questions about SLR photography, nikon n5005

hello,

i'm a beginner to SLR photography and i have some specific questions
i'd like to get answered.

i usually use a digital canon G5 powershot camera on my travel.
however, this year i am going trekking in the himalayas and then
travel in rajasthan, india and have thought about using an SLR camera
as an alternative to try to do some creative nature photography, etc.
(plus the fact that my SLR runs on normal batteries)

i was given an old SLR camera by a sibling (she never used it and i'm
trying to learn it). its an nikon N5005 model with AF sigma 70-200mm
zoom lens. i spent some time reading a book on beginner photography by
john hedgecoe at B&N and have the following questions.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings, do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas? i'm currently struggling in trying to understand
the relationships of aperture and shutter speed. i have a vague idea
but need to play aroudn with the camera to see what happens.

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod
that can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is
greatly appreciated.

thanks for your time.

pallav

"Pallav" wrote in message
om...
hello,

i'm a beginner to SLR photography and i have some specific questions
i'd like to get answered.

Good for you. Welcome aboard.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Well, for starters you're camera was Nikon's first AF camera and your lens
is pretty low quality- so lens try and help a little.

For a standard zoom on your budget, lenses are likely to be close in quality
to your Sigma- ideally, you want a Nikon/Nikkor AF zoom lens. Generally
speaking it's best to steer clear from off-brands, with a few minor
exceptions. If you can find a Nikon/Nikkor zoom lens with a max aperture of
f2.8, or with a wider range (eg. 28-105) in your price range, consider it.
If you have enough cash left over, pick up a 50mm f1.8 AF Nikkor.
Quality-wise, it knocks socks off everything else at that price point.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

UV filters are primarily for protecting your element from the elements :-).
They do cut down UV light, though the effect is minimal. Polarisers are a
good idea for landscapes- by rotating the filter to the right angle (the
effect is visible in the finder) blue skies will darken and reflections will
lessen. Given how much brighter the sky is than the ground, it is highly
useful- make sure you get a circular polariser, as a linear polariser won't
work with an AF camera. A graduated neutral density filter is about the only
other useful filter for colour photography, and most are too expensive for
consideration. If twelve months down the line you've invested in serious
glass and have started making money from photography, consider grads. Until
then, a polariser should do the trick.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

Slide film is a many-splendoured thing, and once you get a nicely-exposed
set of slides viewed on a lightbox with a nice loupe you may never return to
print film. The thing about prints is, for the most part, you are taking
your nicely exposed images and leaving them in the hands of someone who will
essentially use the default print settings to give you the opposite effect
to what you had planned.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings,

Surely it does ???

do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas?

A lightining meter will just get you electrocuted :-)

A light meter might be a good idea... soon. Right now, a book would be the
best starting point. Your G5 on manual mode should be an excellent tool for
understanding why certain things happen- the f-stop scale and ISO setting
have the same effect as those in the real... er, film world. I learned
exposure by thinking of a negative as a glass of water- leave the faucet
running too long and you end up overflowing (an overexposed, or too-light
negative). Open the faucet (aperture) too much, and you have the same
effect. Don't leave it running long enough, and the opposite is true.
Simplistic, I know- but unfortunately my college taught us black and white
darkroom printing at the same time as basic exposure, and in the darkroom
everything is reversed...

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod
that can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

Yes, it's a good plan (especially with slow ISO film, polarising filters and
narrow apertures/slow shutter speeds). A Manfrotto/Bogen is a good start,
though not as cheap as others. I consider Velbons and other cheap tripods to
be a massive liability- I used a loaned Velbon as a stand for a loaned Nikon
SB28 flashgun once, and the tripod fell over with little provocation. on a
harder surface, i'd have been out of pocket quite a long way because of
Velbon.

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is
greatly appreciated.

Books. Lots of books.

thanks for your time.

pallav

--
Martin Francis http://www.sixbysix.co.uk
"Go not to Usenet for counsel, for it will say both no, and yes, and
no, and yes...."

"Pallav" wrote in message
om...
hello,

i'm a beginner to SLR photography and i have some specific questions
i'd like to get answered.

Good for you. Welcome aboard.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Well, for starters you're camera was Nikon's first AF camera and your lens
is pretty low quality- so lens try and help a little.

