Jeff's new gear - revealed!

[Jeff Keller]

Part 1 - The travel / everyday camera

For my upcoming Asia trip, or other times when I don't want to lug around the big beast that will be revealed shortly. Got the 14-45 kit, bought the 45-200 separately. Trying to get my hands on the 20mm pancake lens, will be using my review unit for the time being.

More to come!

[Rhys]

Very nice choice. For small my choice might have been the Olympus dSLR system. This does look very interesting though. I can't wait to see how you get on with it.

[jekostas]

Sweet. How about the Olympus pancake?

Also, any thoughts on the rumours of a Fuji 4/3s camera in the next few months?

[Rhys]

That's one in the eye for all those that hate the 4:3 system.

[Phill D]

I guess this means that your up coming review of the GF1 must have turned out pretty good. It looks like an excellent travel set up. I look forward to your experience unfolding with this kit. What were your reasons for going with the two lenses rather than the 14-140 lens?

[Rooz]

thats a tight little setup. so a d300s and a gf1. cant argue with those choices.

[Jeff Keller]

What were your reasons for going with the two lenses rather than the 14-140 lens?

Mainly because the 14-140 is too darn big. I figure I'll have the pancake or 14-45 on 95% of the time...


thats a tight little setup. so a d300s and a gf1. cant argue with those choices.

Rooz, how do you know I'm getting a D300s? Maybe I'll just fooling everyone and I'm getting a D3000 :)

[Elisha]

Thought you were getting the a550 and Don was donating you some lenses!

[Rhys]

I have it on reliable authority that he's getting the Sigma SD-15

[jekostas]

I have it on reliable authority that he's getting the Sigma SD-15

Pfft

Leica S2

Those Nikon lenses were just to throw us off.

[AlexMonro]

Having just read the K-7 review, I think Jeff's smitten. Highest ratio of pros to cons I've seen. Looks like we're about to have another Pentaxian! :)

[Jeff Keller]

Part 2: The workhorse

I guess Rooz won the bet...

For those playing along at home, that's a D300s with the F2.8 17-55, F4.5-5.6 70-300 VR, and F2.8 60mm AF-S Micro Nikkor. Oh, and the remote shutter release cable. Also got two Hoya Pro1 D filters for the expensive lenses.

Should be fun learning a new system!

[faisal]

Congrats on the new purchase....

[Rhys]

The Nikon bayonet is backwards. Instead of putting the lens on the camera, you put the camera on the lens. That makes it a load easier :D

[jcon]

Congrats, Jeff! You will love the 17-55. What made you choose the 70-300 VR over the 70-200VR F2.8? Was it the extra reach or was it price?

Do you plan on purchasing any speedlights to play around with the CLS?

[Jeff Keller]

Congrats, Jeff! You will love the 17-55. What made you choose the 70-300 VR over the 70-200VR F2.8? Was it the extra reach or was it price?

Do you plan on purchasing any speedlights to play around with the CLS?


Chose the 70-300 mainly because of cost. The 17-55 is pricey enough, I didn't want to spend even more on the 70-200. I'd like to get some Speedlights at some point..

[Rhys]

If you're going for speedlights then don't bother with Nikon. Go straight for the good stuff - Metz.

[jcon]

Chose the 70-300 mainly because of cost. The 17-55 is pricey enough, I didn't want to spend even more on the 70-200. I'd like to get some Speedlights at some point..

That makes sense. When you do purchase a speedlight... or two :D, you will have alot of fun with lighting. Cant wait to see you posting in the Nikon section!:)

You cant be serious Rhys, the SB-800s are wonderful, so much so I didnt even bother looking at the SB-900. Also, you cant use Metz with the Nikon CLS. Whats your experience with Nikon Speedlights?

[Rhys]

Metz has full ETTL with the right SCA module.

[Rooz]

immediately switch that light meter around. nikon's backwards light meter is bloody stupid. congrats on the new gear. the little panny is what i'd like to hear/ see more about from you. looks so bad-ass.

[Jeff Keller]

I'll have plenty of photos from the GF1 on my blog (http://lostworld.pair.com/blog) when I'm on my trip...

[Phill D]

Congrats on the new gear Jeff. No suprise it was Nikon though ;) I too will be keen to read your review of the GF1.

[AlexMonro]

Congratulations Jeff! I guess we can look forward to a really in depth review of the D300S. I think I already know the conclusion though - "I liked it so much, I bought one myself!"

We'd all better start clicking away madly at the the advert links to support Jeff's new machine... :)

[Csae]

So wait, Nikon actually gives you pre-release models/info ahead of time ?

[timmciglobal]

Nice choices Jeff: Might I make a suggestion regarding canon > nikon?

Trust the metering and use the programmable right side front function button to spot meter. I really love the ability to basically leave something in matrix and just click that little function button real quick as I'm going to shoot and see what pops up and be able to know if my exposure is going to be good. The viewfinder may say 1/250th and I click that function button and instantly it shows 1/500th and I'm fine because whatever it is is very light... on the flip rarely do I see something like 1/2500th and immediatly know oh wow matrix got it wrong, let me adjust.

Oh and welcome to the dark side. We sacrafice a 17-55 IS lens at every meeting (not out of spite though just because canon makes 1,000$ plastic lenses that suck in more dust then a dyson) so bring a screwdriver to the meeting!

Tim

[Jeff Keller]

So wait, Nikon actually gives you pre-release models/info ahead of time ?

Prerelease cameras ahead of time? Usually not. Info, yes... and they have done so for a long time.

[Jeff Keller]

Trust the metering and use the programmable right side front function button to spot meter. I really love the ability to basically leave something in matrix and just click that little function button real quick as I'm going to shoot and see what pops up and be able to know if my exposure is going to be good. The viewfinder may say 1/250th and I click that function button and instantly it shows 1/500th and I'm fine because whatever it is is very light... on the flip rarely do I see something like 1/2500th and immediatly know oh wow matrix got it wrong, let me adjust.

Sounds like I need to read the manual...

[Csae]

Nice choices Jeff: Might I make a suggestion regarding canon > nikon?

Trust the metering and use the programmable right side front function button to spot meter. I really love the ability to basically leave something in matrix and just click that little function button real quick as I'm going to shoot and see what pops up and be able to know if my exposure is going to be good. The viewfinder may say 1/250th and I click that function button and instantly it shows 1/500th and I'm fine because whatever it is is very light... on the flip rarely do I see something like 1/2500th and immediatly know oh wow matrix got it wrong, let me adjust.

Oh and welcome to the dark side. We sacrafice a 17-55 IS lens at every meeting (not out of spite though just because canon makes 1,000$ plastic lenses that suck in more dust then a dyson) so bring a screwdriver to the meeting!

Tim

That actually sounds like a really, really, awesome feature i'd love to have.

[timmciglobal]

The manual?!?!? Camera's have manuals?!? Why do we need photography forums then? ;p

Tim

[Rooz]

yepp,
DOFP btton = spot meter
other button = auto-iso on/off

you can also use the buttons for dual purposes. ie: press it and its a spot meter; press and turn dial and you have bracketing. these buttons are the most invaluable tool on my camera.

tim i always thought you shot canon ??

[timmciglobal]

I did for a while then I switched.

I had a D200 a while back when it first came out to try then I switched after my 40D when I realized I was sick of playing the gear game.

The D300 really has the single thing that made me stay canon, high ISO performance.

Tim

[tim11]

......
The D300 really has the single thing that made me stay canon.....

>>>>>> :confused: <<<<<<<

[Rooz]

ie: the reason he shot canon b4 was for hi iso. thed300 has that covered so he switched.