The NIKON Thread (Talk About Nikon Stuff here)

[uppis]

Hey does anyone here own 50mm 1.8D? I bought one last week, it's practically doing good job with my old D50, but I'm having some problems with AF sometimes. It just completely fails to focus, it rolls from 0.45m to infinity and back, but cant find any spot to focus. It happens in daylight and dark environments, and I'm not close anything, thats for sure. I have also tried different AF-Area modes, without great success.

[Towert7]

Originally Posted by uppis

Hey does anyone here own 50mm 1.8D? I bought one last week, it's practically doing good job with my old D50, but I'm having some problems with AF sometimes. It just completely fails to focus, it rolls from 0.45m to infinity and back, but cant find any spot to focus. It happens in daylight and dark environments, and I'm not close anything, thats for sure. I have also tried different AF-Area modes, without great success.

I too have the 50mm F/1.8D and the D50. Mine works very good.
What you describe is what people call seeking, or searching.
This happens because the camera can not focus on what ever you have pointed it at. There are no contrasting elements to the shot that the camera's processor can focus on.

This will happen on virtually any lens.

If however, this happens when you are shooting at something with many contrasting elements, chances are something is not working right (either a setting set incorrectly, or a defective lens or camera).

[jmmtn4aj]

Originally Posted by dj_mocok

You do realise that those D2Xs or D2H is huge right? So is D300+grip.
If you don't shoot vertical most of the time, you really don't need to buy the grip, it's just an extra weight (and dimension) to add for you. Adding a grip means you have to get a bigger camera bag.

If I were you I'd probably get D300 new, or if I can get a good deal for D2Xs, I'd go for it. It was afterall, Nikon's top of the line camera til a few months ago. With D2X, I'd probably shoot for many many many more years until it crap on me.

Yeah, I want bigger not only for that 'pro' feeling, but because the D50 feels too small in my hands too. And yeah I do rotate to portrait orientation a lot too. For some reason the camera is even less stable using the proper technique (rotate clockwise so the grip is at 6 o'clock, resting on the heel of your palm) than when I use the improper technique (rotate CCW, so that the grip is at the 12 o'clock position), so I think a grip would help here as well.

Anywho I've finally stopped dreaming and come to my senses. I don't have nearly enough money for a D300/w/grip or a D2Hs/X/Xs so I'll be getting the D2H first, then some pro glass early next year. Would be so cool finally having two bodies Having to switch lenses meant I rarely ever used tele.

[dj_mocok]

Is it D2H or D2Hs?
If I didn't shoot lowlight, I think I'd be extremely happy with D2Hs, regardless the lack of pixels.

I shoot quite a lot of verticals as well, but I don't have the grip (because it wouldn't fit in my camera bag anymore if I used grip). I never worry about 'proper way' of handholding vertical, I use my own way - cradle the camera like holding a puppy and use my right hand thumb to press the shutter - works great.

If you don't really like D50 why don't you just sell it and use it to fund a new lens? Usually only pros use D2Hs, can you still get one that is not beat up nowadays?

[jmmtn4aj]

Originally Posted by dj_mocok

Is it D2H or D2Hs?
If I didn't shoot lowlight, I think I'd be extremely happy with D2Hs, regardless the lack of pixels.

I shoot quite a lot of verticals as well, but I don't have the grip (because it wouldn't fit in my camera bag anymore if I used grip). I never worry about 'proper way' of handholding vertical, I use my own way - cradle the camera like holding a puppy and use my right hand thumb to press the shutter - works great.

If you don't really like D50 why don't you just sell it and use it to fund a new lens? Usually only pros use D2Hs, can you still get one that is not beat up nowadays?

H. The Hs costs nearly two times as much for what seems like mainly cosmetic upgrades (screen for example). WB differences shouldn't be a problem since the relatively low res should allow me to shoot RAW almost all the time. I just tried your method on a 300D and it does seem pretty stable

I do like the D50 actually, just don't appreciate the more troublesome ways of getting to certain features. I find I change metering mode a lot, for example, and it's very troublesome having to navigate through the 2 sub menus to set it. Other than the little inconveniences it's a handy little camera. With a 35mm f/2 it'll be great as a small walk around, when I'm not really intending to go out and shoot a crap load of pictures. Also like I mentioned there's the convenience of having two bodies on you. I'm thinking 18-70 on one, 70-200 on another, or for low light gigs 35mm f/2 on one and 85mm f/1.8 on another

[uppis]

Originally Posted by Towert7

I too have the 50mm F/1.8D and the D50. Mine works very good.
What you describe is what people call seeking, or searching.
This happens because the camera can not focus on what ever you have pointed it at. There are no contrasting elements to the shot that the camera's processor can focus on.

This will happen on virtually any lens.

If however, this happens when you are shooting at something with many contrasting elements, chances are something is not working right (either a setting set incorrectly, or a defective lens or camera).

Yep I really like that lens except that malfunction of AF. And no, I'm not shooting white walls.. But maye I just send it back to adorama and wait for new one. Thanks for help!

[nineohtoo]

Hey guys. I've been thinking about this for the past couple days now, but I wanted to get more input. I currently have someone who will buy my 2 lens D40 kit w/extra battery + memory for $450(If it helps any, I paid $250). A few D70s have landed on craigslist recently for around the $300 mark. I'm debating on whether or not I should keep it, because of how much I got it for, or if I should just sell it and upgrade.

I'm currently using it with the 18-135mm and SB-800 speedlight. Covers almost everything I'd like to take. I might pick up some of the faster MF prime lenses, that everyone seems to love, for low light situations, and I'm most likely getting a 70-300mm VR lens later on this week that I can use a little for surfing, and a bit more serious telephoto. Since the two main lenses I'd be using will autofocus on a D40, is there any real reason for me to upgrade? The only advantages I can think of is AF with other lenses down the line, and wireless flash. If I do, I'll have to get memory, an extra battery, and I'll probably be tempted to get a battery grip. My friend who shoots with a D70 thinks I might as well, since I got all my stuff for ridiculously cheap, and it really won't hurt my pocket much. Should I go for it? Thanks.

[Towert7]

I tell you what, get a lens that requires a AF motor in the camera. See how much fun it is using it in manual mode. I think within 3 days you will have made your decision, cough cough.

[nineohtoo]

I do lol. I have a Sigma 70-300mm lens. MF is a pita at times haha. Another route i'm considering is a D50 because I'm reading success with wireless flash as well as the ability to AF. Someone is selling his/her D50 w/kit lens and a 70-300mm for less than what someone is willing to take my D40 for. Hopefully he/she still has it.

[lan]

I got my friend a D40x and 18-200VR. Sadly they won't be using any other lens. Which would make this an awesome P&S camera.

One thing I really like about it is the shutter sound is pretty quiet.

The auto white balance seems a bit off though. That would matter if they're strictly using JPEGs.