DSLR Cameras

[benwynn]

Yeah, I would have to agree Kelburn- I remember suggesting that to you before but you did say you could learn quickly. Afterall, its your money!


3.5-5.6 is the Apeture Range. It means that the lowers apeture selectable, is 3.5 at the widest focal length. So 3.5 at 18mm. 5.6 is the lowest selectable apeture at the most zoomed focal length, 55mm.

[Kelburn]

Ahh I see what you mean. I was just a little confused over that!

Anyway I would like to reiterate that I wouldn't be buying one for around 4-6months at the earliest (hopefully by then the D60 will have gone down in price!). Would a good idea be to buy the camera with the standard 18-55 kit and then let my bank account recover and buy another bigger lens later off ebay or trademe etc.?

Is Singapore (in the city and duty free at the airport) a good place to buy these? I'm there on my birthday so I may try to strike a deal...

[benwynn]

Singapore Airport is very very expensive. I wouldnt buy a thing there.

There are a few camera shops in the city, although its the same as a grey import. No NZ Warrenty once you buy. Plus quite often the prices are just the same, and sometimes they even mark up when they see tourists coming in. Alot of stores for this reason dont have price tags on items.

As for getting the 18-55 first, then another later- Wouldnt reccomend it. You cant really use the 18-55 for any aviation, really only landscapes and stuff.

[Kelburn]

dang. How come?

I might have to do that anyways as I'm not entirely sure about my funding etc... I'll look at that nearer to the time.

Where would you recommend buying (whether in NZ or overseas sent by mail)

[Alex]

An 18-55mm lens is fine for photography when you can get up close to your object (i.e. static aircraft), it's not good for taking photos at an airport as you have larger distances between you and what you want to take the photo of.

In the SLR days, of 35mm film, a lens with <35mm focal length was generally considered wide-angle, and a lens with a >85mm focal length was considered telephoto. These vary of course now with multitude of bodies with different specifications out there today. What you're essentially getting is a general-purpose wide-angle lens at one extremity of the focal length, and still a relatively small magnification at maximum focal length (e.g. some telephoto lenses have a 350mm focal length).

Anyway, back on-topic. Essentially why an 18-55mm lens is not useful for photographing action of aircraft is that it doesn't offer good 'zoom' (forgive the term...). You don't get useful image magnification, even at a 55mm focal length (for your purposes). You'd want a lens with at least a 200mm focal length (preferably 250-300mm) to be able to adapt to situations where you have a fence (+ a large gap ) between you and the aircraft.

Depending on camera model and manufacturer, you're probably looking at NZ$200 minimum for that (unless you find a good second-hand lens).

Alex

[Kelburn]

second hand would probably be the way I'd go or new. Save up first.

At first the camera would be for use on airplanes (e.g. window views) how would that go? and NZWN where you get pretty close to the action (the point and shoot 3X i was using worked fine for that purpose)

[benwynn]

18-55 will be fine for wingviews and that, and if you say 3x was fine at wellington, it will also be fine. Just make sure you wernt using digital zoom aswell

[Alex]

Window views would be fine. Although the difference between the magnification of the 55mm is around three times that of the 18mm focal length, I'd venture that the 55mm magnification is less than your stock digital camera 3x magnification.

This being because at 18mm you're effectively a wide-angle lens. So, perhaps not as useful as a 'superzoom' at the same task.

A wee disclaimer really, you can take photos of aircraft airside with that lens, but it means to get a decent image out of it you'd need to take it through some imaging software to crop and blow up the section you want (speaking from experience from spotting at Rotorua - where you can also get close to the aircraft).

Alex

[Kelburn]

so if/when I get a camera I will get asap a better for aviation lens.

What types do you recommend for that?

(What lenses are these? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spotter.jpg)

[Alex]

QUOTE (Kelburn @ Sep 14 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What types do you recommend for that?

QUOTE (Alex @ Sep 14 2008, 08:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...You'd want a lens with at least a 200mm focal length (preferably 250-300mm) to be able to adapt to situations where you have a fence (+ a large gap ) between you and the aircraft.

QUOTE (Kelburn @ Sep 14 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

(What lenses are these? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spotter.jpg)

They look like telephoto lenses with hoods.

Alex

[Kelburn]

is this the sort of lens I should get?

http://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/124450/nik...+f4+5+6+g+lens/

[Alex]

I'm not really up to the play with Nikon lenses, so I'm not sure how that compares to other Nikon products (Ben would be your chap for that).

With the higher magnification lenses it'll probably pay to have some sort of Image Stabilisation (Anti-shake) technology in there, as small wobbles turn into big bumps down the line...

Alex

[benwynn]

In the picture kelburn, the first is a Canon 100-400mm L lens, then second a Canon 75-300 IS.

Unfortunently, that lens is probably one of the worst in the Nikon range, but its the right focal length. The Superior model to that, the 70-300 VR, is a much better lens and one of the best in the Nikon range.

[Kelburn]

looking at that one that looks expensive. What would I be able to buy for say under $300

why's it bad

[benwynn]

55-200mm VR or the Sigma 70-300mm Macro.

[Kelburn]

okay. Why was the one i listed bad?

[benwynn]

Very Slow AF, Very Soft at telephoto lengths (150mm+) Soft at low Apertures, Sometimes fuzzy past 200mm.

Thats just what ive read, so i cant be sure. Id definently go for either the Sigma or Nikkor mentioned above instead..

[Kelburn]

so they sound good.
Why is the Sigma so much cheaper?

[benwynn]

The Sigma doesnt have VR/OS/IS.

[Kelburn]

Until I get a DSLR I've got a Pentax (well two pentax) SLR's.
What do you think of this:

Pentax SLR x2
SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm
SMC Pentax-A Zoom 1:4 24~50mm

Just thought I might put that it.
Just say I get a Nikon DSLR would it be worth it getting an adapter for these lenses? (hypothetically)