Upgrading photo equipment

I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something better. In
the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static displays, but the
shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80 with the
kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my budget. Any
comments about what sort of results I might expect with that set up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Its probably not so much about the camera as it is the lens. Your camera
really can only take as good a shot as your lens so think about splitting
the purchase price 50/50 on the camera and lens.

Whats your budget? Obviously the more money you have the better lens you can
get. You want a lens that lets lots and lots of light in (ie Low F-stop
number) so that it becomes a fast lens.

In the Canon range I would suggest something like a
http://www.d-d-photographics.com/canoneos20dacc.htm#50 if money was no
issue. This has a low f-stop so it will be fast. 50mm is enough zoom if your
camera has big enough Megapixels.

Sean.

"Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something better. In
the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static displays, but the
shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80 with
the kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my budget.
Any comments about what sort of results I might expect with that set up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Thanks for the feedback.

My budget is about $1,500.

I have pretty much decided on a Nikon D-80 body. This has about 10 megapixel
resolution.

The selection of a lens or lenses is still something I am agonisong over. I
would guess that an image from a 50 mm lens could be cropped to give the
equivalent of close to a 200mm lens. Would such a severe crop result in
unacceptable image quality? The whole point of upgrading is, after all, to
achive better quality that what is possible with my current camera.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto

--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill


SG Its probably not so much about the camera as it is the lens. Your
SG camera
SG really can only take as good a shot as your lens so think about
SG splitting
SG the purchase price 50/50 on the camera and lens.

SG Whats your budget? Obviously the more money you have the better lens
SG you can
SG get. You want a lens that lets lots and lots of light in (ie Low
SG F-stop
SG number) so that it becomes a fast lens.

SG In the Canon range I would suggest something like a
SG http://www.d-d-photographics.com/canoneos20dacc.htm#50 if money was
SG no
SG issue. This has a low f-stop so it will be fast. 50mm is enough zoom
SG if your
SG camera has big enough Megapixels.

SG Sean.

SG "Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
SG ...
I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something
better. In the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static
displays, but
the shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the
least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80
with the kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my
budget. Any comments about what sort of results I might expect with that
set
up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Hi Indrek,

I'm a Nikon DSLR user, glider, recreational and General Aviation pilot and
very enthusiastic aviation photographer.
I have been shooting with a D200 with a D70S as back up. Just bought 2 new
D300's

You would be far better off with the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens first off. The
D80 does not have built in sensor cleaning and even if it did, it never pays
to be complacent about microscopic dust getting on your sensor. In other
words, don't rely on auto cleaning sensors even if you've got it. The less
you need to change lenses the better.
Tamron offer an excellent 18-250mm lens but it doesn't have the VR.
You are far better off buying the most appropriate lenses first and waiting
to save for the 'wish list' lenses when you can afford them because
otherwise you eventually(read sometimes very quickly) finish up with a
cupboard full of old lenses you don't use, can't easily sell and were a
waste of money.
The vibration reduction is particularly beneficial for all handheld
photography, but especially for longer lengths and even more so when
shooting moving objects (planes)

The 70-300 VR lens is excellent, but don't bother with the non VR model. If
you follow my suggestion and go with the 18-200 VR first up, but are still
looking for longer length, save for the 80-400VR as your next purchase.
With 18-400 in two lenses both with VR, you will be the envy of many.

The D80 is an excellent camera, you won't go wrong there. Now that the D300
is out, don't overlook the possibility of getting a second hand D200 as
another option. Physically feel the camera, hold it, shoot a few frames and
listen to the shutter action and compare before you commit. Downside of the
D200 v D80 is weight. It is noticably heavier to lug around, but believe
me, its one horny camera.

See attached pic using D200/70-300VR combo. In the full size image you can
count the rivets! The owner of the plane has this image printed and mounted
in the back of his hangar at 1800mm x 1200mm and it blows everyone away who
sees it.

Hope I've been helpfull and happy snapping.

Rob Wintulich

"Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something better. In
the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static displays, but
the
shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80 with
the
kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my budget. Any
comments about what sort of results I might expect with that set up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your feedback, which is much appreciated.

