Advise needed - Should I downgrade?

[huggable]

Yeah, read that the SB-400 can bounce too. Now, anyone has the below combo to let me try out?? ;p

The SB-400 is pretty compact... perfect with D40x+18-200VR.

BC

 

[TMC]

try these.
D2h w/ 18-70 and the SB400.
D70 w/18-70

If you are taking pics of your kid, then you wouldnt have to face your wife`s wrath. LOL

 

[CYRN]

I guess you've gotta analyse your past photos yourself and see if you normally take your kid in low light/flash environment or long focal length shots.

If for myself, I would have kept the D2H and if possible, use it with a Sigma 30mm f1.4. Can't cover for all situations but definitely can cover a lot given the weight "savings". With the f1.4, you can forgo flash in some of the night shoots too (extra weight savings).

 

[Squid]

... not just from the onlookers, sometimes my wife gives me the "stare" too! She'd prefer that I devote my time looking after lil' Chris, instead of busy clicking away behind the black box. Even changing lens has became a challenge, having to juggle so many things at the same time!.....

My experience finally ended up with Nikon D200 DSLR body with vertical grip + SB-800 flash + Nikon 18-200VR or Tamron 17-50. This will help to minimize lens change. Focus on catching the "precious moments" and give lesser importance to the background bokeh. So don't worry about on-lookers. Wait till they see you getting the shots that they missed with their normal cameras or phone cameras.

If SB-800 flash is too bulky, you may consider SB-400.

Being a first time parent, everything is fresh, and a learning experience. I'm trying to capture the "precious moments" of my growing up kid, as much as I can. Now I'm trying to trim down the weight my camera bag.

Sometimes the precious moment comes when you are using 8 fps continuous shooting to photograph the "precious moment". I've captured a few when using the 5 fps continuous shooting of D200 DSLR. Produce pictures that are worth to be framed up and place in your kid's room or your living room. These pictures will be worth the weight of the D2H body.

 

[huggable]

I'll try D2h w/ 18-70 & SB800, minus 5th battery.

Don't have D70 and SB400, yet.

try these.
D2h w/ 18-70 and the SB400.
D70 w/18-70

If you are taking pics of your kid, then you wouldnt have to face your wife`s wrath. LOL

 

[huggable]

I must say that most (keeper) shots I took are off the 50mm f/1.4. Tried the 28mm f/2.8, but found it a little to short. This would be mainly for indoor use. For outdoor, seems like the 18-70 serves me well. Only thing is that I need the flash sometimes. That's why I'm thinking of the 18-200, hopefully the VR can compensate the slow shutter speed.

I guess you've gotta analyse your past photos yourself and see if you normally take your kid in low light/flash environment or long focal length shots.

If for myself, I would have kept the D2H and if possible, use it with a Sigma 30mm f1.4. Can't cover for all situations but definitely can cover a lot given the weight "savings". With the f1.4, you can forgo flash in some of the night shoots too (extra weight savings).

 

[lsisaxon]

But at least the pro-bodies have ISO boost, which although could be noisy, but at least can get a shot.

D200, D80, D40 and D40X also goes up to ISO1600 with an additional +1EV above that and is able to provide relatively clean images as well.

 

[huggable]

Agree with you, almost totally! I don't care about onlookers, but sometimes it's my wife who wasn't too pleased. Anyway, yes, I got the D2H mainly for the machine-gun mode. Makes a good sequential series of pictures! Will try to get a SB-400 to play with...

My experience finally ended up with Nikon D200 DSLR body with vertical grip + SB-800 flash + Nikon 18-200VR or Tamron 17-50. This will help to minimize lens change. Focus on catching the "precious moments" and give lesser importance to the background bokeh. So don't worry about on-lookers. Wait till they see you getting the shots that they missed with their normal cameras or phone cameras.

If SB-800 flash is too bulky, you may consider SB-400.



Sometimes the precious moment comes when you are using 8 fps continuous shooting to photograph the "precious moment". I've captured a few when using the 5 fps continuous shooting of D200 DSLR. Produce pictures that are worth to be framed up and place in your kid's room or your living room. These pictures will be worth the weight of the D2H body.

 

[lsisaxon]

I guess you've gotta analyse your past photos yourself and see if you normally take your kid in low light/flash environment or long focal length shots.

