Long time no see.

[LindaRose]

I haven't posted since January, so I don't know if any of you will remember me but I finally have a chance to come up for some air. January was when I went back to school to get my AAS degree in visual communications technology. I took 17 credits this past semester, which ended up being a challenge for me. I finally have a chance to see what the world looks like outside school. I am taking classes this summer, but only 6 credits. I'm really happy with my dicision to get into the program I'm in, I'm learning a lot, but from from now on I'm not going to go over 4 classes at one time. Wendy, you were right, I was able to make the transition to Macs. At first it was frustrating. My Principles of Digital Communications instructor went so fast. She would be on step 4 of a lesson in Illustrator, while I was still trying to figure out how to get in the program. My husband ended up bringing home a small outdated mac home, that a friend let him use, so I could practice. My husband liked macs so much that he bought one of those new intel Macs for our family computer. He use to be such a PC geek that I was surprised he changed to a mac. Our family PC has moved down to my sewing room but now working on it seems more odd then the mac.

Next Fall I'm taking Studio Photography. My instructor is trying to keep up with the times and is allowing us to use our own Digital SLR for the class if we choose. The camera I now have is only "SLR like" and will not be suitable to use with the lighting equipment. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on what camera to get. Right now I'm looking closely at the Nikon D200 and the Canon 30D. My biggest worry with the Nikon is reports saying that you get significantly more noise than the Canon when shooting in low light. One thing that sounds better about the Nikon is the features that consumers claim makes lighting easier. I myself know nothing about lighting yet but it sounds like the Nikon may be easier to use for the studio class.

I'm also getting a scanner. I want it to scan negatives as well as photographs. So far I'm looking at the Epson Perfection 4490 and the Canon Canoscan 9950F. Does anyone have any scanner recommendations?

LindaRose

[Carbone]

Hi there!

I suggested Canon scanners to two of my friends (the CanoScan series, like you're considering). I was able to play with the scanners having had to install and configure their whole computer equipment. The Canon is a pure fun to play with. They have this process to remove dust on negatives which I was able to try and it worked wonderfuly.

I also have a Canon camera, so I'm inclined to suggest you get a 30D. If only because you can find second hand equipment (more of it, usually) than for Nikon. Having used a Nikon only once in a store, I cannot tell you which is the best. I just know that it works fine for me (indoor portraits with multiple flash units, outdoor with flash or ambient lighting).

And I can understand you about the PC. On mondays when I get back to work, on a pC, I'm like moving my mouse in the corners of the screen to reveal my desktop, or trying to create clippings on my desktop... lol!!

Ray

[PaulH]

Hello -

Don't believe the noise issue on the D200. I've been following the threads on Nikonians as SOMEDAY I'll have one. It all boils down to proper exposure.

Every error shows up more on 200 as it is so sharp and demanding.

I have a nephew that is a Newspaper Photog - his personal is a currently a D2h - he is currently selling it and getting 1 or 2 d200's. At present he has access to the paper's D2x.

He has to give up the paper job - move cross country to be with the spouse's intern program and may have to free lance so he is re-stocking his personal camera.

He has been Nikon since college.

Nothing wrong with either Canon or Nikon - either one needs the best glass to get all it can do out of it.

[Ric Cisson]

Hi Lindarose and welcome back! A couple of suggestions/recommendations on scanners for your negative scanning requirements. There are three out there that I would recommend. Epson 4990, Epson V700, and Microtec i800. They all do significantly better in scanning negs has been the case in earlier flatbed models. They may cost a little more, but worth it and more.

Nikon D200 or Canon EOS 30D debate could go on and on. As for your lighting question, I work in studio with the EOS 20D and I have had absolutely no problems. Utilizing the capture remote software and shooting RAW I am able to see the results instantly on my monitor and I will say that at least my experience has been on AWB it is very accurate and the exposure is almost perfect. I use a Sekonic-308 meter to set up my lighting and that really locks it in for me. As for the D200, I can only say that I have seen significant noise in the shadow detail of files that we have printed here in the lab, however, I do not know what settings were used, but I would say the photographers probably left the cameras program do all the work for exposures. Take it for what it is worth.:)

[Wendy]

Hi LindaRose ...

How nice to hear from you again ... I was only wondering the other day how you were going on :) Sounds like you have done really well you must feel so proud of yourself !!

I think its a good idea not to do so many this time ... it was a lot to do and no wonder you haven't had time for anything else. Still you did it and its all worked out for you.

I knew that you would cope OK with a Mac but I really didn't think that you would convert :eek: Wow ... that is just brilliant !! Welcome to the world of Mac users :cool:

With cameras its really best to go to a shop, pick both of them up and just see which feels the best in your hand. I had a short list of three, went into the shop and bought the Canon 300D (and that wasn't on my list) ... it just felt right and it still does. Funny thing is I was looking at the 30D today and it is nice ...

Do hope that you now have time to keep on visiting the forum :)

Wendy

[LindaRose]

Ray, It's good to hear that the FARE technology works wonderfully on dust. I'm doing the smae things you are when you go back and forth between Mac and PC and it always makes me smile when I do it since I thought I would never get use to the Mac. It is good to know about second hand equipement being more available for Canons. I heard Canon has some great lenses to coose from. I'll ask National Camera Exchange if they also think Canon equipement is easier to get second hand.

Paul, I'm inclined to agree with you on correct exposure being the issue with noise because with all the sites I have read reviews people either Love or Hate the D200, nothing in between. Perhaps the ones who hate it are not using correct exposures. Thanks for the info on your nephew. It's encouraging to hear that a working professional wants to go from the D2h to the D200. My film camera is an old Nikon model and I have been very happy with it.

Ric, do the scanners you mentioned scan photographs too? One thing negative I read about the Epson 4490 is that it is hard to get the negatives to lay flat, is that an issue with the Epsons you suggest? Thanks for the advise you gave dealing with lighting. Are light meters expensive? I know my instructor uses his a lot, so I think that will be something he will want us to get. It will help with Photography 2 class too since my film cameras in house meter is off. It's interesting what you report on what you see in the lab with D200 images. I have been trying to find more examples to see on the internet because I have only seen a few showing the noise problem.

Wendy, it's nice to hear I am not forgotten :) You seem to see where I'm coming from with my class load. I still managed to get good grades with the large load but I was stressed out all the time because I didn't have a good balance with me time, family time, and school. I think it is a good idea like you said about seeing how different cameras feel. Also it will allow me to see for myself where all the setting are and ease of use.

LindaRose

[Ric Cisson]

Lindarose, all of the scanners that I mentioned in my post do hold the film flat and they will scan reflective originals (another term for prints) as well as negatives and slides. I have seen all three in action and they are remarkable for high quality scans from a flatbed. I am currently partial to the Epson V700 and the Microtek i800 for my own personal use however.

As for the D200 comments, again take it for what it is worth. But for what I have seen come through the lab, I would suggest that noise in the shadow detail in particular seems to be much more pronounced than anything I have seen coming from the EOS 20D or from the EOS 30D or even from the Rebel XT for that matter. The Nikon D2X and D2H have a better track record coming through the lab than the D50, D70/70s or D200. But again, it could be that the photographers tend to allow the camera program do all the work. That is a guess on my part. I would "test drive" a D200 by shooting some images at a camera store and compare against the 30D and compare the results on your monitor.

The D200 is a greatly improved platform for Nikon than any of it's siblings. It is worth a look and a worthy competitor to anything that Canon has to offer. I personally, after years of watching the industry and testing cameras in house, believe the 30D and the DIGIC II processor to be slightly superior to Nikon in faithful color reproduction and overall contrast range. (And for the most part that is even true in their point and shoots.) I know that this will raise few eyebrows with those that own Nikons, I am not saying don't go out and buy Nikon, but I am saying from first hand straight up in the lab image files in general from Nikon are a close second to those printed straight up from Canon sources. I endorse Wendy's recommendation, go to a camera store, not a box store. Ask questions of the camera store salesperson and as I said,if you can test each camera in the store, that would be ideal. For what it is worth, many of our Pro Photographers locally made the transition from film to Digital by stepping up to the EOS series digital cameras by Canon, and at least half of those that have, crossed over from Nikon film or Hasselblads. does not necessarily reflect the rest of the industry.:)

[kayser]

HI- I don't have anything to add to the camera/scanner discussion, jus wanted to say hi and glad to hear school is going well. Your dad would be proud!

[LindaRose]

Hi Kay, thanks, you have a good memory! I just visited my parents grave on Memorial Day and I could almost see them smiling down on me.