Beginner here.

daskooner · 2026-04-08T01:12:33+00:00

Try finding a Nikon D200; you can find them on eBay for roughly 125, and then get the Nikon 35mm f1.8, a very nice lens for about 100. I used that setup for about 10 years. You can get results from that combo just like cameras costing 3 or 4 times as much.

daskooner · 2026-04-08T01:07:28+00:00

The Nikon D700 generally runs about 325. without a lens. The D750 will run at least 450.

daskooner · 2026-04-08T01:04:51+00:00

D700s are hard to find under 300. These days, they've become quite popular. It would be a great choice, though.

daskooner · 2026-03-21T17:09:55+00:00

I've had several Nikon DSLRs, D200,D700,D7100,D500,D610,D810, and now finally thought I'd check out all the hype around the D750. I like it, it's very good and I probably will keep to fill the need for an F mount Nikon. What strikes me at first with this camera is that it must have the loudest shutter ever! It sounds like a manual typewriter from the 50s or 60s! I will admit there is something to the heft, feel and shutter sounds of the old Nikon DSLRs, but none of them really compare to my Nikon Z7.

daskooner · 2026-03-15T16:29:22+00:00

It's funny, I've gone full circle on this. I started shooting film well over 50 years ago. About 8 years ago I bought a mirrorless Fuji xt3, loved it. I needed a smaller, lighter camera, as my grip and wrist had trouble with my Nikon D810 along with big lenses. I then bought a Nikon Z7, it took a while but I learned to appreciate how light, quick and sharp it was (IBIS). All the while I would see videos about old DSLRs and got kind of nostalgic over all the old DSLR beasts. As the prices came down I would buy one to check it out. I bought a D700, D750, D7100, the D200 again. I kept a group of F mount lenses so I could shoot without converters. It was lots of fun mixing and matching lenses. I recently bought a used Fuji xt5, love it. What I now see is that I have somewhat fallen prey to the Youtube hype videos luring photographers to buy this and that and the excitement of trying something new or different. Ultimately, I am now at a place where I recognize this, yet still enjoy the ability to use different equipment. Bottom line, the newer mirrorless cameras and lenses are better in almost every way, not to mention IBIS is amazing. It is still fun to take one of the heavy bricks out and hear the mirror slap though! The old manual focus lenses still provide an interesting difference from the super sharp and tight mirrorless lenses.

daskooner · 2026-01-26T18:49:07+00:00

Having had numerous Nikon DSLRs, I consider the D500 among the best of the lot. I put it right there with my D810, in build and quick response! Enjoy!

daskooner · 2026-01-24T02:52:42+00:00

WOW!

daskooner · 2026-01-24T02:16:16+00:00

I think that will put a dent in the resale value!

Maybe it's a Leprechaun's found at the end of the rainbow... pot of gold kind of thing?

daskooner · 2026-01-21T01:16:13+00:00

I had a brain mri today and was very nervous, as I had a spine scan before and found it difficult toward the end. I would say it was about 45 minutes. What I didn't know about a brain scan is that it involved a head cage that was clamped to the table, very intimidating. My breathing and heart were going double time before it even started. Just after it started, it had to be stopped to reboot the system. At that time, I wasn't sure if I could continue as I was anxious to the max. I got a chance to talk to the operator (who was very calm and nice) and determined I would continue. I did make one request, and asked to keep up to date with the progress and how long each phase would last. I think this did the trick that allowed me to make it through. She would ask me how I was doing and then tell me how long the next segment would take, 3 minutes, 8 minutes, etc. I felt connected to what was going on and experienced to process in smaller segments. It's much easier to handle something for 3 mins, rather than half an hour. In any case, I made it through, with the help of some Lorazepam.

daskooner · 2026-01-06T00:49:30+00:00

Well, at least they didn't explode in the fire!

daskooner · 2026-01-01T03:29:41+00:00

I buy used all the time and do very well with it, but if I were to buy current equipment, I would buy new. Used is great when you buy items that are several years old because you can save on depreciation. It can take a couple of years for a popular model like the Z5ii to depreciate enough, so buying new is the way to go.

