Recent content by dblevitan

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I'd like your critique of my photos

Regarding exposure, it really depends on the scene. You can create great landscapes at f/4.5, but it all depends on what you're shooting. As for a tripod, you don't need it if you pay attention to exposure and (especially) have VR/IS. It helps, but carrying a heavy laptop into the field is a...
- dblevitan
- Post #12
- Sep 28, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Took The Plunge

The 50 mm is not VR, but it is a very fast lens and thus works well under low light conditions. It's also very sharp, which is what people like about it (I haven't used it yet but I'll be buying one soon). It goes for about $120 or so new, a bit less used. Personally, I have a 1 GB Sandisk...
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Sep 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Taking it One Step Further

This is correct. However, Nikon released new firmware for the D70 which basically brought all the software improvements to the D70. As for the actual improvements, the list (from memory) is: - theoretically wider flash coverage, but no one actually proved this - larger LCD monitor - socket...
- dblevitan
- Post #22
- Sep 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How would you transfer eleventy billion Hi8 tapes to a hard drive...

Sony's Digital8 cameras can transfer Hi8 to Firewire. Here's a forum link with some more information. The problem is that consumer camcorders won't last very long under continuous use, but its probably much cheaper than finding a D8 tape deck.
- dblevitan
- Post #6
- Aug 29, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Editing photos- software advice?

Are you comparing the RAW files output from ufraw/picasa to JPEG files from the camera? If you are, that might be your problem. No third party RAW converter will equal the camera manufacturer's converter (whether in-camera or software). For example, I know for Nikon cameras that only Nikon's...
- dblevitan
- Post #13
- Aug 15, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Editing photos- software advice?

If you're shooting RAW it'll be worth it to get Lightroom and Photoshop. If you don't want to bother with the problems associated with RAW (specifically the time required to deal with the photographs), I'd suggest switching to JPEG. If you don't want to and want to use free software, you'll have...
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- Aug 15, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Few very basic questions wrt DSLRs...

Regarding bags, Lowepro's AW series is definitely amazing, although you can get something similar (and only slightly more complicated to use) with a rain cover from the likes of REI or Campmor. I recently picked up one for a new bag that was $20, folds up as flat as the AW cover, and is just as...
- dblevitan
- Post #10
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How far behind is my D50 now?

Actually, I think the D50, specifically for night shots, is way behind the top end of the market. This is coming as a D70 owner who agrees that for most things, a D70/D50 is perfectly fine. However, for high ISO work what the D3 (and now, I believe, the D700 as well) can do is amazing...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How to Get into Digital Photography

Definitely do take pictures, but I would definitely post process. The fact is that every digital photo is already post processed by the camera. There is nothing wrong with using levels/curves to bring out areas or using cloning/healing brushes to remove dust spots. I sometimes go as far as to...
- dblevitan
- Post #5
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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What are some must have digital photography accessories?

I agree with corkyg that rubber ear syringes are useful and cheap (and easily replaceable if lost). I always have a microfiber cloth - I think a t-shirt is a bad idea since it will usually contain at least a bit of sweat which I'm sure is not good for coatings. I also have a small bottle of lens...
- dblevitan
- Post #7
- Aug 13, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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How do you generally do color / white balance calibration while shooting?

I shoot RAW and generally find the Auto setting on my D70 to be good enough. Photography (especially nature, which is what I primarily do) does not need to be a perfect science. The goal is to get a good looking photograph, not the most accurate color representation. Lightroom is fast enough on...
- dblevitan
- Post #8
- Aug 11, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Just got a D60, need help finding a lens with some zoom

Nikon's VR (and Canon's equivalent IS) is only useful for low-light and/or long focal length shots. VR reduces vibration from your hands, which is most prominent at long shutter speeds and long focal lengths. It's not quite as useful at the wide end but is very useful and the long end. In terms...
- dblevitan
- Post #13
- Aug 5, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Care to comment?

The thing with HDR images is that they look fake. We're used to photographs that have a limited dynamic range and its hard to make them appear real. However it is possible and Nikonians just had a contest for HDR photos where there were several very nice ones. Personally, for my own photos, I...
- dblevitan
- Post #14
- Jul 19, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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SD850 vs SD1100

Well, the 1100 saves you about .1 inches on every dimension, so yeah, it is a bit smaller. But as you mentioned, the 850 gives you more zoom, specifically a slightly wider and somewhat more tele lens (35-140 for the 850 vs. 38-114 for the 1100). You might also consider the 870 which gives you an...
- dblevitan
- Post #3
- Jul 19, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video
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Chicago Skyline

20 seconds you should be fine with. I would say stick with lower ISOs and longer exposures rather than higher ISOs and shorter exposures (as long as you're using a tripod and the exposure isn't beyond a minute or two). However, make sure the camera does the long exposure noise reduction. This...
- dblevitan
- Post #9
- Jul 12, 2008
- Forum: Digital Cameras and Video

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