sweathog
Well-known
So I've been thinking. Having sold my digital gear a while back to put food on the table, I am thinking that I'm going to switch my allegiance to Nikon.
Now, the thing is, I'm not in a position to buy the higher end stuff right now, and it would not be sensible for me to do so. However, I'm thinking my budget would stretch to something like a used D50. I know, if we're talking about getting the best resolution etc then it doesn't cut the mustard, but as a carry everywhere digital I think it fits the bill. Also, having seen what MattiKK did with his, and seen the way he used it, I think it really is a viable option for what I want to do.
Now, here's the bit where my knowledge gets a bit hazy; using older Nikon lenses. I fancy some wider primes, AF isn't too much of an issue for me, but sadly cost is. So I figure maybe look into older lenses. What are (if there are any) the known compatibility issues. Is it actually possible?
Also, I'm thinking about an inexpensive flash. Any suggestions on that front?
Any help would me much appreciated. Thanks a bunch,
Tom
Now, the thing is, I'm not in a position to buy the higher end stuff right now, and it would not be sensible for me to do so. However, I'm thinking my budget would stretch to something like a used D50. I know, if we're talking about getting the best resolution etc then it doesn't cut the mustard, but as a carry everywhere digital I think it fits the bill. Also, having seen what MattiKK did with his, and seen the way he used it, I think it really is a viable option for what I want to do.
Now, here's the bit where my knowledge gets a bit hazy; using older Nikon lenses. I fancy some wider primes, AF isn't too much of an issue for me, but sadly cost is. So I figure maybe look into older lenses. What are (if there are any) the known compatibility issues. Is it actually possible?
Also, I'm thinking about an inexpensive flash. Any suggestions on that front?
Any help would me much appreciated. Thanks a bunch,
Tom
hans voralberg
Veteran
Check the D3 lens thread, Im sure you can mount any AI/AIS lens, I tried, but no matrix metering.
Inexpensive flash could be SB24/26/28/30. Check the battery, sensor and LCD though, D50 are seriously old in digital term so test carefully.
Inexpensive flash could be SB24/26/28/30. Check the battery, sensor and LCD though, D50 are seriously old in digital term so test carefully.
ampguy
Veteran
Since you get an almost instant preview with histogram, the lack of metering isn't an issue with the d40(x) for me. Unlike even the D300 and D700, these can mount the old non AI lenses safely.
sweathog
Well-known
I didn't know that the D40 didn't have issues with non-AI lenses... Hmmm... Does the plastickyness not bother you?
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
How about a used pro SLR like a Fuji S2/3?
sweathog
Well-known
What's the going rate on one of those these days?
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
$415 for the 6MP S2 with cables,cd,battery in EX condition at KEH.
However, remember that $415 buys you a lot of film and processing!
However, remember that $415 buys you a lot of film and processing!
MCTuomey
Veteran
i think i'd look at a D70s with its 1/500 sync speed, if i were looking to use flash.
sweathog
Well-known
Mmmm... Good suggestion. That might just be fast enough to mess around with day to night...
Chris101
summicronia
I don't know your shooting style Tom, but anything shy of a D200 won't meter at all with older lenses. Like ampguy said, you can adjust the exposure based on the feedback, but that not good if you like to shoot moving stuff.
sweathog
Well-known
Hmmm... That puts a bit of a spanner in the works. How old do you define as old, Chris?
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
Old=Manual focus
Armoured
Well-known
d50 has 1/500 Flash sync
d50 has 1/500 Flash sync
D50 is light, capable and pretty cheap. Unlike most of the other bottom-of-the-line, it will work with old screw-type AF lenses. Flash sync and being able to use it with slightly older AF lenses make it great for a low-end camera. Picture quality is good, but it's not the most recent generation.
Its native flash sync is 1/500, and if you use it with non-nikon flashes, you can get flash sync faster than that. Search for it - note this is a bit controversial, your mileage may vary, and using really old flashes runs the risk of frying your camera if the trigger voltage is very high. But I've got it to work.
It also works with manual lenses using histogram - fundamentally, not that much different than using a manual lens with a manual camera like the FM. Instead of metering carefully, you do a test shot or two and double check, and then forget until light changes. In changing light or fast moving subjects, yes, not so great - use your AF lens.
I look on the d50 as a great little camera. If a year from now you want something much better or full frame, you'll quite possibly want to keep the little guy around for informal photos, to hand to people intimidated by the bigger beasties, for those who complain about weight, to let kids use or try, to carry when you go for a walk, to slap a small lens on and use as a light meter, whatever.
d50 has 1/500 Flash sync
D50 is light, capable and pretty cheap. Unlike most of the other bottom-of-the-line, it will work with old screw-type AF lenses. Flash sync and being able to use it with slightly older AF lenses make it great for a low-end camera. Picture quality is good, but it's not the most recent generation.
