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Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Well I finally did it. I joined the digital camera age. I made my annual visit to the Jacob Javitz's Convention Center and attended Photo Expo East 2006. I went there with a full shopping list in hand and wanted to see if I could take advantage of show specials/promotions. B and H Photo in the city usually has special convention prices.
Well, I came home with TWO that's right TWO digital camera's. The camera's that I came home with are the Nikon D200 digital SLR, 10.2 mega pixels and a Nikon P3 8.0 megapixel point and shoot for the rest of the family. I also picked up a few accessories at the show and at B and H Photo.
I saved a total of $360.00 on all the things that I came home with. I will keep all of you updated on my progress with learning how to use both cameras. In the future I will probably ask some of you for advise on optimal settings, terminology etc.
I can't wait for the next get together because I know that there are certain members out there ( and you know who you are) who have met me and have scolded me about the expense I incurred when I was using film.
As it turned out the cameras are an early Christmas and Birthday present for me and my family. I have only had the cameras for a few days and I am really enjoying them so far. |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Great news Phil!!! I always buy from B&H. How do you feel leaving film behind? I mean...emotionally. I know for the point & shoot crowd it's one thing, but for someone serious like you it's a BIG departure.
John <>{ |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I've never had a problem taking pic with digital cameras, the problem was always getting them out and sharing them.
So far the best system I've found is JASC photo album. The only problem is the naming feature. Other than that no problems. |
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January 2005
Posts: 640
Location: boulder | is a digital picture still worth a thousand words? or bytes? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Phil;
Congrats on the new acquisitions!
I was planning on sneaking out on Fri. afternoon to go to the show, but had too much on my desk that had to be done before the weekend . . . |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | :) Congratulations :) I too wanna go digital ,( & have so in a small way ) But I can n`t wait to get my hands on a Kodak DCS Pro 14n , that `s `cause I`v got a bunch o`Nikkors...ranging from 24 mm to 180 ed,most of `em being "Fast Glass",all manual o`course ,but I can n`t afford to replace `em,it`s bad enough to leave my F`s behind (F chrome ,F black with photomics in perfect working order) F2 , F3 ,FA,also would like digital backs for my mamya/sekor 645 system,and Horseman VH-R...but..sigh..funding all that ain`t that easy.....say..You Pro by any chance..Studio ?..Reporter ?... :)
Vic |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Awesome camera choices. I just saw one of the new D200's at Costco. REALLY sweet camera. They've got it right now in a pack with two lenses and accessories, priced right around $1300 (I think). I've got a Coolpix 5600 right now, and we've been looking at the P3 for a second. What do you think of that one? |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | im thinking about going digital. my extremly old leica finaly took a shit,ive had it for 10+yrs ive had it in the shop for the past 2wks having a "tune up" put on it, i got it back saturday and now it wont focus..any advice on a good digital camera?? something in the $300-$1000 price range..jason |
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December 2001
Posts: 7230
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I recently purchased an OUTSTANDING (if I do say so) digital camera that is especially handy for ebay and just taking pictures of guitars. What's different about this one?
The Panasonic DMC-FX01 on the surface looks like every other small point'n shoot but, it has a wide angle lens, and as of around June this year, it was the only one in this price/class range that does and it's a Leica lens t'boot. This allows one to get in close to something like a guitar, close enough to pick up the detail, and fit the whole guitar in.
Here is a review at the DPReview website which I also highly recommend for researching. The summaries are written in a way to let you know what the camera really does or doesn't do. I also find the actual review data in most cases makes for a better user guide than what's packaged with most cameras. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Congratulations, Phil.
