|
Hello and a few questions.
#20350
02/08/09 08:12 PM
02/08/09 08:12 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Arkansas
DostaffLabs
OP
Wanderer
|
OP
Wanderer
Joined: Feb 2009
Arkansas
|
Hi all! I hope I'm posting this in the right section... I have been lurking around and viewing the wonderful photos on the forum. I currently have 7 Labradors that I am showing in conformation and obedience. They sort of got me into this hobby!! I had always wanted to take nice pictures of my girls and got a Nikon D50 with a 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. Then I went on a trip to Yellowstone, and now I'm in LOVE with taking wildlife and nature shots, as well as pictures of the girls and other dogs, especially at the shows. I am about as new as they come, when it comes to photography!!! I have signed up for a class and workshop (just with our local camera store) and I'm looking to upgrade my camera. I can't decide between the Nikon D90, D300, D700, or D3. Of course, money is a concern, but I want to be able to take shots of wildlife, dogs at shows, dog/animal portraits, as well as landscapes. I know I need a fast camera, and I'm prepaired for a big purchase. I'm also looking into getting some new lenses to go with the camera, so suggestions on those would be great. Right now, I like the Sigma 150-500 OS f/5-6.3. Any suggestions?
~Melissa Bickerstaff~
|
|
|
Re: Hello and a few questions.
[Re: DostaffLabs]
#20351
02/08/09 11:24 PM
02/08/09 11:24 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Virginia, USA
Jim Poor
Addict
|
Addict
Joined: May 2008
Virginia, USA
|
Off the top of my head, I'd say master what you have first, but even I wouldn't listen to myself  IF you are looking for dog shows, a lot of the events seem to be "no flash allowed," so you definitely want to go for the best low-light body & lenses you can get. That, IMO, puts you in the D700 / D3 range right away. I don't know much about the sigma lens you mention but seeing the f/f-6.3 makes me think it's not a good choice for any of the uses you mention. When shooting indoor, no-flash events (I don't really do shows all that much, though I have one next week), I go for the fast glass: 85 f1.4, 50 f1.4. 70-200 f2.8 and 70-300 f2.8.
|
|
|
Re: Hello and a few questions.
[Re: DostaffLabs]
#20352
02/09/09 11:41 AM
02/09/09 11:41 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Florida
Jim Garvie
Addict
|
Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Florida
|
Hi Melissa, 7 labs is a housefull! They don't take up quite as much space as my Rotties but it's close. Show candids come in two flavors: outside where you can use pretty much any good lens; inside where you'll only be able to get decent pictures with fast lenses and you'll be shooting them wide open at high ISOs. To get moving shots, you'll need a camera with high frames-per-second shooting ability and decent buffer depth. I'm currently shooting those types of activities with a Canon 30D and 40D. The 40D shoots 6.5 fps for up to 75 jpegs and 20 RAW files which I find adequate to get good moving shots. Faster would be better and one of the ID cameras might do a better job but the 30D/40D cameras are a good balance for both candids and show formals which I also shoot. I'm not a Nikon guy right now but you can look at the specs on the cameras you mentioned and find a good parallel. As for glass, Jim Poor mentioned fast primes as well as a fast zoom and he's right on the money. Outdoors, my 70-200 F4L is a great lens and I use it for 90% of my ring candids but indoors, I use an 85 F1.8, 50 F1.4 and 135 F2.0 almost exclusively although I'll use my 17-55 F2.8 in the Group Ring. Using the primes means I have to zoom with my feet a lot but I like to move around with the dogs anyway so indoors, that's not a problem. Indoors, I'm always shooting at ISO 800 or faster. And even with the combination of fast glass and high ISO, I still get some movement of the feet on my action shots. If you're shooting black labs indoors, plan to push your ISO even higher and figure out how to deal with lots of noise in your images. The one basic truism of indoor ring candids is: black dogs + low light = blurry blobs  . For recreational shooting -- wildlife, landscapes, fine art stuff -- my 5D gets more action but I don't need the speed as much and can take my time to set up on a tripod and actually think about what I'm trying to capture. In the studio, I use both the 5D and the 40D depending on whether I'm shooting people, animals or both. Good luck with your choices and don't forget that you can rent some gear before you buy to make sure it will meet your needs before you actually invest the in the camera/lenses. Jim
|
|
|
Re: Hello and a few questions.
[Re: Jim Garvie]
#20353
02/09/09 02:38 PM
02/09/09 02:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Helena, MT
Don Edwards
Venturer
|
Venturer
Joined: Mar 2007
Helena, MT
|
Hi Melissa,
Welcome to the board, I can't answer your questions on gear but I'm sure you'll get a lot of great advice and tips from the experts on this board. Post some of your work when you can, and I can't think of a better place to get hooked on wildlife/nature photography than Yellowstone.
