From: ditch@prefect.cc.bellcore.com (ditch,r l)
Subject: Re: Canon 10s Vs Nikon N90, Which one?
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 92 19:28:48 GMT

In article <1992Dec25.020841.22480@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih) writes:
>
>Let me add that Nikon doesn't seem to support your use of manual focus
>on the N8008s nor the N90, considering there are no focusing screens
>with manual focusing aids mentioned in the brochures.  In addition, the
>super-special-secret one from Nikon that fits the N8008s doesn't meter
>normally.
>
>And the terribly ironic thing is that the F-90 brochure persists in
>mentioning the MANUAL FOCUS Micro Nikkors (as did the F-801s brochure).  
>
>Looks like Nikon is using this MF thing as a crutch, rather than getting
>out there providing a wider variety of AF lenses (like you-know-who :-).
>
>ACS  (Do you surrender yet? :-)
>-- 
> ___ ___ ___ ______________________________________________________________
>|   |   | __|      Democracy is not a way of getting better solutions.     |
>| - | --|__ |           It's just a way to spread the blame.               |
>|_|_|___|___|______________________________________________________________|
>Alvin_C._Shih____________________acs@csri.utoronto.ca______________________|


At the great risk of giving Alvin C. Shih an excuse to post another
100+ articles, I find that I can no longer sit back quietly while he
continues to make statements that don't agree with my own experiences.

I have been using Nikon camera and lenses since 1973, and continue
to find that they satisfy my needs.  Nikon's commitment to the F lens
mount has allowed me to upgrade various items as technology as changed,
without ever needing to scrap an entire system ans start over.  I have
been able to buy used Nikon bodies and lenses, in excellent shape
and at reasonable cost, since there are so many Nikon users around.
I can swap gear with a number of friends who also use Nikon equipment
(even borrowing bodies or lenses that I ownce owned from friends who
bought them used from me).

Now to address some of the specific issues discussed by Alvin and
those responding to him:

1: Compatibility

Since 1973, I have owned and used 2 Nikkormat Ftn's, an EL, an ELW,
2 Nikon FE's, a Nikon FE2, a Nikon N2020, and my current pair of
Nikon 8008 bodies.  I have owned about 20 different Nikkor lenses;
my current set is:

20mm F4 manual focus, coverted to AI, bought used in 1978
105mm F2.8 macro, MF, AIS, bought new in 1985
200mm F4 macro, MF, AI, bought new in 1980
400mm F5.6 EDIF, MF, AI, bought used in 1985
75-150 F3.5 E, MF, AIS, bought used in 1987
28-70 F3.5-4.5, AF, AIS, bought new in 1991
75-300 F4.5-5.6 AF, AIS, bought new in 1990
TC14 teleconverter (1.4x), AI, bought used in 1985
TC200 teleconverter (2x), AI, bought used in 1985

All of these lenses work perfectly on my 8008 cameras.  All of the
MF lenses worked fine on the MF camera bodies that preceeded the
purchase of the 8008's in 1988 and 1989.

I also have Nikon SB18, SB16, and SB24 flashes, all of which work
perfectly on the 8008 cameras or on the SC17 remote cord.  My PK13
and PN11 extension tubes work fine on the 105, 200, and 400mm lenses.

2: Manual Focus, Auto Focus, & Electronic Rangefinder

As can be seen from the lenses I currently own, I do a lot of manual
focusing, even with my AF camera bodies.  For the types of subjects
I tend to shoot this has been no problem.  Even when I mount the AF
lenses on the 8008 bodies, I often focus them manually.  The only
time I rely on AF is when I go on a whale watching boat; then I find
the the 75-300 lens in AF mode is the best setup.  I appreciate that
Nikon gives me the choice to use new lenses in either AF or MF, and
allows me to use my older MF lenses just like I used to do.  I also
like it that I can buy a used MF lens and mount it on my 8008 cameras
if I find something that will fit a future application.

The electronic rangefinder is useful to confirm manual focus when
using an AF lens in MF, or when using an older MF lens.  It is not
intended to be used in those cases where the light is too dim for
proper operation of an AF lens in AF mode.  It is a nice feature to
have, but I do not make a great deal of use out of it.

3: Focusing Screens

I cannot understand the desire to have a split image or a microprism
focusing screen in any camera.  With my FE and FE2 bodies, the first
thing I did was change out these screens for plain matte versions.  I
always found micro prisms and split image rangefinders to be difficult
to use: finding an acceptable part of the subject; keeping the eye
properly positioned; blackout with the telephoto lenses I tend to use
most.  I also find that centrally located focusing aids tend to result
in "bull's eye" compositions.  I prefer to focus with any part of the
screen without the need to recompose.  This is part of the reason I
don't care much for AF.  I don't know anyone else who uses long lenses
that prefers anything other than a plain matte screen.

4: Metering

I have been using a version of Nikon's center weighted metering for
so long that I seldom use the matrix metering available on the 8008.
With my MF lenses, I can only use center weighted metering, but I do
not see this as a significant limitation.  If I saw some major value
in matrix metering, I would start to replace some of older MF lenses
with AF equivalents.  I find that a basic understanding of exposure
and experience with a single type of metering is all I require for
my applications.

5: N90, SB25, & D series Lenses

I have no experience with this latest equipment from Nikon, and view
it as just another minor advance as was the 8008s.  If I did a lot of
flash photography, I might have a different position.  I see the
addition of the multiple modes and symbols as a step in the wrong
direction, aimed at the type of user who lacks a basic understanding
of photographic principles.

D series lenses appear to be the same as non D AF lenses that they
replace, with the simple addition of reading and passing distance
information to the N90 and other Nikon bodies to follow.  I suspect
that price differences over preceeding lenses is more market pressure
to have the latest than it is actual manufacturing cost.  Alvin's
comments on forcing users to buy features that will not work with
what they already own (or give them any additional benefits) is
nonsense; it is the logical outcome of advancing technology and
Nikon's commitment to the F mount.

6: Motor in body or in lens

Alvin's comments on motor location are also largely nonsense.  Why
put motors in every lens if a motor in the body can satisfy the needs
of most photographers?  Nikon has shown that it can put a motor in
the lens if it makes sense to do so, even if a motor is already in
the camera body.  If I could afford an AF-I lens, I'd upgrade my
8008 bodies to N90s or F4s.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
| Richard Ditch, in the New Jersey "Wilderness"    Voice: 908-758-2284  |
| Bellcore, Room 1F416, 331 Newman Springs Rd, Red Bank, NJ 07701-7050  |
|=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=|
| Unix: prefect!ditch     |     INTERNET: ditch@prefect.cc.bellcore.com |
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=