Hope you didn't get dizzy, rushing into the present. ;) |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | I'm smiling. Phil's photo work has made it easier to ridicule the populace in cartoons, and is still doing so in ways you don't know yet. Congrats to you (and me)... |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Leaving film behind was a hard decision. I have to credit Pearl for helping me to save all of that GAS money. She kept telling me that I already have to many cameras. I have a Nikon 8008,N90s, four lenses, A Nikon point and shoot camera, Canon waterproof camera and a Hasselblad 503CW. If and when I am hired to shoot an event I will have to bring my film cameras any way. Pearl will shoot the film and I will shoot digital. That way there always be a back up and more photos to sell.
Unfortunately I have not touched my Ovations since These new toys came home but I feel that I will be forgiven by all of you. |
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June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Congrats Phil...
I still haven't finished that roll of Fuji you gave me in May to try...!
My record is 3 Christmas's on one roll....
Ernie |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | I know the feeling. Good to hear from you. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Originally posted by Enfant Terrible aka V-Elite:
:) Congratulations :) I too wanna go digital ,( & have so in a small way ) But I can n`t wait to get my hands on a Kodak DCS Pro 14n , that `s `cause I`v got a bunch o`Nikkors...ranging from 24 mm to 180 ed,most of `em being "Fast Glass",all manual o`course ,but I can n`t afford to replace `em,it`s bad enough to leave my F`s behind (F chrome ,F black with photomics in perfect working order) F2 , F3 ,FA,also would like digital backs for my mamya/sekor 645 system,and Horseman VH-R...but..sigh..funding all that ain`t that easy.....say..You Pro by any chance..Studio ?..Reporter ?... :)
Vic Vic,
It all started out as a hobby. I have been freelancing the last few years. I have shot weddings, parties , events. I have made enough in the past so that this hobby has supported itself.This is not my primary occupation. This has been a third source if income. I have White Lightning lights, soft boxes etc. The lights are just sitting in the case. I am a little rusty when it come to using these lights. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Vic,
I forgot to mention you have an impressive list of equiptment. I have a 35-70 2.8 non D series,35-70 2.8D, 28 mm 2.8D, 70-200 2.8 non D series lenses to go with my 8008, N90S and D200. |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Phil! You finally did it! Good for you. Congrats on the new goodies. I'm dying to get a digital SLR, but they are a bit too much for me to handle right now. Lots of luck with everything. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | John,
I'm really happy that I finally bought it. The next time you see me I will just have a camera bag that I can hang off of my shoulder. I can leave that big suitcase that you saw at home. |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Nice Phil! Although the case full of equipment was quite impressive. LOL. With the digital SLR, is there a delay between the time you press the shutter and time that the picture is taken? With the "point and Shoot" digitals, there's always that little delay which causes me to miss lots of good pictures of my daughter. |
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March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | That's not a problem with the Nikon digital SLRs. They are some of the fastest digital cameras made. I've had a D70 for a couple of years now and operationally, it's virtually identical to my N70. No annoying delays, and while mine is only about 6 Megapixels, I can hold the shutter down and shoot frame after frame probably faster than most conventional speedwinders will allow. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | THAT's what I want!!!
The little, point&click cigarette packs are "cute" . . .
. . but I want a CAMERA!!!
My OldMan left me the old camera that he had with him through the KoreanWar (ZeissIkonta "folding" camera). Did an Internet search only to find out how depressingly monetarily worthless it is . . .
Great lil' camera, tho . . . |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Great news Phil!!!
