Tag Archives: Nikon

Nikon D100

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When the Nikon D100 came out it was adopted as a press and wedding camera almost immediately.  And for good reason, at the time a digital camera that could create quality prints in black and white, as well as color, and that accepted all of the previous Nikon AF mount lens, and even the non-AF lenses (albeit without metering).  It also accepted a slew of Nikon speedlights.  Fast forward to today.  The D100 is widely accepted as obsolete.  But who cares?  I love mine.  It creates wonderful images if handled by someone who understands its oddities. 

 

Pros:

·      Compatible with a large array of lens

·      6.1 megapixels is plenty for most applications

·      Light-weight

·      Accepts Lithium Ion batteries

·      Uses the widely accepted CF card

Cons

·      Doesn’t meter with non-AF lenses

·      Sometimes too light

·      Plastic exterior

·      Noise can get sloppy at high ISOs

·      Poor viewfinder

 

The Pros   

This camera follows the standard Nikon ergonomics, which are, in my opinion, almost perfect.  The camera is a nice size that accepts a variety of hand sizes with ease.  The camera has a magnesium sub-frame and a plastic shell.  This allows the camera to be light, yet, as mine will attest to, still durable.  The camera yields a standard Nikon Electronic Format (NEF) file.  It can be either compressed or not (I recommend uncompressed, as using the compressed method causes the camera to lock up when it hits the buffer).  An uncompressed NEF is approximately 9 megabytes, however, they nicely compress and archive to a 5 megabyte Adobe Digital Negative, which is a much more compatible and compact file type.  The lithium ion battery accepted by the D100 is compatible with the D70, D50 as well as the ability to accept batteries used by the D200, D40, and D80.  Also, when using the optional vertical release/battery grip, one can utilize 6 AA batteries in a pinch (be warned though, the battery life on alkaline batteries is very short). 

 

The Cons

As with all things the D100 does have its faults, quite a few of them.  The first major issue is the fact that the camera does not meter with non-AF lenses, quite a few of which are absolute gems.  Although lightness in a camera is appreciated in some instances, a little bit of weight can add some stability when shooting.  The plastic exterior can also be a huge disadvantage, unlike its follower the D200, the plastic can be damaged and makes the camera feel cheap.  The biggest issue that people complain about in this body is the noisy sensor at higher ISO settings.  I personally feel that it is just fine so long as the camera is kept on RAW and exposure is maintained properly.  The largest single issue that I have with the D100, which is also an issue that I have with almost all non professional digital cameras, is the tiny and dim viewfinder.  When I compare the D100 to my old Nikon FM it looks downright appalling.  A quick hidden pro about the viewfinder though is that ability to turn on a grid overlay that aids in composing horizons and other geometric images.

 

Conclusion

If you have one of these cameras and it works for you, hang on to it.  If you have a digital SLR now and are looking for a decent backup, this camera could serve you quite well if you get a decent deal on it.  Although it is limited in certain ways, many of the limitations are more than made-up for through the low prices that can be had these days.  I would however, recommend a D70s before I would recommend this camera.              

Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8

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The Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 is a fantastically versatile lens. On a Nikon digital crop body it becomes a stunning 120-300mm f/2.8. I have found uses for this lens ranging from portraiture to landscapes, and many, many more.

Pros:

· Handles splendidly on almost all cameras

· Built in rotating tripod foot is rock solid

· Has that “Don’t ask, I’m a pro” look

· Standard 77mm filter

· Old screw-driver AF

· Isn’t white

Cons:

· Hood costs extra

· Old screw-driver AF

· Screams steal me

· Generates mob mentality when using around non-photographers

The Pros

The handling of this lens is fantastic on everything from the lowly, light, D50 to the chunky D100 with grip, and is a perfect mate for the Nikon pro bodies with their strong AF motors. The rotating tripod foot is quite nice and is a beautiful balance when mounted. As with all lenses of this stature and feel, I find that people rarely ask questions about what I am photographing, unless they are asking what paper I am with. If the 77mm filter size is important to you, then you know that already, and why it is. This next point is one that generates a bit of controversy when I bring it up; the screwdriver AF system. I personally prefer lenses with the screwdriver, for some reason I trust it more. Maybe it is because everything I have ever owned that had a small, electric motor inside has broken or burned out. The screwdriver uses the small motor in the camera. Is it the same, pretty much. However, one way I only have to buy a motor once, and the screwdrivers are a lot cheaper. The isn’t white jab is simply because I feel that the black blends in with the surrounding world a tad bit better.

Cons

First of all, when buying a lens that costs nearly a thousand dollars, you would assume that it would include all of the accessories. If you were talking about this lens, you’d be wrong. You have to pay extra for the plastic lens hood ( I don’t use them for flare protection as much as actual physical protection from bumps and scrapes). As previously mentioned the screwdriver AF vs. AFS is a personal choice. As with all lenses that look like this the lens tells the general public two things;

1. This is really expensive and if you are strapped for cash to pay off your credit card balance that is accruing 18% interest (compounded nano-secondly), it would be really easy to steal this lens and sell it on craigslist or fleabay to make some cash.

2. Sometimes this is fun, but most of the time it is annoying. If I am taking a picture of a squirrel, or even a person or building, it seems that a mob of point and shoot wielding tourists will inevitably chase me down yelling things like, “Honey, what is he taking pictures of? With a lens like that it must be interesting!” “is there a celebrity over there?”.

Conclusion

If you need this lens you probably already know it. My belief is that it is a great alternative to the more expensive AFS and VR versions. Although it has its cons, it is a fantastic piece of glass.

And did I mention it takes great dog portraits?