Of course the D700 is around the corner. The question is are you willing to pay for it when it comes out? Are you going to be needing all the features that will be on it?

That's the price I got for mine.

Yes, if you use LR, the D-Lighting is switched off even if you set it to on when capturing.

Anyway, under CaptureNX, you cannot switch D-Lighting to on when you originally turned it off under RAW. To start with D-Lighting, you need to use any one of the levels to be able to access the D-Lighting feature. Then under CaptureNX, you can switch it off if you wish.

I see that LR is very good now and has matured leaps and bounds. I would like to try and learn how to use it. Useful especially if high volume. Currently using CaptureNX. Can be a pain if you have slow PC/notebook.

Yes, dust only shows up on any lens if you use f/8, f/16, f/22... Doesn't show if you're stuck at f/1.4.

Can't this be already done in LR?

D7000 is fine for most things. If you're shooting sports, the D300s will have an edge in ergonomics, handling and framerate.

What lenses do you currently have? You may also be better off to stick with the D90 and invest in a decent lens.

Water? You dive with the cam?

I think it will cover shutter failure, no?

Looks good though. Especially the part about it covering all types of accidental damage. It's like insurance for your camera ! To think about it, 3 years cover for AUD 126 is very reasonable. That's less than RM 0.40 per day !

What symptoms did your D2Xs make to have Nikon change all the above? I'm thinking of bringing my D2Hs in to check what is wrong with the rear LCD screen. One time got, most times nothing. Also with the battery drain problem which konked out my almost new EN-EN4a battery.

Thanks for the info. I believe my problem on the LCD screen is just the ribbon connection... But the battery drain problem is a more serious one I think. Like you, I also like to bring my beloved camera back to full working order. Sentimental values. Now thinking whether all this exercise is worth it or not...

Already mention this... For slightly less than RM 0.40 per day of coverage, what are you thinking some more? I think the latest reply is quite sensible. They cannot cover the cost of sensor cleaning. Like that they go broke.

I believe if you need to do any repair work, you need to send it to authorised Nikon centre in BTS or PKNS and fork out the bill first. Later on with the proper receipts, you claim from Mack.

You mean the Thom Hogan's ebook? You can purchase and download the pdf file from his website. Should be highly recommended.

The price itself is a turn-off.

Yup.

After sales service? Is buying a lens equivalent to buying a car?

I suually go back to Nikon SC directly for anything that needs servicing. I leave the shop out of the equation because they send to Nikon SC also.

You're already spoilt by the D700. The thing is if you had to pay 1.5k for them, I don't think you would be complaining about the specs, correct?

So they changed the FPC? I think that's the main bulk of the cost.

In MY where got after sales service? It's unheard of. At the end of the day, do your homework to find the best prices, make sure the place you're gonna buy has new stock and just pay.

Don't take it the wrong way. There is always the small percentage that your camera malfunctions a few days after buying from the shop. What I mean by homework is to do some online checking on the price. I believe you did this already. From what I can tell you, the price from regular places for such a commodity item should not vary much.

My case is my D700 decided to meet it's maker in Japan while I was holidaying in Japan in 2009. That's less than one week after getting my brand spanking new D700. After arrive back home, I went to the shop I bought my unit with the receipt together with the box to return and in the hope I will get a new replacement. They rejected it and ask me to refer to PKNS. I did it and had to wait for 2 weeks before they gave me a brand new unit.

XZ-1 boss.

Yeah, I've been mentioning this all along... Even after all that, quality still falls short of the real DSLR.

Been there, done that. Problem is I don't buy enough for that shop owner to remember my face. Or perhaps he remembers but pretends he does not in order that he has no obligation to treat me properly.

For free advise and pointers, I rather head to the internet and forums like this.

Nice. What's the damage to the pocket at the end of the day?

As with all compacts, don't hope for excellent high ISO noise control on the XZ-1. That and the video is the only downside of the XZ-1. But the f/1.8 Zuiko lens (up to f/2.5 at 112mm) is to die for. Edge sharpness excellent even at wide open. Focusing is plenty fast too. Got it because of those features.

Half of USB 3 speed is already super.

Actually, if they consider themselves reputable, they should honour the price. This is what we often do not see with Malaysian online shops unfortunately.

What are you using it for?

