thinking about going SLR

Jason808 said:
If you're not concerned about manual lenses (which I'm assuming is your desire for an AF camera), consider an N/F75. Light, capable of working with AF/AF-S, VR and G lenses. One of the last in the film line, so the technology is still relatively up-to-date.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/n75.htm
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hmmm, thanks...looks very interesting!! Lots of silver ones...dont care for that.
 
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I used to shoot Nikon F801 (N8008) and F90s (N90) when I was a press photographer. The AF sucks! Forget those cameras. I have an F100 and love it but I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend Canon.
In the film days Canon had FAR superior AF to Nikon. Like it or not, it's a fact. You can pick up a small light EOS body like an A2, Elan, 630 etc. for next to nothing, and the lenses will be fully future compatible to EVERY Canon DSLR.
You can't say the same for Nikon because their current entry-level DSLRs need lenses with focus motors (AF-S) to AF, and the new generation G type lenses have no aperture rings so you can't adjust exposure on most film bodies.
Look into Canon! (Says the F100 owner). :angel:
 
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photogdave said:
I used to shoot Nikon F801 (N8008) and F90s (N90) when I was a press photographer. The AF sucks! Forget those cameras. I have an F100 and love it but I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend Canon.
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I can't argue with that - I hate the back wheel of the Canons, but having the same experience, the AF of the EOS system was a godsend at the time. An Elan 7/7N is a great camera for the money - even the Elan II's are terrific deals.
 
hi, if you're planning on using a 50mm af lens, then a N90s would be fine. Actually almost any AF body would be fine. You might also consider a more modern body that has less "mileage" such as a N80 or N65, both very reasonably priced on the used market.

My personal favorite is the Nikon F4s, but then you're dealing with a much bigger and heavier camera (but IMO, superior ergonomics and controls).

--Warren
 
The N/F75 is still below the quality and performance of the N/F80. I used to have one of the latter... and I simply outgrew it when I discovered the F100.

Good luck in your adventure! :)
 
pesphoto said:
I do want something on the smaller size so maybe the F100 is too big.
There is an N80 about to sell on ebay.
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N80 and F100 are about the same size. The N80 might be "slightly" smaller, but you probably won't really notice the difference in use.

I have an F100 myself and it's easily the best film camera i've used. The AF is fast and accurate. (my d200 is slow in comparison) The viewfinder is big and bright. Metering is always spot on. I love it. I paid $200 for it last year, in mint condition and it was worth every penny.
 
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pesphoto said:
I do want something on the smaller size so maybe the F100 is too big.
There is an N80 about to sell on ebay.
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Don't know if you're Nikon-bound, but speaking about smaller size, the tiny Minolta Maxxum 5 is one potent shooter, the lenses are absolutely wonderful, the good ones are expensive though (about par with Nikon AF top lenses, I guess).
 
shadowfox said:
Don't know if you're Nikon-bound, but speaking about smaller size, the tiny Minolta Maxxum 5 is one potent shooter, the lenses are absolutely wonderful, the good ones are expensive though (about par with Nikon AF top lenses, I guess).
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Hi wil, not Nikon bound, but it is what I know the most of.
 
Street shooting with AF? Why not just use yourself to learn brain surgery? Use MF (manual focus) and DOF. Get yourself a Nikon F plain prism and a 28/2.8 AIS and lots of film!

Another crazy idea would be to get a D40X and an MF 24/2.8 or 20/2.8 or f4. Small package and lots of fun (or at least it looks that way).

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
Street shooting with AF? Why not just use yourself to learn brain surgery? Use MF (manual focus) and DOF. Get yourself a Nikon F plain prism and a 28/2.8 AIS and lots of film!

Another crazy idea would be to get a D40X and an MF 24/2.8 or 20/2.8 or f4. Small package and lots of fun (or at least it looks that way).

B2 (;->
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I just said I wanted to try something different.
Dude, I know how to shoot in the street with DOF scale.

Why did Ketesz, Frank, Evans and the rest shoot with an SX 70?

Its just different.


oh...and a D40? ......Not gonna happen
 
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pesphoto said:
Ive had an FM2, F3 and they were great. Want to go back to an F3hp one day. But right now Im wanting to try out some with AF.
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I think that you should cut straight to the chase and get the F3HP. It has one of the best viewfinders ever made: very bright 100% view, generous rubber eyepad, eyepiece shutter, quick-change focus screens and diopters, and metallic construction.

With a few exceptions, considering everything post-F3HP you'd think that camera manufacturers forgot about the viewfinder altogether when designing their bodies.

Secondly, I would never purchase an SLR that didn't have mirror lockup, and the F3HP has it. SLRs by nature tend to place great emphasis on the subject in the plane of focus -- everything else is out of focus in the viewfinder and therefore of secondary importance. You end up missing the other 90% of the story, if you catch my drift. I always hated that about SLRs. Mirror lock-up at least gives you a fighting chance of viewing what else you're missing out on.

Unless you're shooting sports (which I doubt, considering you're coming from a 50mm / rangefinder setup), I'm sure that you'll be able to focus as fast as the AF after getting back into the swing of things.
 
johnwnyc said:
I always hated that about SLRs. Mirror lock-up at least gives you a fighting chance of viewing what else you're missing out on.
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This statement puzzles me. Can you explain what you mean?

MLU is great for critical work on a tripod, but for street shooting? :confused:

--Warren
 
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