I need some advice regarding a 3 1/2 year old D100
Discussion
9 replies
Posted by Carol Hyman on January 27, 2007 at 2:31 AM
Folks,
I could really use some input.
In 2003 I bought a D100 and until recently I used it strictly for making fine snapshots ;^) Back at the tail end of October I started to focus on the more technical aspects of shooting as opposed to simply good composition.
At the beginning of January I bought a D200 after weighing and measuring, doing tons of research at the local Ritz, and reading everything I could on-line.
I like the D200 and am still experimenting with the controls.
Now, here's the question. What do I do with the D100? After hanging out at NPN for about a week, posting photos, viewing and commenting on images made by many of you, I'm beginning to think the D100 is not worth keeping, even as a backup camera.
I'll be in LA at the end of February and I can get the sensor cleaned and either sell it or, or another idea--mount a new 60 mm f/2.8 lens I just bought on it and use it for close-up work. (One major problem with the D100 is the sensor dust it accumulates).
I would really appreciate your input with this conundrum.
Thanks for reading and sending along any words of wisdom all of you might have.
Regards,
Carol Hyman
http://hy-tec-training.com
Posted by Basil Greber on January 27, 2007 at 4:56 AM
Why wouldn't it be worth keeping? Did it stop making images?
It works fine, at least for me, particularly in RAW, and since it uses the same cards & lenses & battery as the D200, I'd guess it makes for a perfect backup.
Basil
Posted by Ed Cordes on January 27, 2007 at 10:42 AM
It sounds like a great back up to me. After using my first DSLR a Canon 10D for about 15,000 shutter actuations I bought a 1DMK2. While the new body is certainly my "go to" camera and while the files it produces are much higher quality than the 10D, the older camera is not "bad". I use it while traveling as a back up. I often use it while traveling with an alternate lens on it so I don't always have to spend time (and miss shots of fast action developing in front of me) by changing lenses. My wife uses it on a shoot with me while I use the 1DMK2.
RE sensor cleaning - I would do a search on this site and read the many threads on cleaning. It is not that hard, although it can be tedious. FWIW I use a blower bulb followed by a Copperhill brush. If this doesn't get it as clean as I need I use Pec Pads and Eclipse with the spatula supplied by Copperhill. Don't fret over every single dust speck. I don't believe there is any method that is guaranteed to get every spot off every time.
Bottom line the D100 is worth more as a back up than you will ever get on the market. It gives you versatility and the security of a back up. ---- And ITS FREE - as you already have it.
Have fun.
Ed
Posted by Stephen Fogle on January 29, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Hi Carol, I, too, upgraded to the D200 from the D100 with the idea that the 100 would be a backup. I haven't taken a single shot with the older body since last July but this weekend past I got an idea. I dug out my old bellows (originally used for Micro work with the Nikon F) and am riging it for use with the D100. It isn't safe for use with the D200 because the 200 has the little switch on the side of the lens mount for use with AI lenses but the D100 doesn't have it. The old nikon mount (pre-AI) was designed in such a way that if used on a camera with the AI connector, you take a chance of bending or braking it off.
To shoot with this setup, you get your meter reading with the aperture wide open and do the math to stop it down for depth.
I'm sure that not everyone will want to set up like this but I can't wait to start using a system that is ready for super close-up work.
Stephen
Posted by Carol Hyman on January 29, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Folks,
Thanks for the responses ...
Stephen, I too am leaning toward keeping the D100 for macro work but haven't made a final decision yet.
Basil, the camera works just fine for RAW images, and as I mentioned the real bugaboo is cleaning the sensor.
Ed, after doing a lot of research I settled on Visible Dust vs. ; however, if I'm going to keep the camera, I'm going to have to invest in a AC Power Adapter EH-5 so I can lock the mirror while I'm cleaning. That's yet andother 70 to 80 dollar bill. Else, I have to place it on the bulb setting and hold the shutter butter--makes for awkward and unsatisfactory cleaning.
