Nikon D50

[go cowboys]

Same thing happened to me just two days ago. I called the store and they explained that the aperture was adjusted with the finger dial on the front of the camera. Guess I should read the instructions next time.

 

[Gdad]

Anyone know of a good battery grip for a D50- preferably one with at least a verticle shutter release button? (And maybe another command dial?)

 

[jonestavern]

I looked into this recently and as far as I can determine the D50 was not designed with a vertical shutter release in mind. There are battery grips available, but there is only one that I have found with a shutter release, and this does not work like a conventional release. Instead, it uses an infared transmitter in the grip to communicate with the receiver on the body, similar to the way the remote shutter release works. One drawback to this method on this grip is that it precludes you from auto focusing by depressing the shutter button half way first. It just focuses and shoots with one depression of the shutter button. This one is made by a company named Gadget Infinity and ships out of Hong Kong.

Gotta' go and tend the grill...

Chris

 

[jonestavern]

BTW, Congrats on that PHENOMENAL new 70-200

Chris

Disclaimer: This signature is not mine and was created by DW

 

[Gdad]

Thanks- I think I saw that one on Ebay. I will probably give it a try and see if it works okay.

 

[handicap18]

There are a bunch of companies out of the UK that have battery grips for the D50. Some of them with no shutter release, others with. But like jonestavern said, it works just like a wireless remote shutter release and doesn't work well with autofocusing.

I got the $50 one at amazon. I believe its made by Opteka. Only issue with it is that you HAVE to use 2 of the EXACT same battery. If you have the Nikon original that came with the camera and a 3rd party backup you will get less battery life than without the battery grip. However, if you use 2 Nikon original batteries or 2 of the same 3rd party batteries, battery life is excellent. Much longer than just 1 battery.

I just got 2 batteries at sterlingtek. The other 2 batteries I have are a Nikon original and some other 3rd party. I'm actually thinking of getting 2 more batteries at sterlingtek for backup as the Nikon and other 3rd party are terrible together. Or I just just take the grip off, put the battery door back on and just use 1 battery. But I'm used to have the battery grip now. The camera feels so small when I take it off.

 

[Suburbanmom]

I'd like to add an external flash unit to my camera equipment. I can't spend a lot (can't go over $125 right now), but I'd certainly like the most bang for my buck. I don't mind shopping on E-bay if it would help lower the price.

Is there a flash unit out there in my price range that would be good for my Nikon D50? What do you recommend?

 

[handicap18]

Nikon has 3 flash units for you to consider.

SB-400, SB-600 & the SB-800.

The SB-400 would probably fit into your budget, however it is not a bounce flash. So you can't get as creative with the light. It is a lot more powerful than the pop-up flash on the camera and would fall into your range at around $130 depending on where you look.

I have the SB-600 for my D50 and LOVE it. Got it for about $190 IIRC. I also use it a lot with a diffuser and really like the results I get. Its a bit more powerful than the SB-400.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0611/06111602nikonsb400speedlight.asp

 

[tinksdad]

I believe the Vivitar 285HV will work on the Nikon, Midwest sells them for $89.95. They are not iTTL though......

You'll have to use one of Nikons flashes for that. The SB-600 will probably be your best bet.

 

[mabas9395]

dont bother with an external flash unless you can tilt the head and bounce the it.

 

[barrie]

The SB-400 would probably fit into your budget, however it is not a bounce flash.

Kyle - I have the SB-400 and it actually is a bounce flash (3 positions). I love it! It's a breeze to use and the flash reaches 30 feet, same as the 600. I think it's not as itimidating to your subject as the 600. The only drawback I have found is that when you turn the camera for a portrait shot, the flash turns with it so you can only get side light. But really that hasn't been much of an issue for me. For the price I would definately consider it.

 

[fitzperry]

I recently bought the SB-600 after waffling between it and the 400. Though Barrie is correct that there are some advantages to the small size of the 400, not being able to bounce the flash for a vertical shot was what tipped the balance for me. I'm very pleased with the 600.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Thanks so much for all your insights. I have a few photo jobs coming up, so I'll save my pennies and get the 600.

