[Vlad]

Originally Posted by vernilover

Thanks Vlad!

You have a great set too. D300 is simply amazing for the price. I've seen wonderful images from the 85/1.4 lens as well. Very nice bokeh and razor sharp.

I thought about selling the canon 70-200mm for the Nikon version. Still debating about that one, both are excellent as far as I can tell.

I've read good things about the 16-85 VR, have you thought about getting that one and selling the 18-200 VR now that you will be getting the 70-200mm? 18-200 is worth keeping if you want to only carry one lens in a relatively small package. In fact, you should keep both!

Speaking of the 16-85vr, it does seem like a good standard zoom lens (walk-around lens). I do have an 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 DX that is attached to my D70s, not sure if the upgrade would be worth it. Once I get the 70-200vr, I will consider selling my 18-200vr for sure. Any idea where to get the 70-200 for a good price? B&H is sold out, Ritz has it for $1799, other places for even more.

[anneonimiss]

Originally Posted by _bella_

I think I'm probably the only underwater photographers here. I shoot with D2x's but I have a slew of analog gear still that I just can't part with. I haven't even broken down my dark room, even though I don't have the chemicals anymore and haven't been in there in 5+ years.

An image of mating hamlets from a couple of nights ago.

Absolutely beautiful! I'd love to see more of your photos (and the other underwater photographer's). Breathtaking!

[diorfanatic]

i love love love photography!
i have a Nikon D300
18-55mm
50-200mm
50 mm 1.8
SB 600 flash

[CoachBagLady]

I just discovered this thread, and wanted to add that I love photography!! I'm a total newb, but am enjoying learning all about it. I got a dSLR this past Christmas from FH, so my gear list is limited. I must say I'm addicted to B&H, which is unfortunately too close to my office (bad when I'm on a budget!!).

My gear list:
Canon EOS 40D
50mm f/1.2L
85mm f/1.8
17-40 f/4.0L
B&W filter system

I hope to add a zoom telephoto, like 55-200mm. I mostly shoot with either the 50mm or 85mm indoors - both are awesome in available/low light situations.

[Vlad]

I was just referred to www.pictureline.com - they have the 70-200vr in stock, I am very excited!

[Mikan]

Originally Posted by CoachBagLady

I just discovered this thread, and wanted to add that I love photography!! I'm a total newb, but am enjoying learning all about it. I got a dSLR this past Christmas from FH, so my gear list is limited. I must say I'm addicted to B&H, which is unfortunately too close to my office (bad when I'm on a budget!!).

My gear list:
Canon EOS 40D
50mm f/1.2L
85mm f/1.8
17-40 f/4.0L
B&W filter system

I hope to add a zoom telephoto, like 55-200mm. I mostly shoot with either the 50mm or 85mm indoors - both are awesome in available/low light situations.

Yay another Canon photographer! B&H is awesome, I can't go in there without buying something.

Your 50mm lens must be awesome -- I have the 50mm f/1.4 which is much less expensive but hunts around a lot to focus.

For telephoto, we have the 70-200mm f/2.8 which is very nice but also very heavy -- to me anyway!

[vernilover]

Originally Posted by Vlad

I was just referred to www.pictureline.com - they have the 70-200vr in stock, I am very excited!

Glad you found it!! I checked the normal online stores I goto, BH, Adorama, 17photo, all were out of stock.

Post pics once you get the lens! For some reason, I enjoy seeing both images taken by the camera AND the cameras themselves!

[Laurie8504]

Oh yay! Just found this thread, I need to venture over to General Discussion more often. I actually work as a photojournalist, so it's nice getting paid to do something I love. I'm currently using a Nikon d200.

Anyone else have a flickr page? You can check out mine here: flickr.com/loralai feel free to add me as a contact if you have a page! I don't have a lot up there now, but it will give you an idea of what I like to shoot.

Right now I'm just getting into HDR photography, which, if you haven't seen it, turns out some really amazing photos. So I'm excited to see how that works out.

[Vlad]

Cool Laurie, I am going to check it out.

What is HDR photography exactly? Most images just look like the color saturation is cranked up way high.

[Vlad]

Here's a group shot of my current gear, shot with the old D70s & 50mm f/1.8 under poor lighting and cam flash.

gear.jpg

Mounted on the D300 is the 85mm f/1.4 and SB-800 Speedlight, along with lens hood and battery pack. Handling the D300 during the day and later picking up the D70s really reminds me just how light the old camera really was.

Can't wait for my 70-200 VR to get here on Thursday. Tomorrow I am getting a Billingham 445 bag, as my old bag is way too tiny for most of my gear.

[Megs]

^ Obsessed much??

[impasto]

Originally Posted by Laurie8504

Oh yay! Just found this thread, I need to venture over to General Discussion more often. I actually work as a photojournalist, so it's nice getting paid to do something I love. I'm currently using a Nikon d200.

Anyone else have a flickr page? You can check out mine here: flickr.com/loralai feel free to add me as a contact if you have a page! I don't have a lot up there now, but it will give you an idea of what I like to shoot.

Right now I'm just getting into HDR photography, which, if you haven't seen it, turns out some really amazing photos. So I'm excited to see how that works out.

Is HDR photography taking three different exposures and melding it into one photo? Sounds interesting. I would like to know more about it.

I am currently using a Canon 40D w 28-135lens, and a Canon AE-1 with a fixed 35mm lens. I want to learn more about Medium and larger format cameras.

[Laurie8504]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Cool Laurie, I am going to check it out.

What is HDR photography exactly? Most images just look like the color saturation is cranked up way high.

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. The nomal range of colors you can get with your camera is only about 8 or 16bit, so HDR is a way to get a much larger range of colors, lights and darks specifically. I love it for landscapes.

The end result can look super-saturated a lot of times, but it's more complicated than that. Basically, you take three (or 5 or 7, which is really not necessary) shots of the exact same scene with different exposure values. So, you'd have the normal EV, then a +2 shot and a -2 shot, or whatever you decide you want. You should be able to do this with your D300, just set the EV in auto bracketing and then set the timer to take three shots in a row. You must be using a tripod or steady surface though, you want the shots to look exactly the same except for the exposure (even wind can be a nuisance sometimes), so hand-held isn't recommended.

Then, after you've got your pics, you plug them into some HDR software and it melds the images together. You end up with an image that contains lighter lights and darker darks than you would get with just one shot.

It doesn't have to look crazy-saturated though, as in the attached picture.
If this were a normal shot, the grass would be too dark because it's in shadow, or the sky would just be way over-exposed if you tried to get the grass right.

Hope I explained that well! If you want more info, there are lots of tutorials online.

[Laurie8504]

Originally Posted by impasto

Is HDR photography taking three different exposures and melding it into one photo? Sounds interesting. I would like to know more about it.

I am currently using a Canon 40D w 28-135lens, and a Canon AE-1 with a fixed 35mm lens. I want to learn more about Medium and larger format cameras.

Yep! Sorry I didn't see this, I was typing up my (long-winded) response when you posted.

[Laurie8504]

Originally Posted by Megs

^ Obsessed much??

photogs do tend to get obsessive about things....but then he has to have something to shop for while you look at purses

oooh...even better, think of all the amazing purse pictures he can take now!