[architect]

Originally Posted by manim

KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures

An interesting read, particularly for Nikon.

One of the most tongue-in-cheek, realistic and eye-opening websites on photography I've seen. It tells us things we already know but never practice. the article about "hobbyists and photographers" is so hilariously true!

[sureshkishore]

Originally Posted by sachinj12

Firstly, congrats on the equipment. You have been handed over a semi-pro DSLR.
Try reading Thom Hogan's guide, I found it to be quite helpful.

PS: On a different note, welcome to the money pit. You will find yourself yearning for a lot more equipment and you will start justifying your need for it.

PPS: Just for starters, you might be interested in a 50mm prime. Great low light lens.

Guess I should be ever indebted to my Bro & Sil.
And the part about 'yearning for more' & 'justifying the need', think that came from your heart (i.e from experience eh?)
Since my b'day is nearing, think the 50mm prime should be on the wish list. Hope bro is reading.

Originally Posted by Surprise

Digital Photography Tips: Digital Photography School

Lots of tips are there. Happy reading.

Thanks for the link.

[sureshkishore]

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

When switching from point and shoot to DSLR, the best way (in my opinion) to learn ,is to take pictures in auto or scene modes first.
Later view your images in viewnx (the nikon basice picture viewer program),or similar program which gives all statistics and compare them and learn.

Thanks for the tip. Since buying the cam I have never tried the 'amateurish' Auto Mode. Went in straight for the Manual Mode. Guess I was over excited.

Havent even tried the CD that came with the cam. Will surely try.

In Auto mode if you accidentally turn the focus ring on the lens would it cause any damage?
This is one of the reasons why I did not want to try Auto Mode.

[teknophobia]

Whether the lens will take damage or not would depend on whether the AF on the lens is set to Auto or Manual, not what the camera is set at. Caveat: If the lens has an ultrasonic motor with full time manual then it doesn't matter what mode the AF is set at, no damage will happen, many Tokina lenses have a clutch which disengages the focus ring when autofocus is engaged, so no damage there either.

[shajufx]

Desperately searching for this lens, totally out of existence anywhere I know. Someone said "place the order by paying full, we will get it in 7 days" ! Another one said "please wait for January 2012, we will get it for you" ! Flipkart is showing it 'out of stock' since day one of its listing !

Friends, anyone is selling it from your bag ? Or do you know someone having a piece ? My Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi buddies, please check for me. Dont bother about the south, I have put my wide net all over

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Desperately searching for this lens, totally out of existence anywhere I know. Someone said "place the order by paying full, we will get it in 7 days" ! Another one said "please wait for January 2012, we will get it for you" ! Flipkart is showing it 'out of stock' since day one of its listing !

Friends, anyone is selling it from your bag ? Or do you know someone having a piece ? My Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi buddies, please check for me. Dont bother about the south, I have put my wide net all over

If you are looking to buy it 2nd hand (or pre-owned, pre-adored, pre-worshipped as we say whilst referring to cars) there may be only a VERY slim chance of getting it - for one it's a superb lens, two its the latest 70-200 and three, it's difficult find in stock (which you already know). Ah, I adore that lens. :-) Did you check with Smartshoppers?

These lenses are almost never in stock at local dealers. You need to place an order and the dealer gets it from Nikon's India HQ at Gurgaon. That's what I had to do when I picked one up early this year. Be quick coz these lenses were out of stock for several months even in the US post the Japan quake. Most of the pro lenses (made in Japan) were difficult to find.

They are available in the US now, but you will need to check if someone can get it for you. B&H/Adorama have stopped shipping these lenses outside the US coz of the demand vs supply situation. Another thing is that they sell at very near MSRP on Nikon USA's instructions that were issued end Oct/ early Nov '11.

BTW are you finally selling your Sigma 70-200?

PS - Nikon India are raising prices - have already done so on 2-3 lenses, the 85mm 1.4G, 24mm 1.4G and 35mm 1.4G. The INR has been knocked down 17% since Sept.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by R2D2

.....BTW are you finally selling your Sigma 70-200 ?....

