Sutton Warrior

Finally getting to grips with the D80! Took these in Clacton yesterday, someones front garden, bucket donations to the Essex Air Ambulance, very worthy cause. This one was taken on the boat on Sunday, we had bucket loads of cod, camera Canon A640, still my camera of choice on the boat and pure convenience. Bucket loads like this! SW

Just checked on the others threads, the bar has been turned off???? SW

As judge of the first comp with the size restriction!! It was a pain, but going over and over the pics., I did find it became less of an intrusion, although I still would prefer not to have it! My vote is a no! I did find the enlarged (correct size picture) picture on the white back ground did help in the final decision, with no visual intrusion? So an alternative to 'make the best of a bad job' . . . Can I put a suggestion in, as has been mentioned the larger size on some pics does carry more impact. As the 800pix picture is presented on a white full screen on my 17" flat monitor and we have to put up with the reduced preview with bar. Why cant we have a bigger picture. Say 10" on its longest side, I'm not going to get into the pix per inch, leave that up to you brains. But if we have to have the small to large system, 10" fits my 17" monitor from top to bottom accommodating portrait pics. . . . if you see what I mean. Bigger pics = more inpact! ?????? Sorry if this puts the cat amoungst the pigeons, but it does seem logical The rather free style approach to my judging gave me a buzz as I viewed each photograph, still got my notes here, quite a few cross outs and insertions. I remember a camera club competition I entered back around 1996, when I lived in Hertfordshire, the guest judge, was very good, each picture was judged as a 'painting' with an anecdote for each, Hazel came 6th I seem to remember. Sorry I did not put any technical stuff, 'I know what I know' which aint much, its certainly not enough to be technically critical off anothers work. SW

Despite my rather laid back 'civilised' approach to life these days, I am looking forward to a walk on Saturday. The weather for the weekend looks perfect, Sunday 3mph winds, decent tide, should be able to stock the freezer with some cod. However on Saturday a walk around the the marina, some quality time with Hazel and the dog, plus take the camera, should get a few photo opportunities? Yeah, the spark is still there, just needs a bit of fanning? Remember the song, 'takes me all night, what I used to do all night'. Getting to feel that way a bit these days . . . just takes a little longer to climb the ridge SW

Quote, SW "Have need to go to SRS again tomorrow pm, the 'multi selector' has gone all but non operational to the right! requires excess pressure to get it to work! Very unusual for Nikon this??? Out of 7 Nikon bodies, this is the first that has been troublesome? They do things like beanies and Monopods as SRS I think I'm going to need an extra card and battery as well?" Bit 'hissed' off last night, thats 2 D80 bodies down. I sat and counted, since 1990 I have had 7 Nikon bodies, not the hint of a problem with any!! Always championed Nikon? O'well, I sent an email to 'SRS Cameras' at 11 o'clock last night, ' . . .be presenting you with another duff D80 tomorrow afternoon, etc . . .' as I say, hissed off! Finished work early, to make the drive from Suffolk to Watford, Hertfordshire. Parked the car, not feeling confident, I am very miss-trusting of retailers. I walked into the shop, the assistant recognised me, the manager disappeared, reappearing very soon smiling and with a brand new boxed D80! A quick check, soon had him agreeing, there was a fault and full of apology. What can you say, that sort of response leads me to believe that the dealer ships get top backing from Nikon, no argument, I know I have rights and all that, but I did not even have to think about it . . . Faith in human nature and all that So I bought a spare battery and an extra SD card, 10mp's dont go far on a 2gig SD card when you get excited, bigger files and large rear screen make the camera a lot more power hungry than the old D70s. Happy bunny, see what the weekend brings? Looking to get out after the cod on Sunday. SW

Mmm, like the double function of a bean bag. The '50-500 and 12-XXX' will have to wait a while, but a beanie, thats not going to cost a lot, plus a monopod will be useful now, even with VR fully operational, these old hand are not as steady as they used to be. Despite this vision of the future, I can see the 18-200VR making me lazy, especial when I can crop down the way I have on the two comp shots. Its the way I have done it for years, point, click, get the shot, than crop to 'taste' a doddle on digital, thank god for 10mp's. Have need to go to SRS again tomorrow pm, the 'multi selector' has gone all but non operational to the right! requires excess pressure to get it to work! Very unusual for Nikon this??? Out of 7 Nikon bodies, this is the first that has been troublesome? They do things like beanies and Monopods as SRS I think I'm going to need an extra card and battery as well? SW

