nikon lenses

Sean · 3rd April 2004

hi all, i just got my d70, have been shooting for 2weeks already.. have some question and hope that you're can help.. i've a pro fren that told me when he shoot for weddings, he normally use f5.6 or f8 with flash. does that mean that my 18-70dx, f3.5 - 4.5 do not make a difference with a constant f2.8 len if i do not set it at f2.8?
Thanks~

xdivider · 3rd April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

hi all, i just got my d70, have been shooting for 2weeks already.. have some question and hope that you're can help.. i've a pro fren that told me when he shoot for weddings, he normally use f5.6 or f8 with flash. does that mean that my 18-70dx, f3.5 - 4.5 do not make a difference with a constant f2.8 len if i do not set it at f2.8?
Thanks~

In terms of exposure, no.

coke21 · 3rd April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

hi all, i just got my d70, have been shooting for 2weeks already.. have some question and hope that you're can help.. i've a pro fren that told me when he shoot for weddings, he normally use f5.6 or f8 with flash. does that mean that my 18-70dx, f3.5 - 4.5 do not make a difference with a constant f2.8 len if i do not set it at f2.8?
Thanks~

When asking this question, what are some of the concerns that you have?

Sean · 3rd April 2004

yup~ the concern is whether i need to buy a f2.8 constant lens so as to produce his kind of result since he only uses f5.6 or f8..

Sean · 3rd April 2004

side track abit.. does anyone knows whats the price of a sb28 motordrive..or does it even exist?? can't find it in nikon website..

arikevin · 3rd April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

yup~ the concern is whether i need to buy a f2.8 constant lens so as to produce his kind of result since he only uses f5.6 or f8..

But I think the lens quality is better.
Buy of what you need.

don't BUY BUY BUY

thoa_rs · 3rd April 2004

You only use F5.6 for night dinner table shots. You still need a fast lens (F2.8) if you're going to shoot natural light.

Sean · 3rd April 2004

hahah.. think you're the first to challenge the BUY BUY BUY theory!!!

Sean · 3rd April 2004

Originally Posted by thoa_rs

You only use F5.6 for night dinner table shots. You still need a fast lens (F2.8) if you're going to shoot natural light.

thats what i thought too.. i see that your gallery pictures are good~
do you mind sharing how to achieve sharp and bright pictures with f2.8 at dim lights?
i tried iso 1600 and shutter to 60.. however.. without flash.. still looks underexpose..

Clown · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

side track abit.. does anyone knows whats the price of a sb28 motordrive..or does it even exist?? can't find it in nikon website..

that's a speedlight..

Sean · 4th April 2004

yup.. i have a sb 28 passed from my fren.. but batt seems to drain very fast!.. i heard from ppl that there are such things call motor drive to power speedlight so there can last longer..

Kit · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

yup.. i have a sb 28 passed from my fren.. but batt seems to drain very fast!.. i heard from ppl that there are such things call motor drive to power speedlight so there can last longer..

I believe you want an external battery pack. Motor drives are for camera bodies, not flashes.

Clown · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

yup.. i have a sb 28 passed from my fren.. but batt seems to drain very fast!.. i heard from ppl that there are such things call motor drive to power speedlight so there can last longer..

huh? wah new technology ar? hahaha..

well, i dunno about attaching a motordrive to a speedlight lah.. but there are external batterypacks like nikon SD8 and quantum powerpacks that may decrease the refresh timing for the flash capacitors.

i think TCW has one unit of SD8 sitting around.

Sean · 4th April 2004

Ohhh~ i feel so paisay... hehee.. thanks for all the advice... better than i go ms colours and make a fool of myself...

Sean · 4th April 2004

btw.. how much does a battery pack cost?

Zerstorer · 4th April 2004

Motordrives are for faster film transport.

What you need is a flash battery pack. The Nikon SD8 or SD8A is the one you need.

2100 · 4th April 2004

Sean, if you are looking for something similar to upgrade the kit lens, buy the tamron 28-75 2.8. S$650 at MScolour. Lower at AP ($610) but that's if you know how to test the lens properly (bring a laptop and view at 100%!) and also confirm that they give you the warranty card. One of the best value lens you will ever buy for the kit lens replacement if you are looking for 2.8 constant. Keep the 18-70DX for wide angle work, if you don't need WA you can even sell for $450.

