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11/11/2006 11:20:51 AM · #1 |
The Nikon D50 prices seem to have dropped this week, so I went to the camera store to take a proper look at it.
It felt great, has all the features I need ..... but... I was disappointed when I looked through the viewfinder. It was a lot smaller and dimmer than I expected. I don't know if I could get used to that.
I should mention that I've spent the past few months shooting film in the FM2n (and really enjoying it), so I've probably been spoiled by its large, clear, bright viewfinder.
Now I'm here actually thinking I won't bother going for a dSLR, I'm quite happy shooting with the FM2n and scanning in the negatives for post-processing.
The FM2n is a 20-year-old brick of metal. But the truth is I just love the controls and the robustness of it. The shutter speed is right there, and the aperture, and the focus. Once you get used to it it becomes second nature. And the joy of not worrying about battery charges... :)
Or perhaps it's just the Luddite in me. Next week I'll be back to normal. |
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11/11/2006 11:25:09 AM · #2 |
Yeah, film slr's are excellent, but they are comparable to dslr's when you take all facts into consideration. You don't need to worry about battery charges with film, but you can't see the result of your photo straight away, so you may not get the result you were looking for.Originally posted by jhonan:
The Nikon D50 prices seem to have dropped this week, so I went to the camera store to take a proper look at it.
It felt great, has all the features I need ..... but... I was disappointed when I looked through the viewfinder. It was a lot smaller and dimmer than I expected. I don't know if I could get used to that.
I should mention that I've spent the past few months shooting film in the FM2n (and really enjoying it), so I've probably been spoiled by its large, clear, bright viewfinder.
Now I'm here actually thinking I won't bother going for a dSLR, I'm quite happy shooting with the FM2n and scanning in the negatives for post-processing.
The FM2n is a 20-year-old brick of metal. But the truth is I just love the controls and the robustness of it. The shutter speed is right there, and the aperture, and the focus. Once you get used to it it becomes second nature. And the joy of not worrying about battery charges... :)
Or perhaps it's just the Luddite in me. Next week I'll be back to normal. |
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11/11/2006 11:55:19 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
It felt great, has all the features I need ..... but... I was disappointed when I looked through the viewfinder. It was a lot smaller and dimmer than I expected. I don't know if I could get used to that.
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Was the D50 you looked at powered on, with a lens that was focused correctly? If not that would account for the dimness.
I love my D50. It has changed the way I think about taking pictures.
You should get one. |
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11/11/2006 12:41:18 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by PurpleFire:
Originally posted by jhonan:
It felt great, has all the features I need ..... but... I was disappointed when I looked through the viewfinder. It was a lot smaller and dimmer than I expected. I don't know if I could get used to that.
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Was the D50 you looked at powered on, with a lens that was focused correctly? If not that would account for the dimness. |
He was comparing it to a film camera with a viewfinder made for 35mm film.
Ask in a shop if you can have a look at a D80, D200, D2x or 5D and look trough those viewfinders, or even better, try a 1D or ask for a secondhand F5.
After that your D50 viewfinder (like the D70 I have) will look like a small, dimm tunnel that is utter crap for manual focussing or checking out all the little bits that can spoil your photo. Even when you put on a f/1.4 lens. The difference is Huge (yes, with a capital h).
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11/11/2006 12:45:08 PM · #5 |
I had the same issue swapping from my film SLR to the 20D - it just feels like looking through a tunnel. I believe the Canon is worse with this then the Nikon even. When I swap back to the film camera - it's like someone took off a blindfold.
You do get used to it but after 18 months, I still miss it...... If only I could see a 5D in my future :-/ |
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11/11/2006 12:57:51 PM · #6 |
This helps a little. It says it is for the D200, but it fits my D70s perfectly. I would presume it would fit the D50 as well. It isn't a huge difference, but a difference nonethless.
B&H Photo - Magnifying Eyepiece for D200
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11/11/2006 01:04:31 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by PurpleFire:
Originally posted by jhonan:
It felt great, has all the features I need ..... but... I was disappointed when I looked through the viewfinder. It was a lot smaller and dimmer than I expected. I don't know if I could get used to that.
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Was the D50 you looked at powered on, with a lens that was focused correctly? If not that would account for the dimness.
I love my D50. It has changed the way I think about taking pictures.
You should get one. |
You should look through a 35mm viewfinder, you will be amazed at how bright and close the image seems. Compare that to the finder on almost any small sensor DSLR and the DSLR finder will seem like a narrow, dim tunnel next to the 35mm finder. |
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11/11/2006 01:06:40 PM · #8 |
If a lens wide open is 5.6 it will seem dim compared to a lens that is wide open at 2.8.
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11/11/2006 04:16:39 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
If a lens wide open is 5.6 it will seem dim compared to a lens that is wide open at 2.8. |
Good point - I was looking through the kit lens, which starts at f3.5 or something. If I'd had a 50mm 1.8 on there it would probably have been a bit brighter.
However, it *is* a lot smaller than the view through the 35mm. As Spazmo99 said, it's like looking down a tunnel. Honestly, a 35mm viewfinder feels like looking through binoculars in comparison!
I suppose this is a limitation of a cropped frame.
Anyway, tonight I sold one of my old keyboards, so now I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket... I'll think about it a bit more. I just don't want to buy it and then find I'm picking up the film camera everytime I go out the door. |
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11/11/2006 04:24:16 PM · #10 |
| I had to revert to my 300d for a few minutes the other day ( I was photographing my 5D for insurance purposes), damn I cant believe I used to put up with that tiny viewfinder. Going to full-frame (and full viewfinder) really is like stepping into a whole new world, I manual focus quite a lot these days, something I never even attempted with the 300d, (although it is still a great little camera IMHO). |
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11/11/2006 04:25:27 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
I'll think about it a bit more. I just don't want to buy it and then find I'm picking up the film camera everytime I go out the door. |
Don't forget those multiple rolls of film as well :-) |
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11/11/2006 04:32:25 PM · #12 |
I know its no real use, but the sensor size means they put in a smaller mirror and smaller viewer in dSLRs. The Canon 5D is an obvious exception, the viewfinder is large and bright, almost upto the same feel as a film SLR
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11/11/2006 05:34:39 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Falc:
I know its no real use, but the sensor size means they put in a smaller mirror and smaller viewer in dSLRs. The Canon 5D is an obvious exception, the viewfinder is large and bright, almost upto the same feel as a film SLR |
The VF of the D200 is almost as good as the one of the 5D, I compared them back to back. 5D hast the edge I think.
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11/11/2006 05:37:54 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
Anyway, tonight I sold one of my old keyboards, so now I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket... I'll think about it a bit more. I just don't want to buy it and then find I'm picking up the film camera everytime I go out the door. |
If the VF is that important to you, perhaps shoot film a little longer and save a bit longer for a D80, which has a considerably bigger VF (like the D200).
I'm still hoping my D70 suddenly breaks down, so that I have a good excuse to buy a D200 (or maybe I will find a winning lottery ticket on the street somewhere and get me a D2x or 1Ds with lenses).
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