Digital photography phobia?

[ruddyduck]

Help!!!!
After years of film photography, I'm tempted to blow my savings on a Nikon D50. I've had the cash burning a hole in my pocket for some time now but just can't bring myself to actually walk into a shop and buy it!!

Why? I hear you all shout? Answer: I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, probably Kent's only "living" brain donor actually and I've never spent so much money on myself before!!! I'm terrifed I'll be totally out of my depth with a digital camera, having never used one before! I've browsed all the reviews, most of which claim the D50 to be more or less, idiot-proof, but there seems so much to learn, can both of my brain cells really handle it all?

I've spent hours reading articles on websites and books about compression, histograms, compression, RAW Vs J-pegs etc etc and although I think I've finally grasped some of it and stored it all in my 2MB memory banks!! But I still have that dark cloud of doubt hanging over me! I've enjoyed using my nikon F55, experimenting with shutter speeds and exposure but I find the thought of going digital really exciting.

I'd really appreciate your input, good or bad! Tell me how easy you think the D50 is for a total novice, give me the courage to walk into jessops with a fist full of money! Convince me that I won't be totally overwhelmed by it all and give me the courage to be assertive enough to ask for a demonstration without glazing over when a spotty little teenager, still wet behind the ears blinds me with science!!! My heart tells me that the D50 will be perfect for all those wonderful days out at my local wildlife reserve, but my head tells me that maybe I'm just too thick to use it!!
Jude :cool:

[BenBirding]

It's a very user friendly camera. A child could use it. It's has the ease of point and shoot cameras and the results of a professional camera. You won't be dissapointed if you buy one. Besides, you have tech support right here if you have any problems or questions.
Good luck with it.

[KCFoggin]

Hey Jude ;) If this blonde can learn her way around the D50, anyone can.

It is a neat camera. I think you will want one zoom lens. I use almost exclusively the Sigma 70 - 300 and I get good results most times. Just like in film photography, you are going to have your lousy shots. The good thing here is you can delete them yourself and not pay for the developing of a lousy shot. There is one manual, if you can get your hands on it over there and it's called Nikon D50 Digital Field Guide by David D. Busch. I recommend it highly. It even comes in a DVD format if you would rather watch it on the TV.

Lastly, you might want to visit our sister site at:

www.worldphotographyforum.com (http://www.worldphotographyforum.com)

There are plenty of friendly members there that are only too willing to help out with any and all questions you might have. Good luck.

Well maybe one last thing. You might want to do a search in our Gallery here using Nikon D50 or just D50 in the search field and look at the photos that come up and see what you think.

[ruddyduck]

[QUOTE=KCFoggin]Hey Jude ;) If this blonde can learn her way around the D50, anyone can.

It is a neat camera. I think you will want one zoom lens. I use almost exclusively the Sigma 70 - 300 and I get good results most times.

Thanks KC, just had a quick peep at your photo gallery, wow! If I could produce photos like that, I'll be on cloud nine! I really want the nikon D50, I just need somebody to tell me I'm capable of actually using it! Thanks for the support! I plan to buy the sigma 70-300 APO DG too, but will probably make-do with my cheap and cheerfull Nikon 70-300 G lens for now? (Running on a budget so tight, it squeaks!!) Which brand SD cards do you use?
Jude (once a blonde, but now going grey!) B (:

[ruddyduck]

It's a very user friendly camera. A child could use it. It's has the ease of point and shoot cameras and the results of a professional camera. You won't be dissapointed if you buy one. Besides, you have tech support right here if you have any problems or questions.
Good luck with it.

Thanks Ben,
You make it sound so easy! I'll probably need to use it on Auto until I get the knack of it! I've been a bit concerned about the Raw Vs J-peg issues, as my son tolerates me using his computer and goes mad if I download or install anything! So at least by shooting in J-peg mode, I can just take my sd card to a photo lab and get a cd burnt and order prints until I become more experienced? I guess we all have to start somewhere?
It's a comfort to know I can use this forum to ask all my stupid questions, I really appreciate all the support.
Jude :cool:

[KCFoggin]

Like everything else Jude, the more photos you take the better you will get so give it a shot. I don't think you will be disappointed. ;)

Right now I am using Ritz Camera's SD cards with good results. 512MBs

[macshark]

It would be quite easy to use.

As others said, you would need a tele zoom that fits your budget. The lowest cost "acceptable quality" tele zoom is probably the Sigma 70-300 APO.

At first, you could simply set it to aperture priority mode and select an ISO that gives you decent shutter speed (at least 1/300) and you are all set to go.

You may want to use spot metering when your subject is small and/or the light over the subject is quite different from the background.

For shooting white or black birds, you may want to switch to manual mode and meter for -1 or +1 exposure. Since digital shots are basically free, you can either use the AE bracketing feature of the camera or take a few shots at different exposure settings to make sure you are covered.

Get used to checking your histogram after each shot. Make sure the histogram is spread shut that it is very close to the right side of the display but does not touch it. The camera will indicate clipped highlights as blinking black and white areas on the display.

[BenBirding]

I would say get the APO DG version.
I bought mine from http://www.sigma4less.com and was very pleased with the price and service.

[SMC2002]

LOL Ruddy,
Is there a possibility that you are over-thinking this? I mean if you were using an F55 and liking it, you're not going to have any problems handling a digital SLR :-)

As mentioned, get the right glass (way more important than the "right" body, IMO) and start learning about the "digital darkroom". IMO, this is going to be the challenge. To learn how to properly process your digital images. With film, you drop it off or send it in and they do the processing and tweaking and give you the prints. With digital it can be a bit more difficult. Sure, if you nail the exposure and focus, you can print out jpgs right out of the camera. But if you are like many of us, who don't always hit the "bullseye"...lol, you will find you can improve most of the images you shoot with a bit of post processing.