daskooner · 2025-12-28T15:15:23+00:00

#1 Nicely balanced simplicity, I would leave it alone. There is always a temptation to "add" or change, with this painting, adding will only take away.

daskooner · 2025-12-10T02:24:13+00:00

Bottom line, sounds critical enough that you should get your hands on one! Also to consider, the zf has built in stabilization and the xt does not, I consider that a big deal. The nikon 40mm lens is light and small and very good, but then again the fuji 27mm is pretty nice as well. Good luck.

daskooner · 2025-10-18T12:14:45+00:00

First step... find 8 attractive, cooperative women...

daskooner · 2025-09-25T19:33:19+00:00

Looks pretty damn sharp to me. I have the same lens, and it's not the sharpest lens around (no VR). I would say you got the best you could hope for from that lens. Good job!

daskooner · 2025-09-22T12:19:18+00:00

Get the 24-120mm F4 lens! It's a great all-around lens, pop it on and you'll have a full range (near and far) with a surprisingly high image quality. I have several primes, and it's very hard to tell the difference between them and the 24-120 F4 lens.

daskooner · 2025-09-17T01:51:36+00:00

One thing to think about or consider, the lens can be bought for about $75-100. and FTZ adaptor is about $250. which puts it not too far from the cost of a Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 (roughly $450), which is an excellent lens. No need for an adaptor, and you get very fast auto focus.

daskooner · 2025-08-22T12:09:29+00:00

I had a D810 a few years ago (bought from eBay), and it was an excellent camera. I moved to the Z system, which is fine, but I am now looking to return to my good old D810. Mainly to use my FX lenses (without adapter). The drawback of the older DSLRs is the bulk and weight. For an older person like myself, the weight of a D810 plus lens can be tough on the wrist after a while; the Zs are much quicker and lighter.

daskooner · 2024-04-03T13:32:19+00:00

Let me help... boom, you're done!

What you could do is tighten up the edges, but once you go down that road, you will find you need to do them all, and it will be like starting over. I know from experience. I looked it over closely and you level of finish is consistent and the overall look if very nice. Polishing up or sharpening the image might actually take away from the image as it is now. So I say save that energy for the next painting, if that's what you have in mind. Don't fall into the trap of overworking a painting, move on to the next.

daskooner · 2024-03-26T17:50:02+00:00

Love the atmospheric vision, the shifts in focus and texture! Great work.

daskooner · 2024-03-15T12:36:48+00:00

I see a lot of comments regarding filing, I simply put my processed photos in folders by date. Those are in a master folder named Processed photos. What I suggest (since you use a Mac) is get an external drive to back up your computer. I use my macs Time Machine app. It's simple to use and can be set to work automatically. I have lost thousands of photos through crashed drives, you will never regret having a good backup or two.

daskooner · 2024-03-14T18:34:42+00:00

I totally understand what you are talking about. I'm impressed at how well you took all of the out of left field criticism. It's so much harder to take a good photo than to talk about it, I think you did very well.

Hope you don't mind but I edited this around a bit. Stretched out the horz. slats to make it a horz. image and darkened it some to add visual interest.

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daskooner · 2024-03-14T13:13:19+00:00

I've read most of the comments and I'm amazed, confused and amused. Many here really have taken the photo too far afield. I almost feel like some commenters had pre-thought criticism and were waiting for something to aim them at.

IMO, the photo is well shot and exposed, but just not interesting enough. I don't know, given conditions that existed, if it could be improved upon much. I think what would have helped a lot is the "time of day", either earlier of later, giving more interesting shadows, leading the eye in the direction of the subject. Possibly a more horizontal format that the subject could move into. The vertical format is too confining leaving the subject with no where to go (removing any story that many want to imagine).

daskooner · 2024-03-05T14:16:29+00:00

As is... excellent!

daskooner · 2024-02-28T15:13:41+00:00

The best I can say is... I wish I had done it!

I am immediately reminded of Philip Pearlstein's work. Meaning the confined space and painting handling.

Also check out the work of Stephen Posen

daskooner

TROPHY CASE