whats up guys
im gonna be getting a nikon d70s or d100 for graduation here in a couple weeks and i want to get a telephoto lense for shooting surfing. my question is does anyone have any experience in this field that can tell me approx how much of a zoom im gonna need. the reason i ask is generally as the zoom goes up so does the price and $1600 for a 800mm lense is way out of my price range.
thanks
l8r on
Brandon
Hey Surfin.
There is a really good website at → http://www.dpreview.com/
It’s a website that has reviews and information about almost every single digital camera.
Not sure if it has yours, but hope that helps!.
Lavz
Anything over 400-500mm is prolly overkill for a non professional, in my experience. Friend of mine uses a 500mm with his Canon and likes it and does very nice work with it, but that’s five grand. More than that…well, you gonna be shooting Jaws snaps from the shore? Beware of the fixed aperture cheap 500mm lenses too- though there are a lot of very good lenses for Nikons that are not made by Nikon.
My own smaller, cheaper setup goes to the equivalent of 370mm and it seems fine. Plus I can shoot at maximum megapixel resolution and crop for a decent/reasonable sized image at screen resolution.
Bear in mind that 35mm film is still a better choice if you are gonna go with prints in mind rather than shooting purely digital photos. Especially prints beyond 8x10 - the photo printers that will do large photo quality, high definition prints are bloody expensive.
Do, however, contemplate a good tripod. A long lens means camera shake is a problem, and that’s crucial. A good tripod head as well that will pan fast and smooth for your sequence shots or following somebody along a wave.
Check all the things the camera will do, how much lag between pressing the shutter button and actually taking the shot, sequences, all that sort of thing. That lag can make the difference between a great shot and just seeing the guy’s feet disappearing. Sequences are great…if your setup will do 'em. You start your sequence early and let it go through the moment you figure will be the best.
Lots more- see www.photo.net for a hell of a lot more, though bear in mind that some of the people there think nothing of dropping $20,000 on camera gear , for bragging rights as much as anything else. I think of it as ‘drag racing with gold cards’…
hope that’s of use
doc…
Hey SVA!
I’m actually getting a rebel xt…its comming in about 3 hrs! (excited). Anyways, what I know about shooting sports/action with a telephoto is not just the focal length but the available light is also a critical factor. Since you’re shooting surfing, I guess light’s not a problem but still look for a lens with big a aperture for those fast moments.
oh yeah…heres some pics of a guy shooting with your nikon…he uses a 500mm…check it out:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=13289002
sick!!!
Rio
PS. invest in a sturdy tripod so the wind doesn’t blow your camera away. there’s also a shoulderpod that looks like a rifle stock that you attach to your camera. its not as stable as a tripod but when shooting fast action sometimes the tripod gets in the way and you may “lose” the surfer as he boosts out of your field of view.
Edit: oops! sorry. that guy uses a D2h not D70, but still 500mm. so I felt bad and searched hard and strong for a nikon D70 surfing shot so here it is (shot with a 80-400 sigma zoom) http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=12635574 …hmm… now that i’m seeing the images…sigma’s not that bad…
whats up guys
im gonna be getting a nikon d70s or d100 for graduation here in a couple weeks and i want to get a telephoto lense for shooting surfing. my question is does anyone have any experience in this field that can tell me approx how much of a zoom im gonna need. the reason i ask is generally as the zoom goes up so does the price and $1600 for a 800mm lense is way out of my price range.
thanks
l8r on
Brandon
Hey Brandon. I am an amateur photographer and I take pictures of my friends surfing all the time. Let me give you this piece of advice: Walk Before Your Run.
You aren’t going to need a $1500 lens right out of the box. And really…unless you’re getting into professional photography, you don’t need one at all. I would advise you to get one good, versatile Zoom lens. Tamron makes an 18-200mm zoom for Nikon digital for around $500 new. I would recommend a zoom lens because if you buy an 800mm fixed lens…you’re really only going to be able to use if for a limited number of applications. A lens that large is virtually useless outside of sports photography…as far as non-professionals go. So while you won’t have the ability to zoom into your buddy’s nostrils like you would with an 800mm lens…if you go with a smaller but more versatile zoom lens you can get away with only having one or two lenses. This way you can use the same lens if you’re shooting surfing, a family gathering, etc.
