Hi Calvin

Read your comparison btwn D5000 vs D90. Good one.

I would like to ask you opinion on my first dSLR purchase (I own a film F60d before).

Actually I’m looking for a camera to take baby pictures. Since they can’t stay still and I can’t use flash on them, I need something more than a compact.

Would you consider Oly E-620/E-450? What is the latest price of D90? Should I buy with the 105mm kit lens?

Thanks Calvin.

Wong

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I received another mail from one of the readers today

Dear Calvin,

On 12 Jan 2010, I posed a question to you whether I should buy a D90 or D300s and you’ve kindly encouraged me to opt for the D90.

Well, just to inform you that I’ve bought myself the D90 recently but I did not go with your recommended Nikkor 50mm F1.8D lens.

Instead, I bought the Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 VC lens. I took your advise and bought the 16gb memory card, spare batteries, carrying case and the UV filter, as well. The dry box will be the next on my list.

I’m now shopping for a macro lens and have tested three Nikor lens:
1. AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f2.8G ED;
2. AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D; and
3. AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED.

Among the 3 lens I’ve tested, I find the Micro 105mm to be able to take the most close-up shots of pictures you intend to capture. What’s your opinion on this, Calvin?

Thanks again for your kind advise, Calvin!

Regards,
Wee Boon Han

Congratulations for owning a Nikon D90.  I am sure you will find it lots of fun playing with it,

A lens that covers 18-270 and the F3.5 dropped to F6.3, you can see the performance of this lens yourself.  The more you zoom in, you will find the image quality getting  worse and worse and to the extend at 270mm, the quality is unbearable. This lens is a day lens.  which means it can’t really perform well in indoor or at night.  Not to mention this lens covers from wide 18mm all the way to 270mm.  The sharpness is always doubtful.  In engineering point of view, it is difficult to create a zoom lens that having many moving parts inside while maintaining the sharpness of the image, not to mention covering a huge gap from 18mm (wide angle) all the way to 270mm (long range tele) which is equavalent to 15x zoom.

I encourage you to get a 50mm F1.8, not only it is cheap, it is also a great F1.8 prime lens that will be useful as a training lens.  If you set the lens at F2.8, this lens will give you an easy super sharp image compare with your existing lens, chicks will love to see those amazing quality images.

About the Macro lens. 

I remember I read the Digital Camera about a year ago about comparing the market best macro lens.  Nikon 105mm VR Macro may not be the best value-for-money macro lens, but it is surely one of the best built-quality macro lens you can buy, as a Nikon user, this is the one that you should get.

I used to own the Nikon 105mm F2.8 VR Macro.  It is a superb lens, also a great portait lens.  I sold it after I got my 70-200 F2.8 VR as I hardly use a macro lens.

Try survey around more on macro lenses, there are few other 3rd party lenses which may offer similar optical quality, more economical (compromise with the built-quality of course).  One of the issues in Digital Camera has quite details review on macro lenses in the market, I think it was one of the 2009 issues.   If you can find it, it will be great.  Good luck

This is a common question that often people asked me about which model should they start with.  I received this email earlier, and I think it is a good question that I would like to share the answer with all of you. 

Dear Calvin,

I must say I enjoy reading your columns and articles, which serves to guide and advise newbies like myself. I intend to buy a DSLR soon. As a hobbyist photographer, would you recommend the Nikon D300s?  Please note that my subject photography shall vary as I’m an outdoor enthusiast. I wish to buy the right DSLR without having to make an upgrade later. I appreciate your time in answering my email and I look forward to receiving your insightful reply soon.

Thank you.
Best regards,
Wee Boon Han

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Often I received emails from readers seeking advice in photography.  Today I decided to publish some of the emails I received, and I created a new category called “Dear Calvin” dedicated to those who wish to seek for some advice.  My consultation fee is very expensive.  Be prepared to pay one cup Teh Tarik and Roti Telur.  Feel free to email me if you have any problems regarding to photography.  Here is the first one

Dear Calvin,
May I know where to buy Nikon D300s at RM5000.00.
I am staying in Yong Peng, about 100 km away from Johor Bahru . At the moment I own D80 and D40x . My lenses are Nikon 18-200 mm VR , Nikon 50 mm 1.8D, Sigma 18-50 mm F/2.8 EX DC Hsm macro, Tokina 11-16 mm f/2.8 . Should I wait for the price to drop further eg. RM4800 or buy D700. Please kindly advise me. I thank you.

Yang Boon Cheong from Johore Bahru

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