For a standard zoom on your budget, lenses are likely to be close in quality
to your Sigma- ideally, you want a Nikon/Nikkor AF zoom lens. Generally
speaking it's best to steer clear from off-brands, with a few minor
exceptions. If you can find a Nikon/Nikkor zoom lens with a max aperture of
f2.8, or with a wider range (eg. 28-105) in your price range, consider it.
If you have enough cash left over, pick up a 50mm f1.8 AF Nikkor.
Quality-wise, it knocks socks off everything else at that price point.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

UV filters are primarily for protecting your element from the elements :-).
They do cut down UV light, though the effect is minimal. Polarisers are a
good idea for landscapes- by rotating the filter to the right angle (the
effect is visible in the finder) blue skies will darken and reflections will
lessen. Given how much brighter the sky is than the ground, it is highly
useful- make sure you get a circular polariser, as a linear polariser won't
work with an AF camera. A graduated neutral density filter is about the only
other useful filter for colour photography, and most are too expensive for
consideration. If twelve months down the line you've invested in serious
glass and have started making money from photography, consider grads. Until
then, a polariser should do the trick.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

Slide film is a many-splendoured thing, and once you get a nicely-exposed
set of slides viewed on a lightbox with a nice loupe you may never return to
print film. The thing about prints is, for the most part, you are taking
your nicely exposed images and leaving them in the hands of someone who will
essentially use the default print settings to give you the opposite effect
to what you had planned.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings,

Surely it does ???

do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas?

A lightining meter will just get you electrocuted :-)

A light meter might be a good idea... soon. Right now, a book would be the
best starting point. Your G5 on manual mode should be an excellent tool for
understanding why certain things happen- the f-stop scale and ISO setting
have the same effect as those in the real... er, film world. I learned
exposure by thinking of a negative as a glass of water- leave the faucet
running too long and you end up overflowing (an overexposed, or too-light
negative). Open the faucet (aperture) too much, and you have the same
effect. Don't leave it running long enough, and the opposite is true.
Simplistic, I know- but unfortunately my college taught us black and white
darkroom printing at the same time as basic exposure, and in the darkroom
everything is reversed...

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod
that can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

Yes, it's a good plan (especially with slow ISO film, polarising filters and
narrow apertures/slow shutter speeds). A Manfrotto/Bogen is a good start,
though not as cheap as others. I consider Velbons and other cheap tripods to
be a massive liability- I used a loaned Velbon as a stand for a loaned Nikon
SB28 flashgun once, and the tripod fell over with little provocation. on a
harder surface, i'd have been out of pocket quite a long way because of
Velbon.

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is
greatly appreciated.

Books. Lots of books.

thanks for your time.

pallav

--
Martin Francis http://www.sixbysix.co.uk
"Go not to Usenet for counsel, for it will say both no, and yes, and
no, and yes...."

"Pallav" wrote in message
om...
hello,

i'm a beginner to SLR photography and i have some specific questions
i'd like to get answered.

Good for you. Welcome aboard.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Well, for starters you're camera was Nikon's first AF camera and your lens
is pretty low quality- so lens try and help a little.

For a standard zoom on your budget, lenses are likely to be close in quality
to your Sigma- ideally, you want a Nikon/Nikkor AF zoom lens. Generally
speaking it's best to steer clear from off-brands, with a few minor
exceptions. If you can find a Nikon/Nikkor zoom lens with a max aperture of
f2.8, or with a wider range (eg. 28-105) in your price range, consider it.
If you have enough cash left over, pick up a 50mm f1.8 AF Nikkor.
Quality-wise, it knocks socks off everything else at that price point.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

UV filters are primarily for protecting your element from the elements :-).
They do cut down UV light, though the effect is minimal. Polarisers are a
good idea for landscapes- by rotating the filter to the right angle (the
effect is visible in the finder) blue skies will darken and reflections will
lessen. Given how much brighter the sky is than the ground, it is highly
useful- make sure you get a circular polariser, as a linear polariser won't
work with an AF camera. A graduated neutral density filter is about the only
other useful filter for colour photography, and most are too expensive for
consideration. If twelve months down the line you've invested in serious
glass and have started making money from photography, consider grads. Until
then, a polariser should do the trick.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

Slide film is a many-splendoured thing, and once you get a nicely-exposed
set of slides viewed on a lightbox with a nice loupe you may never return to
print film. The thing about prints is, for the most part, you are taking
your nicely exposed images and leaving them in the hands of someone who will
essentially use the default print settings to give you the opposite effect
to what you had planned.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings,

Surely it does ???

do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas?

