Camera Labs

Hi everyone,

I actually stumbled upon this site by watching a youtube review of the Nikon D80 and I'm excited to find a forum that covers all brands of equipment.

I've been into photography since I was a teenager (I'm 36 now) when I got my first camera, a Minolta X-370. I was on the yearbook staff and became a staff photographer for a local newspaper while attending a community college. I got out of photography for a few years because I was having trouble focusing the camera. In 2005, I went digital purchasing the equipment in my signature.

I feel that I have pushed my current equipment to its limits and its performed very well, but sadly its left me wanting more....trying to reach that next level so to speak.

I've been reading about the Nikon Creative Lighting System (mainly the SB800) and it sounds wonderful. I'm very interested in learning more about what Nikon has to offer and possibly buying some Nikon equipment in the future. The D300, 200, & 80 would fit into my budget and I would like to get at least 2 of the SB800's. I don't know much about Nikon, but I have a strong foundation in photography, so I should be able to transition without a major breakdown. What setup is going to give me the most use of the creative lighting system?

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I'm researching the Nikon gear. I really like honest opinions, even if they hurt. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and answer my question.

Mike

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Canon 10D, EF 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS, EF 50mm 1.8 mkII, 75-300mm 4-5.6 mkIII, 420EX, & other stuff.

Hi Mike,

A warm welcome to the CameraLabs forums. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice about Nikon gear including the D300. Will you continue with your Canon gear as well or do you fancy a change of scene?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob,

Yes, I think a change of scene could be really nice. I've been reading about the D300 and it sounds wonderful. 12.3 megapixels would be almost double what I have now. The active d-lighting souns great and the startup and shutter lag are much faster than my current camera. The documentation makes it sound like the built in pop-up flash will act as a master and trigger the SB800 wirelessly. Does anyone know if this is correct?

I was looking on B & H and made a wishlist. Tell me what you think about this:

Nikon D300
MB-D10 Battery Grip
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF VR
SB-800 x 4
Pocket Wizard Transmitter & Receivers

And I'd like to do all of this for a budget of $10,000 or less.

Tell me what you think.

Mike

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Canon 10D, EF 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS, EF 50mm 1.8 mkII, 75-300mm 4-5.6 mkIII, 420EX, & other stuff.

Do you have 10G to spend on camera gear at the moment?
Also consider a 50mm f/1.8, probably the greatest lens for the cheap $100.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Hi Mike,

Again, I'll leave detailed responses to the Nikonians but, in my opinion, with kit like that you also need to get a nice warm fluffy towel to clean up any admiring drool! Lovely wish list, though you are going to need a good bag/backpack and membership of your local gym if you are going to lug all that glass around on location.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Mike,

I can confirm that the onboard flash of D80 upwards acts as a master to a SB-600/800 slave. I have only one SB-800 and used it on a party on cross-fire mode to the onboard flash. See some examples on this thread: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=390
A SB-800 as master on your camera plus 3 additional SB-800 should give you plenty of lighting optins in a studio environment.
You shopping list looks perfect And with this lens-selection you can easily switch to a FX-body should you feel the need...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Ten grand? Is it actually possible to buy wrong with such a budget?

Zorro

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

Well, Mike doesn't get a D3 for all this money...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

A D3 and one great lens is possible though. That would be my choice. Or a car, lol.

Zorro

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

Well, let's see:
1xD3
1xSigma 12-24
1xSigma 24-70/f2.8
1xNikon 70-200/f2.8 VR
2xNikon SB-800
should do the trick...

No car though

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Isn't that the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED?

I'd treat myself to a D3 for x-mas, and this would be the right time to order, given the two months wait, but I refuse to be separated from my VR 18-200mm...

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Nikon D90 + MB-D80 + SB-600 + AF-S VR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 + AF-S 35mm f/1.8 + AF 85mm f/1.8 | My photos on Flickr.

[/quote]Well, let's see:
1xD3
1xSigma 12-24
1xSigma 24-70/f2.8
1xNikon 70-200/f2.8 VR
2xNikon SB-800

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the responses. I knew my list would grab everyone's attention, but sadly I don't have ten thousand stuffed in my mattress. What I do have is a bank that's willing to finance my business venture if I wish to proceed. I'm interested in the comercial and industrial market.

Now, enough of that. I love photography and I'm interested in technology that will help me perform at the top level. The D3 sounds like a great rig, but its overkill for me. The D80 sounds like a really good camera for the money, but I'm ruff sometimes and the plastic body scares me. I really like the weight and build of my 10D and I definately want something just as heavy and well built from Nikon.

I'm interested in knowing what is unique about Nikon, like the creative lighting system. What is your favorite attribute about your Nikon?

Thanks!

Mike

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Canon 10D, EF 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS, EF 50mm 1.8 mkII, 75-300mm 4-5.6 mkIII, 420EX, & other stuff.

Hi Mike, I'm no expert on multiple flashes, but is what you're after only available on the Nikon system?

If you want a tougher body than the D80, the D200 and D300 obviously spring to mind, but so does the Canon 40D if you're prefer to stay with the Canon system...

Yes, me too. But not on a FF/FX-body...
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Mike: It's hard to say how good the D300 really is. Everything on the web now is based on preproduction bodies under less than optimal conditions for a controlled comparison. But it's certainly the best Nikon proposition under the D3.
As to the lighting system: I'm no pro but have read from pros that the Nikon-flash-system is the most capable. Sorry no link for this quote but you can read Ken Rockwells take on it here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/ittlslave.htm

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses