Photographers! new lens, she's a beauty, should arrive Monday :)

[Danoz]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-300-vr.htm

Just ordered the 70-300mm VR! Very excited to try this out on my D90. Any other shutterbugs around here have any experience with this lens? I borrowed a friend's not too long ago-- here are one shots I was able to get:

Let me know your thoughts! These were some of my favorite examples from my Osaka album.

 

[An Officer]

Amazing pictures! I don't know too much about lenses but you captured the steam coming off the food in the third shot really well, I understand that's not too easy to do. I have tried to photograph smoky shots before and it's never been very easy.

 

[Sky]

Quite nice bokeh. How does the lens perform on the 300 mm end? I had the Canon 75-300 mm for awhile but it was too soft to use much on the long end so I ended up selling it.

You're making me miss Osaka.

 

[Danoz]

Quite nice bokeh. How does the lens perform on the 300 mm end? I had the Canon 75-300 mm for awhile but it was too soft to use much on the long end so I ended up selling it.

You're making me miss Osaka.

Yeah most reviews put the bokeh at "neutral" but I find it pleasing in all of these shots (with the exception of the leaves in the background of the juggler).

This is at 300 without a tripod (and I wasn't using the VR)--- though I was perched down trying to stabilize the camera. Took a couple shots to get it.

at 100% crop. This is the highest point of Osaka castle and I was near the entrance of the museum across the way (which is rather far).

I'll be able to test w/ VR on Monday . When did you visit Osaka? I live a couple hours away by train (after I drive to Gobo station from the middle of nowhere, lol).

 

[TrekkieMonster]

Very nice!

I just bought the same lens, with my D7000 a month or so ago. Unfortunately, the weather here hasn't yet been terribly conducive to outdoor forays where I could really try it out much, but I've enjoyed what little playing around I've been able to do with it so far. And it gets great reviews. I hadn't intended to buy a superzoom that soon, but Nikon had a great rebate program when you bought with a new body, so I just couldn't say no. Looking forward to really giving it a work out on our Panama Canal cruise in about a month.

I also got the new 24-120mm f/4 as my main walk around and am absolutely LOVING it! Amazing lens (especially on the DX sensor).

Looking forward to seeing more of what you do with this! Have fun!!!

 

[Danoz]

Very nice!

I just bought the same lens, with my D7000 a month or so ago. Unfortunately, the weather here hasn't yet been terribly conducive to outdoor forays where I could really try it out much, but I've enjoyed what little playing around I've been able to do with it so far. And it gets great reviews. I hadn't intended to buy a superzoom that soon, but Nikon had a great rebate program when you bought with a new body, so I just couldn't say no. Looking forward to really giving it a work out on our Panama Canal cruise in about a month.

I also got the new 24-120mm f/4 as my main walk around and am absolutely LOVING it! Amazing lens (especially on the DX sensor).

Looking forward to seeing more of what you do with this! Have fun!!!

Did you get the 24-120mm with the D7000? I've been using the 18-105mm VR (which for the most part is wonderful)-- but I'm not a fan of the plastic mount on such a heavy lens, had to pay for a repair recently :/.

My girlfriend has been debating between the D7000 and the D90 for her next DSLR, but I've suggested she go for the for now "relatively" cheap d90 and invest the difference into better glass. Thoughts on this?

Oh and you may appreciate this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZJy2keK6eY -- taken with the D90 video mode (which I believe the D7000 has with better high-def resolution) and the 70-300mm.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

That video is fantastic!

The D90 is a great camera, and I really enjoyed using it when I was trying them out. I was very seriously considering just what you've recommended for your girlfriend, which I think is a very good suggestion. The D90 is a GREAT price right now!

But, well, I came into a little extra money unexpectedly (settlement from a car accident), and the Hubby and I decided I deserved to treat myself a little, so I splurged and went with the D7000 instead. Likewise, though some of the critics are harsh on the 18-105, most actual users seem to have nothing but positive things to say. But I, too, was a little concerned about the plastic mount mostly because I plan to take this on some sort of rugged hikes and such.

And I just kept hearing such glowing reviews of the new 24-120 on the DX sensor; plus the constant f/4 aperture through the entire zoom length was very appealing. The final straw for me was the Nikon rebate when I bought it with the body. So, yeah, I bought it and the 70-300 both with the body. As I said, I hadn't originally intended to buy both, but just couldn't say no to that kind of deal. Though, again, if I hadn't had a little "free money" drop into my lap, I would have made some more "frugal' decisions.

It's been fun and a little intimidating, though. I was a pretty competent and experienced photographer - if I do say so, myself - "back in the day" (that day would be the '70s and '80s). But, I had to sell off nearly all my cameras, lenses and equipment over time to pay for college and especially law school once I made that commitment. Stepping back into it now is exhilarating, comforting in an odd way, and more than a little intimidating, just because of everything these cameras are capable of. But, it is a BLAST learning.

 

[Danoz]

I actually envy those who experienced the days of nothing but a 50mm and a darkroom-- you earned your shots back then (I had fun using my father's old school Nikon and learning darkroom technique). When I worked in D.C. my job was to get nice shots of talking heads behind a podium-- and the prevailing philosophy is to take rapid fire shots every time the speaker does something interesting (like raise a hand) and then sort them out later in Lightroom and Photoshop.

I think you'll really enjoy the D7000 and the set of lenses you have! Send me some of your shots sometime .

 

[Sky]

When did you visit Osaka? I live a couple hours away by train (after I drive to Gobo station from the middle of nowhere, lol).

I was there in November 2008 and again in July 2009 (and noticed why July is not the best time to visit Japan). I hope to go again as soon as I can. Japan is my favorite place on earth.

 

[Danoz]

When did you visit Osaka? I live a couple hours away by train (after I drive to Gobo station from the middle of nowhere, lol).

I was there in November 2008 and again in July 2009 (and noticed why July is not the best time to visit Japan). I hope to go again as soon as I can. Japan is my favorite place on earth.

Hehe, I arrived in Tokyo in July and after waiting in line outside and sitting on a bus drenched in sweat I wondered if I had made the wrong choice (we had to wear our suits all the way our respective cities). For classes, however, I invested in all microfiber polos and dress shorts and I don't care who knows it! The staff can be shocked to see me short-sleeved in 60 degree weather, but I just explain that I'm from Ohio

 

[TrekkieMonster]

I actually envy those who experienced the days of nothing but a 50mm and a darkroom-- you earned your shots back then (I had fun using my father's old school Nikon and learning darkroom technique). When I worked in D.C. my job was to get nice shots of talking heads behind a podium-- and the prevailing philosophy is to take rapid fire shots every time the speaker does something interesting (like raise a hand) and then sort them out later in Lightroom and Photoshop.

I think you'll really enjoy the D7000 and the set of lenses you have! Send me some of your shots sometime .

heh. Yeah, I have to admit, we did sort of have to work for it back in the day, and there was some adventure to never knowing what you had until you developed the film and printed it. I spent many happy hours in my dark room. To this day, that sulfur smell doesn't remind me so much of rotten eggs as my darkroom, which always smelled like stop bath.

Quick question for you: I currently only have Photoshop Elements and have just gotten an offer to upgrade to CS5 for $299. And I just found out I can upgrade to Lightroom for only $99. I'm thinking that sounds like a good deal, but then hear people saying I should really buy Nikon's software if I want to work with raw files. Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks, and I'll be happy to share some pic's ... once I feel like I have something worth sharing.

 

[Danoz]

Upgrade to CS5 . Photoshop is the industry standard and Lightroom is a wonderful program for sorting, cropping and simple edits. Nikon's software is on par with say, Mac's iPhoto-- which is nice, but even working in RAW I'd prefer the Photoshop/Lightroom combination; you can't go wrong there.

 

[Mr Awe]

My girlfriend has been debating between the D7000 and the D90 for her next DSLR, but I've suggested she go for the for now "relatively" cheap d90 and invest the difference into better glass. Thoughts on this?

Generally, this is good advice. Splurge on the lens as that is where you'll get more improvement in your pictures. I'm not as familiar with the Nikon side of things though. I've got Canon equipment.

Mr Awe

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

My girlfriend has been debating between the D7000 and the D90 for her next DSLR, but I've suggested she go for the for now "relatively" cheap d90 and invest the difference into better glass. Thoughts on this?

Oh and you may appreciate this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZJy2keK6eY -- taken with the D90 video mode (which I believe the D7000 has with better high-def resolution) and the 70-300mm.

I'm looking at the D7000 for my next camera purchase. I've test drove both the D90 and D7000 and think the D7000 will better suit my needs. I'll most likely just get the body since I already have a good collection of lenses.



Nice choice of glass Danoz. Here are just a few pictures that I have taken with my 70-300mm.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

^^^ woof .... Those are fantastic!

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

^^ Thanks.

The one in my avatar is also an example of the 70-300mm lens.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

Upgrade to CS5 . Photoshop is the industry standard and Lightroom is a wonderful program for sorting, cropping and simple edits. Nikon's software is on par with say, Mac's iPhoto-- which is nice, but even working in RAW I'd prefer the Photoshop/Lightroom combination; you can't go wrong there.

Thanks for the advice. I've been googling around a bit on this the past week or so, and am hearing the same thing; also that Lightroom is a great way to open NEF files and then export to PS for editing (I guess it has a "export to PS for editing" option), vs the ACR step? Looks like I have another purchase in my future.

Reviving this little "hobby" is getting expensive!

 

[Danoz]

^^ Thanks.

The one in my avatar is also an example of the 70-300mm lens.

Those are great photos! Very cool that you were able to get those. Would love to see more! Haven't had a chance to give the D7000 a shot yet.

Here are some new ones from test driving the lens around the village:

 

[Danoz]

Okay a little more fun . Standing on a bridge facing the Hidaka river:

Shot with the 18-105mm VR (ISO 200 - 18mm - f/3.5 - 1/250). Essentially this is where I was standing.

Shot with the 50mm 1.8 Nikkor (my favorite little fixed lens-- sharpest thing ever and so inexpensive) at 400 ISO - f/9 - 1/125. This is probably my favorite shot... love a lens you can keep in your pocket

Shot with the 70-300mm VR from the same location at 116mm - ISO 220 - f/4.8 - 1/125

70-300mm VR again-- maxed at 300mm! ISO 400 - f/5.6 - 1/80. Compare to the first image at 18mm. I've never worked with a zoom like this and the VR seems to work great... going to have some fun at the baseball game in Osaka coming up .

 

[TrekkieMonster]

WOW! Those are fantastic, and really showing off the 70-300's capabilities! Very impressive!

And I've been looking at the little 35mm f/1.8 as everybody raves about it as the equivalent of my standard old "nifty fifty" on the DX sensor. It was also supposedly very cheap, but now they're out of stock everywhere. But, I figure I've got enough glass for now and can wait it out. Did I mention the 12-24mm f/4 Tokina I also got? I couldn't resist. I think I'm beginning to have a little problem.

I cannot wait to get out with my camera and lenses. I have a weekend trip away to Cape Cod planned in a couple of weeks, and I intend to do a LOT of walking about and snapping everything I can find with all my lenses at every possible setting, just to see what everything's capable of. I can't wait.