The DSLR Thread

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Samurai

That's not really true. You crank it up only as much as you need. Use the DOF preview button to check the DOF to pick the right settings. It also depends your crop factor. The DOF you get at F/16 in fullframe is the same you can get at F/8 in a 4/3 format. That is why P&S gives you aperture only up to F/8, still they can give fantastic DOF thanks to very small sensor.

Originally Posted by shajufx

I need to do something to remember this fact. D90 has a DOF button, but I always forget about this feature whenever there is a requirement. Its a very useful method to judge what we actually want instead of increasing the shutter count.

Thanks. Now I will figure out how to use it! I new it existed, but had no idea of its utility!

[ajman28]

Originally Posted by amitk26

Check if an orange color light glows in front of your cam when you half press the shutter , I think that is AF assist beam.

The 1000D does have an orange light which glows; but I still haven't understood when actually it does and when it does not.

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

Damn!! I noticed you too from Coimbatore!!

Absolutely!! I did notice too. But I stay outside the main city and hence I thought I was lucky to be away from the city - away from air pollution and sodium lamps. But now I understand its like that else where too!!

I just have a small p&s(pentax optio S5) camera but still I shall try some pics in the night and see!!

Well I am from Coimbatore but I noticed the awesome night skies while in Kerala. The skies are not very clear (even though cloudless) in Coimbatore courtesy the light pollution. :(

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by ajman28

The 1000D does have an orange light which glows; but I still haven't understood when actually it does and when it does not.

I remember reading about it in the manual downloaded from canon website. Download it and you will know. One thing is for sure, it glows when the camera is in timer mode!!

Originally Posted by ajman28

Well I am from Coimbatore but I noticed the awesome night skies while in Kerala. The skies are not very clear (even though cloudless) in Coimbatore courtesy the light pollution. :(

As said earlier, I see clear clouds and stars too!!

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by ajman28

I was checking a video on youtube (lost the link though) where the person was talking about an assist beam (not the flash) which can be used for focusing. Is this available on the 1000D?

No it doesn't. A dedicated AF assist lamp is provided in typically mid-range DSLRs. Canon 550D also doesn't have a dedicated lamp for AF assist. It uses the on-board flash like all entry-level cameras for that. An AF assist lamp is used to assist focus in low light.

[shyamhegde]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

I remember reading about it in the manual downloaded from canon website. Download it and you will know. One thing is for sure, it glows when the camera is in timer mode!!

That is red-eye reduction/self timer lamp. Red-eye reduction lamp operation can be turned off from menu options.

1000D has no AF assist beam option on body. You can use an external flash (Canon, Nissin, Sunpack etc.) which have assist beam feature. They work when mounted on 1000D .

[sumathindra]

Can anyone let me know where in Bangalore i can get a battery grip for my Nikon D3000 please? I made a couple of calls to GK Vale and was surprised to know they do not have any for Nikon!!!

[gd1418]

Nikon doesn't make battery grip for D40/60/3000/5000 line of cameras.. You have to get an aftermarket grip something like - http://www.linkdelight.com/vmchk/B3G...-2-EN-EL9.html

Originally Posted by sumathindra

Can anyone let me know where in Bangalore i can get a battery grip for my Nikon D3000 please? I made a couple of calls to GK Vale and was surprised to know they do not have any for Nikon!!!

[ampere]

Folks I did not get any answers. Has any one used Canon 15-85 IS.
My requirements were part generic and outdoors/landscapes.

[sumathindra]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Nikon doesn't make battery grip for D40/60/3000/5000 line of cameras.. You have to get an aftermarket grip something like - Battery Grip for Nikon D3000 D40 D40x D60 w/ 2 EN-EL9 | Standard Battery Grip | Battery Grips | Camera Accessories | Photography | LinkDelight Limited

yes i came to know that they do not. I have to rely on 3rd party makers now. Any idea which are good ones in India and where i can get it?

[typeOnegative]

Gentlemen (and ladies),

I have the following kit:
Nikon D-90
Nikkor 50mm/f1.8 non-D lens
Nikon 18-105mm VR kit lens

I am looking to extend the reach of the camera while keeping within a budget of INR 10,000. Well maybe I can stretch a bit but I want an extra battery as well. Keeping these in mind, what would you recommend:

Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 70-300mm
Nikon 70-300mm G

All are in the range of about INR 8000. I know that I will get what I pay for, so I am okay with the expected softness at the long end of the zoom.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Gentlemen (and ladies),

I have the following kit:
Nikon D-90
Nikkor 50mm/f1.8 non-D lens
Nikon 18-105mm VR kit lens

I am looking to extend the reach of the camera while keeping within a budget of INR 10,000. Well maybe I can stretch a bit but I want an extra battery as well. Keeping these in mind, what would you recommend:

Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 70-300mm
Nikon 70-300mm G

All are in the range of about INR 8000. I know that I will get what I pay for, so I am okay with the expected softness at the long end of the zoom.

As you have a 18-105, I would suggest that you get a 300mm prime lense. For its price a prime would give you better optics and a faster lense. The Nikon 70-300 is a very slow lense f4.5-5.6, even though it is very aggressively priced. If finances are a problem, search for a second hand 300mm prime, and you would be surprised at the quality even in a 10 year old lense.

If you are going to use the lense for landscape, then a slower lense is fine, but for wildlife and/or birding a faster and a better quality lense is required, considering that very few wildlife shots at 300mm fill the frame, a soft image of wildlife in a small part of the frame is practically useless.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

....
Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 70-300mm
Nikon 70-300mm G ....

Go for the Nikon 70-300 G itself. You can have peace of mind with greater service than Sigma!!!

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

.....
Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 70-300mm
Nikon 70-300mm G

King Solomon's son should pick up the Nikon 70-300mm VRII if possible, other wise the G as a second choice. Purpose is not mentioned in the post. If its for birding, even a 400mm will be a baby step. For everything else you have master card, sorry 18-105mm.

Aroy, are you suggesting 300mm prime for a 10k budget ? You will only get the pouch

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by shajufx

...
Aroy, are you suggesting 300mm prime for a 10k budget ? You will only get the pouch

Keh.com says you can..... (used lens!!)

[typeOnegative]

@Aroy: Will have to hunt the second hand market.
@kkr2k2: I am learning now that Nikon service is better than that of Sigma / Tamron.
@Saint Joseph: VRII seems out of range.

Overall I feel that the forum seems to be telling me to stick to Nikon.