Woo Hoo!!

[barrie]

I just bought the Nikon D50 and I'll be at the Boardwalk 2 weeks from today! Can't wait to play with it there. I think I'm going solo too - just me, my camera and the flower & garden show! Barrie

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the dSLR family.

 

[TomPokNY]

Congratulations on your new camera!!! I'm in a similar situation - I got a new Canon Digital Rebel XT last week, and I'm looking forward to using during my solo trip starting May 3rd.

 

[WillCAD]

I remember that feeling, very well. It's a combination of elation and sheer terror. OMG, I can't believ how much money I just spent on this camera! Now I'm going to walk around WDW with hundreds of dollars hanging around my neck - I must be INSANE!

My first solo trip to WDW came about a month after buying my first SLR, a Canon Rebel G 35mm. I shot 10 rolls of film on an 8-day trip (all Kodak 400ISO), and thought I had gone crazy to shoot so much, since my record before had been 4 rolls in a wwek.

But opce I got those rolls developed, the prints made my jaw drop in amazement - they were the best pictures I had ever taken.

Have fun with your new cameras, guys.

 

[handicap18]

SWEET!! I've had my D50 for not quite 6 months and it is great. DW and I are going to Disney without the kids at the beginning of June. Will be there for the end of F&G at Epcot and also the last Star Wars weekend at MGM. I have a 1 gig card that will hold about 280 pics. I'm thinking I'll need a few more.

What lens (or lenses) did you get?

Also don't forget to post your pics. Share and share alike!!!

 

[barrie]

Thanks Kelly - and everyone!

Hey Tom - If you're still there when I get there maybe we should have a beer or something. We can compare shots. I'll pm you...

Will - I know what you mean - it took me 2 years to work up the courage to spend that much money on a camera.

Kyle - I got the 18-55 and the 55-200. Not sure if that was the best choice or not. I just got what they recommended at the store. I have 30 days to play. I can exchange them if I want something different. I noticed there's a lot of threads here talking about what's the best lens to get so I'll read up on those too. I planned the timing of the purchase with my Disney trip so I could test it out there and still have time to make exchanges when I get back if I need to.

I'll definately put my photos up online when I get back. I'm hoping to get lot's more to enter in the photo contests too! I think I'll need at least one more card too.

Barrie

 

[Kelly Grannell]

It's not bad at all. I just don't like changing lens when I'm travelling. I tend to use just one lens for the entire day. Everytime you change lens there is a risk of having dust sticking on the camera sensor.

Always do it with the camera OFF and facing DOWN in a least dusty area possible... oh and no wind too.

 

[barrie]

Thanks Kelly - great tips! I'm not really a photographer but think I have an ok eye for it. In the fall I plan to take some classes so I can be a bit more successful in my attempts! Barrie

 

[disneyfan551]

Congrats! I just bought my D50 yesterday, and will be leaving for our Disney trip in 4 more weeks! Like WillCAD said, I'm absolutely estatic, but terrified of the thought of it too! I'm such an "automatic p&s" person, that this step up from my DiMAGE Z1 is quite scary.

Have a great time on your trip, and post some pic's for us!

 

[barrie]

Thanks Tiffany - I'm mostly point and shoot too but I'm ready to learn more. I can never get the shot I really want doing that. What I like about the D50 is I can still take decent shots on automatic while I'm learning the manual stuff.


Congrats to you too Disneyfan. We'll have to check out each other's pix when we return! Barrie

 

[handicap18]

Barrie, those 2 lenses are good. They give a great range. Some people don't like changing lenses. I think with those 2 you may find yourself changing a bit more often, than norm (just a bit though). I've always had 2 lenses in the 15-20 years I've been using SLR camera's. Before digital it was 28-90 and 70-300, now with my D50 I have a 18-70 and a 70-300. I don't mind changing the lenses when needed. Its never been a bother to me. I had already had a Nikon film SLR so I didn't get the D50 kit lenses. I instead got the D70s kit lens. My 28-90 film lens didn't have enough wide angle when converted to digital.

I'm going to Disney at the beginning of June and am looking forward to really putting my D50 to work.

If you have time, go to amazon.com and order "Understanding Photography" by Bryan Peterson and read it on the plane ride down. He does an awesome job of helping people get out of automatic mode and into Aperture or Shutter priority and full manual.

