Got a D60!

[JenLovesMickey]

Hello everyone! I'm still fairly new at actually posting on the DisBoards and I've mostly been over in the restaurant board, but I found my way over here and have been lurking for about a week. In that short amount of time all of you have talked me into biting the bullet and getting my first DSLR That's right, you all twisted my arm and didn't even know it! Anyways, it finally came today and boy oh boy have I been having fun. I'm not a professional and up until now I've only owned a couple point and shoot digital cameras but so far the pictures I took with the D60 are way better than the others. I figured I'd share some of, in my opinion, the better pics I took today. Keep in mind that, like I said, I'm not a pro, this is my first DSLR and I pretty much took the camera out of the box, popped in the battery and lens and started shooting. I know I have a lot to learn, and I can't wait to get going. Those of you who have more experience than I do- please feel free to critique!

 

[Gdad]

Excellent- Enjoy your new camera!

 

[ukcatfan]

Instead of critique, I offer advice. Go pick up a book on photography so that you can learn the interaction of the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Together, those things are the exposure. I recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Very pretty....I especially like the contrast on the second photo.

Enjoy your new camera!

 

[handicap18]

Congrats on the new camera, welcome to Nikon and the Dis photo board. Stick around here and your bound to learn a little and have fun along the way.

Nice shots too btw. I like the berry shot.

 

[dr_zero]

Cool pics!

Welcome to Nikon family!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

What kind did you buy? I've been lurking in this board (and I love the restaurant board!)

Nice pics!

PS Your cat is beautiful. Maine Coon?

 

[dr_zero]

What kind did you buy?

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ProductDetail.page?pid=25438

Nikon D60

 

[JenLovesMickey]

ukcatfan I'll definitely look into that book, thanks!

Pirate's Princess- I honestly don't know. My parents got him from the vet that they take their dogs to.


Now, if I were to get another lens before my trip in Sept. which one would you suggest I get? I remember reading a thread about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I want something that I will be able to zoom in more than what I can now and that will do a good job with taking pics without the flash.

By the way- for those of you who are considering getting this camera, I actually ordered it from QVC. They have it for 4 easy payments and they have a 30 day return policy with no re-stocking fee. So you could get it, try it and if you don't like it (which I doubt) you could send it back and get refunded the 1 payment that you would have made in that time. I want to say that anytime I've returned things I've been refunded the shipping that I was charged to have the item sent in the first place as well. I was so upset though cause either the very day or the day before I got the camera they ran a special where it was on 5 easy pays for just that day. Just my luck!

 

[handicap18]

Now, if I were to get another lens before my trip in Sept. which one would you suggest I get? I remember reading a thread about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I want something that I will be able to zoom in more than what I can now and that will do a good job with taking pics without the flash.

I'm guessing it came with the 18-55mm VR lens.

As for a zoom lens, there is the 50-200mm VR and the 70-300mm VR. Both are very good optically and have VR, the 50-200mm will be less expensive and smaller.

As for taking pictures without the flash, if your talking at night like Spectro or the indoor rides for example, then neither the kit lens or the longer zoom is particularly good. A wide aperture prime would be the best bet in that regard. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a great performer. Just a matter of what is going to be more important and how much you want to spend.

For other shots around the parks at night, I would highly recommend a tripod and the $20 wireless remote shutter release. Even a small Gorillapod made for dSLR's would do you well. You can set it up on top of a trashcan and get some great long exposure night shots with your kit lens.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Congrats on the new camera. You are going to love it. I got a D60 about six years ago and it really helped me improve my photography.

 

[JenLovesMickey]

I'm guessing it came with the 18-55mm VR lens.

As for a zoom lens, there is the 50-200mm VR and the 70-300mm VR. Both are very good optically and have VR, the 50-200mm will be less expensive and smaller.

As for taking pictures without the flash, if your talking at night like Spectro or the indoor rides for example, then neither the kit lens or the longer zoom is particularly good. A wide aperture prime would be the best bet in that regard. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a great performer. Just a matter of what is going to be more important and how much you want to spend.

For other shots around the parks at night, I would highly recommend a tripod and the $20 wireless remote shutter release. Even a small Gorillapod made for dSLR's would do you well. You can set it up on top of a trashcan and get some great long exposure night shots with your kit lens.

Now that I've found this board and it's been brought to my attention that flash photography really shouldn't be used on dark rides (sorry....I'm sure I'm guilty of doing that a few times!) I was wanting something more for the rides and parades, yes. Thank you for pointing out that a zoom lens isn't going to work so great for this. I still want to get a zoom anyways, but I want to make sure I get something where I'll hopefully get some decent pics on the rides- that's one thing I was never really able to do with my P&S

Mark- Your pictures are so good that it's hard to imagine you as a "beginner"

 

[handicap18]

Congrats on the new camera. You are going to love it. I got a D60 about six years ago and it really helped me improve my photography.

Mark- Your pictures are so good that it's hard to imagine you as a "beginner"

Canon first had their own dSLR they called a D60. It was released at the beginning of 2002 and discontinued when the 10D was released in early 2003. This camera line eventually evolved into the newest "semi-pro" line model, the 50D.

There are a number of people surprised that Nikon also used the same D60 name for one of their dSLR's. Canon used the D before the number (like Nikon does) for 2 of their dSLR models. The D30 and D60.

 

[mrsbug]

I got a D60 about a month ago and LOVE it! Upgraded from a D50 and the D60 just blows it out of the water. I took it on vacation last week and the pictures are awesome straight out of the camera. The only adjustments I needed to make in PSE was some cropping and adjusting a few shadow/highlights from the beach pictures. Even the ones that I took in the dim waterpark turned out great. I had the D50 at the same location last summer and was amazed at how much better the D60 did in the same conditions.

If you can swing it, I recommend the 18-200 VR lens. It's wonderful. Great all-around lens, and the convenience of never having to changes lenses was so nice. Some complain it doesn't have the best image quality, but I have no complaints and am very impressed with it. It hasn't left the D60 since I got it. The two are an awesome combination. As for the low-light rides, unfortunately, none of the Nikon primes will autofocus with the D60. Rumor has it Nikon will be announcing some new primes with AF motors in the near future, but probably not in time for your trip. Sigma has a 30 mm (I think) that has the AF motor, that's probably going to be your best bet.