Nikon D80

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Do you use Optimize Image settings? If so, what settings do you use? So far I've been shoting everything in Normal, just trying to familiarize myself with the camera.
I notice that some people's pictures look really saturated (colors) and they are beautiful! But I was wondering if that was from in camera optimize image settings or post processing. I know nothing of post processing and don't even want to go there until I master this camera. I really like it; it was kicking my rear the other day, but now that I'm getting to know it better we're getting along much better! I found the Nikon Digitutor and that is helping me to speak the same language as the camera manual at least -- I understand it better anyway. It's helped to take the manual language and put it into words I can understand.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Suburbanmom]

I have the D50 and I do occasionally use the Optimize Image settings. If it's a field of flowers, I might use the vivid setting or the soften setting. I've had it on sharpen before, but I felt afterwards, I probably shouldn't have. Lately, I've just left it on normal. I know...lots of help I am .

 

[handicap18]

With my D50 I found that I liked Vivid best. I tried all of them, even tried setting my own using the custom feature. In the end I ended up back with Vivid. Though now that I shoot in RAW it really doesn't matter because I can change it afterwards if I don't like that.

 

[NostalgicDad]

On my D80 I've always been most satisfied with Normal. I like to use filters which can affect colorization as well. Even without filtration, I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

[pilferk]

I asked this in another thread (Disney picture thread) but it was suggested I transplant it here, too:

What do you all think of the D80 vs the d40x?

My wife is "retiring" her N80, because she wants to get away from film, for a D40x (with new lenses, because the old ones only work in full manual...the d40's I guess have no motor in the body...just the lenses), but she's waffling. I told her to get the D80, so she could use her old glass...but she's reluctant to spend the extra money.

So, I'm wondering if you think the D80 is worth the extra $$ over the d40x. Keep in mind, she's not looking for poster sized pictures of thimbles, here. She's a former pro photog, now a stay at home mom. She does a lot of portrait photography (with our kids, and friends kids), and some recreational "nature" shots. We have a Nikon point and shoot to do the majority of our snapshot taking....but it just doesn't do the job her N80 does for "other stuff".

I'd love to hear thoughts, comparisons, etc

 

[YEKCIM]

I assume that she has really good quality lenses and knows how to use them, since she has photographed professionally. Therefore, I tend to think that the D80 might be the better choice. Has she checked to see which features, if any, of the existing lenses, would not work on a newer, digital Nikon body? If not, this chart might be helpful. Keep in mind, too, that with the 1.5X crop factor, the lenses will not "see" the same field of view that they do on a full frame dSLR (like the upcoming D3). The positive is that you gain on the telephoto end; downside is that you lose on the wide angle end. If she has, for example, a 28mm lens, that focal length will now equate to 42mm, which is decidedly NOT wide angle.

~YEKCIM

 

[pilferk]

I assume that she has really good quality lenses and knows how to use them, since she has photographed professionally. Therefore, I tend to think that the D80 might be the better choice. Has she checked to see which features, if any, of the existing lenses, would not work on a newer, digital Nikon body? If not, this chart might be helpful. Keep in mind, too, that with the 1.5X crop factor, the lenses will not "see" the same field of view that they do on a full frame dSLR (like the upcoming D3). The positive is that you gain on the telephoto end; downside is that you lose on the wide angle end. If she has, for example, a 28mm lens, that focal length will now equate to 42mm, which is decidedly NOT wide angle.

~YEKCIM

3 Nikkor lenses and at least 2 quanaray (or whatever the Ritz Camera brand is) "nikkor knock offs". I'm pretty sure they're Nikkor AF's (and whatever the quanaray equivalent was), but I couldn't tell you which 3 off the top of my head. I know the Nikkors won't work with the D40 series, but will work with the d80 series. Not sure about the quanaray's at all. Apparently they eliminated the internal lens motor on the D40 series, which took care of the autofocus? Keep in mind, that's just my limited understanding.....just like when I talk "computer" to her, when she talks "camera" to me I get a little lost.

I'll check with her on the lenses and let her know (if she doesn't...and I tend to think she doesn't) about the "crop factor".

She's pretty happy with the features on the D40x. Anything you can think of that is "missing" on the D40x that's a big benefit on the D80 side (other than some of the older glass working?).

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well, in the long run, she is likely to spend more on lenses than the camera body itself. So, if her current lenses will work with the D80, spend a few $ now to save more in the long run. (disclaimer added - I have the D80 and she will love it!)

 

[pilferk]

Well, in the long run, she is likely to spend more on lenses than the camera body itself. So, if her current lenses will work with the D80, spend a few $ now to save more in the long run. (disclaimer added - I have the D80 and she will love it!)

Heh, see..that's what I said.

The price difference between the D40x kit (with 2 lenses) is roughly $200-ish less than the D80 body, alone. Doesn't seem like much to me.

But the crop factor mentioned might matter to her. I'll have to ask her since, as I've said, my knowledge on this stuff is pretty limited.