A lightining meter will just get you electrocuted :-)

A light meter might be a good idea... soon. Right now, a book would be the
best starting point. Your G5 on manual mode should be an excellent tool for
understanding why certain things happen- the f-stop scale and ISO setting
have the same effect as those in the real... er, film world. I learned
exposure by thinking of a negative as a glass of water- leave the faucet
running too long and you end up overflowing (an overexposed, or too-light
negative). Open the faucet (aperture) too much, and you have the same
effect. Don't leave it running long enough, and the opposite is true.
Simplistic, I know- but unfortunately my college taught us black and white
darkroom printing at the same time as basic exposure, and in the darkroom
everything is reversed...

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod
that can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

Yes, it's a good plan (especially with slow ISO film, polarising filters and
narrow apertures/slow shutter speeds). A Manfrotto/Bogen is a good start,
though not as cheap as others. I consider Velbons and other cheap tripods to
be a massive liability- I used a loaned Velbon as a stand for a loaned Nikon
SB28 flashgun once, and the tripod fell over with little provocation. on a
harder surface, i'd have been out of pocket quite a long way because of
Velbon.

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is
greatly appreciated.

Books. Lots of books.

thanks for your time.

pallav

--
Martin Francis http://www.sixbysix.co.uk
"Go not to Usenet for counsel, for it will say both no, and yes, and
no, and yes...."

"Martin Francis" wrote:

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Well, for starters you're camera was Nikon's first AF camera and your =
lens
is pretty low quality- so lens try and help a little.

Actually, Nikon's first AF camera, if you don't count the F3AF,
was the N2020. The N5005 was contemporary with the N8008s, I
think.

The natural normal range zoom for the N5005 would be the 28-70
f/3.5-4.5, which was released about the same time as the N5005.
KEH has it for about $100; it might be cheaper on ebay.

I'm not a snob about lenses, but if you're spending a lot of
money going to the Himalayas (I can't imagine that's cheap) you
might want to budget enough to rent or buy some first class
lenses for the trip. There no point taking a chance on what
might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Mark Sieving

"Martin Francis" wrote:

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Well, for starters you're camera was Nikon's first AF camera and your =
lens
is pretty low quality- so lens try and help a little.

Actually, Nikon's first AF camera, if you don't count the F3AF,
was the N2020. The N5005 was contemporary with the N8008s, I
think.

The natural normal range zoom for the N5005 would be the 28-70
f/3.5-4.5, which was released about the same time as the N5005.
KEH has it for about $100; it might be cheaper on ebay.

I'm not a snob about lenses, but if you're spending a lot of
money going to the Himalayas (I can't imagine that's cheap) you
might want to budget enough to rent or buy some first class
lenses for the trip. There no point taking a chance on what
might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Mark Sieving

On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:49:36 -0700, Pallav wrote:

i was given an old SLR camera by a sibling (she never used it and i'm
trying to learn it). its an nikon N5005 model with AF sigma 70-200mm
zoom lens. i spent some time reading a book on beginner photography by
john hedgecoe at B&N and have the following questions.

That generation of Nikon AF is not very good. If you have to use AF I
think you should look at something else. However, Martin's advice to get a
50mm f/1.8 is very good, because with the huge aperture in that lens you
might experience an increase in AF performance.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Try and find a used Nikkor 24mm f/2.8. Very good lens and ideal for travel
vistas, particularly the places you're going.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

This would only be necessary if you are shooting slides, which I see you
want to do. Most of the time a UV filter is only used to protect the front
element of a lens. With the big latitude in print film at D&P stage, any
colour casts introduced by UV can be dealt with.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

I would not recommend using slide film on your first go, especially since
you would like a visual record of your trip not to be messed up by the
narrow latitude of slides. If its richer colours you want, go for a
slower, saturated professional print film. I don't unfortunately have any
recommendations since I only shoot colour with digital (and slide). I'm
sure somebody could jump in with a recommendation though - I believe
Fujifilm have a few good ones in that area of use.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings, do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas? i'm currently struggling in trying to understand
the relationships of aperture and shutter speed. i have a vague idea
but need to play aroudn with the camera to see what happens.

Not all that difficult to understand:

Shutter speeds dictate movement. Slower speeds will show blur, faster
speeds will freeze movement.

Apertures dictate depth of field (how much of a picture is in focus).
Small apertures (big f numbers) will give more DOF, whereas larger
apertures (small f numbers) will give shallow DOF.

There is always a balance between the two that will provide you with a
correct exposure. Sometimes "correct" exposure may not be what you are
looking for, in which case you would creatively select a balance between
the two variables that would give you what you want.

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod that
can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

If you are happy to lug it around the Himalayas, sure. However, there are
tripods and then there are tripods. It wouldn't be worthwhile bothering
with a tripod that is not going to provide you with absolutely rock solid
stability. Given your budget constraints I don't think you would be able
to afford anything worthwhile (I may be wrong, I'm just going by my local
prices on Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods).

