marypar4

<p>One thing I love about D7000..in preview mode(must be set up this way) you can look at where the focus was rendered..very helpful when you think something not in focus..also agree..that AF-c is very iffy. I prefer af-s for most things except birds in flight..which I use. AF-C at 21 points..seems to work better then 39 or 3D..which I have given up on for now..too hit and miss.</p>

<p>Tamron 200-500 purchased used for $400 and she is a beauty...very sharp..can't hand hold ..but a nice compromise to the more expensive 500 mm's. Eventually I will get a VR but for now ..loving it!<br />Also own the SIgma 10-20..wow..sharp sharp..loving the wide angle ..<br />sigma 70-200 hsm 2.8 ..its a beast ..only bring it out for low light shooting but its sharp and great in low light.</p>

<p>The D7000 is a brillant camera ..if you have small hands..but I find it very uncomfortable..even with a grip add-on. The problem seems to be..the shallow depth of the grip..not the length..so add-on grip only makes the camera feel underbalanced to me..very strange how Nikon is making these tiny little camera..that pack a wallup! Must be a case of catering to the masses..which are mostly small people with tiny fingers..PLEASE Nikon if you are listening..make the d400 the same as the d300's..even teh D90 is more comfortable to hold..as well the D80 and D70. If you shoot with light lenses..not so much a problem.olny when you put a 70-200 on the D7000 it overwhelms the camera..and feels unbalanced. Its truly my only knock on this wonderful camera.</p>

<p>I just switched from d90 to d7000..a very nice upgrade and worth the extra money...in my humble opinion. My only gripe ..and its a personal thing..the d7000 is like a miniature camera compared to the canon 40D ..so be prepared to get a add on grip..or deal with strange egonomics if you like the hefty feel of a canon 40d. The D7000 color rendition is wonderful the ISO capabilites are better then d90 and the meter is better..not to mention the autofocus system. so far its my favorite of d80-90 and I enjoyed both those cameras.. The 40D is a great camera..surprised you are having issues..as other then the focus system...which would not impact your style of shooting. It is what most of my camera club members own and love! Perhaps you could get some canon user advice on picture settings to get the colors more in line with Nikon so as not to have all the post process work. I have often wished I started out with canon..for bigger heftier feel. Having big hands..I love the feel of the canon bodies and seeing all the images at my monthy meeting produced from 40d ..its is certainly a worthy competitor to the Nikon models.</p>

<p>Get a third party battery grip like Zeikos..it will make a big difference for $60.00</p>

<p>I love my Nikon d90..if you can get a nice used one that would be my pick...as well the d80 which I owned for several years until it took a swim in the river. Great camera too.</p>

<p>My suggestion is adobe photoshop elements 9 .Its reasonable..you can get it for reduced $59 at several places and its the next best thing to the real thing (photoshop)without all the bells and whistles which few of us need.</p>

<p>My favorites so far<br />Ray..playin blues,wonderful lighting..feels very bluezy..<br />Ray..path to cloud..good perspective<br />Henrik..lovely light real emotion in this pic<br />John Roswell ..great light..<br />Ben..wonderful expression on this little gril she is adorable!</p>

<p>I have done four dance recitals in the past two years..in the front row of a theater. I can say for myself..you need VR or some type of image stablization over 70 mm..unless you are very very steady. Forget the tripod or mono..they just don't work..the dancers are just too fast. THe lack of light alone..will blur most images. I think you got to bite the bullet and<strong> if</strong> you are getting paid for this go OS or Vr..and be happy from the rest of your life..LOL. I used a 18-70 lens with flash..as I was allowed ..and the images came out great..but if I were stuck without flash..no way would I have used that lens. Perhaps if this is a once a year occurance ..RENT. If you are close enough 17-50 works..but if they stick you off stage in back ..you need more reach..Another suggestion is to go on site and see what gets you to a comfortable reach from you estimated position .</p>

<p>Found this nice site for "Northern Lights" shooting..thoguth it might be of some interest.<br>

<a href="http://www.alaskaphotographyblog.com/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights-with-a-digital-camera/">http://www.alaskaphotographyblog.com/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights-with-a-digital-camera/</a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Don't fix whats not broken..if Nikon gets hold of it..they will charge you . I had a D80 sitting in a puddle of water inside a supposed water proof bag in my camera..no harm..worked for another 2 years until I hit the shutter button with a wet hand and puff..went the circuitry..immediately. GOod advice about the gel..any left over water should get absorbed.</p>

<p>Shooting Northern lights ..my guess would be to set camera at f8 and let the camera expose for as long as it wishes at iso 100 or whatever the default is..the lights are not going anywhere..whats the hurry? tripod of course. There I just saved you $600 ..lol. ALways try to work with what you have ..first then if nothing works..get the wallet out. The lens will be there just waiting to be purchased.</p>

