A Newbe to Digital

[EZV]

Hello Folks,
Throughout the '90's I worked overseas and was able to indulge my photography habit behind a camera and in a darkroom. Since then, being back in the States, I haven't had the same spare time nor darkroom. I would like get back into the saddle again, so to speak. Since I have a nice collection of Nikon/Nikkor film camera gear, I figure the best way to proceed would be via a filmstrip scanner and developing film again. As far as a scanner goes I was thinking about a Pacific Image Prime Film 7200 with its out-of-the-box CyberView software. Any suggestion, pro or con, on this choice would be appreciated.

 

[Ysarex83 77]

Unless you have a nostalgic attachment to shooting film or plan to make darkroom prints, I'd say sell off the old film gear, take the money you'd spend on the scanner and the money you'd spend on a years worth of film and chemicals and get a decent digital camera.

Film processing and scanning is time intensive. Great if you wan to do it but if you've decided to move to digital by doing the scanning and you're not planning to go back to the darkroom to make prints then make the full switch. You need film to make darkroom prints. If you want a digital final result start with a digital camera. You'll save lots of time and money in the long run.

Joe

 

[EZV]

Thanks Joe, I have thought about that and it is worth more consideration and research. I'm not planning to jump in head first and have time to figure out how to spend my money. As a "plan B" I've looked into a buying a used Nikon DSLR camera body that will accept Nikkor AIS lenses.
Still, to some folks, this may a stop gap measure, but I have some nice glass and not very interested in auto focus.

Buy the way, my name is Zach.

 

[Designer]

Hey, Zach!

I think any Nikon body will mount those lenses. There are some excellent deals on used equipment.

Why not auto focus? The older AF lenses will not auto focus on consumer grade bodies.

 

[Ysarex83 77]

Not that easy. I understand it's hard to look at that lens investment and consider letting it go. You can use old glass on a newer DSLR but it's not like using that old glass on you old film cameras.

Modern cameras are designed to auto focus. They do that so well and so much better than you can manually focus that the camera manufacturers have removed the manual focus aids from their cameras. You won't find a split image or micro prism focus aid in a modern camera. IF YOU CAN GET ONE, it's going to cost you. Manual focus is still an important feature in special cases like macro photography, but then the camera is on a tripod.

When you lose the auto-focus linkage you're losing other linkages as well and you'll be unable to use the camera's automated exposure functions except maybe A priority with the lens stopped down. This is going to slow you down.

I have two old manual focus lenses for my camera but I use them rarely. I went that route because they're special purpose and account for a percent or two of what I do. In both cases I have to use a tripod (macro and long telephoto). Otherwise it's a delight to use a modern camera.

I took my camera out yesterday afternoon. Early evening I looked through the photos and processed a few and put them up on Flickr. Do you really want to give up that kind of convenience? Had you been with me you'd maybe have plans to develop your film this weekend. Then you'd have to scan it and process it. I'll have gone out twice again in that time, taken more photos and processed them.

You're also more limited in what you can photograph using film. Yesterday was very changeable weather. I walked to the grocery store with my camera. When I left it was sunny and when I returned there were snow flurries. Digital allows me to adapt to a much wider range of conditions.

Joe

 

[KenC]

I did a sort of gradual switch, first scanning negatives, then shooting one digital (bridge camera) and one SLR with film, then finally got a DSLR in 2008. I thought I would miss film and kept my scanner and my developing tank, but I never used them after getting the DSLR and now I doubt I would touch film again, for the reasons Joe stated. BTW, since I had Pentax film SLR's and lenses and didn't trust their commitment to digital, I switched to Canon and gradually built up a new system. It was worth it.

 

[KmH]

Nikon started making 2 tiers of consumer grade DSLR bodies back in 2006 when Nikon decided they needed a 'compact' DSLR that would appeal to women.
That first 'compact' DSLR is the Nikon D40.
Nikon left out the auto focus motor and screw-drive system to make a compact DSLR.
The compact Nikon's can only auto focus lenses that have an auto focus motor in the lens. Nikon designates those lenses as AF-S lenses. The S indicates the lens has a Silent Wave auto focus motor in it.

The compact consumer grade Nikon DSLRs that do not have the auto focus motor screw-drive are the D40, D40x, D60, D3x00, D5x00

The regular size consumer grade Nikon DSLRs that have the auto focus motor and screw-drive are the D70, D70x, D80, D90, D7x00, D6x0.
These cameras can auto focus both AF and AF-S lenses.
When an AF lens is mounted the AF motor in the camera is used.
When an AF-S lens is mounted the AF motor in the lens is used.

 

[Gary A.]

Morning Zach,

I'm an old old film guy from way back in the dinosaur film-only days of photography when auto was a car not a camera setting. I used to shoot news for a living. I love autofocus. You can take away aperture priority, you can take away shutter priority, take away HDR, take away chimping, take away TTL metering ... well ... maybe not that ... but don't ever take away modern AF.

I have a dedicated film scanner for my old negs, a Plustek.

If you are an experienced and skilled photographer, In my opinion, there isn't any reason not to jump into digital with both feet. I used to shoot, develop and print every working day. Digital is so much more convenient, at every aspect than film. With digital you can instantly review your capture. (I shoot with mirrorless cameras which use an electronic viewfinder, EVF, and I can see the exposure and DOF prior to releasing the shutter.) I can change my ISO on every single frame on the fly. I can shoot RAW, which allows a wide latitude of color and exposure manipulation or JPEG which is minimal manipulative but like a polaroid, you can have the final results right out of the camera. Printing is easier. With a wireless printer I can print while watching Tv.

There are many who prefer the film experience, but I for one am happy that I went full digital in 2005.

Good Luck and Good Shooting,
Gary

 

[dennybeall]

You also have to use care with older lenses in that they can damage the electrical connection pins on the newer cameras. My D5300 has 8 pins for example. There are companies that advertise on the web that will fix the mounts for you but it ain't cheap and you still have a manual partially working lens,,

 

[snowbear113 45]

Welcome aboard.

I have a D40 and use a couple of older AIs lenses. They will not meter with the D40, but this hasn't been much of a problem. for me as I just take a few test shots. The D40 also has a rangefinder function -- a green indicator lights up when the subject is in focus. If you decide to go this route, I'd suggest downloading the manual from Nikon's web site and look through it and see what limitations your lenses will have on that particular body.

 

[EZV]

Thank you all very much. Your responses have given me much to think about. Since I have a few months before I make any kind of move I'm going to give getting into nice used DSLR outfit. My plan B may very well prevail.

Thanks again, Zach

 

[gsgary]

If you like manual focusing take a look at the Sony A7 it has focusing aids with an adapter will take your Nikon lenses, it's full frame and will blow away most Dslr's, I use my Leica mount lenses on mine