Looking For Feedback On Latest Camera Purchase

[pizzano]

I've just purchased an Nikon D7000.....it should be here by the 14th.

It's a body only and about 3yrs old.....in excellent condition. I own several older 35mm film rigs mostly Nikon and Pentax, so the reasoning was to use the older Nikon glass I have on a more modern DSLR without the expense of a super "pro" rig and high end lenses.

I have two particular Nikon (Nikkor/Sigma) made lenses in mind.......70-210mm F/4-5-6 and 28-80mm F/3.5-5.6, both will be compatible with the D7000 AF or Manual. Since my previous photo shooting was more sports and field related, macro (micro) shooting of small objects like polished stones will be a new challenge.

I'm pretty versed in the Nikon operation logic since I spent a considerable amount of time shooting with a couple of "F" series models I own.........so, for now just wondering how each of those lenses might work for this application........before I throw cash at a more expensive Macro (micro) solely for that purpose.

I know there are a few Photo "pro's" here at RTH.........would appreciate any feedback from experienced DSLR users.........Thanks..!

Note:

This purchase was long in coming..........I had considered up-grading my cell phone (which I have taken 95% of my photos posted here) with a better camera, but after checking prices and availability, what I wanted was no longer available new..........The price I paid for the D7000 was nearly 2/3rd's less than any cell phone/camera capable of similar photo quality, and my current LG phone works just fine, minus the camera quality. 

 

[aDave]

Sorry, can't help you, since I'm a Canon user.

That said, it's not a bad deal if you can use your old glass on a new body, just to save you a few bucks. That's all I have to offer.

[mud]

I had a D7200 (stolen just before Christmas) and enjoyed it with older and newer lenses. I did most of my shooting with a 50mm 1.8 prime, including some decent close-ups. I think that you will be happy with what you have for a while, and eventually you will find a gently used macro prime lens and a gently used f1.8 or so prime lens and have even more fun!

[zekesman]

The lenses depend on what you are wanting to take pictures of. What is your primary subject matter?

[pizzano]

Feb 9, 2019 11:22:49 GMT -5 zekesman said:

The lenses depend on what you are wanting to take pictures of. What is your primary subject matter?

I intend to use the camera as an everyday tool for everything...........Just needed to get into the digital world for convenience and quality captures, since cell phone camera (quality) prices are way over my budget, apples to apples comparisons.

I'll most likely pop for something used like a 50mm/F1.8 for real close-up captures.......eventually. But for now we'll see how the lenses I have perform.

Thanks for the input.......!

[Garage Rocker]

The greatest benefit of moving from film to digital is the instant feedback you get from viewing images as they are taken. Film requires developing and waiting to see the results of your work. Digital allows feedback instantly and adjustment can be made to improve image quality on the spot. This helps you learn what adjustments are necessary under different circumstances. You have a good start on lenses for a broad application, but I bet you will be looking for a true macro lens before long, if rock pics are a top priority.

[aDave]

Joe pizzano, the one thing that I forgot to mention is that you may have to use a conversion factor when it comes to using different lenses. Unless your camera has a full frame sensor, there is a factor of 1.5 that you'll have to multiply to figure out your focal length for your different lenses. It's not a downfall of the camera itself, it's just the way it is.

What do I mean? If you have a 100 mm lens, assume it will actually be a 150 mm lens on a digital SLR camera. I don't understand all of the reasoning behind this, but if you don't have a full frame sensor on your camera, you'll have to adjust for this.

Just thought I'd add this to help you out with your lens decisions. Best regards.

[pizzano]

Dave....thanks for that info.......Nikon series Dx's are not auto focus FX (full frame).....However, the D7000 thru D7500 have settings that allow manual focusing, taking advantage of the true focal length of the lenses full frame 35mm.....the Dx series sensors only handle about 3/4 of that of a full frame on auto focus. which means less light gathering capacity (lower ISO) and lower dynamic range.......The D7000 is only a 16.2MP, that and it's "crop-sensor" are really the only major drawbacks to that model......the 1.5 lens factor (50mm = 75mm), will have to be applied on anything I shoot auto. Unless I ever consider purchasing a full frame body (way out of my price range), the FX lenses Nikon (Sigma/Nikkor) offers will be a waste of money. The best I'll be able to do is upgrade to the Nikon's DX lenses.......which are not inexpensive........over time I may end up in that direction. 

[pizzano]

Thanks all for the feedback.......I'll most likely be picking a few brains here once I get going with the shooting. It's my first digital SLR, so the learning curve will be another adventure to keep this old mind stimulated........looking forward to that aspect.

[Bluesky78987]

Hi pizzano. Welcome to digital photography!

If you find your lenses won't focus close enough, you might want to look into getting a set of extension tubes to help you get a closer focus (more magnification) without buying a macro lense. The trade off for magnification is always depth of field though, so that stinks for our applications, unless you are shooting cabs "straight on", where you wouldn't need too much DOF.

With my DSLR setup, I found that the best rock pics came from using my longer telephoto and backing up away from the rock 6 or 8 feet - got more depth of field that way. But, you'll just have to play around with your different lenses. You'll want to stop wayyyy down and use a tripod and mirror lockup.

That said, I found the best camera for taking rock pics is a handheld point and shoot with lots of adjustments. Small sensors automatically have more depth of field at any particular focal length than the larger sensors of DSLRs, and the better point and shoots will let you control white balance and iso. I use my little panasonic point and shoot now, when I want good rock picks, and the big hunkin Canon DSLR sits in the closet!