What kind of film do you use in them? I am thinking about getting one too but never see the digital film at Walgreens. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Cliff,
We could get together if you would like to try the camera. You may be able to take a picture of me actually trying to play a guitar. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Hi Phil ,once upon a time ,I tried to be a reporter ,but starvation was n`t my cup o`tea ( that was in New York from all places ) later on, over here, some studiowork with a buddy o`mine,did that for some years,magazinestuff mostly ..Hi-Fi & Computer mags.,Pottery ,a little fashion,well it paid the rent,but that was probably `cause I kept working in factories ,and restaurants ( I can handle a dishwasher "molto bene " :rolleyes: )Well,having a certified photobiz ( then ) enabled me to get that equipment ,sooo....should I see You as the "Ovation Playing Photographer"..or.."The Picturetaking Ovation Player" :confused: :D
Anyhow ,I wish You Lots o` succes ..I have seen some of your pictures ,and I must say..there`s a bit of a reporter there,U`re GOOD with People
Keep Up The Good Work ;)
Vic |
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Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Vic,
Thank you for the kind words. I hope that one day you will be able to make it back to the states. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | I had jury duty today so I was able to read about 40 pages of the owner's manual for the D200. Some things I already knew from my other Nikon cameras (exposure,program mode,shutter priority, aperture priority, manual mode, etc)
There were other techniques/settings that I knew the theory about but never tried due to processing, film cost. I will probably try them now and will be able to see the results right away :D . I should be up and running by the time Thanksgiving gets here. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Congrats on the acquisitions, Phil. I've been working really hard the last couple of days, researching DSLRs. The D200 is on the short list of four that I've got it narrowed down to. I just don't think I need prosumer quality (or pricetag...heh).
I'm looking at the Nikon D80/D200 and the Canon XTi/30D. I spent the better part of this afternoon looking at reviews that actually have standard omparison photos (test sheets, scales, etc.) of those four models. I'm thinking that for the extra cost, I'll never be able to tell the difference between the XTi and the D200 (or the D80 and the 30D, for that matter.
Everything I've read, though, is that the kit lenses included with the Nikons are superior to Canon's. Not that it matters to me, as I'm going to go body only and then pick up something a little better than the kit lenses anyway.
Have you posted pictures anywhere? I'd like to see what you're getting with the D200. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Cruster,
I have not posted any pictures yet from the D200. The D80 looks like a fine camera. I took this opportunity to just go for the D200. I probably was not going to get this opportunity or approval from SWMBO very often.
When I learn some of the tricks that can be done with this camera I will post them. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | OPPS typo thanks, posted edited. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I must say that Nikons are the camera equivalent of an Ovation for me. I don't want anything else.
That said, I'm currently using a Pentax. I can't afford Ovations AND Nikons. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That is a great thing to do on jury duty!
I wrote the forward to the book when I was waiting to be expelled from the jury I was called for. I got it written and said all the right things so that neither side wanted me, they said I could leave the building right away. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Phil Wong:
Cruster,
I have not posted any pictures yet from the D200. The D80 looks like a fine camera. I took this opportunity to just go for the D200. I probably was not going to get this opportunity or approval from SWMBO very often.
When I learn some of the tricks that can be done with this camera I will post them. Any pictures posted yet? :) How are you liking it? Still digging on the Nikon?
After much more research and talking to friends/relatives who are avid photogs and/or paid professionals, I'm going to go with the Canon 30D. Now I just need to figure out which non-scamming mail order place to purchase it through. Too bad there isn't an 'Al' of digital cameras. |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Cruster, check out an ebay store called "Cameta Camera." They're from New York, an actual store, with something over 160,000 feedbacks on ebay. Great prices on Nikon, Canon, etc, and awesome service. I've bought two cameras from them, and both were excellent. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Cruster,
I have a few pictures in my gallary of me and the OFC Member of the year trophy. I just took a few to test the lighting,white balance setting etc. The Canon 30D is a great camera also. Again most of my lenses are Nikon so I wanted to stay within that brand. I am very happy with the camera and unfortunately I have been spendiing a lot of time reading the manual and learning the camera's settings. As a result I have not picked up my guitars at home. I have a traveler guitar that I use at lunch time. So it's not as if I haven't played guitar at all.
Cameta Camera seems to be a good place to purchace a camera. I have actually seen the place but have not been inside. In my case I have not purchaced anything from them because the tax rate in Long Island/Nassau/Suffolk county is more than NY tax. So when I make large purchaces the difference in the tax rate can add up. |
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Hey everyone, I joined the digital camera world