Don
"I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight."
|
|
|
Hellow and a few answers
[Re: DostaffLabs]
#20354
02/09/09 07:57 PM
02/09/09 07:57 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
glamson
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
|
Quote:
Hi all! I hope I'm posting this in the right section... I have been lurking around and viewing the wonderful photos on the forum. I currently have 7 Labradors that I am showing in conformation and obedience. They sort of got me into this hobby!! I had always wanted to take nice pictures of my girls and got a Nikon D50 with a 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. Then I went on a trip to Yellowstone, and now I'm in LOVE with taking wildlife and nature shots, as well as pictures of the girls and other dogs, especially at the shows. I am about as new as they come, when it comes to photography!!! I have signed up for a class and workshop (just with our local camera store) and I'm looking to upgrade my camera. I can't decide between the Nikon D90, D300, D700, or D3. Of course, money is a concern, but I want to be able to take shots of wildlife, dogs at shows, dog/animal portraits, as well as landscapes. I know I need a fast camera, and I'm prepaired for a big purchase. I'm also looking into getting some new lenses to go with the camera, so suggestions on those would be great. Right now, I like the Sigma 150-500 OS f/5-6.3. Any suggestions?
Melissa,
Welcome to the forum and yes you are in the right place.
As far as photographing your girls you can't get better advice than that given by Jim Garvie. It's what he does for a living and he does it very well.
As a Nikon shooter I can offer some advice on Nikon gear. You can see my gear in my profile. With regard to your camera upgrade, all the cameras you mentioned are excellent. I think your first decision is what sensor size you want to shoot with. The D90 & D300 use an APC sized sensor which means that you can get pretty good pixel density shooting long lenses, but you give up the high ISO performance of the full frame sensor that is in the D700 & D3. There is an immense amount of information concerning the pros & cons of each sensor size and I would direct you to the following sites if you haven't already found them
DPReview - go to the D300 and D700 forums as well as the reviews of the individual cameras
http://www.dpreview.com/
bytom - Nikon guru Thom Hogan's site
http://www.bythom.com/
If cost is a concern you will quickly see that sensor size makes a big difference to the size of the dent in your pocketbook. Personally, I love my D300 and would recommend it to anyone. If you want to shoot action it will shoot 6 fps which will capture most things and if you get the external grip you can shoot 8 fps. The buffer size is similar to the 40D that Jim mentioned. Eventually I will probably get a FF camera, but not until the prices come down. I have never used the D90 and would probably find it wanting since it only shoots at 4.5 fps and the buffer size will only take 7 RAW images. The D700 is really a version of the D300 that sports a FF sensor. If you think that you will the need the added high ISO performance it provides, be prepared to pay more for it. I agree with Jim that renting cameras is a great way to find out which one will meet your needs.
As far as lenses go, the new Sigma 150-500 OS has received some good reviews. You might want to check the reviews at Fred Miranda's site
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=358
and Michael Furtman
http://www.michaelfurtman.com/sigma150_500.htm
If you are looking at other lenses you might to also check out the lens reviews at Photozone (they don't have a review yet of the 150-500). You should check both the Nikon and Canon review because they have different lenses reviewed for third party lenses for each camera.
http://www.photozone.de/
I currently use a Sigma 100-300 lens as my main intermediate lens and I love it. You can see some results with it at
http://lamson.zenfolio.com/p875529624
I know it isn't the lens you mentioned, but it does speak well for the quality of Sigma lenses. However, be forwarned that the 100-300 is considered to be one of Sigm's best lenses for image quality and the 150-500 is a different beast.
I hope this helps.
Geo
|
|
|
Re: Hellow and a few answers
[Re: glamson]
#20355
02/10/09 08:46 AM
02/10/09 08:46 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Arkansas
DostaffLabs
OP
Wanderer
|
OP
Wanderer
Joined: Feb 2009
Arkansas
|
Thank you ALL!! I am torn between the Nikon D300 and the D3. I worry that the D3 might be alittle above my head at the time!! I am pretty new... My husband has been very supportive, and says that what every I want, we can get... Boy, I never thought that would be as big of a problem as it is!
Alot of our specialties are outside, and that is where I would probably use it the most for dog shows. I do go to some inside shows, but I'm usually in the ring!!!
I didn't mention that I will be going to Glacier and Yellowstone again this fall for two weeks, so I would like to be able to master the camera and lenses before then, which might be a problem with stepping up so much to the D3.
And yes, Jim, 7 labs are a housefull! Wouldn't have it any other way.
As soon as my computer gets back from the shop (having technical difficulties) I'll get some of my favorite pictures up to be critiqued. So, you guys and gals will have to be gentle with me!
Last edited by DostaffLabs; 02/10/09 08:49 AM.
