dcraton

BW's suggestion is excellent as I have found many here at p.net to be helpful.

However, for quick answer, many possibilities lie in PhotoShop in the "Filter" tab allowing your apply artistic qualities to images. Quick example below. Using these in layers does offer quite a selection of choices.

Of course one can deviate so far, a nice photograph can be lost in excessive post. . .or not.<div></div>

We did an in house test here at the office and found that Nikon ViewNX, CaptureNX, and NX 2 all produced identical RAW conversion. The nice thing is, ViewNX is a great viewer and is free. I use PS and other software for the rest of post. Bibble, DxO, and PS raw converters were OK, but a bit lackluster. To clarify, all we did was convert--no other toggles or adjustments.

But don't my word for it, try it yourself.

Good luck.

Party on: http://www.thepluginsite.com/resources/freeps.htm

I do love using http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/dreamyphoto.asp?id=1 for portraits, landscape, etc. in a separate layer.

What will your anger accomplish? Purchase the gear you are comfortable with for photography.

I shot film from 1977 to 2001 and made the changeover. It was frustrating at first to learn, but now at 50 years old, I like it.

Complaining will not solve your dilemma. However, what works for you and following a plan will.

Nice comments Ellis and Elliot.

I have this lens and a D300 and it pretty much stays on the cam for event and sports photography.

It is a tank and my copy it tack sharp. I think your concerns are valid, but compared to the overall picture of the quality of this lens, very small. There is no perfect glass as all lenses have weak points. Point being, it's a great lens.

As to VR, I have several lenses that have the technology, but honestly, I'd rather shoot a D300 with battery grip and the 80-200/2.8 AFD with a decent monopod. Get excellent results.

Mine is sharp through the entire focal range wide open. But, I have a friend who had to send his to Nikon to get his lens adjusted as his was not.

Try before you buy if you can and buy from a dealer who will take it back and/or exchange if you get a less than desirable copy.

Good luck.

I recently did a test batch with ViewNX, CaptureNX, and NX2 from NEF to JPG.

No difference in IQ after conversion. Except what has been noted: ViewNX processed much faster.

Kate, email me and I will send you our release form we use to obtain full use rights. Key: we have the client sign off on this before we do the shoot to include: portraits, pets, models, photos for film, etc.

The copyright war is just that. The constitutional lawyers are heads on with the copyright lawyers. It is a hotbed of debate and law per the internet explosion, stolen photos, "adjusted photos", etc.

Best to find another dog at this point. There are plenty around.

In other words, call me "Eddie LaCont."

Lex' advice is dead on.

Trading and selling to retailers generally means you will take a hit. Their friendly voices and faces are in business for one thing: to make a profit. I think you will have a better return, though more hassle, on eBay or like or classifieds. I contacted KEH on a D80 refurb I was selling and did get a very low price. I put it on eBay at a fair price (nearly what I paid for it) and sold it in a day.

If warranty is a issue, you can refer the buyer to SquareTrade.

Good luck.

Jim: yes and yes and yes. It was an afternoon of fun in the sun. Good question though. I also shot in every possible mode related to AF.

Just bad copies and Nikon verified that each time. Sometimes it happens. I still shoot Nikon and have for 30 years.

What is your shutter speed set to? Are you wanting stop action? Most often, a fast shutter speed and a monopod or tripod will kill most blur. I just shot a skateboard event and was shooting at 1/800th of a second with a monopod.

Compressed example.<div></div>

If the client will not sign a release form, they have that write. However, they do not own the copyright, you do. Ownership and use are two different animals. .no pun intended. Protects both parties. For full info, go to www.copyright.gov. It is a tedious site, but if you are going to market photos, you will need to know the paths to do so.

To further James' thought, yes a pet is property.

Good luck.

Maybe this is backwards thinking, but I really don't go into a situation for a shoot with a lens in mind. Rather, I let the application/setting tell me what lens to grab. I do use wides for portraits--notably for children's candid shots. I did a pet shot of an Australian Shepherd 10 feet away with a 300mm/4 because the client wanted a tight face shot and I wanted some distance from the dog so as not to bother it. And yes, I have a 50/1.4 for portraits as well. Works great. And a 35mm/2. And a 85/1.8. And a 17-55/2.8. OK, I have lens fetish. Is there a 12 step group for this? Oh, can I tell you about my zooms?

I just bag em and bring em and use em for the situation. And yes, I have a Nikon FM on a minipod in my office with no lens on it so people will ask.. .

