Nikon 50mm - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/28/2003 02:17:29 AM · #1

Warning* this question is two things...not digital...and probably stupid to most...

I was just given the following camera...

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=44255

and the lens says 50mm....can someone translate that for me?

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/28/2003 02:43:20 AM · #2

Looks like 1.8 F macro/close-up fixed lens,manual focus to me!?

Message edited by author 2003-10-28 02:45:57.

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

10/28/2003 02:49:14 AM · #3

Cool. A real camera. Uh...yeah...the lens has a 50mm focal length ;). Bog-standard 'normal' lens for a 35mm camera, in that it's got approximately the same perspective that a human's eyesight does. It's a 'prime focal length' lens (or prime for short) as there's no zoom. I like prime lenses myself, as they're almost always sharper than zoom lenses, and the maximum aperture is a lot greater (F/1.8 on that Nikkor lens you have). I have a 50mm and a 28mm for my 10D.

If you're willing to blow through a few rolls of film to see what it can do, it would be a good idea to get a pen and paper and write down the aperture and shutter speed setting for each shot in sequence, to provide some learning experience. No EXIF data on those prints ;). You'll quickly learn that aperture will really change the depth of focus in your shots. Take a few shots of people with the aperture at F1.8 and you'll see how cool the effect of shallow focus is for portraits. Warning...it can get you hooked on SLR photography, which ain't cheap!

James.

10/28/2003 02:59:37 AM · #4

thanks for the indepth jimmy - I had no clue. So this has no zoom huh? Yeah looking through the viewfinder and trying to "match up" the two "horizontal focal planes" (I'm sure that's not what its called...but the best descriptive I can come up with...) That's gonna take some serious gettin' used to - makes my auto focus look like...power steering compared to this manual!

And yeah, I can't wait to tear into a few rolls - notes sounds like the ticket.

Thanks again for takin' the time...much obliged'.

Message edited by author 2003-10-28 03:00:12.

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

10/28/2003 07:49:01 AM · #5

What is the model number of that one?
I have the FG and FG20 Nikons. That one looks very similar to mine.
I have had them for about 18 years.
They still take great pics today. In fact my daughter used one for a photography class.
They are manual focus only, but focus is way easier than with the digitals.
The 50mm is a standard lens. No zoom there. You actually have to get the right distance away from the subject on your own.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

10/28/2003 09:08:31 AM · #6

Originally posted by xhoss:

The prime focus lenses have a zoom feature called the "poor man's zoom". It works like this: If you need a wider angle, move away from your subject and conversely, if you need a tighter angle, move closer.
Pretty simple, huh?

Anyway, used lenses for these cameras are readily available. I sold several on Ebay a few months ago. The Nikkor (Nikon) lenses are usually not really cheap, but used lenses made by Tokina, Sigma, Kiron and others are usually acceptable and are much cheaper.

Manual focusing with these is MUCH easier than manual focus with digital cameras.

10/28/2003 09:10:39 AM · #7

My guess is that you will be very satisfied with the pictures taken with that camera. If you have not tried Kodak's HD or High Definition film yet, it is worth considering. It replaced the "Royal Gold" which in my opinion was extremely good (especially at ISO400). Photography used to be taught that first you master the 50mm, then you progress to the rest of your arsenal. Learning "framing" on a 50mm will enhance your skill level from then on. Tripod night shots should be exceptional with your camera/lens combination. The 50mm typically comes in either 1.8 or 1.4 aperatures with the 1.4's costing much more. Non-abused Nikkor lenses are typically very good lenses.

Good luck.

10/29/2003 10:16:40 AM · #8

Terry,
I'm not sure what model it is...I'll look when I get home and repost.

Spaz,
Thanks for the tip on the other lenses, I thought maybe I could use another kind...and you just saved me a trip to the local obnoxious camera salseman guy :)

Flash,
Yeah, I can't wait to try night photography with this bad boy...it looks like it has a bulb feature on it....I read somewhere that with digitals, that the bulb feature can "hurt" the camera, overheat it or something, is this true with film as well? Should I be concerned when taking night shots about how long I expose? I was going to try and find a used remote release for it.

