OK, then I stand corrected on the chimping exercise.

I don't find the chimping exercise to be anything useful to me, hence the reluctance to join in or organizing such an event. I already shoot manual exposure almost 100%, so I know my metering and lighting. It'll be helpful if I can accurately guess exposure just by looking at the room, something a no chimping exercise can help, but I don't find the need. I can guess 70% correct most of the time. The other 30% takes about, oh 5 seconds to fix by taking another shot after adjusting exposure.

Since you're master already, play film SLR then

wow i just found out that 55mm on a dx camera is the EXACT equivalent of what my eye can see.

pretty cool. anyway, do any of you guys open both eyes when shooting. it's kind of a weird experience for me. I tried it just now with my 18-55 and zoomed in and out. kinda like having a cyborg-like HUD like in the movies. XD

It's a bit disorienting but i think would be useful if i could get used to it. or would this effect my eyesight? lolz!

I believe some people say its better to keep both your eyes open when shooting.

I've seen some macro photographers say that lol but I can never get used to it

for some reason, you are right.
i hate the DSLR cameras for the view finder and focusing screen.
my fm2 and f801s focusing screens were 1000000% better.

fm2 is FF film SLR la
Surely the view finder better.

there is no such thing as FF film camera.

easier to focus is down to the focusing screen. though the size contribute to it too but it is basically the 'snap' thing that we need to see

What I mean is FF view finder = FF view finder, while DX body view finder = 0.95 only.

Sorry for misleading message

Actually, the difference isn't the coverage (95% or 100%) but the actual size of the viewfinder. E.g. the D700's viewfinder, being a full-frame camera, will trump our cropped sensor viewfinders because it's larger and possibly brighter.

Note that both the D700 and the D40 viewfinders don't offer 100% coverage.

And there's no such thing as a full-frame film because the standard 35mm film is used. Hint, go find out the size of D3 and D700's sensor size

Random portrait for lens test.


What do you guys think of the shot above?

This post has been edited by ebernie: Sep 23 2008, 03:02 PM

As stated I mislead the statement. And sensor same doesn't mean viewfinder same.
D3 viewfinder offer 100% view

Why so small photo ? Bigger please.

This post has been edited by KTCY: Sep 23 2008, 02:58 PM

Interrupt you guys a little... remember we were discussing about the 50mm f1.4, it's been officially released for about USD 340.... price is attractive and very near to the current version.

There's no nano-coating and no gold ring etc. My take is same as the existing model just add a SWM.

Any comments on this?

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Sep 23 2008, 03:00 PM

Not worth the penny pay off. Better upgrade to D80 and get older version at RM 9xx only.

Sigma new lens with HSM
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08092303..._24_70_lens.asp

I know the D3's viewfinder is 100% coverage. Was comparing between film/full-frame viewfinders to the cropped sensors.

Sorry for the image size, linked from flickr. I'll link a larger one.

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Added on September 23, 2008, 3:03 pmIt's cheaper than I expected really. But if it's worth it or not, you need to decide for yourself

The Sigma's lens is sharper, but damn big. Have you seen the size in comparison with the other 50mm lenses? My god it looks like a 85mm prime. I'd wait for reviews first. It's only due in December though.

Btw, Nikon says it's a new optical formula, meaning it's not the same as the old lens. But I didn't compare the number of elements and stuff. I tried the older one though, it ain't bad but it was hard for me to get a sharp shot. I didn't know what was wrong. I mean I can get sharper pics with my 30mm Sigma.

And there are 2 minor issues with the lens:

1. the focusing ring rotates, so it kept on rubbing against my fingers
2. there's bad fringing of the bokeh! Yes, the bokeh. Damn hard to fix in post-processing. Front bokeh has red fringing, back bokeh has green (or the other way around, I could be mistaken).

After trying for a while, I didn't buy the 50mm f1.4.

This post has been edited by ebernie: Sep 23 2008, 03:09 PM

D80 with 85mm f/1.4

Heard that the Sigma is a 77mm.

Very sharp shot and nice bokeh. Go for it! You know you want it! Although if it were me I'd wait for the end of Photokina just in case Nikon springs several prime surprises.... so you'll be safe at least till next year.


That looks sweet... just some numbers in comparison :

Sigma 24-70 :

Optical construction : 14 elements/12 groups inc. 1 ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass, 2 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements
Number of aperture blades : 9 (rounded)
Min Focus Distance : 0.38 m (15 in) (Max. magnification ratio 1 : 5.3)
Dimensions : 88.6mm x 94.7mm
Weight : N/A
Filter Size : 82mm


Nikon 24-70 :

Optical construction : 15 elements in 11 groups inc. 3x ED elements, 3x aspherical elements and 1x Nano Crystal Coat
Number of aperture blades 9 (rounded)
min. focus distance : 0.39m @ 35-50mm (max. magnification ratio 1:3.7)
Dimensions 83x133mm
Weight 900g
Filter size 77mm (non-rotating)

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Sep 23 2008, 03:17 PM

@ bold : Manual focus and you can't get it sharp or AF you can't get it sharp ?
Why you need to post process the bokeh ?

I'm waiting for 70-200 replacement

So you sold your D40 body... buying a new D90 body, then buying a 70-200mm? Strike lottery you must've....

Bodyless now with my 85mm and SB-800

I got my dose of prime poison already (hint: go see the random portrait shot hehehe). OK la, I'll say it la, broke down and went for a 85mm f1.4 just now. I didn't get a 50mm because I found the range to be quite similar to my 30mm. Just a tad more reach. So I went for a 85mm instead.

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Added on September 23, 2008, 3:30 pmUhm, because the bokeh has got color fringing.

This post has been edited by ebernie: Sep 23 2008, 03:30 PM

85mm f/1.4 ? I'd save the money go for creamer and nicer lens like 70-200