kind friend or whoever is taking delivery from the lab can buy the archival sheets and transfer the slides. Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy Cochin and the backwaters -- from an envious PNetter on the east coast.

85/1.4 AFD, 'It's all about the bokeh baby'- regardless of what some people say.

The incompatibility I am aware of is due to the size of the motor drive coming in the way. It is resolved by using the PK-11A (at a minimum) extension tube. Michael Weber has a not-so-favourable review of this attachment at http://www.imagepower.de/IMAGES/imgEQUIPMENT/PB6.htm . I considered this unit myself, but with an F5 it needs 3 more pieces just to get started!! Got to love Nikon for that who never fail to caution you in their manuals. Hope this helps.

The place in NYC is Duggal which is now on 23rd between 5th and 6th. I love the film and recommend underexposing a tad bit. No experience with a red filter though

Contact Adorama which is also a contributor to this site. I bought a grey SB-80DX 10 days ago for $279!!

"Thanks, guys, for the admiration. As for the case, slowly undressing her to change her gives me a chill everytime"

 

It's ok to love your Nikon just don't 'luuuve' your Nikon.. ;)

I use it with the BR-2A reversing ring for macro apart from a decent portrait lens and a crystal clear 2X loupe!

I have heard on similar posts that the new wonder film is Velvia 100 available only in Japan rather than the Velvia 100F available elsewhere. Is this true or should I file this under 'Urban legends'. Arnab, has any of this so called mythical film washed ashore in Calcutta?? ( Excuse me if you do not reside there, but I read some of your earlier posts which gave me the impression). Being stuck in the emulsion world and not crossed over to digital, this interests me a lot. Mostly shooting Wildlife in India under challenging 'Jungle light', I would give an arm for more info on a faster Velvia-like-incredible film which can also be pushed slightly.

I recently bought the same combo on the 3221 legs to be used for the 80-400VR + F5. The lousy tripod collar is a bigger issue than the combined weight itself. I avoid over-extending the 'neck' of the tripod and the 3221 legs are great for this support. The 2 spirit-levels really help align the frame quickly in either plane. The pentagon shaped quick release is very sturdy though doesn't really qualify as a 'quick release'. For the price it is the best ball-head but you should look into the Canon Pro Ballhead (Uniquephoto has one on clearance and feels super-steady).

I have only heard good things about the original Nikon still being sold at B&H for about $129. Does anyone know if the 80-400VR will be bright enough??