 

[handicap18]

If you can, post the lenses she already ownes along with their apertures (f/stop range, on the lens listed as 1:3.5-5.6 or 1:1.8 or something like that).

Nikkor lenses for the most part hold their value well and translate very well with the digital bodies. I have 3 Nikkor lenses and 1 Tamron lens. 2 of the lenses have the focus motor in the lens the other 2 don't. The 2 that don't (Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 and the Tamron f/2.8) are the 2 fastest lenses and also the 2 sharpest lenses I have. While I don't use the all the time, it is nice to have them. I like using them for Portrait work and also Macro with the Tamron.

Having been a Nikon user for close to 20 years with 2 different film bodies (N6006 & N70) and now 1 digital body (D50), I would go with the D80 over the D40 or D40x. The D40 will be closer in size to the N80. The D40/x body is much smaller and to me doesn't feel quite right going from the bigger body.

Rather than the D40x and 2 lenses, go with the D80 and 1 lens (one of the 18-???mm's). With the crop factor she may want something wider than 28mm.

 

[Groucho]

I would definitely go with the D80 if she already has lenses - and would anyway, as virtually no (if any) fast primes will AF on the D40x.

However, if she is considering the D40x, I'd go for the D40 instead - save some bucks and don't underestimate the quality you'll get from "only" 6mp. Take the money saved and put it towards lenses later (once you know what you want most.)

 

[Anewman]

If she is willing to try a Refurbished D80, right now it is $729 at Buydig/beachcamera. IMO the $130 extra over the D40x is well worth it.

And if she is used to a camera with pro features the D40x might not suffice.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

On B&H it doesn't list the D80 as being compatible with the HSM lenses for Auto focusing. I was looking at this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381611-REG/Sigma_201306_10_20mm_f_4_5_6D_EX_DC.html
It says under Features

NOTE: HSM lenses, while able to manually focus with all Nikon F-mount cameras, will autofocus ONLY with the following cameras- F6, F5, F4s, F100, N90s, N90, N80, N75, N70, N65, D1 & D2-series, D50, D70, D100, Pronea 6i, and Pronea S (or newer camera models). With other models, HSM or AF-S lenses must be focused manually. This is the same limitation as Nikon's own AF-S lenses.

Thanks!

 

[KrazyPete]

I can't say for sure, from experience but... I can't think of any reason it would work with a D70 and not with a D80. I think perhaps the phrase "or newer camera models" is the operative statement here.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Yep, the HSM lens will be fine with your D80. It's just that they have not updated their data to reflect the newer model as KrazyPete said. I currently have a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and love it. The one you mention is tops on my list for my next lens.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Yep, the HSM lens will be fine with your D80. It's just that they have not updated their data to reflect the newer model as KrazyPete said. I currently have a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and love it. The one you mention is tops on my list for my next lens.

Cool! I think I'm going to get it...

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I noticed that when I go over 1000 photos, the Nikon Picture Project software automatically renumbers my photos and puts them out of order. For example say picture 1 is DSC_001, after 1000 photos, it starts numbering all over again at DSC_001_1. But what is bugging me is that it'll file the second photo out of order and put it next to DSC_001. So I have to manually go in and separate the renumbered and out of order photos into another file or it stays out of order. It's a pain! Do any of you have this problem, if so, how did you solve it and what did you do. In Picture Project, I tell the software to sort by date and time shot and it's still doing it. Help, please...

 

[handicap18]

How do you have the file sequencing in camera? If you set it File No. Seq. to on then in camera it will keep giving you a different number.

Now, with PP, when you go to export the images as JPEG's to your folder it wil ask you if you want to change the file name. It defaults to checking the box to change file names. You have to uncheck it. It also defaults to Resizing the picture to Large PC Screen. If you keep this, the file size will shrink down from around 5MB to less than 1MB.

If it comes across another picture with the same file name it automatically adds the -1 to the end of the file name of the current image being exported.

Another option is to go under Tools then click on Rename Photos and make sure the box next to Rename Photos During import is NOT checked.

Hot this info helps.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks Handicap!

How do you have the file sequencing in camera? If you set it File No. Seq. to on then in camera it will keep giving you a different number.

Now, with PP, when you go to export the images as JPEG's to your folder it wil ask you if you want to change the file name. It defaults to checking the box to change file names. You have to uncheck it. It also defaults to Resizing the picture to Large PC Screen. If you keep this, the file size will shrink down from around 5MB to less than 1MB.

If it comes across another picture with the same file name it automatically adds the -1 to the end of the file name of the current image being exported.

Another option is to go under Tools then click on Rename Photos and make sure the box next to Rename Photos During import is NOT checked.

Hot this info helps.

 

[poohluvrs]

I am a beginner photographer w/ a Nikon D80, my photos dont seem as bright as I would like them. Im hoping a flash may help & someone here might be able to help me figure out which is best for the money for a beginner!TIA