As much as Nikon at nikonusa tries to help with the use and purpose of a lens, it is the photographer who might want to determine that. The information at Nikon is for general use and certainly not written in stone.

Good question.

Jim: nice test. I really believe the 24-120 depends on the copy you get. I went through three of them before finally giving up. Too bad for me as I liked the focal length. This lens has not fared so well with Nikon users. But, as Elliot stated, he has a good copy.

I did a similar test with my last copy outside on a tripod shooting in full daylight from wide open to f/11 at 4 or 5 focal lengths each. My results were not so kind. Very soft and much distortion.

But, that was that one lens. I know have a 18-135mm and love it. Others don't. Point being, if you have a good copy of any lens: keep it.

Thanks for the post and nice work.

Against my ego and will, I recently went on a trip and packed a D40x and 18-135mm in a very small LowePro bag.

To eliminate the obvious, the photos came out great notably after some post batching for lens correction.

I was thankful my ego didn't get in the way this time. It was a fun trip, not a paid trip. Since then, I have the D40x and lens just packed in the same bag and it goes with me everywhere and I have dubbed it my DSLRP&S. It doesn't replace the D300s and bazookas, but has it's purpose. Nothing like traveling with a 60lb Slingbag full of every lens possible and two cam bods (a joke). However, when paid, bring on the Slingbag

Peace.

Or, a simple answer. Get a D80 and you will be able to use most any Nikon and other 3rd party lenses. Grow your lens farm with nice glass slowly and carefully. Great deals are to be had right now.

And, read the other threads.

It's an opinion and good luck.

good comments by everyone. Another angle here.

However, if you are providing services for family portraiture or commercial work, you are potentially terminating that part of your business. I am not opposed to nude art, but most of my client list are.

I do not know if there are other fields you work, but just another consideration of the big picture.

Part of our income is derived from shooting school plays and other artistic events. We do about 1 a week, sometimes everyday. All to say, we shoot in a variety of cafetoriums, auditoriums, PACs, converted churches, etc. One thing remains constant: get their early and sit up front.

Since you're on a budget, and even though this is my profession--we are too--I agree wholehearted with Matthew and Carl.

Just to add, where you sit is equally important as to what lens you choose. I do have he 85mm/1.8 and use it at times. 50mm is going to be too short if you want closeups of your kids.

KEH has some older 80-200/2.8 lenses that might work for you. I shoot back a bit with a newer 80-200mm AFD for 90% of the shots during the show. Works great.

For candids before and after the show, you could use either lens you currently have with a flash if necessary.

That's one way to get there. And a monopod helps if you have one and are shooting in low light or poor stage lighting.

Good luck!

Yes to the 80-200mm/2.8. Having shot with all three mentioned lenses. The IQ is great and you can find a good deal at KEH and other reputable used sources if your budget is slim. I did own for a long time the 180mm but sold it due to the fact that after post, there was no diff between the 80-200mm/2.8 in all respects. But, I love post.

Most likely that is they the 80-200mm is still in the Nikon lineup. It's a great lens and a tank.

I do have the the 55-200mm VRII and use it for snapshots on a D40x.

Good hunting.

Jennifer: I too hike and have a D300 and a lot of lenses. I found a D40x and put a used 55-200 VR II used on it for hiking. Works great. I fly fish as well, fits nice in my vest. I view it as my P&SDSLR.

Light and great results. Much better than any P&S I have ever owned. My total bill was under 450.00 USD.

Good luck.

We are all students here and congrats on your new cam. Here is a place online that may help you get started as well now: http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d300/index.shtml. Note the menu on the left side of the "movie" window.

You may want to go through the entire series and keep your manual pausing to find terms you man not understand.

After you go through these and other tutorials online, you may decide you do not need the classes. Google "Nikon D300 tutorials" and you will find lots of info.

Good luck!

http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/dreamyphoto.asp?id=1

If you do use PhotoShop, create a layer on top and use this free tool. Wonderful results.

Jennifer: at the price point of the D80 and 18-135mm lens, you won't be disappointed. Yes, the lens is a consumer lens and as a professional, I use one often for the reasons you are wanting to shoot.

However, you have a bit of money left over to purchase a Nikon 50mm/1.8 lens for about 110.00 at B&H. The lens will allow you to shoot in low light and is outstanding for the price. I would definitely consider adding this to your Christmas-Birthday list. It also makes a wonderful portrait lens giving you options for indoor shooting.

Best of luck and good for you.