 

[handicap18]

Kyle - I have the SB-400 and it actually is a bounce flash (3 positions). I love it! It's a breeze to use and the flash reaches 30 feet, same as the 600. I think it's not as itimidating to your subject as the 600. The only drawback I have found is that when you turn the camera for a portrait shot, the flash turns with it so you can only get side light. But really that hasn't been much of an issue for me. For the price I would definately consider it.

I didn't not realize that. I always thought it was fixed in one position. At least there is some bounce to it. For the price it is definately pretty good.

Thanks for the info Barrie.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I had a really nice camera in college but gave it to my brother when we had children. I could not be bothered with changing lens, settings etc. when the kids were moving about etc. I bought a really nice Kodak easyshare DX7590 with a really nice little 38-380mm Schneider-KREUZNACH lens (loved, loved, loved the lens). The zoom was great. This was great for taking photos of the kids etc....The things that it was not good for were taking photos indoors, action shots (the delay is terrible) and taking night shots. The flash isnt very good at all. I toyed with the idea of getting an external flash but decided against it. My 16 year old is a diver and plays lacrosse my photos are terrible. The delay is horrible and the photos near the pool dont come out at all. We went to look at cameras and I thought that the Nikon D70s and D80 were nice. I kept waiting for the prices to come down but then I was able to get a used one (a Nikon D50)from my local camera store (I love them there) . It was a really great deal and they gave me a warrenty too. I knew I would have to but a better lens to get the photos I wanted of my DD playing sports etc...so I bought a 70-300mm Tamron lens. I could not spend the $$$$ on the nice Nikon one.....way to much after purchasing the camera. I have 15 days to make a decision on the camera if I want to keep it or not. Anyone have this camera? What do you like about it ? Anything you hate??? I was told the flash would still be a problem but the delay should be much better when I choose the setting and when I use auto. I have not used it outside yet. The photos inside seem great. Anyone with anything to say????I do miss my 380 zoom but that is ok, this will give me some nice shots I think......anyone....?????

 

[Master Mason]

I'm a canon shooter, but from everything I know it is a fantastic camera.

I am not sure what the apeture range on your 70-300 is, but you might find that it really isn't fast (meaning that the apeture opens really wide) for your sports needs.

 

[DebºoºS]

Congratulations! It's a fine camera. There are DISers who do have it and their pics are great. Wish I could help you with first hand knowledge but I can't I have the D200. MM is right about speed on your zoom. I found my long zoom was good on very sunny soccer and lacrosse days but lagged a bit in low light and fast action.

 

[WeLoveNemo]

I am madly, madly in love with mine. I was torn between this and the Canon Rebel almost two years ago so I "tried both on for size" The Nikon D50 felt so light and comfortable. I love the photos and the new hobby it has started for me - Good Luck!

 

[Groucho]

I'm a cannon shooter, but from everything I know it is a fantastic camera.

You shoot Cannon, the OP may shoot Nikkon, and I shoot Penntax. :rotfl2

Back to the topic... the D50 is a pretty well-respected camera and often liked better around here than the D40 that replaced it. The big question is price... a local camera store's used price might be a good deal, or it might be a lot more than you could buy it somewhere else for. What'd they change you?

The 70-300mm Tamron is probably not a great lens especially for sports, unfortunately a really good sports-friendly long zoom is going to cost a big pile of cash and weigh a ton.

 

[Furgus]

I have a D50 and I love it. I bought it last April. The 70-300 you have is prob the same one I have. It is a decent lens, and I have used it a lot at Carolina Hurricanes games, and did not have too big of an issue with it. Yes it is a slow lens, but I know Hockey so I wasn't just holding the shutter down as long as I could and hoped for the best. You should be fine with it for Lacrosse games, most of them are prob during the day. Don't be afraid to crank up the ISO, it is very good at 1600.
If you have any other questions, just ask, and if you click on my sig, there are a lot of Nikon users on that site.