rad2themax
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Nikon d50 UpgradesHi there. I've been using my D50 for a while now with the standard 18-55mm lense and no flashgun and there's a few things i would like to upgrade but wasn't too sure what to get.I was wondering if you could help me? 
Firstly, I was after some ND and grad filters etc. What filters are the most useful for general riding shots but also landscape. Also where would i buy these from, what makes are good to go for and how much would i expect to pay?
Secondly i've been looking at flash guns. Ive found some of the older nikon sb-xx range for really cheap but research tells me they're not much use for digital slrs? What would be a good, compatible flash to look at as a first flash bearing in mind i haven't got too much cash to blow?
Lense wise i'm planning on sticking with the 18-55 for the while. I would like a fisheye in the future as i shoot alot of bmx but i'm hardly bathing in money right now and haven't had my d50 too long so that can wait.
Can anyone advise me? Thanks very much for all your help,
Max.
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dandantheadminman
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i havnt got a lot of experience with slrs, a month in fact, but i my advice is:
you probs wont be using any nd or grad filters for mtbing, unless you after epic landscapes with a rider being real little. they can cost between 30 and 90 quid a filter i think.
i dunno much bout flasguns, but the nikon sb-600 i got is awesome, i def reccomend it.
have fun with your d50!
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jacob
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get a sky light for every lens you have and an nikon sb-600 flash. they are sooooo good and if you go on one stop digital they are only 140 quid.
the next lens im getting is a little prime lens mainly cos there cheap.
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Hamish
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ND and Grad filters aren't terribly useful as you can blend exposures in photoshop and it's really easy to do. Unless you want a really slow shutter speed, such as for waterfalls then you wouldn't use a ND filter.
For biking shots I'd recommend a fast prime lens. The best value is the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D which is also cheap and will let you get fast shutter speeds in really dark situations, not to mention the sharpness and added value of really shallow DOF. A flashgun isn't as useful IMO (I personally dislike flash in biking pics as it looks too artificial and tends to light up trees, etc if used badly - on board flash is pretty good for fill-flash at short range if you need it).
If you want good landscape pics then a tripod is a must, and a polarising filter is likely to be more use than ND or graduated ones.
Also, buying skylight/UV filters for all your lenses isn't a must. Lenses are multicoated and have the same protection against mud/rain. If you drop a lens or have something break the protective filter then your just as likely to ruin the lens with the broken filter. Just make sure that you're careful and use the lens hood for protection. I personally don't bother, and I know lots of pro/semi pros that also don't, however, if it makes you feel safer then feel free.
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dandantheadminman
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yeh i use a polariser and love, def recomend it.
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rad2themax
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Thanks for all your help lads,
yer i already have 2 tripods. One larger one for when i'm specifiaclly going out shooting and a smaller one (but still not a really mini one) for when i'm riding with my camera kinda thing.
I was looking at polarisers, that seems like the only filter i'd want realy, they look REALLY nice.
I like using flash alot though and have felt limited by my onboard at times. I shoot alot in the dark/fading light for example so is essential then.
I think i'll go for a polariser and then save up for the SB-600 and the 50m f1.8 for my next lense. The only thing is though 50mm seems quite close in for me. At the minute most of my shots are shot at around the 25mm mark etc so i'm slightly hesitant about buying a fixed 50mm. I REALLY want a fisheye but they all seem to cost £200+ which is alot of money for me.
Thanks for your help again, Max.
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dandantheadminman
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i agree with your choices 100 % (thumbs up!)
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sassycat11736
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you cant go wrong with the 50mm f/1.8, it's just the sexiest and cheapest one ever.
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Hamish
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| rad2themax wrote: | Thanks for all your help lads,
I like using flash alot though and have felt limited by my onboard at times. I shoot alot in the dark/fading light for example so is essential then.
...The only thing is though 50mm seems quite close in for me. At the minute most of my shots are shot at around the 25mm mark etc so i'm slightly hesitant about buying a fixed 50mm. |
There are other fast primes but the 50mm f1.8 is a bargain. You could use the money for that + SB-600 on something like a sigma 30mm f1.4. You can shoot in fading light at high ISO with wide apertures and not need a flash for anything other than fill. An SB-600 won't provide as much light as you'll want compared to using a fast lense with a slow shutter speed.
e.g. this was shot in a very dark forest at 1/30 sec and f1.8 - flash wouldn't have provided enough to light the scene effectively:
contrast that with flash and f3.5:
I know what I prefer. 
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sassycat11736
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I'm loving the Hamish images 
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dandantheadminman
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yeh, hamish always has killer shots.
though i personally prefer shots that use flash, if used properly, though everyone has their own opinion
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rad2themax
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Jacob mentioned onestop-digital.com and they seem really cheap. I noticed everything is shipped from Hong Kong however which makes me slightly hesitant. Has anyone used this shop and have they had good or bad experience with them?
Also it says they are supplied with a Nikon Internation Warranty. Is this the same warranty as i would get if i brought the items in the uk?
Cheers for all your help again, Max.
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Hamish
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| rad2themax wrote: | Jacob mentioned onestop-digital.com and they seem really cheap. I noticed everything is shipped from Hong Kong however which makes me slightly hesitant. Has anyone used this shop and have they had good or bad experience with them?
Also it says they are supplied with a Nikon Internation Warranty. Is this the same warranty as i would get if i brought the items in the uk?
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International waranty is not the same as the UK one. That's why they're much cheaper. The 'grey imports' are only covered by warrant if they go back to Asia. The shop will have it's own cover policy if there are problems but I'd be hesitant to get any grey imports, in case you have problems with them.
One site I'd recommend for UK warranty products at good price in Warehouse express. BTW Jessops do price matching and if you can get a print out for the (UK warranty) product with delivery for less then they'll match it.
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rad2themax
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Yer ok, looks liek i've got more saving to do then because at warehouse express the sb-600 is ove £200! I found a scottish ebay store that has proper warrenties (brand new) and they're around £150 on there so i'll probably go for that when the time comes.
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mikedeere
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50mm 50mm! Oh and some UV filters for all the lenses, useful as protection.
Flash! Ahhaaaahhh! No point in spending loads on a flash setup unless you're after something that can compete with broad daylight. I myself use a manual flashgun that I got given after I burnt out my last one, coupled with some flash sync leads and the worst wireless kit known to man it can still provide some awesome quality lighting when used in conjuction with available light. Admittedly TTL is easier to use, although not always neccesary if you know what you want from a photo.
Also bare in mind that flashguns + riding photos = potential for ruining flashguns. Another reason I keep it cheap! I broke my flashgun at Woodward last week, it was on a tripod and got blown over by the wind, if that was a £200-300 flashgun I'd have been gutted. Luckily I managed to tape it back together with a sync lead sticking out in place of the hotshoe!  Ghetto!
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rad2themax
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Haha awesome! I can run a flash off the hotshoe on a d50 can't I? Can i run it wireless or just using wires.
I'm not really knowledgable on flash set ups. Is there any chance you could post your exact set ep Mike so i know the stuff that will work?
I might jus get an sb-600 but i'm well up for trying to sort out a cheaper option. I see what you mean about riding photos destroying flashes! 
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