 

[lap3]

Congrats on the new camera! You're gonna love it! I've got the same 2-lens D50 outfit and have enjoyed every moment using it. Actually, I rented the 80-200mm F2.8 lens a couple of times and ended up buying that. For now, you've got some good glass to play around with. My suggestion would be to get used to all of the features now so that by the time your trip comes around, your pictures will turn out great. Have fun!

 

[barrie]

Kyle - I ordered that book and "Nikon D50 Digital Field Guide" by David Busch right away. I'm hoping they arrive before I leave so I can read them on the plane. They said I should get them between the 3rd and the 5th - I leave on the 4th!

I'm glad the lenses I got sound good. I wish I had more time before I go to learn the camera but you know how it is right before you leave on vacation - I barely have time to pee! Of course, I seem to always find time to check out this board for a few minutes... and on that note I better get back to work! Barrie

 

[mhutchinson]

It's not bad at all. I just don't like changing lens when I'm travelling. I tend to use just one lens for the entire day. Everytime you change lens there is a risk of having dust sticking on the camera sensor.

Always do it with the camera OFF and facing DOWN in a least dusty area possible... oh and no wind too.

Kelly,

My wife loves it when I stop and change my lens over, it gives her about 2 minutes to catch her breath before I start moving the herd again!!!

One other tip, if the lens has a stabilization control built in (VR, IS, etc.) set that switch off as well before removing the lens.

Mike

 

[WillCAD]

Some people don't like changing lenses.

I'm one of those!

I know that experienced SLR photographers have always been fairly casual about changing lenses in the field, but I hate the idea of carrying extra lenses around with me, and changing lenses in the field has always struck me as a time-waster that could cause me to miss a good shot. That's not to mention the possibility of getting dust on the sensor, mirror, prism, or inside surface of the lens.

Compared to most SLR owners, I like to travel light - camera, one lens, Speedlight flash, pocket-size tripod, remote shutter release, extra memory card, 1-gallon Ziploc camera poncho, and maybe an extra set of batteries.

Still, it's better than the days when I had to carry 3 or 4 extra rolls of film around all day!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

One other tip, if the lens has a stabilization control built in (VR, IS, etc.) set that switch off as well before removing the lens.

Why is this so? I thought the VR/IS circuitry is already powered off when you turn the camera power to off (which I do everytime I change the lens).
Would you kindly explain it to me?

Thanks.

 

[barrie]

Originally Posted by mhutchinson
One other tip, if the lens has a stabilization control built in (VR, IS, etc.) set that switch off as well before removing the lens.

And how would I know if I had that control built in (sounds like a good thing to have)? Remember - this camera and dslr are totally new to me. It doesn't look like there is any switch other than the auto/manual switch. Barrie

 

[handicap18]

Compared to most SLR owners, I like to travel light - camera, one lens, Speedlight flash, pocket-size tripod, remote shutter release, extra memory card, 1-gallon Ziploc camera poncho, and maybe an extra set of batteries.

Still, it's better than the days when I had to carry 3 or 4 extra rolls of film around all day!

I'm a light traveler myself. I can fit camera body, 2 lenses and flash in my Lowepro fanny pack. I have my remote shutter release attached to the camera's neck strap too. I think I'm going to take your tip and carry the zip-loc bag as well. Extra memory cards will fit in my pockets. Tripod is the only thing I haven't figured out yet. I currently have 2 and neither will fit in my backpack. Last trip I did not bring one, but did on the trip before. Though I only used it at the resort. I'm leaning towards getting a smaller tripod that will fit in my backpack. I know, I said light and here I am talking about a backback, but DW likes to have extra snacks and water among a few other things (though on the next trip I'm not bringing the video camera), plus on the upcoming trip she will be 6 months pregnant, so I guess its the least I can do.

 

[mhutchinson]

Kelly,

The IS lens manuals mention not removing an IS lens with IS on and I originally was under the assumption that if the power was off that there would be no issue. So I questioned a Canon rep about this and he stated that by turning IS to the off position prior to lens removal and powering off, it locks the IS mechanism which will in effect minimize vibration to the lens internals when removing it. It sort of makes sense so now it is just one more switch that I have just become habitual about turning off.

Barrie,

If your lens has any vibration reduction control, trust me that the manufacturer will let you know that it is there. It usually does add a fair amount to the cost of a lens and yes it can be well worth the cost. I try to get mine with it if I can afford the extra cost at the time.

Did this help.

Mike

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Thanks for the info. I guess I skipped that part of the manual