Hi mate, I take your points, but the pics were posted only to show how 'sharp' (try zooming in on the post/rope!!!) As you picked up on the second one, the colour, I find it perhaps a little vivid, prefer 'understated Britishness' as Ken Rokwell put it. However, yes I'm planing some real serious camera waving sessions in the future. SW

John, I have this thing about 'compact' for walk about, D80 & 18-200VR + one other lens, probably a XXX 12-30'ish, which is why I'm looking at the Nova 2 or 3? For some serious photography, I'm getting a hankering for the Sigma 50-500, which dictates my Manfoto 455 tripod, a great lump but its not light, has its own carry case and strap! . . . mono pod will need consideration? To accommodate the serious kit I have a much loved 'Tenba' bag. Beloved, because it came 10 years ago, via the same shop as the new D80, it was a 'used bargain', actually the property of Andy the then Manager of Watford SRS, he had always been a good source of advise. Shortly after I purchased the 'Tenba bage' he was killed along with his son in a car crash. Every time I pick the bag up I think of Andy. It will also accommodate two or three extra lenses. The way I see it, serious by my standards = good T/P (Sigma 50-500?), decent wide angle 12-??? and my kit 18-70 lens to cover the short middle range. Better glass would be desirable, but I'm dreaming at the mo? I have not put anything out of the frame yet, just waiting . . . and recovering, from the D80-18-200 hit on my bank balance! Any suggestions on that XXX 12-Xmm something??? Regards, SW

Just clicked on your link 'Ollie' great idea. Compared with the cost of a 'VR' lens, one of which I have just bought Whilst i was there I clicked on this one, some inspiration ???? http://www.metacafe.com/watch/970403/amazing_photos/ SW

Wiggly tells me you have voted to have my two comp photos reinstated . . . Thanks for your confidence, very humbling . . . thank you again Does me a whole load of good. Removed my pics and comments from this thread so as to keep it fair. SW

Snatcher, Mmm getting up at bird chirp, **!!! -0000 degrees in the middle of winter, to go fishing, not these days mate, I live a civilised life Leave that to the birds and young'uns! Subsequently my photography takes a similar rout, I call my style 'opportunist', you can call it what you like. Therefore its sunrise and sunsets in the late spring, summer and early autumn only, the December comp pic was sunrise, sort of, 9.30am actualy, it was just the mist! I do get quite agitated about opportunities in general, got my new D80, couldn't wait to get to the beach at the weekend, god that was cold, the dog enjoyed it! But in the car at work, the A640 still rules. Looking forward to the warmer weather for fishing and photography. As for sleepless nights . . . . SW

A good idea to do a KR print out for my bag. Curently looking for a new one . Have a small 'Lowepro Nova 1' Like it, but to small for my future asperations!! So I will be looking at the Nova 2 or 3? SW

Thanks again John, checked the 'Firm wear' in my D80, its showing the latest 1.01 version, I presume thats correct, seems right according to the infomation on the link? I will put the link in my favorites with 'KR' link, so that as time goes by and updates occur, I have it on tap. Thanks, SW

Well folks, I've read all sorts of comments on Ken Rockwell's way of doing things, he is definitely not for the 'Anoraks' However if you want, down to earth plain speak, its worth the read, he states facts and gives an 'opinion' where personal preference is appropriate. I have read 'his way' with the D80, absorbed some, will need to go back again, and again, I have now doubt. But at least one gets a starting point, the options on modern digital cameras get very confusing. The old days were much simpler, (with a touch of 'black art skill'?) I'm beginning to realise, film type, lighting and a light meter . . . ? Read Kens 'how its done' and he also acknowledges the 'artistic' side, being in the right place at the right time, the right light etc. However, as with all things 'computer', the element of chance has been largely removed. Even if its manual you want, knowing how and why cant be a bad thing, 'black art skill' is still alive and well me thinks? Thanks again for the link John S. SW PS Sit down after lunch and see if I can sort a couple of shots out from yesterdays camera waving session for this months comp?