In addition to what ifer has suggested, best of the best would be the AF-D 200mm f/4 micro if you want long working distance for dangerous subjects or when going close to the subject is not possible. Else if you can find the zoom Nikkor micro lens AF 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED (discontinued), it's also fantastic and the world's first and only zoom type macro lens.

If you're on DX, Nikon has the AF-S 45mm f/2.8 and AF-S 85mm f/3.5.

If you want 3rd party, I heard the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 is also excellent.

The 60mm and the 105mm Nikkor is one of Nikon's best lenses.

You need to check your working distance. Long working distance require longer lenses.

Unfortunately, when it comes to budget, you would probably be forced to go with Sigma... Nikon fanboy or not...

Anyway, the Nikkor 200mm f/4 micro is THE best macro lens out there bar none. There's no equivalent from other brands when it comes to macro lens.

Else, do like what a lot of people do. Use TC or extension tubes on your tele lens to get you closer to your subject so that it get's magnified = pseudo macro lens. I sometimes use my AF-S 300mm f/4 with a Canon 500D screw on diopter to shoot things like butterflies or dragonflies. I also use the 500D diopter with my AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom for some flexibility. It does not give you real 1:1 macro but close enough.

I may agree a bit on the first part with the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR even though I find that people owning the 105mm f/2.8 VR would usually shoot potraiture with that lens in studio or private one on one where fast focusing does not really matter. Where fast focusing is required, they take out the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR to do the job.

But comparing the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 output quality alone, nothing 3rd party out there even comes close. Whereas if you're using Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens, you'd be hard pressed to differentiate a picture taken with it and a Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR. That's how good the Tamron macro is.

For the things that you want to do, get the 35mm f/1.4. The 24mm f/1.4 perhaps is a little wide if you want to do closeup shots. Plus the 35mm f/1.4 is cheaper than the 24mm f/1.4 and the 24-70mm f/2.8.

Oh but wait... You already have 35mm f/1.8 right? That should be enough.

Both lenses same material. Plastic + metal.

I think it's the other way around (24mm sharper than 35mm) but that's really pixel peeping.

Perhaps when Tamron sells their 17-50 lens, they should come with a caveat to say, "Please don't expect wonders when you buy this lens". Then perhaps we won't get people complaining why their Tamron 17-50 lens is not up to their expectations.


In the first place, I think we cannot compare car prices in MY. They are all screwed up. When you compare conti vs jap cars, one needs to compare reliability, spare parts availability and price. Not just price of car alone. Not all jap cars are created equal.

I shoot a lot of of my diecast with the 24-70mm f/2.8. You don't get 1:1 shots. Close enough to get details if you want. Look at their MFD spec.

I think perhaps you check the one with VC?

On a side note, if you were to sell off your 2nd hand 17-55mm f/2.8 that you bought for 3.5k, how much would you get back? I'm guessing 3.5k or more?

If you're shooting in the northern or southern hemisphere, you don't even need CPL for blue skies. Shoot at any time of the day and the skies are beautiful !


Using CPL on 24-70 is fine especially on FX.

Actually, I think it's more tricky to use CPL on UWA lenses Vignetting is one thing but the problem is the CPL needs to be very thin to avoid unevenness of the polarizing effect. I believe on 14mm FF/FX, the thinnest CPL will still give you problems...

Errr... How does that work?

Due to the curvature glass on the 14-24mm f/2.8 lens, there is no CPL available. No point anyways as CPL does not work properly at 14mm on FX.

Damn. Just bought the 16GB CF 60MB/s from them about 2 months ago. That was USD 62.49 each and I had to buy 2 to get that price. Still cheap but now it's cheaper ! That price can already get a 90MB/s version.

Anyway, I suggest that you wait for Black Friday sales which will happen end of this month. I think it will be lagi cheap.

Oh, another tip... Don't use UPS because you will surely kena tax like I did. Use USPS International Express Mail with tracking that goes through our Pos Malaysia. More likely NOT to get taxed.

It's not normal. It usually means the lens needs lubrication service. Have it checked at the SC.

All eggs in one basket no good.

As for a quote lor from the 3rd party shop... See how much different it is from Nikon SC. If the difference is like night and day, go for the cheaper one. If not much difference, then I'd rather go for Nikon SC even though it's slightly more expensive. A piece of mind and should anything happen, you can bang table and demand that they fix it.

You using Hassy ah?

Yup. Spoiled my plan. I initially planned on getting more but with the current situation, would probably have to delay purchasing plans till next year. Now no choice but to go though 8TB + 8TB + 4TB + 4TB of junk and delete to make more space for more junk.

Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of having two slotted camera bodies... Yet. Just the conventional 1 slot.

Reason why I said what I said is I feel 16GB cards are just about right for 12MP resolution. I somewhat agree with vearn27's point. Was at the last Singapore GP and I found myself not having to change cards at all which was cool. I could continue shooting without any worry. Nearing towards the end, I swap for a new 16GB card not because the 1st one was full but just so that I do not have to worry about looking at the remaining space left on the 1st CF. I also think it's prudent to spread your eggs on different baskets.

Anyway, I actually debated getting a single 32GB CF but there is always a "what if" situation. If I should misplace or something gets corrupted, everything is gone ! Pufff ! Oh, there was also the price point prohibition. 2 x 16GB for me at that time was much cheaper than 1 x 32GB. 16GB still looks like a sweat spot.

Wah... 4x 16GB.

I use to remember bringing 2GB CF cards and a 30GB mobile hardisk to transfer my files wherever and whenever I expect to shoot a lot. Seems like it's not required anymore nowadays.

I know that there is no right or wrong. 8GB cards were nice back then. I still have 2 and I found that after upgrading to D300 and D700, I would fill up both 8GB cards and scurry for my older 4GB cards. It was always the case of overfill and trying to swap cards. Now when I bought 16GB cards, you can really feel the difference. The stress and fear of overfilling the card is not there anymore and you can shoot in comfort. Yes, I'll hazard a guess that 4 x 8GB would be cheaper than 2 x 16GB but the slightly higher premium for the 16GB is worth it in my opinion. A sweat spot if you may call it.

Of course the story cycle never ends. When D800 comes out at whatever resolution, the same thing would happen again with 16GB cards. Not enough. But then, we'll leave that for another day and time when prices get lower and newer tech come out. Perhaps another round of discussion at The Official Nikon Discussion Thread V20.

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Added on November 10, 2011, 2:55 pmEven though I have 2x 16GB CF cards, I still bring my 2x 8GB CF and 2x$GB CF cards for those "what if" situations... Scout motto... Be prepared !

Not a photographer? A stalker, perhaps?

Swapping cards was not too bad actually. Especially if you shoot JPG or compressed NEF on older cameras. After a while, you'll learn how to juggle.

This post has been edited by jchue73: Nov 10 2011, 02:55 PM

Online storage anybody?

Agreed.

Why not... Doesn't get corrupted and it's always there when you want it.

A full 14MB NEF file can be uploaded / downloaded in less than 10 seconds. I've tested and it's possible to upload / download about 170GB worth of RAW files per day.

Yeah, same feeling about SD cards. Too fragile and small. One thing I like about them is eye-fi support.

Flickr can store RAW files?

Don't worry. They have it all covered up. Old stock or new stock. Everything is under the new high price. When it comes to price increase, you bet that every tom d*** and harry will jump on it.

You may want to try your luck on external drives... But then again, their prices might already been increased as we speak.

Indeed it is. But if you're on DX body, best is to stick with the 85mm f/1.4. It's ok on FX but on DX it is too long.

You're asking us? You should be the one telling us...

Higher markup to compensate for lower volume...

Wah... What a good friend you have there.

Yeah, indeed it's an old gem. I bought mine in July 2005. That time I had a D70 and later on a D2Hs. I felt that it was
a little too long and therefore it remained then as my most underutilised lens. I resorted to the 85mm f/1.4 more. Now on FX, it's wonderful.

Did you try around Stanley Street on HK island?





Of particular interest was this shop I went to... Don't know if it's still there but they had quite good stock of things and had the Nikon accessory I wanted for quite a good price.

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Added on November 11, 2011, 6:16 pmThe 85mm is a DX only lens. If you're fine with that, why not...

Why is the 105mm f/2.8 VR not your cup of tea for macro? Too long? If that's the case, the 60mm f/2.8 is your next best alternative. Should be very sharp for potraits. You can also check out the 40mm f/2.8 micro but that's a DX only lens.

This post has been edited by jchue73: Nov 11 2011, 06:16 PM

True but he already said 105mm f/2.8 micro does not suite him. If too long, perhaps the 60mm f/2.8 micro should be excellent choice.

As far as I know, all CZ lenses are MF... That's the only sad part. If they were AF, they would have ruled the Nikon world.

You forgot the FatBoy aka 200mm f/2.0.