<p>Hilton Head Island..Broad Creek..morning..low tide. Hilton Head is a wonderful place to capture wildlife..especially if you can get out on a boat. THis was taken from my kayak with a 70-300vr nikon d90</p><div></div>

<p>I just bought the op tech utilty strap..for $24.00 its a steal. It also adapts to my other op tech strap so when I don't want the shoulder strap I unclip and put my everyday strap on. I like it because you don't have to attach it to the tripod mount as the other manufacturers do..as in sunsniper and rapid. Great product and they have a vidoe on their site shows you how to use it.</p>

<p>Srijan, This is my favorite lens. I am sure you will be most happy with your purchase. The VR works great and the lens is sharp. Enjoy and send up some pics.</p>

<p>As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words"..as noted ..the difference between the grips on d90 and d7000..the space for the fingers is quite a bit smaller on the D7000 making for a very cramp feel unless you have small hands. In the case of the D80 ..it was a beefer feel near the palm.,,more like the Canons..oops ..am I allow to say that here..LOL.</p>

<p>Perhaps I should clarify..the <strong>grip..</strong> the D80 is larger then the D90 ..they are NOT the same body..I am willing to bet my life on that..and the D7000 grip is a touch smaller then that of the D90 I would also be willing to make a considerable bet on that too..any takers? Having held all three cameras..and used the D80 and the D90 extensively ..I have no doubt about this..I believe there are some who might want to know that info..for me..the D7000 feels cramped..compared to the D90..but if that is not an issue due to smallish hands..go for it. Being a golfer and tennis player..grips are things I know and they are important to me.. in photograhy..if it feels small in my hand..I immediately dismiss the camera..regardless of how great it might be. I spend lots of time holding a camera ..so I want it to be comfortable.I added a third party grip to my D90 for that reason..and perhaps that could be the answer for the D7000 for those who prefer a larger more robust feel.</p>

<p>I had the same thing happen to my beloved D80..I went with the D90 and love it. For landscapes its perfect and you will love the live view mode as well as additional bells and whistles from D80. It is slightly smaller then the D80 but not as small as the d7000. Save yourself $500 and go with the D90 which is now selling for around $600 in some areas. </p>

<p>Hi Robert,<br>

I am getting better at this long lens shooting trying to stay calm..I shot this at our local national preserve in NJ (Forsythe) No tripod..shot out of back seat of the car..engine off..sitting lens and camera on a handmade car mount. sharpening in PS. Not too bad for $400 lens. I am happy with the lens. Tamron is great if you buy new. They will recalibrate your lens to your camera and make sure its right..having a used one will cost. This shot at F-9 shutter at 1250 Iso 400 ..AF-C on center meter. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone.</p><div></div>

<p>Ditto on the camera raw updater..just go to your help menu in elements and hit update..or google camera raw converter 4.6 converter for D90 and follow installation instructions..very easy..good luck. WIldlife is very challenging and very rewarding..work with your camera and lenses and you will get some great shots with that set up..I own the D90..great camera. USe the compensation button in a pinch..or bracket exposures..and try to get the creatures in good lighting conditions..easier said then done sometimes. I use spot meter if the creatures is close enough but with that snow in the background and reflectons off the water you are going to get underexposure. Keep working on your skills..and you will be rewarded. Happy Shooting.</p>

<p>Thanks Robert...I had switched to vivid after I noticed my images were a bit flat. I agree vivid is not the way to go..I also notice with vivid that the camera meter overexposes a bit. I am back to standard. Funny I was laughing when I read the part about getting excited. So true..you almost have to be in a coma like state..I do tend to get much like you described..photograhy reminds me a bit like golf..the harder you try the worse you get..loosey goosey is much better..take your time..relax. I have also lowered the legs on my tripod..the skinny ones on bottom..to get a bit more stablity. As you said..its a learning curve with the long lenses. I was spoiled with the 70-300vr..so easy..great colors..etc. I use that lens on my kayak and get some stunning results. The Tamron is like the bad child that needs extra attention..and still acts up even when I do everything right.</p>

<p>I have the same problem with my 70-300vr..the balance is off..but when I use a monopod it works fine. I have a 200-500 with a mount and no problem with the same set up.. That link looks interesting..but I rarely use a tripod with the 70-300vr lens..its that good..and steady except maybe in windy conditions.</p>

<p>This may be a stupid question..but did you check the flash compensation to make sure it is at 0. Sometimes the silliest things cause a problem.</p>

<p>I think my percentages are in line with yours. I shoot with a D90..and I find it very challenging to shoot song birds. I am hoping to get some nice shoots off larger birds like herons and egrets when I go to hilton Head this spring. They are a lot less active..also there Woodstorks etc in the refuge areas so that should be fun. I have a new found respect for wildlife photographers.</p>

 

<p>An image from today ..sand bag hooked on to bottom holding down tripod..backed off to 440mm ..so not too bad, I coud live with this...</p><div></div>