jj_falkowski

<p>Hello, <br>

I received my F3 yesterday. It feels so small and neat comparing to the digital behemoths. I tried it with the 17-35 AFS 2.8 zoom, but this combination just feels heavy and is not very comfortable to handle. I guess, adding a motor drive will increase grip and improve the handling of the F3 with a large and heavy lens. Personally, I want the camera as light as possible, therefore I will use it only with the prime 35 mm or 50 mm lens and no MD. As for your query - your F3 will certainly benefit from service, it as a 20 years old (or older) precission mechanism.<br>

Greetings, JJ</p>

Hi, here is my 2 cents. I am using 80-400 with 500D (on D300) and they seem to work well together. To my eyes the picture quality is more than adequate but not great - most likely it is my fault - I am still learning how to use the 80-400 for the close-ups and the results are improving.

For me the 80-400 with the 500D attached is not handholdable at close-focus distances, especially when you have to bend, twist or kneel to get to the subject´s level. Under these conditions it is very difficult (impossible for me) to hold it steady at close focus distance and prevent movements which the VR can not compensate. This lens is not very comfortable to handle because of the combination of weight, diameter of the lens and its poor ergonomics. However, when shooting at long distance, in the upright and comfortable position, I never use a tripod with the 80-400, and the picture quality is very good indeed. I also discovered that for the close-ups it is very important to use a remote shutter release like MC-30. The tripod collar works but it could be better.

<p>Just a thought - have you actually asked your daughter what she might want? In terms of size, weight, features, intended use of the camera ? </p>

<p>Hello,<br>

Hadley bags are not very deep - about 8 or 9 cm only. It may be not enough for the Canon DSLR with the lens attached. I tried it with the Nikon D300 with 24-70 lens and it was too small. Another choice would be a Billingham 106. The best thing is to try the bag in the store before actually purchasing it. Last week in London (UK) there was almost no stock of Billingham bags, (I know, I was looking for the L2) and I dont think you will be able to find any in Rome either.<br>

Greetings,<br>

JJ</p>

<p>Walt, I meant D700, D3 and alike. Size of the D40 is just fine (for me). My concern is the weight and bulk of the DSLRs with the lenses, especially when I want to be discrete or I have to cary all that stuff on my back. I really dont see the reason why the D3 couldnt be squeezed into the D40 or F4 format. I dont think the cooling is the issue - I have never seen a DSLR even slightly warm. The metal bodies are sufficient to dissipate a couple of watts. The pocket point and shoot cameras , all have now 2 or 3 inch screens and they manage to be just that- pocket size. I suspect there is the conspiracy to price cameras by weight...</p>

<p>Can anybody explain why the DSLRS have to be so big in the first place ? Mechanically they are a lot simpler than the film SLRs (only the shutter and the mirror lift mechanisms are left, the film transport system is gone), the electronics is small, so what is the reason for these huge bodies ?</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

The 18-200 does not feel like a toy, as a matter of fact it is a very useful and practical solution if you want to travel light. It is my obvious choice for the single lens trip and I have been using it on D70 and D300 for about two years. It is not perfect, but good enough. Lately it became very trendy to critisize it but it is really a very decent and increibly practical lens. I also have 17-35/f2.8 . 24-70/f2.8 and 80-400, each of them has its use, but when every gram counts, I choose the 18-200. Greetings, JJ</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

can I use the NiMH rechargeable batteries (eg. Sanyo Eneloop) with the F4 with MB-20 battery grip ? I did search the WEB, but did not find any clear statement. Please, advice.</p>

<p>Greetings,</p>

<p>JJ</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

thanks for the responses. Miklos - have you tried 70-300 with the VR set on the lens to OFF or to ON ? I think, VR might have been the problem.<br>

Alex, it has to be the F4... I may go for the manual lenses, though.</p>

<p>Greetings,</p>

<p>JJ</p>

Hello,

Please, share your experiences using F4 with the modern AFS lenses. I got nostalgic and decided to go for the F4

camera ( I also dusted my Thorens TD126 record player). It will be my first real Nikon, Ihave used a Canon A-1 for

over 25 years, and then I switched to digital - now I am into D300 and D700. I haven´t got any old Nikon lenses to

start with. I have Nikkor 24-70/f2.8, 17-35/f2.8 and 80-400/F3.5-5.6 . Just wonder if these lenses will be fully

compatible with F4 and if F4 will like them. Or should I consider buying more “period “ lenses as well ? Greetings,

 

JJ