Its native flash sync is 1/500, and if you use it with non-nikon flashes, you can get flash sync faster than that. Search for it - note this is a bit controversial, your mileage may vary, and using really old flashes runs the risk of frying your camera if the trigger voltage is very high. But I've got it to work.
It also works with manual lenses using histogram - fundamentally, not that much different than using a manual lens with a manual camera like the FM. Instead of metering carefully, you do a test shot or two and double check, and then forget until light changes. In changing light or fast moving subjects, yes, not so great - use your AF lens.
I look on the d50 as a great little camera. If a year from now you want something much better or full frame, you'll quite possibly want to keep the little guy around for informal photos, to hand to people intimidated by the bigger beasties, for those who complain about weight, to let kids use or try, to carry when you go for a walk, to slap a small lens on and use as a light meter, whatever.
Mattikk
Well-known
Hey Tom!
D50 was my first DSLR and I can't nothing, but recommend it. You remember me carrying it.
Especially the high iso noise looks very good. I liked the results alot more than from what I got with D80. Nowadays the price shouldn't be too high eighter, so go for it. I have actually thought about getting a D50 again. My plan now is to buy 5D though, but I've also gain intrest in TLR cameras, so I might go for a D50 and some finer TLR instead.
And btw. here are the photos I think Tom is referring to. Most of this set has been taken with the D50 I used to have: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matti_kk/sets/72157605854391972/
D50 was my first DSLR and I can't nothing, but recommend it. You remember me carrying it.
Especially the high iso noise looks very good. I liked the results alot more than from what I got with D80. Nowadays the price shouldn't be too high eighter, so go for it. I have actually thought about getting a D50 again. My plan now is to buy 5D though, but I've also gain intrest in TLR cameras, so I might go for a D50 and some finer TLR instead.
And btw. here are the photos I think Tom is referring to. Most of this set has been taken with the D50 I used to have: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matti_kk/sets/72157605854391972/
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ampguy
Veteran
for a dslr it's fine
for a dslr it's fine
they're all plasticy, the d40x is smaller than the others mentioned.
for a dslr it's fine
they're all plasticy, the d40x is smaller than the others mentioned.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
I'd vote for a D200, they are really quite nice in every way except for the weight and size, which isn't that bad really. They'll give you 1.5 more stops of usable ISO, ie 800 looks good in B&W, like 200/400 on the D70 era bodies.
But you see $250 - $350 D70s and D50s on Fred Miranda's site all the time. They at least sell stuff for realistic prices there most of the time. I'd get one with the 18-70 AFS kit lens, which isn't worth that much but it is a great lens -- combined with a 50/1.8 AF and maybe a 24/2 AIS and it's a nice kit.
The D80s are kind of odd ducks, I think Nikon flubbed on that one.
Don't get a flash, use the camera flash. Just buy some extra off-brand batteries so you can snap away.
But you see $250 - $350 D70s and D50s on Fred Miranda's site all the time. They at least sell stuff for realistic prices there most of the time. I'd get one with the 18-70 AFS kit lens, which isn't worth that much but it is a great lens -- combined with a 50/1.8 AF and maybe a 24/2 AIS and it's a nice kit.
The D80s are kind of odd ducks, I think Nikon flubbed on that one.
Don't get a flash, use the camera flash. Just buy some extra off-brand batteries so you can snap away.
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Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Tom, I recently put a few shots from York, on flickr ( Tubal Cain's photostream ) www.flickr.com/photos/37904418@N02/ taken with my D40 and old Nikkor prime lenses. I used to have a D50, and regret selling it, but the D40's light and compact - probably the only DSLR I'll have now.
Dave.
Dave.
Armoured
Well-known
With all due respect, have to disagree with Frank's comment above - the on-body flash is decent for daylight flash sync (fill flash), but hideous for most low-light use. A bounce flash is worth the extra cash, or some kind of flash diffuser thing - if you're planning to use lowlight flash a lot that is. The Nikon SB400 is decent, but only bounces in one direction. I use an old Metz 32.
Do check for older flashes about the trigger voltage (??) issue; I think the d50 may be a bit more tolerant, but it could be a problem. I also suspect the camera makers are a bit cautious about what they can take in reality, but it won't be their fault if you do. Frankly I probably wouldn't have risked it with my Metz but I was ignorant of the issue until after I'd tried it and it worked.
Do check for older flashes about the trigger voltage (??) issue; I think the d50 may be a bit more tolerant, but it could be a problem. I also suspect the camera makers are a bit cautious about what they can take in reality, but it won't be their fault if you do. Frankly I probably wouldn't have risked it with my Metz but I was ignorant of the issue until after I'd tried it and it worked.
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MCTuomey
Veteran
thanks for the correction, armoured. you're right, 1/500 sync is the case for both the D50 and D70/s. iirc, doesn't the D70/s support the on-board flash to fire off-camera ones without buying the remote unit?
Matus
Well-known
my $0.02: check the size of the viewfinder first if you want to do manual focusing with D50. The advantage (among others) of the D200 proposed by Frank may be much larger viewfinder ...