My First Nikon DIGITAL SLR

My Nikon D90 body arrived today, along with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens and some other goodies. But I’ll talk about those later. The first thing I do is top off the battery, and read the quickstart guide. While I’m waiting for the battery to charge, I mount the lens to the N80 body, just for the fun of it. Of course, it works flawlessly, and at 16mm, it’s rediculously wide.

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Old Is New Again

I’m not opposed to buying used equipment. Most of my best Canon FD lenses were used, although in very good condition. But lenses hold their value, they’re an investment. Plastic-bodied cameras do not.

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Birthday Freesia

Birthday Freesia

One thing I miss with the Coolpix P5100 is the ability to zoom while tripping the shutter; it simply can’t be done with these autofocus, zoom-by-wire cameras.

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My First Nikon SLR

So, I got to thinking. Now that I’m fully on board with digital, am I going to abandon film photography? And the answer is, no, not by any means. But, I’m going to wind up with all these great Nikon lenses, not all of which are going to be DX lenses. It’s quite possible that somewhere in the distant future I’m going to buy a full-frame (FX) Nikon body, so, I’m not going to put my eggs all in one basket. I chose the DX format for its compact size, speed, compatibility, and economy. DX lenses use less glass and are therefore lighter, smaller, and less expensive. The camera body is slightly more compact (although digital SLRs are a bit chunkier than 35mm film cameras). What if I picked up a Nikon film body to use the FX lenses in my growing collection?

So, after speaking with a good friend and colleague who also happens to be a Nikonian, I learned that he is selling off some of his equipment. This includes a Nikon N80 body, complete with battery grip. After some quick research, I learn that this body would be a fine complement to my D90. So today, for the price of a top-shelf circular polarizer, I have my first Nikon 35mm SLR. And he has some spending money.

Officially my first Nikon SLR, the N80

Can’t use it yet of course, can’t even “freelens” with one of my old Canon lenses. If I held the Canon lens in place in front of the N80, I wouldn’t see anything because It’s not easy to adjust the apeture on Canon FD lenses, even thought it is mechanical. But I can read the manual cover to cover, put some batteries in it, and trip the shutter, which is what I do.

So, I finally have a Nikon SLR, just not a digital one. Everything happens for a reason.

A New Beginning: Nikon Coolpix P5100

Let me first say that you don’t need a great camera to take a great photograph. Technically perfect images do not necessarily make for great photography. Skill, perseverance and opportunity make a better photograph than any camera. However, many photographers speak of their equipment as well as their work, and I am no different.

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Back in the High Life Again

Neon Miller High Life Sign

The Cokin A185 Radial Zoom Resin Filter is another great was to simulate selective focus photography.

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Against the Grain

I’ve finally come up with a title for my blog. It’s a bit of a play on words, but then you’ll come to expect nothing less of me.

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Emma

My daughter, Emma. Nikon P5100, Cokin A216 Speed Resin Filter

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Christmas Lights

Porcelain Christmas Tree “Lights’”
1/20 s @ f/4.7, -0.7, ISO 400

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The Back Story

Here I am, for the longest time since I can remember an enthusiast of photography, employed as a professional retoucher for the past five years. Then, one day, it hits me. I am a photographer; a photographer of the new age.

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