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is greatly
appreciated.

Have fun!

--
Dallas www.dallasdahms.com
"Going down a dirty inner city side road I plotted
Madness passed me by, she smiled hi, I nodded"
- Sixto Rodriguez

On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:49:36 -0700, Pallav wrote:

i was given an old SLR camera by a sibling (she never used it and i'm
trying to learn it). its an nikon N5005 model with AF sigma 70-200mm
zoom lens. i spent some time reading a book on beginner photography by
john hedgecoe at B&N and have the following questions.

That generation of Nikon AF is not very good. If you have to use AF I
think you should look at something else. However, Martin's advice to get a
50mm f/1.8 is very good, because with the huge aperture in that lens you
might experience an increase in AF performance.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Try and find a used Nikkor 24mm f/2.8. Very good lens and ideal for travel
vistas, particularly the places you're going.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

This would only be necessary if you are shooting slides, which I see you
want to do. Most of the time a UV filter is only used to protect the front
element of a lens. With the big latitude in print film at D&P stage, any
colour casts introduced by UV can be dealt with.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

I would not recommend using slide film on your first go, especially since
you would like a visual record of your trip not to be messed up by the
narrow latitude of slides. If its richer colours you want, go for a
slower, saturated professional print film. I don't unfortunately have any
recommendations since I only shoot colour with digital (and slide). I'm
sure somebody could jump in with a recommendation though - I believe
Fujifilm have a few good ones in that area of use.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings, do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas? i'm currently struggling in trying to understand
the relationships of aperture and shutter speed. i have a vague idea
but need to play aroudn with the camera to see what happens.

Not all that difficult to understand:

Shutter speeds dictate movement. Slower speeds will show blur, faster
speeds will freeze movement.

Apertures dictate depth of field (how much of a picture is in focus).
Small apertures (big f numbers) will give more DOF, whereas larger
apertures (small f numbers) will give shallow DOF.

There is always a balance between the two that will provide you with a
correct exposure. Sometimes "correct" exposure may not be what you are
looking for, in which case you would creatively select a balance between
the two variables that would give you what you want.

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod that
can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

If you are happy to lug it around the Himalayas, sure. However, there are
tripods and then there are tripods. It wouldn't be worthwhile bothering
with a tripod that is not going to provide you with absolutely rock solid
stability. Given your budget constraints I don't think you would be able
to afford anything worthwhile (I may be wrong, I'm just going by my local
prices on Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods).

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is greatly
appreciated.

Have fun!

--
Dallas www.dallasdahms.com
"Going down a dirty inner city side road I plotted
Madness passed me by, she smiled hi, I nodded"
- Sixto Rodriguez

I would recommend you dont bring any slide film over the ISO of 400 as you
will probably go through one or two airports and X-Ray machines can fog your
fast film.Either that or buy it out there.just my 2cents worth
"Dallas" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:49:36 -0700, Pallav wrote:

i was given an old SLR camera by a sibling (she never used it and i'm
trying to learn it). its an nikon N5005 model with AF sigma 70-200mm
zoom lens. i spent some time reading a book on beginner photography by
john hedgecoe at B&N and have the following questions.

That generation of Nikon AF is not very good. If you have to use AF I
think you should look at something else. However, Martin's advice to get a
50mm f/1.8 is very good, because with the huge aperture in that lens you
might experience an increase in AF performance.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Try and find a used Nikkor 24mm f/2.8. Very good lens and ideal for travel
vistas, particularly the places you're going.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

This would only be necessary if you are shooting slides, which I see you
want to do. Most of the time a UV filter is only used to protect the front
element of a lens. With the big latitude in print film at D&P stage, any
colour casts introduced by UV can be dealt with.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

I would not recommend using slide film on your first go, especially since
you would like a visual record of your trip not to be messed up by the
narrow latitude of slides. If its richer colours you want, go for a
slower, saturated professional print film. I don't unfortunately have any
recommendations since I only shoot colour with digital (and slide). I'm
sure somebody could jump in with a recommendation though - I believe
Fujifilm have a few good ones in that area of use.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings, do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas? i'm currently struggling in trying to understand
the relationships of aperture and shutter speed. i have a vague idea
but need to play aroudn with the camera to see what happens.

Not all that difficult to understand:

Shutter speeds dictate movement. Slower speeds will show blur, faster
speeds will freeze movement.

Apertures dictate depth of field (how much of a picture is in focus).
Small apertures (big f numbers) will give more DOF, whereas larger
apertures (small f numbers) will give shallow DOF.

