Calling all photograghers

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rubher yellow ducky:
The FINEST Point and Shoot Digital Camera on the market today is the Leica D-LUX 2.

I have been a professional photographer for over 36 years photographing in formats from 35mm to 8x10 including digital. Although in most of my shoots I still use film I do use digital backs on my Hasselblad and Sinar View
Camera.

I recently obtained the Leica D-LUX 2 for fun stuff and rate it just behind GOOD WOMEN, MY
H-3's and World Class Food.

It has 8.6 MP, 3 different ratio formats, uses SD cards, LEICA LENS, Optical Image Stabilizer,
Focuses down to 2", all sorts of auto exposure modes as well as full manual... ETC, ETC, ETC

For a Street Price of under $900 nothing can touch it , NOTHING

Look into it.

RYD </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


That Leica DOES look tasty! All aluminum even- nice

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by k9tim:
I second everything F5fstop said. I am a Nikon junkie big time. Even down to their point and shoot coolpix line.

Myself and my GF are both also semi-pro photogs. We both do landscapes, abstract, architectural and fine art nudes (studio).
She was a Canon Girl for many many years. Recently she got rid of the Canon gear and bought a Nikon D200. She was blown away with the colors she is seeing out of her D200. She loves it!
I shoot with my own D200 or my D2H. I sold a D100 for the D200. I can't imagine *not* shooting Nikon.

One aftermarket lens to consider that I didnt see f5 mention is Sigma. I have a couple Sigma lenses and I really like them.

@f5- nice posts! very informative!!


EDIT: forgot to add, if you think you will be doing any flash photography (on camera and slaves- not studio strobes or hot lamps), Nikon is widely considered to have the best flash system out there. Having played with my SB-800 master on the camera and the SB-80 or whatever the model number is as a slave, I can say I agree. Amazing results are there to be had. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Another Nikon junkie. Ever visit www.nikonians.org?

As for the Leica, I guess I should have clarified that there are some great point and shoots, and Leica is one of them. In addition some of the high-end coolpix have fast focus and hardly any shutter lag.
For versitility, I still don't think you can beat any Single Lens Reflex, be it digital or film, or by any major manufacturer.

You are also very correct on the flash photography, from everything I have read, Nikon leads the segment in flash photography. However, since I shoot only nature, I never use my flash; except on the kids and the dog.

Heh! Another Nikonians member. Been there for quite some time.

I usually go to dpreview for the latest scoop on announcements or rumors. Than after I wade through all the crap posts, I go back to Nikonians and get the slimmed down versions of the info.

For the original poster, if you can swing it and want to go the SLR route, look hard at the D200. I don't think you will find another SLR that is built as well as it is in the price range. Magnesium body, weather seals, etc... It is like a small version of my D2H. I have dropped the D2H from a height of about 4 feet with a big 70-200 2.8 lens on it into the bottom of a fishing boat in Alaska and it didnt even scratch it.

I have every confidence the D200 would be the same.

That and if there is no bear spray around, you could use it for some serious self defense

[HummerJim]

I am also a big Nikon fan! I think they have excellent optics and make rugged cameras. They have years of experience and when I look through National Geographic, Nikon digital and non digital seem to be the camera of choice. I've had an older Nikon 800 digital for many years. It's been dropped, frozen, gotten wet - you name it and it still takes good pictures.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

AH, GIRLS ...

Look at the mans post

Point & shoot
MSRP $ 200
Easy to use

Even my suggestion on the Leica P&S may be to high priced...

RYD

[SledgeHummer]

Are Sonys any good ?? Hmmm.... lemme see now, for guy who owns the following Sony Products :

F-707 (5MP camera)
F-828 (8MP camera)
T7 (5MP slim camera) (recently purchased)
PC115E Video Camera
HDV 1080i (HDV Video Camera-Boadcast quality)

Yeah, they're pretty good, I am not saying they're the best, I tested the Nikon D70 and was pretty impressed, but I still like the Sony, I am not a professional photographer, the Sonys are so user friendly and give professional output (I used the pictures to publish articles in a magazine)

And no, I dont work for Sony. how did I end up with so many Sonys ? well I bought costly accessories for the F707, theen when I decided to upgrade, I tought if I switch brands, I'd loose all the accessories I invested (1.7 optical zoom lens, filters) not to mention the battery chargers and memory cards.

When I go for a trip, I pack photo and video cameras that I need but I carry only one charger, as for the cameras I DONT pack, I take out their batteries and use them as spares.

SledgeHummer

[H3HUMVEE]

I have a sony that I have been using for a few years .. it's a great camera

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by k9tim:
Heh! Another Nikonians member. Been there for quite some time.

I usually go to dpreview for the latest scoop on announcements or rumors. Than after I wade through all the crap posts, I go back to Nikonians and get the slimmed down versions of the info.

For the original poster, if you can swing it and want to go the SLR route, look hard at the D200. I don't think you will find another SLR that is built as well as it is in the price range. Magnesium body, weather seals, etc... It is like a small version of my D2H. I have dropped the D2H from a height of about 4 feet with a big 70-200 2.8 lens on it into the bottom of a fishing boat in Alaska and it didnt even scratch it.

I have every confidence the D200 would be the same.

That and if there is no bear spray around, you could use it for some serious self defense </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was one of the original beta testers for Nikonians; JRP and Bo are personal friends. I don't spend much time there recently since I don't believe in the way they are progressing, but JRP and Bo are the owners, so it is their decisions.
Most of the photos from the Utah web pages I posted are from a Nikonian photo trip back in 2002. Since then, I have traveled in that area with another Nikonian who does not visit the site that much anymore.
Still a great site for info on Nikon cameras, but their censor policy, and their all-inclusive policy on photo trips drove me away.
Then again, it is due to a few of us in Utah in 2002 that they went to the all-inclusive trip for future photos trips.
Four of us seem to piss off Bo due to our going on our own without asking others if they wanted to go.

[Anonymous]

I'll play devil's advocate here and buck the trend. I prefer Canon's, but like some have said, it's like the Ford vs Chevy debate. Whatever you're comfortable with and what works best for your style. I used to shoot motorsports (CART Indycars back when those two words went together) professionally and always used Canons. The L series lenses worked the best for that particular type of work. A couple of years ago I decided to pick up the camera again and I shoot motorcycle races and trackdays semipro/hobby. I still had about 20K in Canon lenses so it was an easy choice. I use a 20D with a 400mm 2.8 L series and the pics are excellent, they have to be or I don't sell any. For messing around at the lake or out wheeling, a 300D usually with a 70-200mm 2.8 IS to get a clear shot of the subject with a good background blur (bokeh). Sounds complicated, and it can be, but once you start shooting more, you begin to see the differences in quality.

I'd say go with something you won't outgrow and can expand, a digital SLR. Any of the major brands will be fine, all are great quality. Tim, if you want to check out some of my equipment, let me know and I'll meet up with you sometime and you can try it out, take some pics out near Sycamore or something.

[thedieter]

YellowH3:

I use an Olympus C-750 and love it! Of course that model is not available any longer so I looked to see what was the closest available these days. This one seems to have similar features that I have found important; 10X Optical Zoom ratio, both LCD and SLR viewing and good optics. The lenses are not interchangeable but with a total of 50X zoom, it probably won't be missed. The SLR viewing is electronic and the camera status is visible while composing either through the viewer or on the LCD.
Link: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...duct=1189&fl=2

It is a little more expensive than the Sony that you listed but has far more capabilities.

Best regards, Happy Jack

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

SO...

YELLOW H-3

Did you get a camera yet???

RYD