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Timothy Maxwell · Oct 7, 2002, 11:41 PM

I have spent a lot of time researching digital cameras. I plan to take pictures at a friends 20th year aniversary. Since I have a photographic background, I thought that it might be a good idea to buy a digital camera and take the pictures myself rather than hire a photographer to do the job. I figured, the money I would spend on the Photographer would be better spent on expanding my arsenal of MAC Peripherals.

Back up 15 and punt · Oct 8, 2002, 12:08 AM

Have you considered buying a Nikon D100? If you already own Nikon lenses then you should be able to use them with the D100. Its only $2000.

Timothy Maxwell · Oct 8, 2002, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by Back up 15 and punt:
Have you considered buying a Nikon D100? If you already own Nikon lenses then you should be able to use them with the D100. Its only $2000.

I was hoping to keep my cost down to about $1,200.00. I also liked to compact size of the 5700. But, your right!! I would love to own the D100.

jamesa · Oct 8, 2002, 06:02 AM

be careful with the lighting. you may need a tripod and set the camera to slow lens speed - digital cameras are especially sensitive to low light (both image quality and focus times).

-- james

escher · Oct 8, 2002, 08:12 AM

Timothy: Assuming you already have Nikon lenses, and considering your "background" in photography, I would definitely go for the D100. The 5700 is a very nice camera, but it's essentially a fancy Point & Shoot and still has that darn slow lens.

If your $1200 budget is not flexible, you should also consider getting a Canon PowerShot G2 (G3 if it is available before the event) and a bunch of memory cards. Without additional memory cards (and the corresponding expense) a 5700 won't do you much good.

Have you considered that you will spend all of your time taking pictures and won't be able to socialize with your friends at the event if you skip the professional photographer?

Escher

G4ME · Oct 8, 2002, 02:02 PM

i can't stress it enough all of canons digital cameras are very well build, solid and have great lenses, i highly recomend them,

coolmac · Oct 8, 2002, 07:47 PM

Yup, I have a Canon D30 and its great.
The new D60 is even better and less expensive, unless one had Nikon glass I would recommend the D60 over the D100.

By the way here are some great web sites for digital photo reviews & info:

dpreview.com
steves-digicams.com

Timothy Maxwell · Oct 8, 2002, 10:22 PM

I just want to say that I really appreciate the advice provided! All of the comments were very helpful.

escher · Oct 10, 2002, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
I just want to say that I really appreciate the advice provided! All of the comments were very helpful.

So have you come to a decision? Let us know if/when you do?

Escher

Timothy Maxwell · Oct 10, 2002, 04:25 PM

I would like thank all of you for providing such great advice. Last night I went to Circuit City and purchased the Nikon 5700. So far, it seems to be a fantastic camera. It works well with iphoto and the first pictures I took were excellent.

Circuit City said they would guarantee that they had the lowest price. I am in the process of making them do that.

Thanks again
Tim

PS: This is a great Forum for getting excellent advice from the Mac Community!!

dadder · Nov 19, 2002, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
I would like thank all of you for providing such great advice. Last night I went to Circuit City and purchased the Nikon 5700. So far, it seems to be a fantastic camera. It works well with iphoto and the first pictures I took were excellent.

Circuit City said they would guarantee that they had the lowest price. I am in the process of making them do that.

Thanks again
Tim

PS: This is a great Forum for getting excellent advice from the Mac Community!!

I've done my own research on digital cameras over the last week and have just purchased the Nikon 5700 for work. So far, it is an excellent camera. I can see that I will eventually have to buy a shoe-type flash for it, but other than that the quality is just what we need to do some great amateur photography.
I paid $917 for it through bridgeviewphoto.com. I was a little leary because the price was so low thinking it wouldn't be *new*, but I took a chance on them and they came through and it was new. We found the company through shopper.com - great site.
I second that it works great with iPhoto. It comes with Nikon software, but nothing really can beat the simplicity of iPhoto. I've got it set up so when I double click the thumbnails from iPhoto, they pop open in Photoshop.
Anyway, you cannot use traditional film camera accessories, i.e. lenses, flashes, etc. You will have to buy all new for it. That was a bit of a let down. If anybody else has more comments on the 5700, I'd like to know!

