Thoughts on the digital D.R. issue.

[Dave Wilkinson]

Over the last seven or eight years I have had brief flirtations with the dreaded digital camera, mainly 'bridge cameras' and compacts. Usually these affairs have ended in disappointment, due to the ever-present issue of dynamic range - or rather lack of it!, the best of the bunch (and most expensive ) was a Fuji S3 pro, now also departed - due to weight, bulk, and the fact that I no longer do much paid work.
A short while ago I took what was about the cheapest entry into the field of DSLR's - and bought a Nikon D40, mainly so that I could use my old Manual Nikkors, and this path has been very satisfactory indeed. A pleasant surprise has been the performance of this little camera at higher ISO settings, especially at this price!.
Yesterday I visited my regular steam rail stamping ground, and talked with a friend who mans a country crossing signal cabin, as we talked I took a handheld shot with the D40 and kit zoom - at it's wide setting, and ISO 400.
I was quite pleased with the attached JPEG file - which has had no post processing at all. Yes, the exterior scenery is a little 'washed out', but I don't think - objectionably so, I think the exposure system did a good job, what do you think?

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

 

[reala_fan]

Indeed!! It looks great!! And the white balance looks dead on as well.

 

[Ronald M]

It is indeed a good camera and the ability to use the old Nikors without mod is a virtue.

Now try a D700. It works just like a real slr and the edges are not cut off the frame.

P&S and bridge cameras are a disservice to those who expect decent results.

 

[peter_n]

I love this picture, the fax and the microwave make a wonderful counterpoint to the old-fashioned points switching gear! The DR isn't bad either! 😉 Fuji seemed to give up on dSLRs late last year, but I did manage to buy a new S5 before they all disappeared. That body has terrific dynamic range...

 

[reala_fan]

It is indeed a good camera and the ability to use the old Nikors without mod is a virtue.

Now try a D700. It works just like a real slr and the edges are not cut off the frame.

P&S and bridge cameras are a disservice to those who expect decent results.

Not sure I would be so quick to expell all bridge cameras from the game of 'decent results'.

The Olympus C-8080WZ was a remarkable camera, capable of 'very close to dSLR' quality. Olympus said the glass was THE most important factor in image quality from
a digital sensor, and certainly proved it with the superb 28~140mm f2.4 lens on the
C-8080.

Not everyone can afford a D700 and not everyone wants to carry a heavy camera and multiple lenses.

A C-8080, and mastery of the photoshop 'Contrast Masking' technique, and some bridge cameras will get you darned close, with a far lighter and easier to lug outfit.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I love this picture, the fax and the microwave make a wonderful counterpoint to the old-fashioned points switching gear! The DR isn't bad either! 😉 Fuji seemed to give up on dSLRs late last year, but I did manage to buy a new S5 before they all disappeared. That body has terrific dynamic range...

thanks!...here's one from the same day, a little way off that cabin, same set-up.
Dave.

 

[zuikologist]

Those shots look great, and indeed prove you do not need a D700 for good results for 95% of what most people shoot.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

......and as an engineer - I like to pick out this type of detail! 🙂
Dave.

 

[remegius]

Those shots look great! I've been using a D40 for a couple of years now and find it to be an extraordinary little camera. I mostly use it with a Sigma 30mm 1.4, but I have a 50mm Nikkor 1.8 that is great for portraits. Just curious as to which metering option you are using on the D40.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[jfretless]

I love this picture, the fax and the microwave make a wonderful counterpoint to the old-fashioned points switching gear! The DR isn't bad either! 😉 Fuji seemed to give up on dSLRs late last year, but I did manage to buy a new S5 before they all disappeared. That body has terrific dynamic range...

I believe the Fuji S5 Pro is only digital camera that has increased in value on the secondary market. I'm a Canon shooter, but have been watching S5 listings on eBay for the past year. The value has definitely risen since then.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Those shots look great! I've been using a D40 for a couple of years now and find it to be an extraordinary little camera. I mostly use it with a Sigma 30mm 1.4, but I have a 50mm Nikkor 1.8 that is great for portraits. Just curious as to which metering option you are using on the D40.

Cheers...

Rem

I usually use my old pre AI Nikkors - for speed (and quality ) so have to use a separate meter, of course. I was feeling lazy this day and used the kit zoom and ( I think! ) matrix metering, with 1/3 under - compensation. Yes, that Sigma 30mm f1.4 is very nice, I used one on my S3 pro. and still kicking myself for letting it go!:bang:
Dave.

 

[peter_n]

Dave I love these pictures of yours, they take me back to when I was a little boy and used to ride on trains like these (my dad worked for British Rail so I've seen the insides of a few signal boxes too 🙂).

I believe the Fuji S5 Pro is only digital camera that has increased in value on the secondary market. I'm a Canon shooter, but have been watching S5 listings on eBay for the past year. The value has definitely risen since then.

I count myself extremely fortunate that I just happened to buy at a very opportune time; Ffordes were having a fire sale and the exchange rate $/£ seriously favored this side of the pond, I got my cam new for less than 1/3 of the price here. I didn't know they had been increasing in value, but I won't be selling mine - I like it too much! 🙂

 

[remegius]

I was feeling lazy this day and used the kit zoom and ( I think! ) matrix metering, with 1/3 under - compensation.
Dave.

The 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the D40 (and other Nikons) is no slouch. My experience (and DPR's I might add) is that it is head and heels above the kit lenses that accompany the lower end DSLRs from other manufacturers.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[pvdhaar]

...I was quite pleased with the attached JPEG file - which has had no post processing at all. Yes, the exterior scenery is a little 'washed out', but I don't think - objectionably so, I think the exposure system did a good job, what do you think?

Yes, the exposure system did a good job, and for that matter, you did as well.. nice pictures!