Can anyone explain Nikon's model numbers?

Michael Benveniste wrote:
"Dave" wrote:


I know more about computers than cameras and note that the computers
always seem to be rated 4/5, or 5/5, with very little much below that.
It all rather suggests to me the magazines play to their advertisers.
Why should they want to say a model A made by manufacturer B is only
worth 2/5 when B spends a lot of money advertising with them?


It's a problem with camera/lens reviews as well. Too often, the
reviewer gets a loaner from the local sales office to use for free.
I'd assume that a sales office checks out a loaner first -- you'd
have to be pretty cocky or pretty stupid not to. When you buy,
however, you don't benefit from such a pre-check.

Yes, just as I thought.

For the most part, I find user reviews useful only in the aggregate,
because not everyone has the same expectations. This is especially
true of consumer-grade zooms. If you're used to, say, a fast 35mm
prime you're going to judge a 28-200mm lens very differently than if
you're used to a disposable. However, once several users complain
that the AF on a lens is slow, or that the M/F switch is a pain to
use, or that a given lens is soft wide open, I will take a hard look
at those points before committing to a purchase.

Yes, I see what you mean. I did find a number of reviews moaning about
the same points with regard to a particular lens, so it is clear there
are some common moans.

I know Nikon have a good name for lenses, but are there any 3rd party
ones that are better for 300mm f/4 lenses?

There is a reasonably good reason for buying an F6. An F3 body was
stolen in a recent burglary. The insurance company appointed Jessops to
sort out a replacement for my F3. Jessops said the replacement was an
F6, which I won't argue with! An old cheap autofocus was stolen too.


I don't have to buy an F6, but do have to buy the equipment from

Jessops. Given I can get better value by buying equipment elsewhere
(used on the web), I might as well buy the F6 from Jessops. Buying a
F100 from them is an option, but then I'll pay more for that than need
be, then still have to spend the remainder at Jessops.


Did the insurance company give you a fixed amount to spend or agree to
replace individual pieces?

Fixed amount.

If the former, you're still better off buying
only as much camera body as you need and spending the rest on glass.
Even at Jessops prices, an F100 plus a 300mm f/4 is only £200 more than
the F6 alone.

I think I will be able to get an AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D ED-IF for just
over 500 pounds by importing it from the USA, so this means buying the
F6 (from Jessops) and lens (elsewhere) will cost me just over 300 pounds
more than buying the F100 + 300mm f/4 both from Jessops.

Sure 300 pounds is not an insignificant amount of money, but I think if
I am going to spend that much, I might as well pay the extra 300 and get
the F6 body, rather than the F100. If I had the same amount of money in
cash, then I would probably not get an F6.

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:19:02 +0000, Dave wrote:

I know Nikon have a good name for lenses, but are there any 3rd party
ones that are better for 300mm f/4 lenses?

I don't know of any third-party 300mm primes that will provide
full functionality (including AF) on a Nikon body. Sigma makes a
100-300 f/4 (fixed aperture) that's gotten some good reviews, but
I know nothing else about that particular lens. I have observed a lot
of variance between copies of the Sigma 12-24mm, so if you decide to
go with a Sigma, be sure you can test it quickly and exchange it as
necessary.

Sure 300 pounds is not an insignificant amount of money, but I think if
I am going to spend that much, I might as well pay the extra 300 and get
the F6 body, rather than the F100. If I had the same amount of money in
cash, then I would probably not get an F6.

Well, it's your settlement. It's interesting that the price
difference between the U.S. and U.K. is so large on the lens and so
small on the body. Enjoy!

--
Michael Benveniste --
Spam and UCE professionally evaluated for $419. Use this email
address only to submit mail for evaluation.

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:19:02 +0000, Dave wrote:

I know Nikon have a good name for lenses, but are there any 3rd party
ones that are better for 300mm f/4 lenses?

I don't know of any third-party 300mm primes that will provide
full functionality (including AF) on a Nikon body. Sigma makes a
100-300 f/4 (fixed aperture) that's gotten some good reviews, but
I know nothing else about that particular lens. I have observed a lot
of variance between copies of the Sigma 12-24mm, so if you decide to
go with a Sigma, be sure you can test it quickly and exchange it as
necessary.

Sure 300 pounds is not an insignificant amount of money, but I think if
I am going to spend that much, I might as well pay the extra 300 and get
the F6 body, rather than the F100. If I had the same amount of money in
cash, then I would probably not get an F6.

Well, it's your settlement. It's interesting that the price
difference between the U.S. and U.K. is so large on the lens and so
small on the body. Enjoy!

--
Michael Benveniste --
Spam and UCE professionally evaluated for $419. Use this email
address only to submit mail for evaluation.

Michael Benveniste wrote:

Sure 300 pounds is not an insignificant amount of money, but I think if
I am going to spend that much, I might as well pay the extra 300 and get
the F6 body, rather than the F100. If I had the same amount of money in
cash, then I would probably not get an F6.


Well, it's your settlement. It's interesting that the price
difference between the U.S. and U.K. is so large on the lens and so
small on the body. Enjoy!

That's my observation. I think the fact the F6 is new, there is not much
competition between dealers. Whereas for lenses, lots of companies have
them, so you can tend to get a better deal buying from outside the UK.

Michael Benveniste wrote:

Sure 300 pounds is not an insignificant amount of money, but I think if
I am going to spend that much, I might as well pay the extra 300 and get
the F6 body, rather than the F100. If I had the same amount of money in
cash, then I would probably not get an F6.


Well, it's your settlement. It's interesting that the price
difference between the U.S. and U.K. is so large on the lens and so
small on the body. Enjoy!

That's my observation. I think the fact the F6 is new, there is not much
competition between dealers. Whereas for lenses, lots of companies have
them, so you can tend to get a better deal buying from outside the UK.