Boy, do I miss Nikon!

When I went digital(semi-digital as I still use fil) I bought a new Canon 300D and was very pleased with that camera. Sure, it had its faults, but it was still a good all-around camera for someone like me just getting their feet wet. I was later talked out of it by a friend who thought he needed it more than I did. Now comes Olympus! E300, E10 and of course the one and only E1. I've kind of stayed in the Oly stable and not really looked at much else, but as of late I have been sniffing out some cameras for a possible up-grade. Last night I played with a little D50 and almost fell in love. Then I downloaded some jpegs from my daughter-in-laws D50 aftere she shot a family portrait in the studio. I must say that I'm impressed. Even at 100% the shots looked good. I wish she would have used RAW+jpeg, they only shoot jpeg.. I can only guess how good a converted RAW would look, but I think it would look fantastic. I actually liked the results better tha my E1's output, but the D50's colors seem a little transparent and the E1's colors seem more solid. That's just the way I see it? It worked out fine for the family portrait, but might not be so great for fall colors or shots similar to that. When I shot film for money I used medium format and 35mm was for fun. And my fun cameras were Nikons. I might just have to have another "fun" camera, but these little D50's still seem to get respect on eBay with a fairly good price tag. Tells me that I'm not the only one who thinks they're darn good little cameras.
JohnW

Like you I bought a Canon, XT in my case. It is a great camera and I love it, but I always used Nikon in my film days. Yesterday I saw a D50 on Craig's List and thought about buying it. For me, there is something about a Nikon and I still have a good selection of Nikon Glass. Oh soooooo tempting. I'm thinking of making a very low offer and see if they might go for it.
--
Greg Koop

JW PHOTO said:

I must say that I'm impressed. Even
at 100% the shots looked good. I wish she would have used RAW+jpeg,
they only shoot jpeg.. I can only guess how good a converted RAW
would look, but I think it would look fantastic. I actually liked
the results better tha my E1's output, but the D50's colors seem a
little transparent and the E1's colors seem more solid. That's just
the way I see it? It worked out fine for the family portrait, but
might not be so great for fall colors or shots similar to that.

Click to expand...

Colours are a subjective thing but I quite like the output of the D50, mode sRGB Ia is great for skin / people and IIIa adds some punch to landscape etc (but I prefer the more natural look and use Ia predominantly these days. Also the variation from lens to lens is relevant, the colour / contrast I get from say 60 micro or 80-200 definately improves on some of my other lens/es IQ leaving aside aperture and sharpness etc, maybe oly is more consistent in this regard, who knows.

And yes the raw output is a tad better, not night and day as the jpeg quality is quite good, but it is there imho and worth using.

tis a great little camera and the fun element can't be undersold, enjoying taking pics is a big part of any issues that may need to be overcome, go ahead and get one, you know you want to

--
Gerry,
http://gerryd.smugmug.com/ discount code on homepage

Do not tell everyone about these Nikons they are hard enough to get.
--
Gene from Western Pa

http://imageevent.com/grc6
http://grc225.zenfolio.com/
FZ10....20 and 30 and FZ18

D50 ....D80 - 18 to 200VR- 50mm 1.8 - 80 to 400 OS



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

I posted in another thread awhile back (longtime lurker....shy poster...) check your local Sears. In the past two weeks I purchased two d50 kits brand new for $370 each(they are on 40% and some places 70% clearance); I am gonna have some happy family members on Christmas morning (I got eyes on a third after Christmas for the wife). The cameras generally aren't with the other digital cameras at Sears, they will be in a locked display case away from the others or in a lockup in back. It's a huge shot in the dark mind you, but I have found three kits already. Can alternatively ask them to look for item number 53115 (I probably wouldn't call, if it is available it will be leaving with the salesman).

Finding a non refurbed D50 kit with 0 clicks on it for less than $400 is a beautiful thing.

Happy Hunting!

-Scott

well f64, ya know what they say....once a Nikonian, always a Nikonian....lol
--
It's not a camera, it's a Nikon.
D-80/70-300VR/18-135/SB200 Flash

See my photos here:
http://www.betterphoto.com?texanguy

gerryd04 said:

JW PHOTO said:

I must say that I'm impressed. Even
at 100% the shots looked good. I wish she would have used RAW+jpeg,
they only shoot jpeg.. I can only guess how good a converted RAW
would look, but I think it would look fantastic. I actually liked
the results better tha my E1's output, but the D50's colors seem a
little transparent and the E1's colors seem more solid. That's just
the way I see it? It worked out fine for the family portrait, but
might not be so great for fall colors or shots similar to that.

Click to expand...

Colours are a subjective thing but I quite like the output of the
D50, mode sRGB Ia is great for skin / people and IIIa adds some punch
to landscape etc (but I prefer the more natural look and use Ia
predominantly these days. Also the variation from lens to lens is
relevant, the colour / contrast I get from say 60 micro or 80-200
definately improves on some of my other lens/es IQ leaving aside
aperture and sharpness etc, maybe oly is more consistent in this
regard, who knows.

And yes the raw output is a tad better, not night and day as the jpeg
quality is quite good, but it is there imho and worth using.

Click to expand...

Yes, I thought the D50's jpeg engine was doing a fine job, but at 100% it looked like a little smearing in the blonde hair of the kids in the portrait. Not bad, but I think RAW and some smart post processing would help. To be honest I think it wouldn't show in even a 11x14" print. I also don't know what the girls(my daughter-in-law and her partner) had for camera settings either. These girls know how to press the shutter button, but that's about all they know about the camera. Some of the stuff they do or the things they ask me just make me chuckle inside, but they've got the spirit and drive and that's what counts. I just say to myself, "We all had to start somewhere".

