bill egan

Wow so much of this is over my head as an amateur but here is my half cent comment. For years I wanted to shoot more but could not afford the cost of constantly pushing the shutter button. The cost of digital may be more up front but the real cost of actually getting the shots is so much less it is really no contest. For the first time with the start of my D70, then D80 now D300 I am able to experiment, have fun and not fear the cost of each shot. For those of you with deep pockets or pros this may not be an issue but for the rest of us Digital is the best thing since sliced bread! Learning the computer and how to store and manipulate images should not intimidate anyone. I could barley turn my computer on several years ago and as an old Irishman even I could figure it out. Good luck and thanks to all on this site as it is always a help to us little folk.

As an amateur about 90% of the above is over my head, but I can tell you I have had a blast with my Tamron 90mm

Macro. It has a solid body with a metal mount and has the sturdy feel of a well built lens. I enjoy shooting macro

and the lens frequently exits my bag so it has held up well. I just upgraded to the D300 from the D80 and am having

a ball with that but for me it is all about the glass. I am still not independently wealthy so the price break over the

Nikkor was well appreciated and I still have a great lens.<div></div>

I really did search this out and could not find it in google. I have had my

D80 for about 6 months and love it but I would like a good training DVD to

watch instead of a book. The following is what I have found, Nikon $50, Magic

Lantern $18 and Blue Crane Digital $24. Anyone seen these or have opinions, I

don't mind paying the money for the Nikon video if it is worth it.

Thanks, Bill

Thanks Everyone! If I do get a TC it will be a 1.4. I did not even know what a prime lens was, but now I do. Thanks also for the links and pics to previous discussions on the topic. Just like in cycling if you try to get a bike that does everything it can do all things well. But not as good as anything specically designed for the task.

Bill Egan

Hi All

I am strictly an amateur and will have a Nikon VR 70-200 2.8 within the

month. I am looking to shoot nature and animals at a fair distance. I live in

Arizona and this is a great time of year for photos. I know the lens is

actually 1.5 x mag with my D-80. The question is should I get a 1.4, 1.7 or

2.0 Nikon teleconverter? I know the more you magnify the slower the speed.

But is the lens good enough to run the 2.0 or should I sacrifice a little

distance for the the faster 1.4 or 1.7? I posted a question 2 weeks ago and

got some incredible advice about macro lenses and just want to say THANKS to

all you gear heads that really know what you are doing, unlike me.

Bill

Thanks for all the great advice. I like to shoot small bugs/flowers. Live in Arizona so when there are flowers they are really cool.

Bill

I just purchased a D80, sold my D70. I have a couple of slow kit lenses (18-

55/55-200) but want to buy a 70-200 2.8 in the next couple of months. I also

want to know what would be a good macro lense since I really enjoy that type

of nature photography. I would also not like to spend a fortune since most of

my money is going into the 70-200. I am strictly an amateur, any advice would

be appreciated.

Thanks, Bill