D50 photo question

[foulmouthedleon]

Hello all, new here so take it easy! I'm a pretty amateur photographer but I found a great deal on a Nikon D50 today and I couldn't resist picking it up.

I'd like to do more photography in the future and have also seen plenty of "photo tricks" done with regular cameras. I wanted to see if my new camera can do something similar to the image below?

http://www.ravenswood-wine.com/images/vintners_pic1.png

The effect I'm looking for is that shallow focus (on the front bottle of wine) and the back blurred out. I'm sure it's easy, but only if you know how...

I'm not really sure what an f stop is or the ISO, but I'm quite certain I'll catch on quick (and if anyone has any sites that might help me out, I'm all ears). Anyway, if it matters, my camera came with the 18-55 lens and that's all I have.

The rest I'm sure I'll learn by just clicking away.

Thanks in advance!

[Stoller]

You are on the right track as far as f stop/aperture. That is a very short focal range in the picture you posted, maybe even post edited to blur the background even more. Your 18-55 kit lens will not go to a low enough f number for that effect. The picture focal range looks more like 1.2 to 2.0 f number. Your lens has a low f number of 3.5. Anyway you got a great camera and your adventure is just begining. Have Fun!

[gmtech79]

To get the blurred background effect or as it is so called "slective focus" you need to use a large aperture or small f stop (f number). If you can get your hands on a prime that is something like f 2.8 or so those are good at doing that and also if you have a zoom lens if you zoom into your subject and get close with a large aperture that will do the job to. If you search for depth of field you will find some more info on how aperture effects depth of field.
large f number=large depth of field
small f number=shallow depth of field

small aperture=large f number
large aprerture=small f number

iso=film speed
the higher the iso the more sensitive the camera is to light thus allowing you to use a faster shutter speed or smaller aperture. lower iso requires slower shutter speed or larger aperture to get a proper exposure.
Hope this helps.

[foulmouthedleon]

Ok, thanks everyone for the help so far. I didn't figure my camera would do too many fancy things right out of the box.

A couple questions...

1) I've read of a "burst" effect in that you can take several pictures in a few seconds. Do I need an add-on for that or is it a setting I haven't discovered yet?

2) From my readings, it seems that a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens (under $100) is a good investment. Would that work in addition to or in replacement of my 18-55 lens?

I'll continue to do some searching on the site, but I thank you for your help so far.

[Suprpntr]

To get the blurred background effect or as it is so called "slective focus" you need to use a large aperture or small f stop (f number). If you can get your hands on a prime that is something like f 2.8 or so those are good at doing that and also if you have a zoom lens if you zoom into your subject and get close with a large aperture that will do the job to. If you search for depth of field you will find some more info on how aperture effects depth of field.
large f number=large depth of field
small f number=shallow depth of field

small aperture=large f number
large aprerture=small f number

iso=film speed
the higher the iso the more sensitive the camera is to light thus allowing you to use a faster shutter speed or smaller aperture. lower iso requires slower shutter speed or larger aperture to get a proper exposure.
Hope this helps.

You explained all that in simple, easy to understand terms. Thanks

[Papa Nick]

I second the vote for the 50mm 1.8 lens. It will allow to you get almost any DOF that you want. Click the link below for a sample of the aperture set to 1.8 with that lens.

http://members.cox.net/xanderimages/pistonenhanced.jpg

It can also take very sharp photos at wider apertures as seen in the link below. These are all with my D50.

http://members.cox.net/xandertures/images/automotive/dragwheel.jpg

[jcon]

Ok, thanks everyone for the help so far. I didn't figure my camera would do too many fancy things right out of the box.

A couple questions...

1) I've read of a "burst" effect in that you can take several pictures in a few seconds. Do I need an add-on for that or is it a setting I haven't discovered yet?

2) From my readings, it seems that a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens (under $100) is a good investment. Would that work in addition to or in replacement of my 18-55 lens?

I'll continue to do some searching on the site, but I thank you for your help so far.

Question #1, read the manual

Quesiton #2, get the 50mm 1.8

Bonus suggestion from me, get a speedlight flash, either the SB-800 or SB-600.

[wh0128]

I didn't figure my camera would do too many fancy things right out of the box.

