Nikon 18-200mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 and Weddings

[Don Simon]

so i have the AF-S DX 18-135 f/3.5-5.6. I asumme this means I can only set the aperature on my D80 of a range from 3.5-5.6. Correct?

A minor correction - you can't set the aperture on your D80 to anything because the camera doesn't have an aperture; the aperture is in the lens (although on most SLRs you set it via the camera).

 

[AdamZx3]

Presumably Adam was referring to the ones he listed, namely...

70-200 VR 2.8 for those candid photojournalistic style shots
28-70 2.8 great all around lens
85mm 1.4 good for low light situations

as opposed to the 18-200mm.

Well I'll wait for his confirmation if so I guess it was a mis-communcation with him.

Thats right, sorry for the mis-communication, I guess I could have typed it a little more clear, now I can see by spacing it out so far, at a glance it could easily look like my gear list (I wish it was )

Also I am glad to hear the nikon line on lenses is on par with canon as far as AF speed, I know to my eye the image quality is the same, though others online may disagree. A couple of people said that they switched over to canon and the af and quality was much better (for the 70-200). I don't want to start a canon vs. nikon debate though...both are good brands that pro's use, and i'm still using nikon

 

[D40]

Thanks for to ideas and I am sorry I did not include as much info in the first post! Here is what I am looking at as far as possible future needs

D200 body
Lenses that are f/2.8 or less
SB-800 speedflash
2-3 batteries (D200 battery life is not as good I hear)
Lots of memory


Correct?

What zoom range will be best? I see some 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses that sound good but then I would want a lens to go with it that would be say 28-85mm f/2.8 or 17-55mm f/2.8? I am just getting ideas as to what I need to be looking for so I don't waist money on a lens that will not do me anygood

 

[Mike_E]

D40, while you are looking, look at the Metz flashes. For weddings and strict portraiture they are pretty amazing.

mike

 

[D40]

Thanks I will

 

[D40]

http://www.adorama.com/MZ54AF1N.html

Like this one? Could you explain what makes them better than say the SB-800, I don't know to much about external flashes?

 

[Mike_E]

No, I was talking about the Metz 45 cl 4. It has the wink light for catch lights in the subjects eyes and has a terrific color flash -skin tones are great!

You can find used ones around if the new sticker sends you into shock. With care they will last a long long time.

If you want to know more, start a thread in the equipment section and ask.

I believe that JIP has one too btw.

mike

 

[JIP]

No, I was talking about the Metz 45 cl 4. It has the wink light for catch lights in the subjects eyes and has a terrific color flash -skin tones are great!

You can find used ones around if the new sticker sends you into shock. With care they will last a long long time.

If you want to know more, start a thread in the equipment section and ask.

I believe that JIP has one too btw.

mike

No from my medium format days I have a 60 CT-1 and a 60 CT-4 which are the next step up. Personally I agree they are excellent long-lasting flashes but actually, I have yet to use them with digital. When I went digital I bought an SB-800.

 

[JIP]

Oh yeah.....

45 CL-4
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413434-REG/Metz_MZ45042_45CL_4_Digital_TTL_Handle.html
60 CT-4
http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/si...ollectionRequest=productDetail&detailPid=9005

 

[D40]

One thing the photographer mentioned and I abserved last night was that you really need a flash that piviots up and down but also rotates. Does the SB-800 do both, because I don't think the SB-600 does? I will deffinently be getting the 800 if it does!

 

[Don Simon]

I am fairly certain the 600 has both tilt and swivel. The 800 too. Maybe you were thinking of the 400?

 

[Mike_E]

The Sb 800 and 600 both have tilt and swivel. Look up why people use Strobo frames though. If it come down to a choice between the two get the 800.

JIP, I did buy the 60 CT 1 and it works wonderfully with my D200. A hotshoe to PC adapter for your D70 is around $20, if your manual says you're good to 250V go ahead and use them. Radio slaves would be better but you can even use optical slaves too (opti-slaves are great for portraits- not so good when there are other flashes besides yours going off).

 

[D40]

Ok I went and looked at the SB-600 and it DOES have tilt and swivel. I can get it for $229 and the SB-800 for $369. Now I learned my lesson about buying the cheaper and not thinking about the future so... I am more than willing to spend the money and get the SB-800 if it will be a better flash for what I do (or hope to do) Weddings and portraits. Could someone explain the features that make the SB-800 better other than the power? I deffinently don't want to buy the SB-600 and then down the road need to buy the SB-800 so I think that will be my next purchase while I search for a new lens and after that I will start saving for the D200. Thanks

 

[JIP]

The Sb 800 and 600 both have tilt and swivel. Look up why people use Strobo frames though. If it come down to a choice between the two get the 800.

JIP, I did buy the 60 CT 1 and it works wonderfully with my D200. A hotshoe to PC adapter for your D70 is around $20, if your manual says you're good to 250V go ahead and use them. Radio slaves would be better but you can even use optical slaves too (opti-slaves are great for portraits- not so good when there are other flashes besides yours going off).

I have used optical slaves for most of the time I have had my flashes and I have used them in conjunction with my D70s but thanks for the advice. We really should stick to the op's questions.

 

[selmerdave]

I am more than willing to spend the money and get the SB-800 if it will be a better flash for what I do (or hope to do) Weddings and portraits.

FWIW I don't think you're going to be using any camera-mounted flash for professional portraiture, for that you need a lighting setup. The added power (of the SB-800 vs. the 600) is well worth the extra money, think of it as the equivalent to adding a stop of aperature on your lens (in other words, it can make the difference between being able to take a shot and not being able to).

Dave