Thanks dear. My Sigma is already with its new owner from October Local shops promised 1 week waiting on full payment. But their prices are already much higher than I expected. Smartshopper has the stock only with B&W, thats a huge difference of 30k with and without !! Bringing from US is an option, but I dont find any price advantage.

Finding a used one is tough I know, will try my luck anyway. Waiting for a while than hurrying. Market situation (demand vs production) might stabilize only by March 2012 according to Nikon's official press info.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Local shops promised 1 week waiting on full payment. But their prices are already much higher than I expected. Smartshopper has the stock only with B&W, thats a huge difference of 30k with and without !! Bringing from US is an option, but I dont find any price advantage.

What price point are you expecting for grey market units? Even in the US, B&H/Adorama sell a grey market lens for nearly the same price as a US legal lens.

Honestly, I'd advise you not to go in for a grey market piece. Those units get zero support from Nikon India if you ever need repair/service. Too risky IMHO with expensive lenses.

BTW, you could put in a request on JJ Mehta forum. You'd have better chances of getting one (even 2nd hand) in Mumbai or Delhi.

Good luck! And do let us know when you land one in your bag. Hey..forgot to add, Nikon is expected to make an announcement on 30th Nov - a few lenses, a flash (SB 910 expected) and if we are lucky the D800.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by R2D2

What price point are you expecting for grey market units? ........and if we are lucky the D800.

At present mind is blank, wishing those days of around 100k for a grey piece come back !! US prices might be same but here we have atleast a 30-40k difference, which will help me to get something else to the bag !

About D800, I really really doubt, because Nikon production units are already lagging behind the market demand for existing items. I might add a D7000 to my bag as second body

[sachinj12]

Originally Posted by sureshkishore

In Auto mode if you accidentally turn the focus ring on the lens would it cause any damage?
This is one of the reasons why I did not want to try Auto Mode.

Don't worry, it won't.

Originally Posted by sureshkishore

And the part about 'yearning for more' & 'justifying the need', think that came from your heart (i.e from experience eh?)

You betcha!

I still haven't bought a decent tripod and remote release, but have already set my eyes on the 70-300 VR lens.

The lens will come when I start earning and save for it. But the tripod and the remote release will come soon, waiting for my exam to get over.

Regarding the 50mm prime, if you can afford, get the f1.4 (should cost around 12k or 16k, not sure). If not, get the f1.8 (around 5.8-6k). The 50 mm prime is one hell of a lens to learn. Just to remind ya again, consider reading Thom Hogan's guide, its very good(it is at least for D90,assuming it will be the same for D7000). Keep us posted,happy clicking.

[designersf]

Originally Posted by DieselFan

I lost my lens cap of my Nikon D3100 with stock lens 18-55. Where can I buy a replacement for the same here in Bangalore? How much does it cost?

If you can wait, order it on dealextreme.com. It will take approx 2 weeks to arrive. Otherwise Flipkart is an option.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by designersf

If you can wait, order it on dealextreme.com. It will take approx 2 weeks to arrive. Otherwise Flipkart is an option.

I am right now having trouble with dealextreme. I had ordered a pair of DRLs for my car from there, and waited for 4 weeks. Now I got a letter from Cochin customs to produce the PO, Invoice, technical writeup and price chart of the item along with my IEC code for the assessment of the shipment.

I am not sure whether everyone who is ordering from dealextreme is going through this.

[designersf]

Originally Posted by clevermax

I am right now having trouble with dealextreme. I had ordered a pair of DRLs for my car from there, and waited for 4 weeks. Now I got a letter from Cochin customs to produce the PO, Invoice, technical writeup and price chart of the item along with my IEC code for the assessment of the item.

I am not sure whether everyone who is ordering from dealextreme is going through this.

How much was it? If it costs less than Rs 1,500, then there wont be any issues.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by designersf

How much was it? If it costs less than Rs 1,500, then there wont be any issues.

It was USD 53 (Rs. 2750/-) What is this slab at Rs. 1500/- all about?

[designersf]

Originally Posted by clevermax

It was USD 53 (Rs. 2750/-) What is this slab at Rs. 1500/- all about?

Any item considered a gift and under Rs 1,500 in value is not taxed by customs. You go over that, then your package will be checked and taxed accordingly.