If for myself, I would have kept the D2H and if possible, use it with a Sigma 30mm f1.4. Can't cover for all situations but definitely can cover a lot given the weight "savings". With the f1.4, you can forgo flash in some of the night shoots too (extra weight savings).

Is that lens useable? The MTF chart suggests that it is terrible!!

 

[huggable]

Was just reading the Focus magazine. D40x now comes with ISO100 even.

D200, D80, D40 and D40X also goes up to ISO1600 with an additional +1EV above that and is able to provide relatively clean images as well.

 

[lsisaxon]

Was just reading the Focus magazine. D40x now comes with ISO100 even.

Oh yes... like the D200 and D80.

 

[TMC]

I'll try D2h w/ 18-70 & SB800, minus 5th battery.

Don't have D70 and SB400, yet.

you will find the SB800 a pain. rather that you push the ISO up. as for the 18-200 idea, VR is not going to help your pics, especially when your subject is moving in dim light conditions.

 

[TMC]

Is that lens useable? The MTF chart suggests that it is terrible!!

dunno about MTF charts but most pics I seen with the lens are good.

 

[lsisaxon]

dunno about MTF charts but most pics I seen with the lens are good.

I did thought of getting one to play with but after seeing the MTF chat on Sigma's website, I was quite put off.. It suggests that the resolution of the lens seems terrible and light falloff seems quite bad. Then again, the MTF of the Nikkor 50/1.4 isn't really fantastic also but at least more consistent performance from corner to corner. ;p

 

[Conundrumachinist]

Lil' Chris have grown from about 4kg to 12kg. Instead of going out with a 5kg pram, Chris now goes out in his shoes. So he's either walking with us, or being carried in my arms, especially so when he's asleep.

I currently carry my D2H, SB800, 18-70, 70-300, 50mm and 15mm FE, together with the usual outing bags when going out. The size and weight has became a problem, as sometimes I have to carry a 12kg boy, with a 5kg "rice sack". In fact, the camera bag was left in the car more than half the time when we went out.

I'm thinking of downgrading to a D40/x/50/80/200 +18-200VR combo, and (hopefully) be able to put the body+lens into one of the diaper bags. The built-in flash will come in handy, and maybe I can do without any external flash. However, I'd prefer to take without flash.

Any advise on whether should I change my body? or Keep the D2H, and replace all the lenses with a 18-200VR? I mainly take pictures of my baby when we go for outings.

Why not keep the equipment and tahan a bit? At the rate children grow there will come a time when you can't carry him anyway.

 

[calebk]

Hmm yeah. Keep the equipment and be disciplined about what to bring out, instead of lugging the contents of your whole drycab.

 

[huggable]

Thanks for all the advises/suggestions so far. I guess I'd keep my current cam, but will try bringing out only 1 lens, and see how things go. The SB400 looks to be useful too, will keep that in mind till $$ permits. Actually, I know I'll miss the speed and features of the D2H if I switch to a smaller body.

Flexibility is the key!

 

[buddy]

Second the recommendation for a D70 with a 50mm f1.8 or a 35mm f2.0. VR is no match for a fast moving kid, you need high shutter speeds.

For travelling, when I went to Perth with my kid some time back I resorted to using a PNS most of the time - good thing too as I had to carry stroller, baby bag, luggage etc. Enjoyed myself more than if I carried a load of camera equip also. The F31fd is a good recommendation for a PNS as it can take reasonably good shots up to ISO800-1600, dont think the ISO 3200 is usable.

 

[schon]

i'd suggest getting a good p&s like the f31d as well.

if you wanna shave weight and bulk off, i think you should go all the way.

 

[tsjcsl]

Should not miss the children growing up, nor fail to enjoy them while they are young. I think that is much mre important than ...... photography (*gasp*)

Since it is a must to capture them doing all the cute things, I carry a P&S. Into my 3rd one (the first 2 were Nikons), and settled for the G3 which I found not too limiting. Good enough for postcards to remember times by.

My wife is happy that a family outing remains a family outing. Of course there are occasions when I manage to bring the full gear. Then I die die must take nice pictures of wife, and kids.

Good thing too, everyone in the family can use it to take pictures, and I can feature in the frame sometime.