What I also suggest you do…is instead of buying a large zoom lens…get yourself a teleconverter. For anywhere between $50-$200 you can get a 1-2x Teleconverter. What this is…is a little attachment that goes on the camera before the lens and magnifies the existing lens. For example…if you have a 200mm lens and a 2x converter…you now have a 400mm lens.
Like I said…I’m an amateur. I only carry two lenses: a 28-80mm zoom and a 70-300mm zoom.
P.S. Check out http://www.keh.com for photograhy equiment. They’re a very reputable company that deals in new & used cameras & equipment
Hey Brandon. I am an amateur photographer and I take pictures of my friends surfing all the time. Let me give you this piece of advice: Walk Before Your Run.
You aren’t going to need a $1500 lens right out of the box. And really…unless you’re getting into professional photography, you don’t need one at all. I would advise you to get one good, versatile Zoom lens. Tamron makes an 18-200mm zoom for Nikon digital for around $500 new. I would recommend a zoom lens because if you buy an 800mm fixed lens…you’re really only going to be able to use if for a limited number of applications. A lens that large is virtually useless outside of sports photography…as far as non-professionals go. So while you won’t have the ability to zoom into your buddy’s nostrils like you would with an 800mm lens…if you go with a smaller but more versatile zoom lens you can get away with only having one or two lenses. This way you can use the same lens if you’re shooting surfing, a family gathering, etc.
What I also suggest you do…is instead of buying a large zoom lens…get yourself a teleconverter. For anywhere between $50-$200 you can get a 1-2x Teleconverter. What this is…is a little attachment that goes on the camera before the lens and magnifies the existing lens. For example…if you have a 200mm lens and a 2x converter…you now have a 400mm lens.
Like I said…I’m an amateur. I only carry two lenses: a 28-80mm zoom and a 70-300mm zoom.
P.S. Check out http://www.keh.com for photograhy equiment. They’re a very reputable company that deals in new & used cameras & equipment
I’ll second all of that and add that KEH is a really good place to check legitimate prices - there are lots of places that advertise lower prices but are bait and switch outfits - they suddenly don’t have the item available but they do have a more expensive version. Been there, done that.
Oddly enough. Amazon is another good source for photography stuff. Especially those digital peripherals you need like extra power packs, memory cards and so on.
Do ask yourself what you will be shooting for- if you are gonna be doing 99% shots for posting or putting up on the web, then bear in mind that shooting in any format bigger than about 1280 x 960 is a waste of effort, assuming your shot is framed properly, etc. That is, bigger than 1MP format.
And unless you want to shell out another $400 or more ( see http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1283590&CatId=0 ) for a good photo-type printer ( plus consumables like photo inks, plus photo paper, not cheap either) then you won’t be printing out large size either. Standard dot matrix inkjets print out 1280 x 960 as full standard sheet of paper. Plenty big enough. Bigger? Okay, but you get a lot bigger and then the tool of choice is a large-format film camera.
Which goes a long way towards explaining why I bought a 4MP camera and not something with more. For large prints ( bigger than 8x10 ) , film still has the edge and will for a while, even when you are looking at $5000 or more top of the line pro grade SLR digital cameras.
Another thought - if you are not committed to some sort of auto-focus Nikon SLR system in film already and own some lenses that’ll work with the D70, have a look at the Canons. I have played with a couple and I have to say I was very impressed. Same price range as the Nikons, but my pro photographer friends are moving over to the Canon system, including the ones who had ( and are eating ) a substantial investment in Nikons.
Hope that’s of use
doc…
I’ll second Doc on the Canon’s. All we use for our video and photo work is Canon. They have a really good selection of lenses and are reasonable in price. I find the glass and lens quality quite superior. Now we still use some other Zeiss lenses and Panavision lenses when we shoot video. For your price range however, I think going Canon will do you well. As mentioned before look for a good zoom lens you’ll get more bang for your buck. Depending on where you live check out the local camera shops for used lenses. You can save your self a lot buying used just inspect things very very closely.
I can speak for this camera, and the 28 - 80 mm Nikon lens. It’s good at the local beach break, and for close events. If you have a reef break or need a telephoto, just get a Tamaron with F mount.
Great camera setup. And you could prolly get a used set-up from a pro that has to have the latest and greatest, digital set-up. Don’t forget an IBM 1 GB Microdrive!
IF you go digital, don’t get a used camera earlier model than 2000. ANY of the current high end cameras are cool.
