ronald_smith6

<p>The D90 may be well on my short list, I am happy with my D80 and D40 cams but want better high-ISO performance.</p>

<p>The new VC version does have the built-in motor if you own a Nikon camera, it will be fine for the D40/40X/60 series.</p>

<p>This YouTube clip exemplifies all my frustrations about people who get into the wedding photography business who are absolutely clueless. For some unknown reason, ownership of a DSLR and a lens gives them a professional photography license. In my neck of the woods, this means such individuals charge a few measly bucks for wedding work, making those of us who are seasoned shooters look way overpriced.</p>

<p>These photogs come an go quickly after they botch a few jobs, then a new crop arrives.</p>

<p>I now only do weddings for select people whom I want to be part of their special day, I usually charge for my time and materials and don't make any money - I keep my shooting skills sharp for the day maybe when I can earn money from this craft when people can appreciate me for what I an do.</p>

<p>D80 rated for 150K cycles? That's good to know, I didn't think shutter design was as durable as the newer models (D3000, D5000 and D90) that are only rated for 100K. I just turned past 20K recently on my D80. I am now stoked!</p>

<p>Dust/dirt can impact IQ on a small sensor PS cam, due to huge depth of field. I'd send it back, don't be the hero and void your warranty.</p>

<p>Interesting thread, the $400 wedding doesn't exist in my area - more like the $200 wedding, that's why I have given up trying to compete with the gee-whiz crowd with their new DSLR's who are overnight pros. Of course, there are usually a few I get nabbed to do every year for friends or those who flatter me to pieces, at least I get to pick and choose them.............</p>

<p>Be mindful of the 1.5x crop factor on any Nikon DX body, you won't be able to get that wide using the Tamron lens........I could never understand the rationale for people using 24/28-xx zooms on DX bodies.</p>

<p>My bad, it's a Sigma 50-150mm <strong>f/2.8</strong> .............</p>

<p>Here is my take - I have two third-party Nikon mount lenses - the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 with BIM and the Sigma 50-150mm f/2. HSM. Both lenses have excellent optics, great build quality and nice color rendition. Autofocus is a bit of a crap-shoot, both are spotty at times and hunting is the norm even on my D80 with its 11 AF points.</p>

<p>Who knows if these will both work correctly with future Nikon bodies - everything is fine for signal transmission on my D40 and D80. Something else to consider - what is their resale value going to be down the road?</p>

<p>Another caveat is the prospect that lenses may not integrate perfectly with my Nikon flashes as far as distance info, I have yet to fully test that as I use these f/2.8 zooms mostly for available-light imaging.</p>

<p>I have basically summed up the pros and cons of going to a non-Nikon lens or any third-party optic.</p>

<p>The D90, 16-85mm VR and the 70-300mm VR would be a dynamite package.</p>

<p>The SensorKlear works well, surprised nobody has mentioned it. That's all I have ever needed.</p>

<p>Get the VR model. Most xx-300mm zooms are only mediocre in quality, this Nikon 70-300mm is special, it seems to be the perfect combination of performance, weight/size and price. To boot, you can shoot at 1/30th sec, hand-held, and get sharp images.</p>

<p>Can you still get a new D40? That would be the bet choice if you can land one.</p>

<p>FWIW, Nikon Canada charged me (robbed me?) almost $300 to replace a focusing screen on my D40 a few months ago, so a nominal $100 charge may seem a bit presumptuous. Maybe it's different with repair facilities in the U.S.</p>

<p>I'd send it back for service, don't they give you a warranty of some kind for their work? It would probably be six months, which is standard, so you may be out of luck.</p>

<p>I'd get a brand-new one, the cheaper kit lenses tend to be less reliable, it's not a big difference in price, anyway.</p>

<p>Is the D40 OK?</p>

<p>This thread exemplifies exactly why I don't use UV filters any more - lens shades protect my lenses.</p>

<p>A mint second-hand SB-800 is always a good bet since the overheating issue on the new SB-900 has yet to be resolved. However, the SB-800's are now going for a pretty good dollar (I am in the process of getting one, $350 USD is the magic number)) because of the high demand for a professional Nikon flash unit that's an alternative to the latest model.</p>

<p>The 16-85mm VR is anything but a "cheap" kit lens. I'd look at a D90, 16-85 and the 80-200 you mentioned (or the Mark I version of the 70-200mm VR), plus the SB-900 if you want a premium flash unit.</p>

<p>For the time being, I have a pair of 500 GB Seagate external drives in use with my laptop, they are mirrors of each other. I usually make a CD or DVD of any important set of files, which is three copies of everything. I also have another Seagate external HDD attached to an old desktop at my parent's home that have some of my files.<br>

If I actually photograph something of great worth, it often end up as a framed print. Yes, the image will fade over time, but, with modern paper and inks, it should outlast me if it's kept in the proper environment.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>It's not the D700 that is the culprit, the SB-900 is the problem. In the quest for Nikon to give us a faster-recycling flash, more heat is now generated when you use NiMH cells. I have heard the use of an external battery pack will alleviate this annoying problem.</p>

<p>Thus, the SB-800 has become a much sought after flash, used ones are selling for more than they did brand-new. I am glad I have one, I'd still like to get a second one.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Sunny-day shooting is often a frustrating experience as the range of tones is often way too much for the medium to handle, digital or film. Unless you learn how to use fill-flash (pretty easy with some of the newer flash units), you'll always get these types of files.</p>

<p>A polarizer might have helped a bit.</p>

<p>When you out for drives, relax and enjoy the scenery.</p>

<p>I have read about the same issue in other threads. I am worried as I have the Tamron 17-50 and, if I upgrade beyond my "old" D80, I might not have smooth sailing. This is one of the big downfalls of third-party glass, we have to often just live with it or sell.......</p>

<p>The SB-900's Achille's Heel is the thermal overheating monitor that many shooters have grown to hate. For this reason, the SB-800 has become golden and you'd have no trouble selling your unit, you can get as much or more than you originally paid for it.</p>