You make a good point about the Nikkor 80-200 VR lens in that it obviates
the need to change lenses and avoids the possibility of introducing dust
onto the sensor. I do worry about 200mm being too short, and realistically I
can't see ever justifying the price tag on an 80-400 VR lens to myself, much
less to my wife. That being the case it looks as though I will be committing
to two lenses, and will live with the hassle of changing lenses from time to
time, and the inevitable dust on the sensor. Presumably there are ways of
removing the dust without damaging the sensor, albeit at the cost of some
effort and expense.

Your image using the 70-300VR lens looks excellent and shows that this lens
is capable of good results. Can you, or anyone else comment on the pros and
cons of this lens?

I also need to decide on a shorter focal length lens. Any recommendations
would be most welcome.

Has anyone used DX0 software which purports to remove lens artifacts etc.
from RAW and JPEG images?

Please excuse all the questions. This will be a significant outlay for me
(I'm a pensioner) so I want to make sure that I make an informed decision.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

R Hi Indrek,

R I'm a Nikon DSLR user, glider, recreational and General Aviation
R pilot and
R very enthusiastic aviation photographer.
R I have been shooting with a D200 with a D70S as back up. Just bought
R 2 new
R D300's

R You would be far better off with the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens first off.
R The
R D80 does not have built in sensor cleaning and even if it did, it
R never pays
R to be complacent about microscopic dust getting on your sensor. In
R other
R words, don't rely on auto cleaning sensors even if you've got it.
R The less
R you need to change lenses the better.
R Tamron offer an excellent 18-250mm lens but it doesn't have the VR.
R You are far better off buying the most appropriate lenses first and
R waiting
R to save for the 'wish list' lenses when you can afford them because
R otherwise you eventually(read sometimes very quickly) finish up with
R a
R cupboard full of old lenses you don't use, can't easily sell and
R were a
R waste of money.
R The vibration reduction is particularly beneficial for all handheld
R photography, but especially for longer lengths and even more so when
R shooting moving objects (planes)

R The 70-300 VR lens is excellent, but don't bother with the non VR
R model. If
R you follow my suggestion and go with the 18-200 VR first up, but are
R still
R looking for longer length, save for the 80-400VR as your next
R purchase.
R With 18-400 in two lenses both with VR, you will be the envy of many.

R The D80 is an excellent camera, you won't go wrong there. Now that
R the D300
R is out, don't overlook the possibility of getting a second hand D200
R as
R another option. Physically feel the camera, hold it, shoot a few
R frames and
R listen to the shutter action and compare before you commit. Downside
R of the
R D200 v D80 is weight. It is noticably heavier to lug around, but
R believe
R me, its one horny camera.

R See attached pic using D200/70-300VR combo. In the full size image
R you can
R count the rivets! The owner of the plane has this image printed and
R mounted
R in the back of his hangar at 1800mm x 1200mm and it blows everyone
R away who
R sees it.

R Hope I've been helpfull and happy snapping.

R Rob Wintulich

R "Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
R ...
I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something
better. In
the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static displays,
but the
shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the
least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80
with the
kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my budget.
Any
comments about what sort of results I might expect with that set up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Apologies,

That should have read Rod and not Ron.

Cheers

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill
IA Hi Ron,

IA Thanks for your feedback, which is much appreciated.

IA You make a good point about the Nikkor 80-200 VR lens in that it
IA obviates
IA the need to change lenses and avoids the possibility of introducing
IA dust
IA onto the sensor. I do worry about 200mm being too short, and
IA realistically I
IA can't see ever justifying the price tag on an 80-400 VR lens to
IA myself, much
IA less to my wife. That being the case it looks as though I will be
IA committing
IA to two lenses, and will live with the hassle of changing lenses from
IA time to
IA time, and the inevitable dust on the sensor. Presumably there are
IA ways of
IA removing the dust without damaging the sensor, albeit at the cost of
IA some
IA effort and expense.

IA Your image using the 70-300VR lens looks excellent and shows that
IA this lens
IA is capable of good results. Can you, or anyone else comment on the
IA pros and
IA cons of this lens?

IA I also need to decide on a shorter focal length lens. Any
IA recommendations
IA would be most welcome.

IA Has anyone used DX0 software which purports to remove lens artifacts
IA etc.
IA from RAW and JPEG images?