Well your camera is capable of alot of fancy things its just that you don't have the right lens or knowledge of doing that. A good reading of the manual should do you good, it also does good if you happen to have your camera right beside you



1) I've read of a "burst" effect in that you can take several pictures in a few seconds. Do I need an add-on for that or is it a setting I haven't discovered yet?

2) From my readings, it seems that a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens (under $100) is a good investment. Would that work in addition to or in replacement of my 18-55 lens?

To answer your first question, yes your D50 does have a Continuous shooting mode and its located to the left of the viewfinder(the thing you look through to see the subject). You press that and turn the dial, and look at the top LCD screen until you see box with an S(Single shot mode) switch to three little boxes lapping over each other(Continuous shooting mode). If you look in your index in the manual, just look up Continuous.

The 50mm f.1.8 on this forum and as well on the Nikonians forum is look up highly as it is very sharp and produces great images for how inexpensive it is. The 1.8 will throw away your background into a much more blurred image than the 3.5-5.6 you have. The only thing that the 50mm would do is not make you have the capability to zoom, because the 18-55 already covers the 50mm range. I have the 18-55mm but I would like to get the 50mm for just casual shooting with a 1.8. Also try going to kenrockwell.com because he does give some reviews on some really nice lenses, and also does one on the D50.

[gmtech79]

@Papa Nick
I gotta ask, did someone melt a piston with nitrous? Or was it running lean (with or without nitrous)?
Sorry that this is off topic.

[foulmouthedleon]

Again, thanks for everyone's help. I'm usually not the "manual reading" type, but it couldn't hurt! :D

Also, I went out and shot a few pics this morning, check 'em out...

http://www.nineteenhearts.com/images/d50_1.jpg

http://www.nineteenhearts.com/images/d50_2.jpg

http://www.nineteenhearts.com/images/d50_3.jpg

And, for what it's worth - if you have a Staples nearby, I got this for $529 with the 18-55 lens (they're on clearance). And from the reading I've been doing - that seems to be a pretty good price.

[Papa Nick]

@Papa Nick
I gotta ask, did someone melt a piston with nitrous? Or was it running lean (with or without nitrous)?
Sorry that this is off topic.

Thats a forged CP piston that was melted due to a wastegate failure on a turbo car. The WG failed the the T61 turbo spiked to 40psi on a fuel system intended for 15psi.. that was the end result.

Regardless it makes for a good paperweight and photo subject.

Nick - Mopar Tech ;)

[Tympman]

At which Staples did you find that deal?

[foulmouthedleon]

I live in Maryland and all the ones around me (the Baltimore/DC area) have that special going on. I'm not sure if it's nationwide or not, but they told me it was part of a promotion...

[Bob_Benner]

Just checked staples online and they want $699.00 for it. Oh well, guess I will have to wait some more.

[foulmouthedleon]

Hello again all, didn't want to start a new topic so I figured I'd try to get my problem solved in here.

I went and picked up the 50mm/1.8 Nikkor lens and had a couple of questions. I can't seem to take any pictures with it as the display on my camera is reading "fEE". I'm about to go dig up my manual and see what that means, but if anyone has any ideas - I'm open to them.

[Papa Nick]

I'll speak up becase I asked the same thing when I got mine, lol...

You can't manually adjust the aperture. You have to lock it at the smallest setting on the lens itself, which is f/22. Then you adjust the aperture on the camera body instead.

[foulmouthedleon]

Yep, broke out my manual and it said the same thing. Ok, well at least I'm not the only person to have this problem!

This site is a great resource and I'm having fun with my new camera. I'll post some more pics when I get the time.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Abulia]

I live in Maryland and all the ones around me (the Baltimore/DC area) have that special going on. I'm not sure if it's nationwide or not, but they told me it was part of a promotion...
I checked all of my local Staples and none had the D50 anymore. They all referred me to online.

Any chance I can get your store number and see if they have any still in stock? I'm in the market for a D50 and would be *thrilled* to buy one today at that price.

I'm serious. Anything to make this happen would be an early Xmas for this new user trying to get into digital photography!

Thanks!

[kevvy_7]

Here are a couple of links that will help you understand more about this thing called digital photography. It's a good starting platform! Good luck with it all!

KeV.....................

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm