WHAT DSLR and what lenses

[FlyingScot]

Got a few old but good 'performing' AI-S lenses (see other thread) and about to upgrade to a better digital camera DSLR. I have four OLY's that i use mostly for sailing and diving in the Caribbean the most recent one is a Stylus 8010 which is nice wee camera that also does video. I do like to take some videos when we are sailing especially in heavy weather when the boat is thundering along. I am (part time) ex pro photographer long long time ago - P3 stuff and Motor Sport mostly UK rallying where you had to drive faster than the competitors to get from one stage to the next and stay ahead of the leaders - of course this was long before the 70 limit imposed on us by the NON Driving Minister of Transport Barbara Castle - GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

As i want to (for sure initially) use my manual focus lenses and have in camera metering it looks like my choices are D200 D300 D300s D7000 and D700 and D3s. Quite a spread i know but i am drawn to the FX cameras though the D7000 seems to be a very good camera. I also do a bit of interior boat photography for owners and yacht brokers so a wide angle lens is a necessity. Generally outdoor lighting conditions in the Caribbean tend to be difficult very very bright and at times lacking in contrast so it is easy to get burnt out highlights one area where good old film is much better. Not that i could ever consider going back to film as on our last cruise i took over 10,000 pictures. I need a good zoom too as i like to take pictures of the many boat races that we watch and of course a really good prime 50 mm prob the 1.4 for the many Carnivals we like to attend photograph and video.

So i need a Camera that is happy on the boat in a hot climate and fairly rugged too. Unlike the Oly's it wont be going underwater as i have had enough problems with flooded UW housings to last a lifetime.

thanks in anticipation

kindest regards

David

 

[BJF]

Your life style is my dream.
I would recommend D3s, a tough camera for tough environments.

Nikon D3s + market price

 

[FlyingScot]

Decided that the D3 and D3S were just toooo big and toooo heavy and toooo expensive. And well what do you know - not too far away from me i found and bought a beauty of a D700 for a wonderful price. Now i am tying to get to know the beast - the user manual is 440 pages long. I have 'just' discovered how to use the Live View and the + button to magnify the view so you can get the focus of your manual lens spot on - so far its awesome. Also not very far away are a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S prime lens and a Nikon 70-300mm VR F4.5-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor and a Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D all are available at silly prices NOT that SWMBO would agree with that last statement.

kindest regards

David

 

[FlyingScot]

ZOOMING TO ME as i write this Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S prime lens and a Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D And having fun with my Old Manual Nikon Lenses