Thanks everyone again for the taking the time to reply.

Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5-6,3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] macro for Canon

10/29/2003 10:55:52 AM · #9

xhoss,

I'm not aware of a "bulb" feature, nor how it could/would impact the camera. This is a new one on me.

Regarding the night shots, it appears that there is a timer on the front of the body to the right of the lense. A black tab with a white line. This could be used instead of a cable release. The shutter release appears to be threaded for a cable, so that also is an option. Most any camera store should have a manual cable release. The night shot success will likely be determined on the "scene" and how long you set the shutter for. By all means use a tripod or other stationary support.

Again, good luck.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

10/29/2003 11:01:01 AM · #10

The lenses will say something like "for Nikon" or "for Nikon AI" or something similar. Those other manufacturers made lots of lenses and would usually offer the same lens for many different camera mounts.

I know that for digital cameras there is a problem with heat generated by the internal components affecting the image. There is also a problem with random noise. The random noise can be addressed through image stacking if necessary and the heat related problems are minimized in some cameras that have internal noise filtering for longer exposures.

With film, the problem is reciprocity. The film emulsion layers become less sensitive to light as the exposure gets longer. So you need to compensate by making the exposure even longer which aggravates the problem. Just experiment and bracket your exposures by +1 and +2 stops if they are over 10sec or so.

jimsapp

Canon EOS-40D

10/29/2003 11:40:44 AM · #11

Looks like an FE model. They are great cameras, I have one that I bought over 20 years ago and it still takes great photos. I don't use it very often as I now prefer digital.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/29/2003 02:09:33 PM · #12

Thanks for the tip spaz - thats great advice. With digitals it seems to be the opposite with long exposures in my experience as they get very blown out - you probably just saved me a bunch of money on that one!

Not sure jim - I was looking at the camera and I don't really see a model number on it anywhere. I think that I may have the manual somewhere I'll have to give it a look. Would there be a certain place that I should look for on Nikon's?

Flash, I'm no expert by any means, but from what I have gathered the bulb feature lets you control the time of exposure. Meaning that you don't have to have it on a camera preset time at 6 seconds or 15 seconds or whatever. You open the shutter and close it...so you could have a pic at 2 seconds, or 6 minutes, or however long you keep the button depressed (or the cable release pressed preferrably). I've never had one (they aren't found on the sub 1000 digi cams much) but I love night shots so I'm excited as heck to try this feature out.

cathysapp

Kodak P850

10/29/2003 02:21:58 PM · #13

If it is a FE or FM, look on the back of the body just under the thumb lever. The model letters will precede the serial number. Hope this helps.

10/29/2003 02:23:50 PM · #14

Thanks cathy, I remember seeing some numbers there...I'll have to take a closer look. Right under my nose...er....thumb...doh! =`)

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/29/2003 02:24:52 PM · #15

It looks like a Nikon FM2 with a standard Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AIS lens.

Great camera and an excellent learning tool. People keep telling me that nobody uses a "standard" lens these days, but many amazing photographs have been done with this simple setup.

10/29/2003 02:43:25 PM · #16

xhoss,

What you are describing as a "bulb feature" sounds like a manual shutter release whereby the plunger is operated via squeezing a "bulb" rather than by depressing a "T" with ones fingers and thumb. I do not know what this would have to do with heat in a camera. Although I have used film cameras for over 30 years and particularily Nikon's, I have no experience with this item.

Sorry. Others may be of more help.

10/29/2003 02:43:34 PM · #17

I'll have to post a link to the pics I take with it - whether I fall on my "manual" face or not! =`)

Can anyone recommend any black and white film for this? Flash was nice enough to hook me up with some info on color film - is b/w the same way?

I enjoy taking b/w pics and with digital and something tells me that I will like it even better with this nikon.

10/29/2003 05:57:22 PM · #18

yep, cathy, jim...it's an FE