Many will tell you that it's not down to the camera you use
but the Photographer. It does help to have good equipment
however, and the kit I use can be found below.
Camera Body
Nikon D50
Megapixels: 6.24Mp(6.1Mp effective)
Shutter speed: 30-1/4,000sec
Storage type SD Card (none supplied)
Battery type Rechargable Li-ion EN-EL3
Sensor dimensions 23.7x15.6.8mm
Lens focal length 18-55mm
Dimensions 102x76x133mm
Weight 540g
The D50 is an entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera
from Nikon. It has a 23.7 mm by 15.6 mm DX format image sensor
with 6.1 million effective pixels. It also has a two-inch
(50 mm) polysilicon TFT LCD with 130,000 pixels. The camera
uses a through-the-lens full-aperture exposure metering system.
It can simultaneously record NEF and JPEG data to a Secure
Digital storage device. Like its newer, higher-end sibling
(the D80), the D50 uses Secure Digital instead of CompactFlash
cards found on previous Nikon digital SLRs. The camera is
powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which is claimed
to be able to take up to 2,000 shots on a single charge. The
camera is compatible with PictBridge printers and can shoot
2.5 frames per second in continuous mode. The camera's dimensions
are 133 mm in width, 102 mm in height, and 76 mm in depth.
It weighs 620 g with the battery (about 22 oz).
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Lenses
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-70 mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
A convenient standard zoom lens with high quality optics,
a high zoom ratio and good cost performance for use with the
Nikon DX Format Digital SLRs. With an ample 18-70mm zoom range
that is equivalent to a 27-105mm lens in 35mm format, this
lens offers maximum versatility to accommodate tight portraits
or expansive landscapes. Optical performance is augmented
through the incorporation of 3 ED glass elements and 1 composite
aspherical lens that together provide appropriate compensation
for aberrations. Through the adoption of an SWM (Silent Wave
Motor), the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED enables
swift, silent AF (Auto Focus) performance with the AF systems
of the Nikon Digital SLR's.
Zoom or Prime Zoom
Focal length (wide) 18
Focal length (tele) 70
Max aperture (wide) 3.5
Max aperture (tele) 4.5
Autofocus motor SWM
Lens mount Nikon F
Image stabilisation No
Filter thread (mm) 67
Hood model HB-32
Minimum focus distance 0.38m
Weight (g) 420
Size 73x75.5mm
Colour Black
Lens elements 15
Lens groups 13
MF switch Full-time manual over ride
Tele-converter compatibility No
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Sigma
70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Focal
length 70-300mm
Aperture f/4-5.6
Angle of view 34.3-8.2°
Filter size / type 58mm
Construction Elements/groups 14 elements in 10 groups
Focusing type Rotating & extending
Closest focus 1.5m (0.95m in Macro mode 1:2)
Weight 0.55kg
Dimensions (Dia x length) 76.6x122mm
Mounts available Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax
Tripod bush No
Price £199.99
Build and Handling
Physically identical to it’s cheaper, non APO sister lens
with the first 12mm given over to accommodate the AF/MF switch
situated on the left of the barrel, the next third is occupied
by the zoom ring which is marked at 70, 100, 135, 200 and 300mm.
Although not hard to move, you do know you are moving a fair
amount of glass as the front element travels forward some 55mm
through the range.
The next part of the barrel has a basic depth-of-field
scale marked and, again on the left, carries the switch to
enable ‘Macro’ photography. The final 25% of the
barrel forms the focus ring, which, in manual focus, is nicely
torqued. Once switched to Autofocus, it cannot be over-ridden
and becomes stiff for that reason. In normal mode, focussing
can extend the lens a further 17mm. There is a red ring around
the lens to denote the APO version, which is needed if you
have the two lenses side by side!
One of the features of this lens is the ‘Macro’
mode, which allows photography to a ratio of 1:2. Not true
Macro, but a useful feature just the same. It works between
the focal lengths of 200-300mm and is engaged by sliding the
switch once the lens is extended past 200mm. This allows the
focus ring to travel further, and the lens to extend another
14mm, in order to focus closer. This brings the total extension,
at 300mm and at the closest focus, to some 86mm. At this length,
more than half of the lens is rotating during focussing, which
can be awkward to hold still. The AF performance is adequate
for a lens in this price bracket. Not fast, but quick enough
for most purposes and although the motor makes a noise, it
is not so noisy as to scare off the target.
Optical Quality
This is where this APO lens differs from its sister, utilising
two extra SLD (special low dispersion) glass elements in the
front group, making three in total. SLD glass is denser, accounting
for the slight increase in weight over the lesser lens.
As is normal with this type of zoom lens, performance is better
at the shorter focal length, tailing off a bit as the zoom
is extended. However, unlike some, the drop off is not too
marked and in its class, this lens performed well throughout
the range.
The
extended focus, providing the 1:2 macro facility, is especially
useful and performed well giving good definition at close
quarters. The new multi-coating, which gives the lens it’s
DG (optimised for digital) classification, helps a design
that is good to start with, that extra bit of help in controlling
artefacts. CA is well controlled and distortion reasonably
well managed, although there is a slight pincushion effect
at the 300mm end. (Easily cured in software on digital images)
The extra SLD elements do indeed help to improve the resolution.
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Nikon
50mm/F1.8 D AF Nikkor
D-type lens design provides distance information
as part of flash and ambient light exposure processes.
Classic normal lens provides speed and compact design
Multi-layer coating minimizes flare and ghosting.
52mm filter size.
Exceptionally lightweight and compact. Ideal for travel photography.
Stops down to f/22 for excellent depth-of-field control.
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Accessories
HL-D50 Powergrip
Hahnel announce battery grip for Nikon Digital SLR - Hahnel
have launched the first two in a range of stylish battery power
grips for power hungry digital SLR cameras
Nikon D-50 with HL-D50 Powergrip
Powergrip HN-D50, 2* HN-EL3 and AA-Adapter
The HN-D50 and HN-D70/70S for the Nikon D50
and D70/70s cameras are the first to be launched of Hahnels
new range of BatteryGrips for digital SLRs. Both models come
complete with two Hahnel HL-EL3 7.4v 1500mAh Lithium ion batteries
plus an AA battery adapter for use with 6 AA batteries.
There are major benefits when the Hahnel BatteryGrips
are used.
The
available power is doubled for longer uninterupted camera
function.
A combination of a better balance, through a lower point of
gravity and a firm grip improve the camera handling especially
when longer focal length lenses are used.
The included AA adapter offers a flexible power-backup solution
when you run out of power unexpectedly. Even standard AA alkaline
batteries will provide enough power to keep going wherever
you are.The Hahnel Batterygrips will be available from all
leading digital SLR retailers for 99.99
Nikon
D-50 with HL-D50 Powergrip |
Powergrip
HN-D50, 2* HN-EL3 and AA-Adapter |
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