I also agree the "there is just something about Nikon" cameras that make them appealing. I went through the same kind of love affair with the whole series of Leica M series cameras. At least Nikon was a little cheaper and in my opinion just as well made. My favorite Nikon was the F2as and I used that camera for years and it never missed a lick. That camera could meter in a room with only one candle light. It was simply amazing. I think I will pick up a D50 after Christmas. I really like what I saw and felt.
JohnW

gerryd04 said:

tis a great little camera and the fun element can't be undersold,
enjoying taking pics is a big part of any issues that may need to be
overcome, go ahead and get one, you know you want to

--
Gerry,
http://gerryd.smugmug.com/ discount code on homepage

Click to expand...

Scotts11 said:

I posted in another thread awhile back (longtime lurker....shy
poster...) check your local Sears. In the past two weeks I purchased
two d50 kits brand new for $370 each(they are on 40% and some places
70% clearance); I am gonna have some happy family members on
Christmas morning (I got eyes on a third after Christmas for the
wife). The cameras generally aren't with the other digital cameras
at Sears, they will be in a locked display case away from the others
or in a lockup in back. It's a huge shot in the dark mind you, but I
have found three kits already. Can alternatively ask them to look
for item number 53115 (I probably wouldn't call, if it is available
it will be leaving with the salesman).

Click to expand...

Heading to my local Sears tomorrow morning. just might do some Christmas shopping for myself?

scotts11 said:

Finding a non refurbed D50 kit with 0 clicks on it for less than $400
is a beautiful thing.

Happy Hunting!

-Scott

Click to expand...

Checked at my local Sears store and the Nikon D50 was on clearence. The only problem was the price! It was marked down to $444.99 with 18-55mm. I passed on that deal and will probably buy a used one now.
JohnW

JW PHOTO said:

Checked at my local Sears store and the Nikon D50 was on clearence.
The only problem was the price! It was marked down to $444.99 with
18-55mm. I passed on that deal and will probably buy a used one now.
JohnW

Click to expand...

It probably hasnt taken its December reduction yet, still $444 for a brand new D50 and kit lens is a steal. Ebay the lens and you are looking at $350ish for a brand new d50 body with full warranty. Hold the receipt and in 30 days it will take a price drop and recoup $50 or more even with a price adjustment....poor people like me have to be creative sometimes

-Scott

You know me - I love both Olympus and Nikon and couldn't seen parting with either of them. If you sold your Olympus gear, you'd most certainly be lamenting its loss (especially in the case of the E-1...a true classic).

I'm smitten with my copies of the D80 and D40 (may pick up a D300 in the Spring), but I know that I wouldn't exclude one for the other (meaning Nikon over Olympus, or vice versa).

So embrace both - you most certainly will be more flexible as a result of it. Being a one particular brand fanboy can be hazardous to your health really.
--
As always - good shooting....

Ben

and a cheapo tamron 55-200 lens.









--
Heinz
http://pbase.com/wembly

Scotts11 said:

JW PHOTO said:

Checked at my local Sears store and the Nikon D50 was on clearence.
The only problem was the price! It was marked down to $444.99 with
18-55mm. I passed on that deal and will probably buy a used one now.
JohnW

Click to expand...

It probably hasnt taken its December reduction yet, still $444 for a
brand new D50 and kit lens is a steal. Ebay the lens and you are
looking at $350ish for a brand new d50 body with full warranty. Hold
the receipt and in 30 days it will take a price drop and recoup $50
or more even with a price adjustment....poor people like me have to
be creative sometimes

Click to expand...

Well, I thought about it, but I really wasn't too excited. I have a like new 18-70mm(long story) and would pedal the 18-55mm on ebay, but the ones I see going on eBay are only at the $50.00 to $80.00 bracket. So, I decided to wait just a bit. Somebody may get something new for Christmas and want to dump the D50. I'll be waiting when they dump.
JohnW

scotts11 said:

-Scott

Click to expand...

Ben Herrmann said:

You know me - I love both Olympus and Nikon and couldn't seen parting
with either of them. If you sold your Olympus gear, you'd most
certainly be lamenting its loss (especially in the case of the
E-1...a true classic).

Click to expand...

Ben, I know what you mean about Olympus cameras. I'm not fond of Olympus as a Corporation, but they do make one hell-of-a-camera and lens system. Heck, I can't even seem to part with my E10, let alone my E1. I haven't even gotten rid of my E300 yet, as a good friend of mind is using that. I know AdamT doesn't care for the E300, but I really can't complain about it.

Like I said earlier, I have always used Nikon and find it, as a camera sytem, meant for people who really want the best at a reasonable price. Even Nikon's cheap stuff is capable of professional results. As for my E1? I have already given my wife instructions that it goes in the coffin with me. After all, I'll have to have something to do when I pull liberty up there. I don't think He'll have us guarding the streets all the time. Even a Marine needs a break once in a while.
Merry Christmas, Ben and Happy New Year.
JohnW

Ben Herrmann said:

I'm smitten with my copies of the D80 and D40 (may pick up a D300 in
the Spring), but I know that I wouldn't exclude one for the other
(meaning Nikon over Olympus, or vice versa).

So embrace both - you most certainly will be more flexible as a
result of it. Being a one particular brand fanboy can be hazardous
to your health really.
--
As always - good shooting....

Ben

Click to expand...

Very nice and not bad for a cheap Tammy either.