IA Please excuse all the questions. This will be a significant outlay
IA for me
IA (I'm a pensioner) so I want to make sure that I make an informed
IA decision.

IA Cheers,

IA Indrek Aavisto


IA --
IA Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

R Hi Indrek,

R I'm a Nikon DSLR user, glider, recreational and General Aviation
R pilot and
R very enthusiastic aviation photographer.
R I have been shooting with a D200 with a D70S as back up. Just bought
R 2 new
R D300's

R You would be far better off with the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens first off.
R The
R D80 does not have built in sensor cleaning and even if it did, it
R never pays
R to be complacent about microscopic dust getting on your sensor. In
R other
R words, don't rely on auto cleaning sensors even if you've got it.
R The less
R you need to change lenses the better.
R Tamron offer an excellent 18-250mm lens but it doesn't have the VR.
R You are far better off buying the most appropriate lenses first and
R waiting
R to save for the 'wish list' lenses when you can afford them because
R otherwise you eventually(read sometimes very quickly) finish up with
R a
R cupboard full of old lenses you don't use, can't easily sell and
R were a
R waste of money.
R The vibration reduction is particularly beneficial for all handheld
R photography, but especially for longer lengths and even more so when
R shooting moving objects (planes)

R The 70-300 VR lens is excellent, but don't bother with the non VR
R model. If
R you follow my suggestion and go with the 18-200 VR first up, but are
R still
R looking for longer length, save for the 80-400VR as your next
R purchase.
R With 18-400 in two lenses both with VR, you will be the envy of many.

R The D80 is an excellent camera, you won't go wrong there. Now that
R the D300
R is out, don't overlook the possibility of getting a second hand D200
R as
R another option. Physically feel the camera, hold it, shoot a few
R frames and
R listen to the shutter action and compare before you commit. Downside
R of the
R D200 v D80 is weight. It is noticably heavier to lug around, but
R believe
R me, its one horny camera.

R See attached pic using D200/70-300VR combo. In the full size image
R you can
R count the rivets! The owner of the plane has this image printed and
R mounted
R in the back of his hangar at 1800mm x 1200mm and it blows everyone
R away who
R sees it.

R Hope I've been helpfull and happy snapping.

R Rob Wintulich

R "Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
R ...
I am contemplating replacing my Konica Minolta Z3 with something
better. In
the past this camera has taken reasonable shots of static displays,
but the
shots of flying aircraft have generally been mediocre, to say the
least.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. A Nikon D80
with the
kit 18-55 and a 70-300 zoom lens would just about fit in my budget.
Any
comments about what sort of results I might expect with that set up?

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill




With best regards, Indrek Aavisto. E-mail:

Indrek Aavisto wrote:
Hi Ron,

Thanks for your feedback, which is much appreciated.

You make a good point about the Nikkor 80-200 VR lens in that it obviates
the need to change lenses and avoids the possibility of introducing dust
onto the sensor. I do worry about 200mm being too short, and realistically I
can't see ever justifying the price tag on an 80-400 VR lens to myself, much
less to my wife. That being the case it looks as though I will be committing
to two lenses, and will live with the hassle of changing lenses from time to
time, and the inevitable dust on the sensor. Presumably there are ways of
removing the dust without damaging the sensor, albeit at the cost of some
effort and expense.

Your image using the 70-300VR lens looks excellent and shows that this lens
is capable of good results. Can you, or anyone else comment on the pros and
cons of this lens?

I also need to decide on a shorter focal length lens. Any recommendations
would be most welcome.

Has anyone used DX0 software which purports to remove lens artifacts etc.
from RAW and JPEG images?

Please excuse all the questions. This will be a significant outlay for me
(I'm a pensioner) so I want to make sure that I make an informed decision.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


You can always try cleaning the sensor yourself - this is not difficult
to do. Remove the lens and lift the mirror in the sensor cleaning mode
(I think you will find most D-SLRs have this facility). Clean the sensor
with a highly purified methanol solution such as Eclipse (available from
your local photographic supplier) on a suitable sealed cleaning pad to
remove dust and pollen spots. I do this regularly with my Canon D-SLRs,
with no problems so far. The important thing is to check that the camera
battery is fully charged first, to ensure that the shutter remains open
and the mirror up during the cleaning process.

Regards

Graham Salt