BTW, the D100 battery is not compatible with with the D200. I learned that one the hard way when I pocketed the D100 battery on a recent trip to LA as at least backup battery power. Doesn't fit. The D200 battery has an extra pin.
Now the ideal thing would be to trade it for a TC-17E II(2x) AF-S, AF-I Teleconverter that I really want ;^)
Not specific to the D100, but I have to point out that you don't need a backup till you REALLY need it.
I only use a second body in day-to-day shooting when lens changes are problematic due to shooting pace or circumstances. It's great not to change lenses when dust is a problem or when hanging out the door of a helicopter on aerial shoots. When the action is fast or when crowds jostle, it's also not a good idea to try changing lenses.
But most of all, cameras seem to have an instinct (or is it a secret built-in program?) for breaking down at the worst possible moment. It makes sense for me as a pro to always carry a backup, but it makes just as much sense for anyone who has spent a lot of money to get to a venue or confronting a once-in-a-lifetime photo op close to home. Somehow those conditions naturally seem to bring out the worst in a camera.
Posted by Basil Greber on January 29, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Carol - of course, the EN-EL3 isn't compatible with the D200, but the EN-EL3e works in the D100!
Basil
Posted by Carol Hyman on January 29, 2007 at 6:20 PM
Hi guys,
Basil, I wondered if the EN-EL3e was backwards compatible ;^) Thanks for letting me know that it is; I hadn't had a chance to check it out.
Hank, thanks for making the major point that you don't need a backup until you really need it ;^) And what you say about not having to change lenses when dust is a problem sure makes sense.
This morning I learned yet another lesson. It would have been great to have both cameras with me, both ready with two different lenses mounted.
A church had caught my eye and I parked and was "casing" the sight, when all of the sudden a wonderful troop of pigeons swooped out of the sky and swirled around the turret. Needless to say there was no lens mounted on the camera ;^( Ah, well ...
Still thinking but more inclined towards keeping the camera ...
Carol Hyman
http://hy-tec-training.com
Posted by Kent Staubus on January 30, 2007 at 9:50 AM
You need a back up of some sort. It might be just a cheap film body, but I always have something at hand. To hold the shutter open on bulb, how about a cable release with a lock?
Kent in SD
Posted by Carol Hyman on January 30, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Hi Kent,
You are absolutely correct. I do need a backup. I have a 990 Coolpix (my first digital camera) which takes wonderful little photos; however, at 3.3 megapixels you can pretty much forget it except for snapshots for web design.
Following your advice, I went to the 'net and was all set to purchase a locking cable release (inexpensive) that appeared to be compatiable with both the D200 and the D100 when I read a little more and discovered that to use it on the D100, you have to have the verticle battery grip (about two hundred bucks--give or take). Now that discovery gave me my first real chuckle for the morning.
Maybe I'll go and haunt the local Ritz store and beat on the manager's ear. So far the only practical solution I've found is the power adapter. In the long run, less expensive then buying another camera. But I sure do want that teleconverter ;^)
Discussion
9 repliesI could really use some input.
In 2003 I bought a D100 and until recently I used it strictly for making fine snapshots ;^) Back at the tail end of October I started to focus on the more technical aspects of shooting as opposed to simply good composition.
At the beginning of January I bought a D200 after weighing and measuring, doing tons of research at the local Ritz, and reading everything I could on-line.
I like the D200 and am still experimenting with the controls.
Now, here's the question. What do I do with the D100? After hanging out at NPN for about a week, posting photos, viewing and commenting on images made by many of you, I'm beginning to think the D100 is not worth keeping, even as a backup camera.
I'll be in LA at the end of February and I can get the sensor cleaned and either sell it or, or another idea--mount a new 60 mm f/2.8 lens I just bought on it and use it for close-up work. (One major problem with the D100 is the sensor dust it accumulates).
I would really appreciate your input with this conundrum.
Thanks for reading and sending along any words of wisdom all of you might have.
Regards,
Carol Hyman
http://hy-tec-training.com
It works fine, at least for me, particularly in RAW, and since it uses the same cards & lenses & battery as the D200, I'd guess it makes for a perfect backup.
