Which Nikon should I buy??

[bingyan]

was thinking of either a D70 or 8700

basically a beginner, would be using it more on food photography, aquarium fish, flowers ...

Might need to blow up to very big for food foto, so was thinking if 8mp is better than 6.

which one would be a better buy.

www.sgkueh.com

[leonzhu]

Originally Posted by bingyan was thinking of either a D70 or 8700 basically a beginner, would be using it more on food photography, aquarium fish, flowers ... Might need to blow up to very big for food foto, so was thinking if 8mp is better than 6. which one would be a better buy. www.sgkueh.com

how big do you want to blow up to?

alternatively, hire me to shoot your food.

[modenaslim]

Originally Posted by bingyan was thinking of either a D70 or 8700 www.sgkueh.com

if $$ is not a constraint... go for D70...
basically what 8700 can do.. D70 sure can do..
but what D70 can do, unlikely the 8700 can do...


correct me if I'm wrong....

[bingyan]

Originally Posted by leonzhu how big do you want to blow up to? alternatively, hire me to shoot your food.

blow up to about the size of those panels found at the new types of bus stop.

hehehe, with yr fees, I might be able to get both the camera.

[gadrian]

Originally Posted by leonzhu how big do you want to blow up to? alternatively, hire me to shoot your food.

8mp or 6.1MP..

When doing blow up's.. you would also have to consider the size of the CCD.

In such case.. I would say that the 6.1MP CCD of the D70 could probably produce more detailed images then the tiny 8mp CCD on the 8700.

Always remember.. it is not only about the MP.. but also the size of the CCD.

[leonzhu]

Originally Posted by bingyan blow up to about the size of those panels found at the new types of bus stop. hehehe, with yr fees, I might a able to get both the camera.

wah... maybe 8MP also 'bo gao'. Medium Format!!

how you know my fees? not ex one lah... see my website to see the food shots.

[simonth]

bingyan,

r u previously a film photographer?

pls note, for D70 u have to use the viewfinder for taking photos while 8700, u can use the LCD or viewfinder

found this out in my other post, similarly to yours, asking which to buy (5700,8700 or D70)

[bingyan]

Originally Posted by simonth bingyan, r u previously a film photographer? pls note, for D70 u have to use the viewfinder for taking photos while 8700, u can use the LCD or viewfinder found this out in my other post, similarly to yours, asking which to buy (5700,8700 or D70)

I have yet to call myself a photographer.

just taken some picture in my younger days.

Just curious, which camera did u settle for?

I sort of prefer the 8700 as with the D70, I got to end up "investing" in lots of lens. Maybe might consider it for future upgrading.

[sadness]

Originally Posted by bingyan was thinking of either a D70 or 8700 basically a beginner, would be using it more on food photography, aquarium fish, flowers ... Might need to blow up to very big for food foto, so was thinking if 8mp is better than 6. which one would be a better buy. www.sgkueh.com

my brother BingYan!!!

u looking for a digicam??? or a FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER?!

and no, 6 or 8mp makes not much of a difference for images to be used on the web! nor does it matter much for a small A4 size menu!

hey babe! if u wana shoot food stuff, please, u can do it urself...

u dun have to get anyone to take them for u! in fact, if u were to do it urself, u will enjoy the process more and the end product much more rewarding. and in this process, learn to appreciate photography and ur own kuehs much more~ heh heh!

get the Nikon D70(with the kit lens for about S$2.2k++ from Cathay Photo) if u want to invest further in photography. get a Nikon AF60mm f2.8 Macro(for about S$450 2nd hand or S$650++ brand new) lens for food, it is more than enough. otherwise, u can consider a basic digicam with Macro function. i guess the coolpix 5700 has it? the coolpix 5400 also? they each should not cost more than S$1.5k, i believe?

if u find it way too costly, why not settle for a Film SLR body? the Nikon F80(S$450 2nd hand or around S$600++ brand new) is more than capable of handling the food shots, along with the AF60mm f2.8 Macro lens... u're good to go! then topped it off with a FujiFilm Superia 100... and get the film negative scanned(around S$5 at Konota) into digital format and u can tweak the contrast and such in photoshop!

get a basic professional tripod, that is the 190 series from Manfrotto and topped it off with a basic ball head, the 486RC2 is a splendid choice!(around S$200 for this combination).

jus get the around 3 or 4 lightstands(around S$80+) from Ikea, and make sure the lightbulbs are florescent types and voila! bright enough will do! it is the most important aspect of normal food photography, unless u've a concept behind low key(rather dark) food photography... otherwise, pls don't make them dark! no one will find a dark looking(due to photography)kueh or bread appetising!


the main thing to getting a good food shot is...