Rather than fearing this "unknown", embrace it and look at it as a challenge. Personally, I get almost as much enjoyment out of post processing shots as I do from shooting them :-)

As KC points out, there's a ton of info and many helpful folks on the net. This is a great place to start.

Good luck and go buy that D50, today ;-)

Steve

[christineredgate]

Jude,go for it,Digi photography is fun,a huge learning curve,and all those duff shots do not cost a cent.Good luck.

[rezMole]

Jude,go for it,Digi photography is fun,a huge learning curve,and all those duff shots do not cost a cent.Good luck.

Not so big a learning curve if you've used a film SLR before. Just remember to take MORE photos. When i first switched from film, i still took only a few photos - took a while to get into the habit of taking as many as i wanted without having to worry about "bad" ones.

Just go for it. You won't regret it. The basics are the same as with film.

[greypoint]

I've used Canon DSLRS a Fuji S3Pro and also a Nikon D70 - believe me the D50 is the easiest camera out there! Personally I'd forget the 'A' settings and stick to P for point and shoot. Your film experience will allow you very quickly to move to AP etc. Don't get hung up on shooting RAW - until you feel confident to do so at least. The D50 produces great JPEGs - just don't be afraid to use exposure compensation - after all you can take as many pictures as you want so you can experiment. The D50 may not be considered a speed machine by users of pro models but it's very nippy really and I very rarely lose a shot due to the camera. It's either user error or a slow focussing lens. The Sigma is a very good lens but if you're going to go for one lens to start with I'd also check out the Tamron 28-300mm xr di which would give you a bigger range. I've been really surprised at how good it is.

[Leicaman]

The Sigma is a very good lens but if you're going to go for one lens to start with I'd also check out the Tamron 28-300mm xr di which would give you a bigger range. I've been really surprised at how good it is.

Given the 1.5 magnifcation factor of the sensor in a DLSR I went for the Tamron 18-200mm XR DiII(28-300mm film equivalent). Its also a superb lens.

[madmike]

Hi ruddyduck

Think about this.

1. Do you like spending 10 quid for 36 photos that may or may not be any good?

2. How many of the wildlife photos you take are actually un-usable?

3. Since I went digital, I've been able to attempt very difficult photos, sometimes taking upwards of 100 images of which only a few are any good!

Just do it!

BUT, make sure to get a VERY GOOD LENS, always shoot in RAW, save as TIFF and work on the tiff image.

Cheers,

madmike 3:-)

[rezMole]

Given the 1.5 magnifcation factor of the sensor in a DLSR I went for the Tamron 18-200mm XR DiII(28-300mm film equivalent). Its also a superb lens.

i use the Tamron 28-300 as well - a bit more range for about the same price. And a great little lens

[ruddyduck]

WoW!!! Thank you all so much for your friendly, helpful replies (Keep 'em coming!!!) I've always had a very low esteem and I've decided that it's time to start thinking of number one, so spending so much money on myself has been a real challenge! I really want the nikon D50, but I was worried that digital photography would be just too difficult for me to comprehend as I've got the I.Q. of a houseplant!!! You all make it sound so simple and it has given me the confidence to give it a try! I can get to grips with the SLR side of photography, it's just all the digital stuff that had me worried! I know the sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro won't be true macro, but it'll be near enough for me! I have had a browse throught the photo gallery at some fantastic D50 with Sigma 70-300 APO shots and I was really impressed, I'm hoping that most of them were made "in-camera" , so that I too might produce a few good'uns!!! I have very limited access to a computer, hence the desire not to need to use post-processing all the time, so by using J-peg rather than RAW, I hope to learn to get it right at the time of taking the actual picture.
One more question, if I may?
Anyone got any idea what a mint condition nikon F55 might be worth as a trade in for the D50 at Jessops? I went into a "local" photgraphy shop a few days ago and asked the assistant, who was obviously NOT a nikon fan and after a sharp intake of breath, he replied! (and I quote) "Why do you need a digital SLR? Surely a compact would be better?? I couldn't give your nikon F55 away, you'd be lucky to get £30 tops!" I surprised myself by being assertive and saying that I wanted the option to change lenses and that most SLR's give you so much more control than the majority of compacts (well done Jude!!) to which he replied, "well, why don't you buy the canon 30D then?" And as soon as I said I couldn't afford it, he lost interest and told me I'd regret buying the D50!!!
As I walked out of the shop, he waffled "I've been selling cameras for more than 30 years , Love!!!!" (Don't ya just hate being called "Love" when you're being put down!) :storm: And the rest was just a blur!!!!!! Needless to say, I won't be going back there!!! I'm surprised he's not gone bankrupt with that sort of attitude towards a potential customer! (so much for SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOPS!!!)
I realise my F55 won't be worth a huge amount, but I've no idea how much to expect as part-exchange?
Thanks for all your support.
Jude :hi:

[bpw]

Shooting JPEG rather than RAW is turning your back on one of the very major advantages of going digital. It’ll be a bigger learning curve going RAW, but worth every effort. I sympathise with you if you have limited access to a PC, but I think you’ll need it, whichever route you take.

The very best of luck with your new camera!

[BenBirding]

Don't let anyone tell you that the 70-300 APO DG can't take good macros. I use this lens all the time for shooting dragonflies. You can see the results attached.