External flashes

[Groucho]

So if I used a this lens and had to manual focus it on say, a Pirate on PotC, how quickly can it be done? I've never used this type of lens before... I didn't know if it was just a single ring on the outside that you turn until the subject appears focused??

Yes, you rotate a ring next the front of the lens to focus.

The big problem is that the viewfinders in DSLRs really aren't manual-focus friendly. First off, the entry-level ones have pentamirrors rather than pentaprisms, so they're a little darker. But the big problem is that there's no split-image or microprism, which helps tremendously with manual focus. Some cameras allow you to change the viewfinder (I'm not sure that you can with the D40), you can buy such viewfinders from Katz Eye. The problem is that they will often confuse the camera's auto-exposure slightly. I may put one in anyone in my camera one of these days, they make such a big difference.

Manual-focusing on a dark ride will be tough, especially as you're going to be dealing with a very small DoF so perfect focus will be pretty important. I have done manual focus shots with my Zenitar fisheye on Big Thunder, but that's a completely different kettle of fish - huge depth of field, so you really don't need to focus it at all.

 

[Gdad]

I like the...

Insert Lens Name Here

but it's also a...

Insert $$$$$ Amount Here

lens, which is a lot more than I was looking to spend.

Insert Sticker Shock Here

Welcome to the DSLR Club Joe.

 

[El Nebuloso]

I recently posted a pic of the floating head in the HM taken with the 50mm f1.8, and while I liked the results, it took three times through the ride and a dozen or so shots at high ISO in order to get it. The manual focusing wasn't too bad, and you will probably want to spot meter if you choose to try. You can get good results with a bit of effort (and luck!), but as a previous poster mentioned (and I'm paraphrasing here), you may be better off just sitting back and enjoying the ride!

 

[ukcatfan]

I had a MF 50mm f/2 for my K100D and recently upgraded to an AF 50mm f/1.4. The dark rides are still tough and there are a bunch of missed shots, but the AF really makes it much easier. There are times when the focus will not lock though. That is when you just flip the switch and MF. It does not even take a second to do. Not sure about a D40, but my camera will indicate a focus lock on MF.

Have you looked for a used prime lens that is a MF lens. It should be somewhat cheaper than the AF model that you cannot take advantage of. My MF lens was only $45.


With SMC-A 50mm f/2

With SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4

Kevin

 

[°O°Joe]

Insert Lens Name Here

Insert $$$$$ Amount Here

Insert Sticker Shock Here

Welcome to the DSLR Club Joe.

LOL very funny Jeff. It's true though. I started - just thinking I'd get a standard DSLR with kit lens (kicking myself for not dropping the extra $150 for the 18-135mm lens) and now, with the extended "everything under the sun" warranty from Best Buy and this new 18-135mm lens and a couple filters I'm up to almost a grand. I never thought I'd spend that kind of money on a camera. But here I am. Luckily the owner at my local Camera Corner gave me $60 for my 1-day used 18-55mm lens. I plan on taking my camera back there and seeing if I can fool around a little with the 50mm Nikkor f/1.8 and see how difficult it is to use with the D40...

 

[°O°Joe]

I had a MF 50mm f/2 for my K100D and recently upgraded to an AF 50mm f/1.4. The dark rides are still tough and there are a bunch of missed shots, but the AF really makes it much easier. There are times when the focus will not lock though. That is when you just flip the switch and MF. It does not even take a second to do. Not sure about a D40, but my camera will indicate a focus lock on MF.

Have you looked for a used prime lens that is a MF lens. It should be somewhat cheaper than the AF model that you cannot take advantage of. My MF lens was only $45.


With SMC-A 50mm f/2

With SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4

Kevin

Nice shots... I especially like the last one with the hitch hiking ghost... that's a keeper

 

[Gdad]

Good choice on upgrading the lens.

Nikon is rumored to be reworking some of their fast primes with AF-S for announcement at PMA next month. They will not be as cheap as the 50/1.8 but at least they will auto focus on the D40.

LOL very funny Jeff. It's true though. I started - just thinking I'd get a standard DSLR with kit lens (kicking myself for not dropping the extra $150 for the 18-135mm lens) and now, with the extended "everything under the sun" warranty from Best Buy and this new 18-135mm lens and a couple filters I'm up to almost a grand. I never thought I'd spend that kind of money on a camera. But here I am. Luckily the owner at my local Camera Corner gave me $60 for my 1-day used 18-55mm lens. I plan on taking my camera back there and seeing if I can fool around a little with the 50mm Nikkor f/1.8 and see how difficult it is to use with the D40...

 

[°O°Joe]

Nikon is rumored to be reworking some of their fast primes with AF-S for announcement at PMA next month. They will not be as cheap as the 50/1.8 but at least they will auto focus on the D40.

You just made my day. I hope the rumor is true.

 

[handicap18]

The view finder on the D40 is bigger than some other Nikon view finders (ie: the D50, D70, D70s) and is easier to manual focus in that regard.

There a few primes that will auto focus like Sigma's 30mm f/1.4. I used that ALOT on my most recent trip (took about 1200 shots with it). Very good lens and I got some real nice shots on the indoor rides (see my Photo Trip Report thread here on the photo board if you haven't already). I got the lens for $375. Again more than you probably want to spend, but it is a great focal lenth to use as a general purpose lens (very similar to what the 50mm lens was to film slr's back before zoom lenses were popular).

It would be worth trying out the 50mm in a store to get a feel of how it handles in manual focus mode. I love using this lens as a portrait lens. With 3 young kids going to a photo studio to get portraits done can become very costly over the years. I've gotten studio quality portraits in our house using this lens. For me it was well worth the $110.

 

[Sha]

Insert Lens Name Here
Insert $$$$$ Amount Here
Insert Sticker Shock Here

Welcome to the DSLR Club Joe.

LOVE IT!!!! and so true!

 

[Furgus]

Well I just got my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and my Nikon SB-800 in the mail.
Thanks to all on this board who helped me decide the Tamron was a better choice for my needs. Now anyone want to tell me how to use the SB-800??

 

[boBQuincy]

Well, now we will expect some *good* photos out of you!

Just kidding, I wouldn't mind taking credit for some of your images. It's a shame you went with Nikon though, means I can't borrow any of your equipment.

 

[gruZ]

Spend as much time as you can reading this site: Strobist

 

[Furgus]

Here is a pic from the new lens. Man is it sharp!

My sisters kitten.
1/60, f/2.8, ISO 200, 75mm

 

[DebºoºS]

Congrats Sharp! really sharp yikes

 

[handicap18]

Ok, I guess the holidays assignment has run is course. So time to move on.

Low light photography seems to be a big topic on this board so lets go with that.

Slow shutter speeds, wide aperture, high ISO's. These combine in ways to help collect light when there isn't a lot of light to collect. How does your camera do? Do you know the right settings?

Get out your tripods and see what kind of results you can come up with. Any camera put on a tripod with the right settings can take wonderful low light pictures. So long as the subject isn't moving.

Disney is wonderful at night. There is so much to photograph when the light is low.

There are a few ways to get pictures to come out. One is a wide aperture (f/2.8 and wider) combined with a high ISO (800 and higher). Another is having some sort of Image Stabilization (IS, VR, OS, depending on your camera brand). This will help with holding the camera still when you have slow shutter speeds and the subject is stationary. You might be able to get away with not as high an ISO depending on your camera. This will help with combating noise. Another way is using a tripod. This will definately keep your camera steady and you can use a low ISO to keep noise to a minimum.

We'll do this assignment without using a flash. A lot of times a flash wont help (depending on your subject, ie: Cinderalla Castle, SSE) and it can also wash out the colors (again depending on your subject, ie: Spectromagic).

If you do post pictures try to included the EXIF data such as ISO, shutter speed, aperture. This information is a big help for others learning on what works and what doesn't work.

Above all else.... HAVE FUN!!

 

[Gdad]

Wow- What a great monthly assignment. Not sure how I missed it- I just noticed the link in your Sig tonight Kyle. Too bad January is over! Anyway- Here are a few I shot in Ybor City last weekend that are in the spirit of the assignment. All were shot handheld with either the D300 w/ 180/2.8 wide open AutoISO or the Fuji S5 w/ 50/1.4 ISO1600.

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/200 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 560

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/25 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 6400 (Some NR)

Fuji S5 w/ 50/1.4 - 1/50 Sec - f3.5 - ISO 1600

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/200 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 1400

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/125 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 6400

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/60 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 6400

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/50 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 6400

D300 w/ 180/2.8 - 1/200 Sec - f/2.8 - ISO 4500

 

[fitzperry]

Wow- What a great monthly assignment. Not sure how I missed it- I just noticed the link in your Sig tonight Kyle. Too bad January is over! Anyway- Here are a few I shot in Ybor City last weekend that are in the spirit of the assignment. All were shot handheld with either the D300 w/ 180/2.8 wide open AutoISO or the Fuji S5 w/ 50/1.4 ISO1600. EXIF data should be intact so enjoy. Sorry for the large size.

I somehow missed this one too. I've been in a post-holiday funk and, therefore, planning vacations and hoping for better weather rather than using my camera. Based on the atypical lack of participation, I'm guessing I'm not alone. Please don't let this deter you from creating these assignments Kyle.

Nice shots as usual Jeff. I don't want to hijack this thread, but when did you get a Fuji S5? What do you think of it?

 

[DueyDooDah]

Wow, I'd love to participate. Seattle weather is really ridiculous lately. If it's not raining, it's raining with snow mixed. And if not that, it's near freezing. I guess I'm saying I'm a fair-weather photog. But, if there's a break, I'll be out there and get a post in.

 

[Gdad]

Nice shots as usual Jeff. I don't want to hijack this thread, but when did you get a Fuji S5? What do you think of it?

Thanks Jen- I just got the S5 a couple weeks ago but really like it so far. It seems to have very good colors in auto WB- especially skin tones. It also supposedly has much better dynamic range and controls blown highlights better than Nikons but I have not really had anything to test that out on yet.