John S, Just run quickly through KR's D80 guide, a couple of tips there that I had a '?' over when I was going through the menu/instruction book on the camera. So, as its just after 11 o'clock pm, I'm going to give it a full read, fresh, in the morning. Not happy with his idea of 'vivid +', thats one for personal preference. SW

Hi John S, Ken Rockwell, I have read some of his 'hands on' reviews, down to earth or what! It was his review of the 18-200VR that pushed me in that direction. Did not realise he had done a D80, I will read with interest. Any advise on where to go with the menu settings will be gratefully received. Some are obvious preference, but even so, example is always worth taking note of. The camera was not purchased as a shortcut to better pictures, any one who believes that is going to be very disappointed. I decided that, 10 mp's, 300ppi, in the Nikon fold, was where I wanted to be. My personal future dictates that this is likely to be my last camera body? A dedicated lens or two will help along the way, concentrating on the job of using them properly. Its a life style decision really, I have made a couple of other life decisions in the past few months, to good effect I hope? So thanks for that link John. SW

Very true 'Poldark', pictures, thats what I expected, just pictures . . . the camera does nothing more than record what the 'photographer' points it at. But now I now where to start making adjustments, what functions to switch off, ignore etc. A fancy camera don't take fancy pictures SW

Following on from the disastrous first D80 body. Hazel and I took the dog for a walk along the beach to day, obviously the D80 + 18-200 VR was tried with a vengeance. Well pleased, set it to auto everything and of we went. For a wide to long focal length, covering a big range, in my humble opinion, is did well. Yes we know there are limitations but as the walk about, 'all things to all men' it is designed to be, initially it satisfied me. I know I will be adding to, but the 'ad to lenses' will be specific and dedicated types. The Nikon D80 body is a bit 'wow', colour saturation on auto is so vivid, I will be toning that down a bit, an option in the menu. As I say everything was auto this afternoon. I did try a ply with the aperture/shutter in 'P' which paid off at F7.1, but it was a bit cold on the beach, any further fiddling will have to wait for another day, thank god for auto everything! Rope at F7.1. A tad of sharpening in the camera but non on this shot in PS. Auto colour, vivid or what! Have more, but a couple of them will probably end up in the Feb comp, so I'll keep the rest to myself for the time being SW

Ollie, http://www.camerabox.co.uk/product1.asp?ProductID=2966 £419.99 for D40+18-55, 55 -200! Dear right what John S says about croping, but you do have a budget? I used to work with 6mill on my D70s and 5mill on my Canon S50 P&S. There is a limitation but you work within it? SW SW

Been reading a few bits recently on OEM lenses and their suitability to the Nikon 40 range. I got the distinct impression that Sigma certainly and Tamron to follow will soon be up to speed on offering appropriate lenses. As you say Westi, reduced choice; 'less is more' me thinks? Just filled me with doubt, does the 18-70 fit the 40?? Might have to go D40 + 18-55 + 55-200 for £440! not bad:-http://www.cameras2u.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?SkuId=61933 SW

Ollie, Just had a look at the 'sample' page on the D40 and the D40X, worth a look, some stunning shots. SW

Well here we are again Ollie: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/ Take a squint at the D40x 'who don it page' at the end! The main big advance D40X= 10,000000mpx, over the D40 = 6,000000mpx, as I say, read the conclusion page 'very carefully' . . . a couple of times. Having just made the switch myself from 6 to 10mpx? If you never go beyond A4 prints and computer viewing and dont crop small to much, put your extra cash in the lens, that 18-70 gives a very useful 27-105mm 'Digital' zoom, I'm assuming you understand the 1.5 X factor on lenses, ref 35mm to digital sensors. If you need an explanation, I hope one of the more eloquent and knowledgeable members can explain. SW

Her you go Ollie; http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/ IMHO one of the best review sites, they have covered many models over the years, have a gander. They get a bit long winded and the 'techie' stuff takes some reading. However, I usually cheat and jump to the last coupe of pages first, to see 'who don it', pros, cons and conclusions page In this case its page 25, yes, he does compare it in some ways with the D80. I'm biased, a committed Nikon user for nearly 20 years. D40 is a great piece of kit, especially at less than £400 with an 18-55 lens(if you can get the 18-70 its a cracker). Nikon kit lenses are surprisingly good, out performing, by a long way, the Canon kit lens. But as I say I'm biased. Build quality is another plus for the cheaper Nikons, they dont feel as plasticy as one would expect? Not an accolade enjoyed so much by the competition, thats what reviews have said, not me, Nikon do seem to have a build quality edge. But in the end, you pays your money and takes your choice, which ever you choose, they all have to keep a standard, its a hard world out there in budget DSLR land SW