2.8 also gives you more control on the depth of field for artsy work. The tamron's bokeh is also very decent. Also, remember that most lenses are rarely the best at wide open. This lens has excellent sharpness from 28-75 from f4.
Wide open is very good. What i am saying is that lenses need to be stopped down to perform nicely. For eg, a 28-200 3.5-5.6 consumer zoom may need to be stopped down to f8-f11 to perform decently. On paper, 3.5-5.6 looks ok. So even though you may not need that 2.8, it will give you some leeway. This is another reason why some people pay so much for fast glass. IF you are shooting something that is moving (eg person with hands moving around....or even for indoor sports), you will need fast glass, i mean a full flash dump of a flash with GN 180 in a dark environment doesn't exactly look natural to me, and not all instances allow you to flash.

http://www.popphoto.com/assets/downl...2003124116.pdf

2100 · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by Sean

do you mind sharing how to achieve sharp and bright pictures with f2.8 at dim lights?
i tried iso 1600 and shutter to 60.. however.. without flash.. still looks underexpose..

If you like this area of shooting, buy the 50mm 1.8D. $120 2nd hand. You won't regret this, be it if you are on a budget or not.

Watcher · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by 2100

If you like this area of shooting, buy the 50mm 1.8D. $120 2nd hand. You won't regret this, be it if you are on a budget or not.

Precisely!

Zoom, zoom, zoom seems to be the only thing in many people's mind...

I have recommended to many to get this very good and cheap lens for training on composition. It functions as a fully-manual macro lens with the reversal ring used and is a jolly good loupe

jOhO · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by Watcher

Precisely! Zoom, zoom, zoom seems to be the only thing in many people's mind... I have recommended to many to get this very good and cheap lens for training on composition. It functions as a fully-manual macro lens with the reversal ring used and is a jolly good loupe

yo.. where to get and how much for the reversal ring? i never try b4 leh.. anyone wanna demonstrate at council meetings?

3rd April 2004	#1
Sean Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 59	nikon lenses hi all, i just got my d70, have been shooting for 2weeks already.. have some question and hope that you're can help.. i've a pro fren that told me when he shoot for weddings, he normally use f5.6 or f8 with flash. does that mean that my 18-70dx, f3.5 - 4.5 do not make a difference with a constant f2.8 len if i do not set it at f2.8? Thanks~

3rd April 2004	#7
thoa_rs Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Siglap Posts: 2,027	You only use F5.6 for night dinner table shots. You still need a fast lens (F2.8) if you're going to shoot natural light. __________________ www.jonkeng.com

4th April 2004	#17
2100 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,116	Sean, if you are looking for something similar to upgrade the kit lens, buy the tamron 28-75 2.8. S$650 at MScolour. Lower at AP ($610) but that's if you know how to test the lens properly (bring a laptop and view at 100%!) and also confirm that they give you the warranty card. One of the best value lens you will ever buy for the kit lens replacement if you are looking for 2.8 constant. Keep the 18-70DX for wide angle work, if you don't need WA you can even sell for $450. 2.8 also gives you more control on the depth of field for artsy work. The tamron's bokeh is also very decent. Also, remember that most lenses are rarely the best at wide open. This lens has excellent sharpness from 28-75 from f4. Wide open is very good. What i am saying is that lenses need to be stopped down to perform nicely. For eg, a 28-200 3.5-5.6 consumer zoom may need to be stopped down to f8-f11 to perform decently. On paper, 3.5-5.6 looks ok. So even though you may not need that 2.8, it will give you some leeway. This is another reason why some people pay so much for fast glass. IF you are shooting something that is moving (eg person with hands moving around....or even for indoor sports), you will need fast glass, i mean a full flash dump of a flash with GN 180 in a dark environment doesn't exactly look natural to me, and not all instances allow you to flash. http://www.popphoto.com/assets/downl...2003124116.pdf Last edited by 2100; 4th April 2004 at 01:55 AM.

4th April 2004	#16
Zerstorer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,610	Motordrives are for faster film transport. What you need is a flash battery pack. The Nikon SD8 or SD8A is the one you need.