Early in 2000 Nikon introduced the D1 digital camera and the world of professional digicams would never be the same. Before the D1 came on the scene only working photojournalists or the rich and famous could afford the benefits of a high performance SLR digital camera. What once cost $13,000 or more is now available for less, much less. The price of professional digicams is falling as each new generation is introduced.
Fuji Photo Film now makes it more affordable than ever to get into professional digital photography by merging Fujifilm’s Super CCD image sensor technology with Nikon’s N60 SLR camera to create the FinePix S1 Pro. This camera uses a Nikon F lens mount so photographers with a substantial investment in Nikkor lenses can make the move to digital as economically as possible.
The FinePix S1 Pro has a 1.1 inch Super CCD sensor that delivers ultra-high resolution 3042 x 2016-pixel images files. Other features include a 1.5 frames/second burst rate (up to five frames), adjustable ISO sensitivity of 320/400/800/1600, shutter speeds from 30 to 1/2000 seconds and both SmartMedia and CompactFlash Type II card slots.
Choose from a variety of exposure modes: General Purpose Program, Auto-Multi Program (Flexible Program possible), Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, 5 Variable-program modes (portrait, landscape, close-up, sport, night scene) or full Manual. 3D Matrix exposure metering with D-type AF Nikkor lenses, 6-segment Matrix with non-D-type AF Nikkor or AI-P Nikkor lenses and Center-weighed in Manual exposure mode or with AE Lock. 3 EV range of exposure compensation in 1/3 EV increments. White Balance settings for Auto, Sunny, Shade, Incandescent, 3 modes for Fluorescent or Custom.
On the back is a 200,000 pixel 2-inch TFT color LCD. There’s also an illuminated monochrome data LCD that allows you to change record and playback features without using the big color LCD. Image playback is available in fullscreen with zoom (up to 19x !), four or nine thumbnails plus a master histogram indication as well as histograms for each color channel.
Looking down on the top, the S1 Pro has all the same camera features as the Nikon N60. On the left is the Mode Dial (more on this on the next page) and selftimer button, Nikon-TTL flash hot shoe, shutter release (with threaded hole forcable release), power switch, exposure compensation, aperture and flash mode buttons plus the large data LCD for the camera settings.
As you’d expect from a professional camera, the S1 Pro has a wide and flat bottom and mounts securely on a tripod. The access door is for the camera batteries, not to be confused with the digital section’s batteries.
Digital Photography? Good for posting things on swaylocks ( like boards and what you’ve been up to ) But nottin’ is better than printing your own!
Even going a step further and having a little fun. Pin hole camera’s are incredably cool and really satisfying to make yourself. May not be so practicle for shooting surfing but anyhoo…
Josh.
I use a 400 on my Richoh.
Film definitely has the advantage for a lot of things. And there are some real bargains to be had, now that the hobbyists with deep pockets are falling all over themselves to go digital and unloading their film stuff -
http://jfmill.home.comcast.net/pics/phototoys.html is my film kit, as of the moment. I found a need for better digital gear than that little pocket item shown there, and went with one of these: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fuji_s5100.html - I’m really quite pleased with it. It does things I have only heard of.
Want to go high tech and have more money than you need? http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s3pro.html
doc…
Awesome equipment doc!
I’m using:
Ricoh XR-2s Camera
Sigma zoom lens and ricoh stock
Homemade pinhole
Olympus C-100 digital.
g’day Brandon !
I have been known to take the occassional “happy snaps” [!] , as my pommy dad would call them .
The following won’t be digital information , but 35mm S.L.R. [single lens reflex… roll film] camera info.
For MOST of the surfing shots in my “photos…share the stoke” , and "photos …keep 'em coming " threads , I used / am using a secondhand $200aus Canon AE-1 camera [a 1980’s model] with a $200aus secondhand 400mm lens . (For the ones that “look closer up” , I whacked on a $50aus “2x converter”, making it , in effect, an “800mm” lens !]
So, starting out [if you are ?] … as others have said , you won’t HAVE to outlay big bucks, if you don’t want to.
But if it’s digital you really want , I guess that WILL be more pricey ? [mainly for the convenience of being able to see , and “post” your “photos” straight away, I guess !!]
anyhow…I hope this has helped you in some way ?
