I own a D100, however, I will say that if you want great photographs out-of-the-camera using default settings, get a D60 instead. The good thing with the D100, however, is that for every major problem with default settings there is a solution since the D100 is highly customizable:
1. With the D100, the default settings, especially the tone compensation settings, lead to seemingly underexposed photos (underexposed by about 0.5 EV).
Solution: I created several custom tone curves that solve this problem by adjusting brightness to the equivalence of adding +0.3, +0.5, and +0.7 EV but with better highlight retention than actually adding EV adjustments to the camera. They are downloadable here:
http://www.geocities.com/kisskissbangbang_97
2. There is more luminance noise in photographs than with the D60.
Solution: Well, this isn't really a solution, but personally, luminance noise to me makes photos look less digital. I actually like a little noise in my photographs.
3. Photos aren't as crisp as D60.
Solution: I use the high sharpness setting. Photos become crisp out of the camera and with minimal halos (definitely less than I've seen from the S2). Even though the noise is increased somewhat, like I said, I actually like the way luminance noise looks compared to chroma noise.
I just wanted to warn you if you have immediate expectations of the D100. Out of the box, many people, especially in the Nikon SLR forum, complain about underexposure, sharpness, and noise. I have found ways to solve these problems (workarounds if you will), however, it didn't take just a day to figure these things out.
Now, for the areas where I think the D100 excel:
1. High ISO. I've taken photos in almost complete darkness with the Hi-1 and setting (3200 ISO). Although there was quite a bit of noise in the photos, the color sharpness actually surprised me and I was able to hand hold the camera for the shot.
2. Focus. With my 35-70 AF-D f/2.8 (non AF-S), I was expecting slow focusing, however, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast it would lock on to what I was photographing. Of course, you have to focus on things with contrast or horizontal and vertical lines. I think some people expect a camera to focus on things without any contrast. I know better.
3. Customizability. The D100 can literally become a different camera when you load a custom tone curve to it. This is almost a hidden secret of the camera. With it, you can lift shadows while maintaining contrast in your photos. And the tone is applied before the photo is converted to JPG, making it better than working on JPG photos in photoshop after taking the photograph. The limitation to this, however, is that you cannot change individual color channels, and the tone curves seem to produce color imbalances when you try and bend the curve too much.
4. Battery life. I have taken over 700 photos, reviewing each photo on the LCD, before having to recharge my battery. I can go out all day without having to worry about my battery consumption. If you use the onboard flash, however, it limits the battery life. So I carry my old SB-28 with me.
5. Lenses. Although after looking at the MTF charts at Canon lenses, I must say that I am impressed with the sharpness of their line, I like the capability of slapping on my old manual E-series Nikon lens to my D100 and shooting with it. Of course, with the older non-CPU lenses, you get no metering, but with the histogram review, you get immediate feedback and using sunny f/16, I can usually get a perfect exposure in 2 shots. Again, I'm probably strange, but I think its more fun when you have to work for your photographs.
I love my D-100 and wouldn't trade it for the world! However, if you can wait for the next generation (which I could not), I would wait. I used to have a Coolpix 990 before my D-100 and I just couldn't stand the shutter lag or the noise. With the D-100, there is less noise at ISO 800 than my 990's ISO 100! Also, there is no discernable shutter lag. It's like night and day.
Now, for a couple of samples, here's a photo I took of my baby cousin:
Here's a photo of my wife in S.F.:
Good luck in your decision.
Hi all
I'm looking at 3 options
1. Canon EOS-D60
2. Nikon D100
3. Wait until the next gerenation of DSLRs
I've got an old Ricoh SLR (film) and a Canon s40 (so no allegiance
to either's glass).
I've heard good about both and read extensvely on boththe Canon and
Nikon SLR forums (slow focus, soft res etc). The price here in Aus
may be the decider - $4800 for thr Nikon and $5500 for the Canon (+
glass + flash etc).
I am also thinking that another generation and the performance and
res of the EOS-1Ds may be closer to that price!
Any comments or recommendations would be much appreciated
Thanks
M
--
You cannot perceive beauty but with a serene mind
