Nikon Cameras
In response to Rich’s blog on which camera to buy. I own both the Nikon N90 and F100. The N80 is newer so I don’t know exactly how it compares to the F100. Christine and I took both the N90 and F100 to Africa. The F100 took better pictures hands down. It performed faster and better than the N90 in awkward lighting and focusing situations. It’s a bit heavier than the N90 (metal vs plastic body) but definitely worth the extra weight.
I own both the SB-28 and SB-80DX flashes. I had to buy the SB-80DX flash to work with my Nikon D100 digital camer which I love. I can reuse all of my 35mm lens and accessories with my D100.
Advice on buying a 35mm camera:
- Invest the most money in quality lens. The quality of the lens is your best investment as it determines the clarity, distortion, and amount of light your camera has to work with. All of the features of your camera body are designed to adjust focus and determine the right exposure (amount of light ) for your picture. You can do these tasks manually with some experience but you cannot compensate for a poor quality lens.
- Flashes are cheap. Buy a good flash. I like the SB-80DX myself. The flashes that come with the camera work only OK for “fill-in” flash situations. Often the best lighting is achieved by bouncing the flash off of the ceiling. The D100 has a built-in flash that I use for snapshots but when I want to take the “only happens once” pictures, I use the SB-80DX.
- Film matters. In most cases, the slower the film speed, the less grain you will see in the prints which results in better pictures. Most professional films are better than their consumer cousins. You first must decide whether you want to shoot slides or pictures. In general slides have better color saturation but the photo lab cannot correct over or under exposed slides. Prints are better for passing out to friends and family and negative film is much more forgiving of over/under exposed images. I invest in professional film because it makes a noticeable difference in the quality of the images. I shoot Fuji Velvia 64 and Kodak E200 for slides. I shoot Kodak Porta for print. Porta comes in two flavors: natural and vivid color. Natural is better for portraits of fair-skinned people. I use mostly Kodak Porta 100 and 400 vivid color. I use 100 for outdoors and 400 for indoors.
- Buy a quality clear or UV filter for all of your lens. You often clean your lens and it’s much cheaper to buy a new filter than a new lens when scratched. Remember, that expensive lens is worthy unless you also buy a quality filter. Also buy a blower bulb.
- Replace your camera strap with a neoprene strap. It distributes the weight better and makes carrying the camera more comfortable. I own an optech pro strap.
- Buy a plastic mini-tripod with a Velcro strap. They’re a little taller than my hand and are great for taking timer portraits. They easily fit into a camera bag. I own an Ultrapod II and use it all of the time.
- Buy your photo gear from B&H Photo. They tell you explicitly when you’re buying import vs usa components. Most advertised “cheap” prices are for “gray” or import versions of Nikon products that don’t have the USA warranty. B&H Photo has the best prices for the quality of products and service they offer. Glazers is the best local camera shop.
- Choose your camera vendor wisely. In a amateur/pro camera category, the market leaders are Canon and Nikon. You need to essentially commit to one product line unless you want to repurchase your lens and accessories. The grass always looks greener on the other side. My only regret with Nikon is that Canon has a wider selection of image stabilization lens.
Rich, good luck on your camera purchase. Let me know if I can help in any way.