KidRed · Nov 19, 2002, 08:19 PM

Nikon? ewwhhh You shouldv'e got the Olympus E-10

Timothy Maxwell · Nov 20, 2002, 06:21 AM

I purchased the Nikon 5700 and love it. I have already taken about 500 pictures and the results are fantastic.

I did, however, get a chance to play with the Fuji mockup of the 5700 and it seems pretty good. The focal length of the lens is not as long, there is no swing out view finder, it is a bit bulkier, but, it has a great view finder.

escher · Nov 20, 2002, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
I did, however, get a chance to play with the Fuji mockup of the 5700 and it seems pretty good.

Are you talking about the Fuji FinePix S602? I played with the CP 5700 several times and loved it overall. But I still despise the 5700's slow lens and terrible manual focus (with buttons). I haven't seen a 602, but think that I would like the manual focus ring. From what I understand, both cameras have the same 180,000 pixel EVF. The most obvious differences are the pixel count (5MP for 5700, 3MP for 602), zoom range and price.

For the CP 5700 owners:
1. Has the slow lens posed a problem in low-light situations (especially when you couldn't use the flash)?
2. How fast and accurate is the autofocus (since the manual focus is hard to access)?

Escher

msuper69 · Nov 20, 2002, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by KidRed:
Nikon? ewwhhh You shouldv'e got the Olympus E-10

Especially now that they're selling for $999 at MicroCenter.

Camera God · Nov 20, 2002, 11:15 PM

Hire a photographer.

Timothy Maxwell · Nov 21, 2002, 02:12 PM

knally posted by escher:

Are you talking about the Fuji FinePix S602? I played with the CP 5700 several times and loved it overall. But I still despise the 5700's slow lens and terrible manual focus (with buttons). I haven't seen a 602, but think that I would like the manual focus ring. From what I understand, both cameras have the same 180,000 pixel EVF. The most obvious differences are the pixel count (5MP for 5700, 3MP for 602), zoom range and price.

For the CP 5700 owners:
1. Has the slow lens posed a problem in low-light situations (especially when you couldn't use the flash)?
2. How fast and accurate is the autofocus (since the manual focus is hard to access)?

Escher [/QUOTE]The manual focus is a problem but I have had no problem with the autofocus. It usually does a pretty quick job of locking in the subject. It is slow in low lighting situations but there are workarounds. Whenever the camera is having a problem focusing, I just have the subject hold a shiney object near their face and the camera locks right in.

Overall, the pictures are stunning!!
The swing out monitor is a great feature. The camera itself is very attractive and compact. If I had to purchase another camera, it would probably be the 5700. I love it!

dadder · Nov 21, 2002, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by Camera God:
Hire a photographer.

Have you hired a photographer lately? Do you work at an Advertising Agency? Digital cameras have well evened out the difference between what you pay and what you get in terms of color quality and resolution. We will make up the price of that camera on one job and then it will continue paying for itself. I do not claim to be a professional photographer, but I can do 25% of our photographic needs in-house with this. It's no different than a graphic designer working on a full-color brochure rather than a black and white photocopied flyer for your local bar. I'm sure he'd know that he can make money on the full-color brochure, but hardly break even on the flyer.
So, to answer your comment, you haven't given that much thought. Besides, you should know that most people in this forum who are looking at the Nikon 5700 aren't looking to do 'photography' as their main source of income. We are hobbiests or it is a supplement to professional photography.

msuper69 · Nov 21, 2002, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by dadder:

Have you hired a photographer lately? Do you work at an Advertising Agency? Digital cameras have well evened out ...

I am just guessing but I think Camera God is a professional photographer and is simply trying to drum up some business for his/her fellow photographers. Nothing wrong with that.

dadder · Nov 21, 2002, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by msuper69:

I am just guessing but I think Camera God is a professional photographer and is simply trying to drum up some business for his/her fellow photographers. Nothing wrong with that.

I suppose your right.

Anyway, I'm not sure which brand of CompactFlash card to buy? Seems there are near or over a half dozen brands and the prices vary. Any suggestions? I'm currently looking at 2 - 256MB cards. Seems more practical than 1 - 512MB (a lot of money to spend if something went wrong with one.) I see now there is a 1GB card by SanDisk. How long has this been out?