[mykal shoemaker]

Thanks Aroy and jkdas for your replies.

@Aroy:

As my camera is DX format CCD sensor based, I have to stick to those DX lenses for time being.

Tamaron has some 18-270 models.
eg:
Tamron -18-270mm F/3.5-6.3(Model B008)

[navin]

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

As my camera is DX format CCD sensor based, I have to stick to those DX lenses for time being.

While DX lenses will not work fully (some vigentte across most of their range) on a FF camera, a lens designed to work with FF bodies will work on a DX body (you will just be using the center 70% of the lens which should reduce pincushion/barrel distortion).

[mykal shoemaker]

Thanks Navin.

So choosing something like,AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR , would be better than going for this 18-200 models,right?

Nikon India Private Limited

[kuttapan]

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

Thanks Navin.

So choosing something like,AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR , would be better than going for this 18-200 models,right?

Nikon India Private Limited

If you are happy with the performance(IQ, focussing etc) of your 55-200, then go for the 28-300. Higher range zooms are a compromise and tends to be slower/softer than normal zooms. This is especially true in low light situations.

[kuttapan]

Santa came late for me, but he's forgiven. Got myself the popular and cheap Nikon 1.8D.

After playing around with this lens today, I must say I am impressed with the image quality from this el cheapo lens. What is more, it helped me understand my camera(D90) better . Till now I was desisting from going above 1600 ISO , if I could avoid it. Just for the heck of it, I allowed the camera to push to it's max ISO(6400) in aperture priority mode and still got usable IQ, so I am not hesitant to push ISO anymore.

A shot for reference. Below is it's 100% crop.

Now for a funny thing that I noticed. For the Hi1 shot(ISO 6400), the D90 does not display this is EXIF data. Why is that?

[lohithrao]

Folks have kind of made up mind finally, have a budget of 35K and Canon 500 or 550D suits it, initially i was keen on Nikon D90 but not keen on crossing 35-40K.

my other choice is a Fuji HS10 which is not a Dslr but this baby aint cheap its 22k...

Suggestions are more then welcome...

Thanks

[joshguy]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Folks have kind of made up mind finally, have a budget of 35K and Canon 500 or 550D suits it, initially i was keen on Nikon D90 but not keen on crossing 35-40K.

my other choice is a Fuji HS10 which is not a Dslr but this baby aint cheap its 22k...

Suggestions are more then welcome...

Thanks

Hi Go for the 500D (will cost 32-33k) so that you can buy a additional len with the rest of the money else you can buy 550 alone

Do let us know the decision

[lohithrao]

Thanks "joshguy" i guess will make a choice between one of these, will surely keep you posted.

[harshavardhan]

Hi Lohith,

Pick up the Canon 550D (Kit Lens or any other combo) along with the Canon 50mm 1.8F. This is a MUST lens. Costs only 4750=00 therabouts absolute No-Brainer. All the best.

-Harshavardhan

[fazalaliadil]

Originally Posted by clevermax

Fazal, congrats on the new lens.
What do you mean it is a very noisy lens?

clevermax,
Thanks.
The USM motor is noisy and roars when focusing.
The cheapest prime lens by Canon, it is a small negative for the rest of the positives.
It reminds you that the lens is working.
Regards,

[amitk26]

At the Bangalore quick meet I saw Canon 400D in hands of Ironhawk and promised to share the information on upgrading it with custom firmware.
Actually Canon 400D and 40D are same cameras under the hood so lots of features can be unlocked.
The salient features that can be enabled are

1. 42 AF Points
2. Spot metering
3. Exposure compensation and auto bracketing of +/ - 6 V
4. Wider ISO range from 16-3200
5. Raw shooting in full auto

The firmware can be downloaded from
autoexec_2010-12-13a.rar

The procedure to upgrade and other tips are at CHDK site.

[Dry Ice]

Hello folks,

I want to get a 10 stop ND filter and 2 stop soft edge GND filter. Not particularly keen on the circular ones which have to be fixed to a lens. The rectangular or squarish ones would be better as I can use them with multiple lenses.

Am I thinking on the right lines or do you guys suggest getting the fixed ones?
Any particular brands?

[IronH4WK]

Originally Posted by amitk26

At the Bangalore quick meet I saw Canon 400D in hands of Ironhawk and promised to share the information on upgrading it with custom firmware.
Actually Canon 400D and 40D are same cameras under the hood so lots of features can be unlocked.
The salient features that can be enabled are

1. 42 AF Points
2. Spot metering
3. Exposure compensation and auto bracketing of +/ - 6 V
4. Wider ISO range from 16-3200
5. Raw shooting in full auto

The firmware can be downloaded from
autoexec_2010-12-13a.rar

The procedure to upgrade and other tips are at CHDK site.

thanks Amit. few queries though - how safe is this procedure? if things go south with the upgrade will the camera become unusable? the hidden features are tempting, but something goes wrong, i won't get a new camera any time soon

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by amitk26

Actually Canon 400D and 40D are same cameras under the hood so lots of features can be unlocked.

Interesting!

Any options for 550D/ 60D users? They both are rumoured to be built on restricted 7D hardware.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Interesting!

Any options for 550D/ 60D users? They both are rumored to be built on restricted 7D hardware.

Well for 550D yes , You can get the magic Lantern software and enable manual controls during video for making a pro grade film earlier this was available only on 5D mk2

@Iron4hawk : well it is firmware upgrade , Firmware itself is safe but you should follow proper procedure while flashing from SD card. You can get all the information on CHDK

As with any firmware upgrade if anything goes wrong for example battery goes down in between or you copied wrong batch file to indicate start/end address you risk bricking the device. But risk is worth I would say so read up and try.