1). a good SLR(be it manual focus, Auto focus film or Digital SLR) body + appropriate lens. if u're doing it on film body, then a good film should be used... FujiFilm Reala or Superia 100 is good enough for any magazines or online websites(after u scanned the negatives into digital format).

2). a good tripod + a good head(be it ball head or panning kind)(those kind whereby the 3 legs are independent of each other and can be individually spread out).

3). a good overall brightness to the subject and composition is essential.

4). a good food stylist(optional in ur case)... however, if u're on a budget, jus pay more attention to the corners of the plates and check not to leave any finger prints behind... the food is properly arranged, stacked... presented. the right plates and utensils are used... a proper setting. i think these are important areas u need to take note of if u lack a good food stylist, of cos, these are only the tip of the iceberg! but i can't think of anything else for a kueh promoting food photography right now.

basically, the food photographer set the camera nd his/her composition and get the food stylist to go about arranging and making sure the food is alright and looks great for the camera in that particular composition set-up.

a good food stylist is still very important in my eyes, a very priceless one indeed. but that doesn't mean without one, u're crippled. u still can do ur own arrangement and such... improvise is the keyword!!

anyone can get good results if u adhere to this few simple pointers! however, the more difficult advance level would be getting the right composition and the correct arrangement and presentation of the food, the lighting... the ambience, the mood, etc. reading up on food photography does help.

guess wat? u can try and hunt for this book on food photograhy from Steve Bavister(i think! forgotten the author's name and book title but it is with regards to professional Food Photography and lightings)...

on a sidenote, there's one guy here whom i think has some experience in food photography... i've seen his photos and most of it has good composition but a lack of distinct style and artistic direction. it is acceptable and totally natural, i feel, for a young photographer's first foray into food photography or any other genre, not to have a certain style and artistic direction.

with more practise and more observation and reading up on food photography, one's personal style will change and perhaps even flourish.

leonzhu, i'm sorry to say this, but ur food photography needs alot more practice. currently, u're some way there, but ur food shots need to be much more well-lit. they are mostly too dark, or the depth of field isn't there. i guess these are the only faults? otherwise, i think u will only get better with more exposure!


hey bro binyan! on u next time!

yeah babe yeah!!!

[leonzhu]

Originally Posted by sadness *snip* hey babe! if u wana shoot food stuff, please, u can do it urself... u dun have to get anyone to take them for u! in fact, if u were to do it urself, u will enjoy the process more and the end product much more rewarding. and in this process, learn to appreciate photography and ur own kuehs much more~ heh heh! *snip* jus get the around 3 or 4 lightstands(around S$80+) from Ikea, and make sure the lightbulbs are florescent types and voila! bright enough will do! it is the most important aspect of normal food photography, unless u've a concept behind low key(rather dark) food photography... otherwise, pls don't make them dark! no one will find a dark looking(due to photography)kueh or bread appetising! the main thing to getting a good food shot is... 1). a good SLR(be it manual focus, Auto focus film or Digital SLR) body + appropriate lens. if u're doing it on film body, then a good film should be used... FujiFilm Reala or Superia 100 is good enough for any magazines or online websites(after u scanned the negatives into digital format). 2). a good tripod + a good head(be it ball head or panning kind)(those kind whereby the 3 legs are independent of each other and can be individually spread out). 3). a good overall brightness to the subject and composition is essential. 4). a good food stylist(optional in ur case)... however, if u're on a budget, jus pay more attention to the corners of the plates and check not to leave any finger prints behind... the food is properly arranged, stacked... presented. the right plates and utensils are used... a proper setting. i think these are important areas u need to take note of if u lack a good food stylist, of cos, these are only the tip of the iceberg! but i can't think of anything else for a kueh promoting food photography right now. basically, the food photographer set the camera nd his/her composition and get the food stylist to go about arranging and making sure the food is alright and looks great for the camera in that particular composition set-up. a good food stylist is still very important in my eyes, a very priceless one indeed. but that doesn't mean without one, u're crippled. u still can do ur own arrangement and such... improvise is the keyword!! anyone can get good results if u adhere to this few simple pointers! however, the more difficult advance level would be getting the right composition and the correct arrangement and presentation of the food, the lighting... the ambience, the mood, etc. reading up on food photography does help. *snip* leonzhu, i'm sorry to say this, but ur food photography needs alot more practice. currently, u're some way there, but ur food shots need to be much more well-lit. they are mostly too dark, or the depth of field isn't there. i guess these are the only faults? otherwise, i think u will only get better with more exposure! *snip*

Woot! So detailed. I agree with some of the things he says, makes a lot of sense. But i don't agree with some.