Basil
RE sensor cleaning - I would do a search on this site and read the many threads on cleaning. It is not that hard, although it can be tedious. FWIW I use a blower bulb followed by a Copperhill brush. If this doesn't get it as clean as I need I use Pec Pads and Eclipse with the spatula supplied by Copperhill. Don't fret over every single dust speck. I don't believe there is any method that is guaranteed to get every spot off every time.
Bottom line the D100 is worth more as a back up than you will ever get on the market. It gives you versatility and the security of a back up. ---- And ITS FREE - as you already have it.
Have fun.
Ed
To shoot with this setup, you get your meter reading with the aperture wide open and do the math to stop it down for depth.
I'm sure that not everyone will want to set up like this but I can't wait to start using a system that is ready for super close-up work.
Stephen
Thanks for the responses ...
Stephen, I too am leaning toward keeping the D100 for macro work but haven't made a final decision yet.
Basil, the camera works just fine for RAW images, and as I mentioned the real bugaboo is cleaning the sensor.
Ed, after doing a lot of research I settled on Visible Dust vs. ; however, if I'm going to keep the camera, I'm going to have to invest in a AC Power Adapter EH-5 so I can lock the mirror while I'm cleaning. That's yet andother 70 to 80 dollar bill. Else, I have to place it on the bulb setting and hold the shutter butter--makes for awkward and unsatisfactory cleaning.
BTW, the D100 battery is not compatible with with the D200. I learned that one the hard way when I pocketed the D100 battery on a recent trip to LA as at least backup battery power. Doesn't fit. The D200 battery has an extra pin.
Now the ideal thing would be to trade it for a TC-17E II(2x) AF-S, AF-I Teleconverter that I really want ;^)
Again thanks, I'll continue to ponder my problem.
ARGH! Decisions, Decisions...
Carol
I only use a second body in day-to-day shooting when lens changes are problematic due to shooting pace or circumstances. It's great not to change lenses when dust is a problem or when hanging out the door of a helicopter on aerial shoots. When the action is fast or when crowds jostle, it's also not a good idea to try changing lenses.
But most of all, cameras seem to have an instinct (or is it a secret built-in program?) for breaking down at the worst possible moment. It makes sense for me as a pro to always carry a backup, but it makes just as much sense for anyone who has spent a lot of money to get to a venue or confronting a once-in-a-lifetime photo op close to home. Somehow those conditions naturally seem to bring out the worst in a camera.
Basil
Basil, I wondered if the EN-EL3e was backwards compatible ;^) Thanks for letting me know that it is; I hadn't had a chance to check it out.
Hank, thanks for making the major point that you don't need a backup until you really need it ;^) And what you say about not having to change lenses when dust is a problem sure makes sense.
This morning I learned yet another lesson. It would have been great to have both cameras with me, both ready with two different lenses mounted.
A church had caught my eye and I parked and was "casing" the sight, when all of the sudden a wonderful troop of pigeons swooped out of the sky and swirled around the turret. Needless to say there was no lens mounted on the camera ;^( Ah, well ...
Still thinking but more inclined towards keeping the camera ...
Carol Hyman
http://hy-tec-training.com
Kent in SD
You are absolutely correct. I do need a backup. I have a 990 Coolpix (my first digital camera) which takes wonderful little photos; however, at 3.3 megapixels you can pretty much forget it except for snapshots for web design.
Following your advice, I went to the 'net and was all set to purchase a locking cable release (inexpensive) that appeared to be compatiable with both the D200 and the D100 when I read a little more and discovered that to use it on the D100, you have to have the verticle battery grip (about two hundred bucks--give or take). Now that discovery gave me my first real chuckle for the morning.
Maybe I'll go and haunt the local Ritz store and beat on the manager's ear. So far the only practical solution I've found is the power adapter. In the long run, less expensive then buying another camera. But I sure do want that teleconverter ;^)
Thanks again.
Carol Hyman
http://hy-tec-training.com