~Melissa Bickerstaff~
|
|
|
Re: Hellow and a few answers
[Re: DostaffLabs]
#20357
02/10/09 12:33 PM
02/10/09 12:33 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
glamson
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
|
Quote:
Thank you ALL!! I am torn between the Nikon D300 and the D3. I worry that the D3 might be alittle above my head at the time!! I am pretty new... My husband has been very supportive, and says that what every I want, we can get... Boy, I never thought that would be as big of a problem as it is!
Alot of our specialties are outside, and that is where I would probably use it the most for dog shows. I do go to some inside shows, but I'm usually in the ring!!!
I didn't mention that I will be going to Glacier and Yellowstone again this fall for two weeks, so I would like to be able to master the camera and lenses before then, which might be a problem with stepping up so much to the D3.
And yes, Jim, 7 labs are a housefull! Wouldn't have it any other way.
As soon as my computer gets back from the shop (having technical difficulties) I'll get some of my favorite pictures up to be critiqued. So, you guys and gals will have to be gentle with me!
Melissa,
I will have to respectfully disagree with Jim Poor on the difference between a D300 and a D3. I've shot with both and the D3 is quite a bit more camera than the D300, both in size, weight and features (and price). I would agree there is very little difference between the D300 and D700 except the sensor. If you are planning on getting a D3 I would highly recommend that you rent one for a day and then really spend the day with it. Just standing at the counter in a camera store won't really acquaint you with a camera. The couple of times I've used one I really noticed the difference in weight after a couple of hours. There are also quite a few differences between the controls. OTOH the D700 is very close in weight to the D300. I've used a friends D700 and in addition to being quite a bit less of a load it handles exactly like my D300.
Just sayin...
Geo
|
|
|
Re: Hellow and a few answers
[Re: glamson]
#20358
02/10/09 12:42 PM
02/10/09 12:42 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Virginia, USA
Jim Poor
Addict
|
Addict
Joined: May 2008
Virginia, USA
|
He's definitely correct that renting is an even better option than just going to the camera store. Why not rent them both for your trip, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Either you find out that the D300 is perfect for you and don't spend the extra on the D3, or you find out you really like the D3 better and you don't waste money on the interim step of the D300. Starting low and then upgrading is a lot more expensive than just going for the top to start with. While the D3 is certainly a lot more camera than the D300 (I've owned and used both as well until I sold the D300). Using the two, in terms of the control buttons and dials is almost identical. Yes, there are more features in the D3, but you don't have to use them right away (or ever), but they will be there for you when you decide you want them. I'd venture to say that any Nikon DSLR user can pick up the D3 and go make great pictures using the knowledge they have from other Nikon cameras. If you don't need the low light capabilities of the D3, or the faster frame rate, then the D300/700 will work just fine for you. I'd almost bet though, that you will end up adding the battery grip, EnEl4 series battery, BL-3 battery cover, etc to get the frame rate up and then you'll upgrade to a D3 anyway
|
|
|
Re: Hellow and a few answers
[Re: Jim Poor]
#20359
02/10/09 12:56 PM
02/10/09 12:56 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
glamson
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2006
Donner Summit, CA
|
Quote:
He's definitely correct that renting is an even better option than just going to the camera store. Why not rent them both for your trip, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Either you find out that the D300 is perfect for you and don't spend the extra on the D3, or you find out you really like the D3 better and you don't waste money on the interim step of the D300. Starting low and then upgrading is a lot more expensive than just going for the top to start with.
While the D3 is certainly a lot more camera than the D300 (I've owned and used both as well until I sold the D300). Using the two, in terms of the control buttons and dials is almost identical.
Yes, there are more features in the D3, but you don't have to use them right away (or ever), but they will be there for you when you decide you want them.
I'd venture to say that any Nikon DSLR user can pick up the D3 and go make great pictures using the knowledge they have from other Nikon cameras.
If you don't need the low light capabilities of the D3, or the faster frame rate, then the D300/700 will work just fine for you.
I'd almost bet though, that you will end up adding the battery grip, EnEl4 series battery, BL-3 battery cover, etc to get the frame rate up and then you'll upgrade to a D3 anyway
I agree with Jim about the similarity in most of the controls. The similarity in controls over most of Nikon's DSLRs is one thing I love about Nikons. The fact that at least in the D300 - D3 you can customize most controls allows you to synchronize the individual indosyncracies of some of the cameras.
Whatever decision you make, I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. I have to admit that if I had the bucks, I would probably own a D700 at least.
Geo
|
|
|
|
|
0 registered members (),
1,969
guests, and 3
spiders. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums6
Topics635
Posts1,014
Members3,319
| |
Most Online3,015
Sep 23rd, 2025
|
|
|
