The Lens Mount

Camera technologies and features can sometimes distract beginning photographers from what is really important. I was always comforted in knowing that there were really only a few things, that actually affected the appearance of pictures made in my film camera. This is why manual film cameras with only five adjustments or choices (shutter speed, aperture, focal length, focus, and film choice) can make a picture equal in quality to a camera with a multitude of automated features. Automated features automate the setting of these primary camera adjustments (e.g. auto focus and auto exposure modes) but they will only technically improve your pictures to the degree that they increase your chances of getting the shot you want. So given an equally sharp lens and the same film, you can potentially make equivalent pictures with either a fully manual camera like the Nikon FM10 ($320) or a fully automated camera like the Nikon F6 ($2450). Knowing all of this, beginning film photographers on a budg

There is much truth in Ken Rockwell's recent post on simplicity . In brief summary he is suggesting that bringing less gear will translate into making better pictures. This past September I went on a trip to Italy and brought a D70 camera body, a 50mm f1.8 lens, a polarizing filter, and .... nothing else. Here are some of the pictures that I brought back with only that single fixed focal length lens which costs only $124.95 at bhphoto.com . http://www.thelensmount.com/2009/09/slide-show-from-italy.html

"What new Nikon digital SLR camera would you recommend for still photography?" I've been asked this several times. Obviously there are many answers to this question depending on the photographer's needs and their budget. Let us assume their goal is to have excellent creative control over the images they make, while keeping their budget reasonable. In this case I would suggest the following: Great Starting Kit Nikon D90 AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II (for all-around shooting) AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D (for low light and very sharp images) Today the above kit would cost you $ 1,029.85 US at http://bhphoto.com . If you can afford quite a bit more I might suggest the following instead: Amazing Starting Kit Nikon D90 AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II (for all-around shooting) AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D (for low light and very sharp images) Today this second kit would cost you $ 1,684.85 US at http://bhphoto.com . "What?" you say, "I'm a