There is always a balance between the two that will provide you with a
correct exposure. Sometimes "correct" exposure may not be what you are
looking for, in which case you would creatively select a balance between
the two variables that would give you what you want.

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod that
can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

If you are happy to lug it around the Himalayas, sure. However, there are
tripods and then there are tripods. It wouldn't be worthwhile bothering
with a tripod that is not going to provide you with absolutely rock solid
stability. Given your budget constraints I don't think you would be able
to afford anything worthwhile (I may be wrong, I'm just going by my local
prices on Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods).

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is greatly
appreciated.

Have fun!

--
Dallas www.dallasdahms.com
"Going down a dirty inner city side road I plotted
Madness passed me by, she smiled hi, I nodded"
- Sixto Rodriguez

I would recommend you dont bring any slide film over the ISO of 400 as you
will probably go through one or two airports and X-Ray machines can fog your
fast film.Either that or buy it out there.just my 2cents worth
"Dallas" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:49:36 -0700, Pallav wrote:

i was given an old SLR camera by a sibling (she never used it and i'm
trying to learn it). its an nikon N5005 model with AF sigma 70-200mm
zoom lens. i spent some time reading a book on beginner photography by
john hedgecoe at B&N and have the following questions.

That generation of Nikon AF is not very good. If you have to use AF I
think you should look at something else. However, Martin's advice to get a
50mm f/1.8 is very good, because with the huge aperture in that lens you
might experience an increase in AF performance.

1. the zoom lens would be good for close up shots, however, i think i
need a wide angle lens around 28-70mm AF for wide shots. can anyone
give me model names that would work with the nikon 5005? i don't want
to buy super expensive lens since i'm a beginnier. any suggestions on
what woudl be appropriate? something around 100-150 max.

Try and find a used Nikkor 24mm f/2.8. Very good lens and ideal for travel
vistas, particularly the places you're going.

2. since i'd be on medium altitude (3500 m), light from the sun will
be a problem. i was reading UV filters and polarizing filters are
recommended. any recommendations on some good filters that would work
well in such situations with this camera?

This would only be necessary if you are shooting slides, which I see you
want to do. Most of the time a UV filter is only used to protect the front
element of a lens. With the big latitude in print film at D&P stage, any
colour casts introduced by UV can be dealt with.

3. also, i am thinking about using slide film due to richer colors (i
suppose). as i understand the margin of error is much smaller in slide
film than print. so what would be the best way to learn to shoot with
slide flim? just load and start clicking away? i plan on using AF mode
(or aperture-priority and shutter-priority), and experimenting.

I would not recommend using slide film on your first go, especially since
you would like a visual record of your trip not to be messed up by the
narrow latitude of slides. If its richer colours you want, go for a
slower, saturated professional print film. I don't unfortunately have any
recommendations since I only shoot colour with digital (and slide). I'm
sure somebody could jump in with a recommendation though - I believe
Fujifilm have a few good ones in that area of use.

4. since the nikon 5005 has no digital indicators of the
aperture/shutter settings, do you suggest i invest some money in a
lightning meter? will a lightning meter be really helpful in a place
like the himalayas? i'm currently struggling in trying to understand
the relationships of aperture and shutter speed. i have a vague idea
but need to play aroudn with the camera to see what happens.

Not all that difficult to understand:

Shutter speeds dictate movement. Slower speeds will show blur, faster
speeds will freeze movement.

Apertures dictate depth of field (how much of a picture is in focus).
Small apertures (big f numbers) will give more DOF, whereas larger
apertures (small f numbers) will give shallow DOF.

There is always a balance between the two that will provide you with a
correct exposure. Sometimes "correct" exposure may not be what you are
looking for, in which case you would creatively select a balance between
the two variables that would give you what you want.

5. do i need a tripod? and if so, any ideas on a lightweight tripod that
can support a hefty camera like nikon 5005?

If you are happy to lug it around the Himalayas, sure. However, there are
tripods and then there are tripods. It wouldn't be worthwhile bothering
with a tripod that is not going to provide you with absolutely rock solid
stability. Given your budget constraints I don't think you would be able
to afford anything worthwhile (I may be wrong, I'm just going by my local
prices on Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods).

any other tips/advice for a begineer trying to shoot
nature/outdoor/travel photography in the himalayas/rajasthan is greatly
appreciated.

Have fun!

--
Dallas www.dallasdahms.com
"Going down a dirty inner city side road I plotted
Madness passed me by, she smiled hi, I nodded"
- Sixto Rodriguez