1st off, there's no hard and fast rule why food photography must be well lit. It's a well known fact that subdued lighting can help to saturate colors. I think that both ways work, as long as the shot captures the target audience's attention. Your photography should also be tailored to the FINAL use of the shot. If you're going to make those coffee-shop signs, then it SHOULD be fairly high key. For a recipe book/menu/similar, tailor your style to the book's creative direction.

Also, there's no need for the entire dish to be in focus. No requirement to shoot at f/22 or f/64. It all depends on the mood you're setting.

Yes, an SLR is very useful because you can check focus, depth of field, and accurate framing on a ground glass screen. A Micro-Nikkor is not essential, but is a great tool to have. I find that i typically use focal lengths of between 50mm and 120mm. A tripod is very very useful, get one that allows you more flexibility in contorting it to fit your needs.

A good food stylist can make all the difference in your shots. I don't recommend photographers try to style food, unless you're also a fabulous cook. Likewise, stylists and chefs should not try to be photographers.

Fluorescent lighting? As long as you do your color balance right. In digital, it's easier, but if you're using film, a FL-D filter is essential. But remember, the FL-D filter is NOT perfect. Never was, still isn't.

sadness, you do a lot of food photography? Maybe you should be around when bingyan shoots, and you can give pointers! It's always a good idea to have someone experienced teach you the ropes.

[bingyan]

thanks guys/gals for all yr comments

have been swaying here and there with every comments, tho I actually prefer the all-in-one CP8700

I am actually thinking of taking my own pic, and learning from there at the same time.

I dun really agree with Leonzhu that good cook cannot be good stylist/photographers and vice versa.

In fact, I have got lots of food to take and at various composition that having both professional stylist and photography would not be practically and too high a cost.

That's the reason why I want to do it myself.

One reason I make a "comeback" to photgraphy is that in digital, u can see the result immediately and not waste a lot of money in film and trans, has the waiting time is killing.

Practice make perfect. I dun believe that after taking 1000 different failure of my "soon kueh" pic, I cannot get the one I like.

http://sgkueh.com/esoonkueh/mushroom.htm

this pic was actually a frame captured with a video camera.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by leonzhu Woot! So detailed. I agree with some of the things he says, makes a lot of sense. But i don't agree with some. 1st off, there's no hard and fast rule why food photography must be well lit. It's a well known fact that subdued lighting can help to saturate colors. I think that both ways work, as long as the shot captures the target audience's attention. Your photography should also be tailored to the FINAL use of the shot. If you're going to make those coffee-shop signs, then it SHOULD be fairly high key. For a recipe book/menu/similar, tailor your style to the book's creative direction. Also, there's no need for the entire dish to be in focus. No requirement to shoot at f/22 or f/64. It all depends on the mood you're setting. Yes, an SLR is very useful because you can check focus, depth of field, and accurate framing on a ground glass screen. A Micro-Nikkor is not essential, but is a great tool to have. I find that i typically use focal lengths of between 50mm and 120mm. A tripod is very very useful, get one that allows you more flexibility in contorting it to fit your needs. A good food stylist can make all the difference in your shots. I don't recommend photographers try to style food, unless you're also a fabulous cook. Likewise, stylists and chefs should not try to be photographers. Fluorescent lighting? As long as you do your color balance right. In digital, it's easier, but if you're using film, a FL-D filter is essential. But remember, the FL-D filter is NOT perfect. Never was, still isn't. sadness, you do a lot of food photography? Maybe you should be around when bingyan shoots, and you can give pointers! It's always a good idea to have someone experienced teach you the ropes.

like sadness, i feel that leonzhu's food photography are too dark for my liking...

however, i think leonzhu might be going for low key lighting with some concept? anyway, no right or wrong but only getting the results. hope the targetted audience are attracted to ur food photography!

but the composition and angle are good for some photo.

food stylists are a luxury for first timer and small food business owners, so sometimes, playing dual roles as both photographer and food stylist is a way of saving costs.

hopefully binyan managed to learn something and get the essential equipments for his own usage. and like what u've said, practise makes perfect!

have fun photographing! show us ur photo so that seasoned pros here can help u get the best result!