alex_thomson1

Thanks for you answers. These are helpful as I know very little about digital photography.

 

Unfortunately, I cannot afford an expensive digital body and expensive glass at the moment. So, I'm concentrating on the lens for the moment.

 

My line of thought was:

- I think I've outgrown my Sigma 50-500mm (too slow, need some more reach)

- so, I'll buy a 500mm f4 and a 300mm F4 lens for my film bodies, and use TCs

- then I thought about the 200-400mm f4, which would cover the same focal distance combined with a digital body (which all told would be a cheaper option, and much lighter than the two primes).

 

I guess I'm asking if the 200-400mm is a good all round wildlife lens, capable of producing sharp digital pictures. I'd hate to spend all that money and then wish I has stuck to Plan A (ie keep with film and a 500mm f4).

Just to clarify,

 

I will stick with film and a Nikon F100 for the 500mm f4 and 300mm F4 combination

 

and buy a new digital Nikon body for the 200-400mm f4 lens

 

That's what I am asking about if they are comparable focal distances.

 

Thanks

I currently shoot film, and have no desire to go digital for

landscape - but what about my wildlife work?

 

I always intended to buy a (Nikon) 500mm f4, backed up by a 300mm

f4 - both used with a 1.4xTC. This is an expensive and heavy package.

 

So, now I am considering getting a D70 camera, a 200-400mm f4 zoom

and a 1.4TC. I am assuming that the digitial crop factor will allow

me to cover the same focal distances as the package above (but

cheaper and less weight).

 

Is this correct? Will both packages cover the same focal distances?

 

Also, what size would a print have to be before I noticed the

differences in optical quality between film and digital (shooting in

RAW)?

 

And, finally, shooting in RAW, is it possible to get, say, 10

exposures in 10 seconds?

 

Thanks for your help - this is a big decision!

I've decided to buy a Nikon 28-200mm lens as my main lens when

hiking, due to its light weight.

 

Is there any point also having the 50mm f1.8 and/or 35mm f2 lenses

in my backpack on these hikes?

 

I take mostly landscapes on film (Fuji 100 ISO), with the aid of a

tripod. (I will also be takign a 24mm lens)

 

Speed is not an issue, but will I get better quality/sharper images

from the primes?

 

If there is marked differnce in quality, I could justify the extra

155g of weight for the 50mm lens.

 

Thanks

I shoot 35mm film on a Nikon F75 when hiking.

 

For landscapes I am happy with my 3 primes:

24mm, 35mm and 50mm.

 

These are light lenses and I automatically put them in my rucksack

when hiking.

 

But I'm not so happy with my 70-300mm lens. Although light, it's

very slow.

 

So, I'm after a quicker telephoto - but nothing as heavy as the 70-

200 VR.

 

I reckon I have enough room in my pack for just one more prime lens.

 

So, if you had only one lens above 50mm in focal length in your

hiking rucksack, and it has to weight less than 1kg, what would you

choose?

 

Would it be the 85mm - or is this too close to the 50mm?

Would it be the 105mm micro - opens up a whole new world (and

doubles for landscapes and protrait shots)?

Would it be the 135mm - a safe bet landscape telephoto?

Would it be the 180mm - for a bit of reach?

 

Or would you just stick with the 70-300mm, for flexibility?

 

Obviously the 100-400mm/200-400mm zooms, and 300mm+ prime lenses

have to stay at home for this trip.

 

You choose!

I'm curious, why are the lens hoods for the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens

made from rubber, and the ones for the wide angle primes made from

metal?

 

Does anyone use a metal lens hood for the 50mm, without any ill

effects?

 

Thanks

Thanks for all of your input. It's good to have folks out there for help.

 

I actually tried out the 70-200mm VR today in a shop. It's as good as you say - but heavy.

 

Do any of you actually pack this regulalry in your rucksack for a day's walking (alongside your bodies, wider angle lenses, film, water, clothes, food...)? Or is it a more a 'ok to walk a couple of miles' type of lens?

 

Perhaps I should stick to my slow 70-300 Nikon lens, and try to see if this can get the lizards? It only weighs 500g.

 

I guess what I want is somebody to say it is well worth 1.5kg, and once it is in your pack, you hardly notice it! And with the VR, it is easy to handhold 1.5kg (especially at f2.8)! I would be a fool not to buy this......

Thanks for the reply - on average I guess I can get about 6 to 10 feet away. Although it would be good to get them a little further away for a few 'in the bank shots' before I risk getting too close (about 15 feet?). Although most of them scurry off before I even see them!

Which lens for lizards?

 

Originally, I used to trek with a Nikon F/N70 in my backpack with a

slow consumer zoom lens (35-70mm).

 

Then I convinced myself that I ought to take my landscape photographs

properly, and swapped my trusty zoom for 24mm, 35mm and 50mm Nikon

prime lenses. My reasoning was that the results would be worth the

extra weight carried. So far, so good.

 

Then you lot convinced me I should carry a tripod most of the time.

More weight.

 

Now, I am getting into the lizards that cross my path whilst trekking

in Greece, and want to have a go at photographing them.

 

I'm thinking about the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR. This would complement

my three prime lenses, allowing me to focus on aspects of landscape -

but will this lens also be suitable to get the lizards (handheld with VR)?

 

Is it long enough? Is the minimum focus short enough?

 

The extra 1.5kg is a bit worrying, but since it may do both jobs

(landscapes and lizards), I can just about justify the extra weight. I

don't want to end up with a 70-200mm lens and a macro lens though (I

would just fall over under the weight).

 

What do you think?

A simple question.

 

I am about to buy a Gitzo G-1348 tripod. I am going to try and do

without the centre column, at least to start with.

 

Can I use it directly with a Manfrotto/Bogen 3421 head, or do I have

to buy an adapter of some sort?

 

Thanks