leighmcmullen

<p>D700 is clearly at least twice as loud. A much more assertive, crisp sound to boot. I presume it's because the actual shutter is more than twice as large.<br>

(Nikon APS-C = 370mm\2, Nikon Full Frame = 864mm\2)</p>

<p>I'm a big fan of my 50 f/1.4 my only complaint on it is it's not "Digital optimized" (as the newer G ones are). I have some AWESOME picks of my boys putting ornaments on the Christmas tree, that are ruined by ghosting lights reflecting off the sensor and the back glass.<br>

That said it is probably the PERFECT film lens, but I'd not buy it again for digital.<br>

(anyone film guy wanna trade for the 50 F/1.4 G? **grins**)</p>

<p>@Eric,<br>

Gawd, I love all those shots dude... I can't decide whether I like RZA's shot or the lastone. Probably RZA, the chessboard reflection is so appropriate to his persona. </p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

<p>@Christopher,<br>

I just got the lens like 6 months ago, and paid $750 for it, the warenty card, etc aren't filled out yet, I'd really like to get six-something for the lens. What do you think is fair?<br>

(You can email me at leigh (dot) mcmullen (at) gmail (dot) com, to continue this disucssion off forum).</p>

<p>Go for the D700... I went for the D300 first and got stung having to ebay the camera when I lusted for the D700's low-light performance.<br>

On lenses, my favorite lens of all time was the DX format 18-200... You have some choices on FX too:<br>

Nikon 28-200 AF-G (get the "Gelded" model, it focuses CLOSER and FASTER than the AF-D) (~$200 eBay)<br>

Tokina 24-200 AF(~$100.00 Adorama)<br>

Tamron 28-300 (non-OS) (~$150.00 Adorama)<br>

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You can see from the prices I paid for used glass, I was able to sell my D300, 18-200 and a couple of other preimum DX lenses and come out even. Now I've not laid hands on the Tamron yet, it's the closest to the 18-200 in range, I'll report my findings later (and you'll be able to tell which lenses I didn't love as they'll be back on eBay).<br>

The Nikon is Flawless (for you know taking pictures, I couldn't say for pixel peeping)... , fast, light and small. But build is plasticy<br>

The Tokina is built like a tank, a big, heavy, metal jobbie with 72mm filters, you could stove someones skull in with this thing. I'm probably going to keep this lens because I got it for damn-near free, and I'll use it in enviorns where I'd be afraid of breaking the Nikon. Down side here is VERY VERY VERY visible vinetting at 24mm, with and without a filter I'm not talking about pixel peeping I'm talking about, look mom-old-timey photography<br>

------------</p>

<p>All of that said, a "REAL" walking around lens: The 50 f/1.4. Flawless, crazy fast, and I can zoom with my feet.</p>

<p>I've used both, I own the Sigma... for me the deciding factor was reach (getting to the full 150mm) and focusing SPEED. HSM is Waaaaaaaaaaay faster than the standard screw type AF on the Tokina.<br>

The Sigma is such a favorite of mine, it's the perfect "Candid" lens, small, light, fast aperture and focusing. It's really the perfect example of the advantages of the DX Fomat, and is my only regret about the upgrade to the D700.<br>

I'll be ebaying mine shortly unless someone here wants it.</p>

<p>Leigh.</p>

<p>Setting a custom white balance on the D300 is so easy, I always carry a gray card now and almost never use Auto or any other WB Presets: </p>

<p>Press WB button, turn Dial to "PRE", Release WB Button then press it again hold for several seconds until PRE Blinks, release WB Button, shoot gray card, black tee shirt, white card or whatever (try and fill the frame). The display will flash "Good", you're good to go. <br>

(This is the obvious "Hey look at me, I read the manual" answer, but figured I'd jot it out in case that was what you were looking for. I found the Nikon D300 / D700 manuals to be less than helpful on this subject).</p>

<p>Tell you what, I have that D700 & 50 f/1.4 as well as a bag full of other glass. Turns out, that 50 f/1.4 is what is on my camera 90% of the time. I can zoom out old school by walking backwards, and since I've <i>resigned</i> myself to a RAW workflow, I can "Zoom in" by crop to effective 200mm and still keep perfectly acceptable resolution. <br>

The lens is so sharp, and the combo is so fast and low-light capable, I don't worry about it. </p>