…cheers !
ben
Hey, Josh -
Wish Olympus made a digital SLR that’d accept the OM-series lenses, still thinking about scoring an older/used OM-3 or 4…
You want a fun camera to play with - check out the Nikonos or Nikonos II - http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/nikonos.htm
totally manual rangefinder underwater 35mm, all-metal construction ( unlike the Nikonos III which has some problems with plastic cracking ) and- well, the electronic metered Nikonos IV and V ( let alone the ultra-expensive RS ) are just asking for trouble. With the stock 35 mm lens it’s adequate, with the 80mm it’s a pretty good general purpose camera and you can do water shots without being close enough to have somebody else’s board as a dental appliance. You can find the old Nikonos and Nikonos II fairly cheap on the used market. The 80mm lenses are a little tougher to get hold of, but they are out there.
enjoy
doc…
Hey Guys thanks for everything.
I am already up to my neck in phototgraphy.i really like it and i have been competing in a competition in which i have made it through regionals,states, and will be going to chicago for nationals. this is a high school competition im a senior and ill be graduating in a few weeks and i plan to go to college in the field. up untill recently i was totally against digital photography but the ability to see the photographs right away and the total cost of film,processing and prints has made me want a digital camera and ill most liklet be getting a nikon d100. i would really like to apply some of my photography to surfing and see where that takes me. i approached a photographer on the beach yeterday who had a 400mm lense which got out there pretty well considering the area (VB) so ill probably get a 600mm or 800mm if i can afford it and get a 2x teleconverter which will give me all the zoom ill ever need if i can get enough light in.
thanks guys
l8r on
Brandon
thanks for the info doc!
I admit to being abit of a ‘landlord’ but when its smaller I do ocassionally take out my vivatar ‘one size fits all’ cheapie.
Photography is great fun!
Josh.
Se if either of them has a underwater housing so you can get closeups in the water
Actually- they make U/W housings for just about anything these days . The only problem with that is that in many cases the housing costs more than the camera… B&H Photo, for instance, lists lots of them -
The fairly rugged housings ( and I wouldn’t trust a $1200+ digital camera to one of those ewa-marine plastic bag rigs) run $1000 and up.
On the other hand, friend of mine just got himself one of the new Canon shallow water waterproof cameras and has been working with others including the D100- see http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/
hope that’s of use
doc…
Underwater housings???
yeah those things are expensive…its funny but i saw a couple of kids on the beach bodyboarding one day and they had bought a housing just like the one that was homemade on this thread a while back:
they said it worked good but they had a video cam in it not a 35mm. I’ve always wanted to build one but can’t get over the potential risk of getting my camera soaked. sigh
Rio
i think their possible to rent and you might be able to get a deal on ebay
Yeah, I’m with ya on that. If I shelled out the better part of $1500US for a digital camera or a really good 35mm, I’d have to think long and hard before I trusted it to something I had built myself.
You can rent the housings, yes… but the typical rental price ( I looked around ) is such that in ten days rental you basicly bought the thing. And for a while I watched the eBay waterproof housing listings and what I found was that …well, sometimes you hit it good and sometimes there is some joker who will pay as much or more as a new one goes for if he’d looked around a bit and will blow you right out of the water as it were.
These days there are a lot of relatively inexpensive housings for the inexpensive digital cameras or all-in-one setups that are not that expensive: http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details?reqID=6442215&subsection=optio the Pentax OptioWP - which, actually, might be a neat little camera to take along if you were travelling…damned thing apparently will also act as a travel alarm clock and do short videos.
You know something? For 99% of what 99% of us are doing with digital photography or any photography, something like the little Pentax is all we will ever really need. So it doesn’t have a big zoom - so what? Shoot in big format and crop to a realistic size and realistic DPI for screen or inkjet-quality printouts. Get a couple-three large memory cards at $30US a pop or travel with a laptop like most of us already do. You’re all set.
I mean, we all have our Walter Mitty moments when we think we’re gonna suddenly become great photographers or even great surf photographers, but realisticly if we get ten good shots out of the hundreds we’ll shoot over the life of a camera it’d be a marvel and face it, all the rest are gonna be snapshot quality. The pros shoot thousands and thousands of shots and while practice may get them a better ratio, it’s a very few who really are gonna get the opportunity to do that. Yeah, they have better equipment, which also helps, but that is after all their livlihood.
I wouldn’t necessarily rush right out and get one of these Pentaxes … expect to see many similar items coming on the market real soon. Street price around $200US.
doc…