james_whitcraft

I need to get my flash up above those lenses!

Can you recommend a bracket for the above equipment?

Thanks in advance!

I get tired of screwing my Nikon F100 onto my Stroboframe "Camera

Flip" bracket (with anti-twist plate). It can be awkward when rushed,

and I fear the screw threads might be stripped over time...

There MUST be a way to snap a camera into and out of a flash bracket??

(I know Stroboframe makes a "QRC" quick release system (of

questionable durability?) - but in the Strobo catalog it seems to be

for mounting cameras/brackets onto TRIPODS.)

Thoughts? Thanks in advance....

I want a medium format camera! I used a Yashica Mat 124 in college

classes back in the mid-eighties. I'm scouting around and realize

that it's a crap shoot when getting an old used camera.

I see Yashica Mat 124's out there, but also 124-G's, Yashica C's,

Yashica D's, etc.

What are the differences in the Yashica models? Which are desireable

and which should one stay away from?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have about $700 max to spend and need a portable strobe setup to

take around - occasionally - on a college campus.

We need more than just on-camera flash shots, but are on a budget.

I have a Nikon F100 film camera, and will go digital soon.

Given the price, are kits consisting of Photogenic Studiomax II heads

a good choice?

How about SP Studio Sytems, like the Excaliburs or Pros?

Thanks so much....

I have some money available in my university department, and we have

some old clunky lighting equipment. Can anyone recommend a modestly

priced portable monolight kit that can give the extra edge to portrait

and object photography when I'm out and about?

I'm at a loss as to a specific brand - there are many, and I don't

have a lot of time to research - (must strike while the iron $$ is hot!)

I'd like to hear about experiences...

And obviously a modest flash meter is in order...

Thanks so much in advance!

So many great responses from my two questions yesterday - very gratifying.

Now I'm comparing the D100 and the D1X.

I work at a smaller university. Still using film, but the "money is

there" to start going digital. We shoot a wide range of subjects. My

co-photographer will probably request a D1H, as athletics is

definitely one of his subjects.

My realm is more conceptual stuff, portraits, objects, landscapes,

research. So I'm more into image quality, not so much speed.

I also tend to not knock my gear around....

I'm starting to conclude that although the D100 doesn't have the pro

build quality, it might be sufficient for my needs. And if I don't

get the D1X, I'd have $2000 extra for, say, LENSES!

But are there unforeseen disadvantages of the D100 that a user might

tell me?

I recently met a pro photographer who is also an expert in digital

imaging and Apple computers. I asked him, with his money (he winters

in the South Pacific - nice photos) why he uses "just" a D100.

"Because it does all the things I need a camera to do"

Thanks in advance. Aside from Nikon's specs, this forum is my best

ally in this decision-making process as I go digital.

I KNOW the newer Nikkor 80-200 lenses have an attached tripod collar.

I can't afford a new one (and it's NOT my most-used lens), but I came

across a dandy deal on a clean older one.

Has there ever been a gizmo to attach to an older push-pull version of

this lens to stabilize on a tripod occasionally??

I must act quickly. My department (university graphics) is seriously

considering digital photography as "the money's there".

We have Nikon stuff for film.

I hope to get a D100, or, if blessed, a D1X.

Will definitely get a SB-80DX Speedlight.

Especially taking the 1/1.5 effective focal length situation to heart,

I haven't locked into what two zooms to put on my want list.

I want the flexibily of zooms, and thus also reduce the frequency of

changing

lenses (as I understand the CCD is vulnerable to dust, etc.)

Experiences and opinions, please - and thanks in advance....

Heh-heh - yeah, I use the durn self-timer about twice a YEAR. (grumble)

Actualy, I fumbled with the switch and then got it stuck in continuous shooting mode!!

Thanks for the fast and uselful response, Sean...

Faced with no options, I took it to my local Nikon repair.

Estimate: $179! Broken switch. They have the parts in stock -

seems they've seen similar things before. The owner theorized that I may have rapped that corner of the camera on something. Maybe, maybe not - I'm REAL careful. Makes me think that I should augment my NO-PADDING Domke that I carry my stuff around in....

I fear the Sophisticated-Camera gremlins have found me...

I used the self timer on my F100 on a copy stand to reduce shake, for I

lacked a cable release at the time.

The following day (yesterday) I proceeded to prepare to shoot, and the

shutter delayed 10 seconds. "Oops, left the self-timer on"....

But the shutter mode was in "S". Kept switching the film advance mode

selector to all settings, removed the batteries for awhile, put in

fresh ones....STILL the LED flashes and it's in self-timer delay.

Disappointment! Any thoughts before I make the dreaded consideration to

visit my local Nikon-authorized repair center??...8-<

I have an F100 (and two FM2's). My subject matter is varied -

landscapes, interiors, environmental portraits, my young children.

My lenses (non-manual) are the 28-105D, the 50mm 1.8D, and the 85mm

1.8D.

I've been devouring the photo.net posts for weeks in order to decide

how to go wider (but not super-super). I was set on a 24 2.8 (popular,

fairly fast, 52mm threads), but have the nagging feeling that it's just

not much wider than my 28 on the zoom (or my 28 manual AIS for that

matter).

So for $200 (ouch) more I get the 20 - which does share the 62 thread

size with my zoom and the 85. It's "trickier to use" (but I'm willing).

I've seen some interesting images and the focus is DEEP.

Is it a valuable tool, or slightly novelty?

AND there's the the 18-35 f/3.5-4.5 zoom.

Cons - slower, huge 77mm thread size, opticaly compromising??.

But flexible and in the same $500 price range as the 20...

I know, I know - round and round we go. I should "make my own *&!#@

decision"!!

But if some of you could chime in yet another time....?

Thank you.

I thinking of experimenting with two-flash setups. I have the

venerable SB28, and am looking at the new speedlights for backlighting,

etc. The SB-80DX looks great, but I can't spend that kind of $$

I'm strongly considering the SB-50DX. Also, I know there is the little

SB-30, but is it enough??

I think all three have built-in slaves, so I can go cordless?

(It would seem I won't be getting the SU-4 slave unit after all)

Also, Nikon has a "flash kit" consisting of a little tripod and clamp

with "hot" shoes (plastic, I should think), a carrying case, and a book

called "Nikon Creative Lighting Made Easy". $60 seems steep for this

kit, but I sure would like to see that book. Anyone seen this

publication, and does it have the NEWEST Speedlights?

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Maybe a silly question... I like the Zing drawstring pouches a lot

(though I may never use the attached hook) - but is there any reason to

fear storing my Nikon lenses in neoprene long term? Nikon recommends

keeping stored lenses from camphor and napthalene, for example. The

Zing cases emit a distinctive odor - but any potentially harmful

emissions? Thanks.

Jim W.