LenMarriott

<p>Top half of Ofey's shot!</p><div></div>

<p>Robert, You'll seldom go wrong following the suggestions made in the Nikon User Manual. Look it up. I have owned a D5100 for the better part of 3 years and have never had any troubles when using a Sandisk Extreme (16 Gb, 45 MB\s). I have recently purchased a 90 MB\s to replace it, now using the original as a backup. Happy Snapping! Best, Len.</p>

<p>Kind of hard to get a photo when one's heart is pounding and hands are shaking. :-) Often the photo is less than the story, never truer than in your case. <a href="/photo/13573092">We've all had times when our stories are the superior element.</a> Under the same circumstances I don't think I could stay as calm as you have. Thanks for sharing. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Robert, Start by posting photos that please you. Others will see them and perhaps give you their view as to how to improve them. In time you will develop a style with technique and subject matter to judge your progress by. At that point you'll have opinions based on experience to pass on to others. And so it goes................! Good luck. Best, Len.</p>

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<p>Tim, 'Aged but well kept'..........sounds like me. :-) On a serious note perhaps the film would sweeten the pot, so to speak, in the sale of your camera. Just an idea. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Lana, Welcome to PN. If <a href="/photo/18177280&size=lg">this photo</a> is an example of 'really grainy' then you have a much lower tolerance for grain (noise) than I have. I'm using the D5100 which has the same sensor as the D7000 and so, though I don't shoot much basketball, I think I may be able to shed a bit of light on the subject. High school basketball courts are usually poorly lit so, in order to get the shot, one must shoot wide open while using a high enough shutter speed to freeze the action. Now the only variable is the ISO, which, on Auto, will force the ISO sometimes as high as 6400 where you are most likely to experience noise. I'll trade 'sharp' for 'noise' every time. But that's just me. Check out <a href="/gallery/tag-search/search?query_string=d5100+6400&sort_order=1">a few of my images shot at ISO 6400</a> & tell me if you think they are 'too grainy'. (you won't hurt my feelings if you do). :-) Granted, I did have better, TV quality lighting, but only a kit lens of f5.6. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Sven, (...Garbage for B&W...) While it's quite possible you may have a defective V500 don't discount all these units. Many of us here on Photo.net have used the V500 successfully for many years, me included. Mine also works with Windows 10 which I upgraded to last summer. Check out<a href="/gallery/tag-search/search?query_string=v500"> 'Gallery'> 'Search by photo tags' > V500</a> for some samples in both B&W and colour. Have a close look at Dragan Kodjerski's posts & tell us if there is a problem there we are not aware of. Used V500 units should be quite cheap now so it could well be a mistake to write them all off because of one faulty unit. Come back & let us know what your solution was & post a couple of examples. Best, Len.</p>

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<p>Johnathan, What was the shutter speed? Could account for some softness throughout. Best, Len.</p>

Well, one of us anyway<div></div>

<p>Malin, I've had similar experiences with a recently purchased 35mm f1.8 on my D5100. Live View is the way to go for accurate focusing wide open but that's not always very convenient. I mean, I bought the 35mm for low light photography and Live View is not my preferred shooting mode for most subjects. I believe the problem is minimized with kit lenses as they are f3.5 to f5.6 and have greater DOF when used at maximum aperture so this fact may mask some questionable focusing techniques. (try your 50mm at f5.6 and see if you still have the same problem) Still working on perfecting my own focusing technique. I find my subjects are sharper when the camera-subject axis is perpendicular to the subject. I sometimes get into focusing accuracy trouble with subjects that are shot on an angle, especially when shooting close ups. (keypad on a phone for example) If you find an easy solution please come back and enlighten those of us having the same concerns. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Rahul, Welcome to Photo.net. I'm with Howard. I also own the D5100. I've never had the 50 but bought the 35 for low light photography. My kit 18-55 has performed superbly for shots of my grandchildren. Hasn't been an 'inferior' lens at all. Come back & give us an update on your decision and experiences. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Glenn, Doug, Not sure now if it is my fault. I too am running Windows 10 & use Firefox. Could be part of the problem. Of course, I've never had a problem logging into Photo.net with Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Hmmm, curious! Perhaps I'll try again in a week or so. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Glen, Thanks for the personal note. I have replied to you. Still no luck. Just responding here so others will know it is likely my failure to comprehend. (20th century mentality in the 21st century) I'll wait for the new version. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Laura, thanks for your input. Doesn't work for me. Guess I'll just wait until the new site is a fait accompli. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Landrum, Here is where takes me. <a href="http://int.search.tb.ask.com/search/GGmain.jhtml?st=sb&ptb=1DA0B8EB-6923-48E8-8E08-FFE122FE3072&n=781b8864&ind=2015070308&p2=^UX^xpt048^LAENCA^ca&si=245051_DDM-CA-Main&searchfor=">Link:</a> What am I doing wrong? Best, Len.</p>

<p>Landrum, Glenn, I've twice tried to access the beta test by following the instructions on my invitation but all I get is a page with a bunch more links, none of which pertain to Photo.net. What could I be doing wrong? Why not simply provide a direct link to the test? Best, Len Marriott.</p>

<p>Thanks for the link George. I enjoyed the 'window washer with birds' shot. Talk about job security! :-) Best, Len.</p>

<p>Marc, Ah yes, the Yashica Pentamatic. My first 35mm camera. And here's<a href="/photo/9792791&size=lg"> one of the few surviving images</a> from it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Best, Len.</p>

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<p>Sohaib, What Craig said. Be sure the lens switches are 'A' (auto focus ON) and VR (ON). You can view some Nikon <a href="/gallery/tag-search/search?query_string=nikon+55-200">55-200 samples here.</a> Check the 'Details' for shutter speeds used. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Will, You might<a href="http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=FP4&Developer=&mdc=Search&TempUnits=F"> start here.</a> Good luck. Best, Len.</p>

<p>Marc, Brings back fond memories. Looking forward to the April, 1960 issue & Jay Maisel's article. Gee, he's been around for a long time. :-) Best, Len.</p>

<p>Keith, I enjoyed your presentation and I'm sure many at Photo.net will benefit from it though relatively few are likely to have such high end lighting equipment. However, it is common knowledge around here that it's not so much what you own as it is what you do with it that matters. Lot's of good tips for newbies or, for that matter, for the experienced shooter to review. Best, Len.</p>