For day to day life, my favorite lense was a 28-300 zoom. I had the consumer grade one for awhile - It was light, small, and the perfect lense for 90% of daily life photography. Changing lenses is a total PITA! Feel free to ask me any questions you want.

Enjoy the digital learning curve - get a free intro subscription to Lynda.com (now LinkedIn learning, I think), there are bunch of digital photography classes on there. Have fun learning about resolution, photo size, jpg versus RAW, color space, bit depth . . . etc.

[pizzano]

Thank you Susan for the reply........!

I have used both of my older P&S digitals, each have quite a few option settings. The problem with them is depth of field and lighting conditions. Both are under 8 mega pix.......that said, I went DSLR since I have experience with 35mm film SLR's.

The website "LinkedIn learning" has been a good resource for me with the D7000........I have a LinkedIn business account, that's how I learned about the camera tutorials........I'll be using that site often.  Yes, there will be much to learn with digital, hopefully my past SLR knowledge will click-in making the transition a little easier to negotiate.......!

Thanks Again......! 

[zarguy]

See what Android or iOS apps are out there for your Nikon.
I specifically bought my Canon because there was a good Android app to control it.
It's called DSLR Controller.
I've got a 7" 1920 x 1080 pixel tablet & use it to compose & expose my shot.
No need to bend over & look through the view finder or at the small LCD.
There's a 5x, & 10x zoom so I can really focus on small details.

Instead of a light tent, I use two architect's lamps with diffusers (paper towels!) taped on to soften the light.
I lay the cab or jewelry on a table with the lights at a very low angle, on opposite sides. This puts the reflections of the lamps on the edges of the cab, and makes them skinny slivers, instead of large reflections obscuring too much of the stone.
Lynn

[aDave]

Feb 12, 2019 1:55:53 GMT -5 zarguy said:

See what Android or iOS apps are out there for your Nikon.
I specifically bought my Canon because there was a good Android app to control it.
It's called DSLR Controller.
I've got a 7" 1920 x 1080 pixel tablet & use it to compose & expose my shot.
No need to bend over & look through the view finder or at the small LCD.
There's a 5x, & 10x zoom so I can really focus on small details.

Instead of a light tent, I use two architect's lamps with diffusers (paper towels!) taped on to soften the light.
I lay the cab or jewelry on a table with the lights at a very low angle, on opposite sides. This puts the reflections of the lamps on the edges of the cab, and makes them skinny slivers, instead of large reflections obscuring too much of the stone.
Lynn

Lynn, what are the architecht lamps that you speak of?  Thanks.

[zarguy]

aDave - Like this:



But any lamp you can position as you want works.
Lynn

[aDave]

Thanks Lynn zarguy. After I posted I wondered if this was the type of lamp. Appreciate the information.

[pizzano]

Zarguy......:

"Instead of a light tent, I use two architect's lamps with diffusers (paper towels!) taped on to soften the light."

We used to call that type of light fixture a Drafting Table Lamp.....for those of us who can still remember hand drawing on mylar, sepia, vellum and cloth (linen) media, combined with Grafos and Rapidograph  styli's pens..........I was a Mechanical Draftsman back in the day, which got me my first Civil Engineering job, up-dating Civil design utility as-build and base maps for a local public agency.

I still use the two lamp concept....as an example this photo......:

I intend to continue that application with the DSLR.......I should have many more lighting configuration options with the camera I purchased.

Thanks for the "app" references. I've been corresponding with another member here (Walt...AKA "manoglass") about the very same subject......looking forward to the learning process.

  

[pizzano]

Now that I've had a couple of days with the D7000, thought I'd post a few pic's......any comments and tips are appreciated.

All pic's were shot in modified auto settings.....no manual yet......I was happy with just auto, but once I got into it a little, the modified applications (hundreds) made me even happier........and I've only touched the surface with this tool......so much to learn and combinations to memorize.

28-80 f/3.5-5.6 telephoto.....no flash at 3' away

28-80 f/3.5-5.6 telephoto.......no flash at 3' away, a bit out of focus

70-120 f/4-5.6 telephoto.......flash at 10' away

70-120 f/4-5.6 telephoto.......at 15' away very grey cloudy day

I resized the originals to fit here.......no loss of quality at all.......nothing like what I deal with on the cell phone.......originals are JPEG normal/fine, not raw or the dozen other features I can use.....and I'm storing on the SD card as small, for now.........I'm very pleased with this purchase and I'm not having any issues in auto or manual with my older lenses I'm using.......!  

 

[vwfence]

Did I read this correctly that I can use the old SLR lenses I have on a new digital camera ?

[aDave]

Feb 19, 2019 17:35:10 GMT -5 vwfence said:

Did I read this correctly that I can use the old SLR lenses I have on a new digital camera ?

You may be able to if they are compatible both with the mount and electronic contacts. The only thing you'll have to worry about is the conversion for focal length if you are not using a camera with a full-frame sensor.  On a full frame sensor camera, a 100 mm lens is truly a 100 mm lens.  On a camera with a crop sensor, that same 100 mm lens will perform/act like a 150 mm lens, simply depending on what the conversion factor is for your brand of camera.

Here's some info:  www.slrlounge.com/workshop/crop-vs-full-frame-cameras/

[vwfence]

Thanks