Informal low light portrait with my new D700

Wes Weber · January 25, 2009

It seems that the majority of my available photo time is when lighting conditions are not great - usually inside our house in the evening. I was getting frustrated with my old camera because I'd either miss a shot using available light because I couldn't use fast enough shutter, or I'd simply not try because the hassle of setting up my lights wasn't worth it.

Here's a great example of what I'm talking about. I love this shot, and I absolutely would have missed it. It was taken about 45 minutes before sunset on a cloudy day on our living room floor, with only available window light.

The D700 has brought a whole new element to my photography. The added freedom given by it's low light capability has really been exciting to me.

Let me know what you think...

angevin1 · January 25, 2009

I think you're exactly right...and yet before I got my D700, I had no idea of what I could be getting...Great purchase decision! I kept my D300 and I am using it, but When I got to have a low light shot and feel the need for speed, the D700 is there and then some!

Oh, and touching photo~

cheers, tom

ian408 · January 25, 2009

Wes, that is a nice picture. Very nice.

Flutist · January 25, 2009

That is a great photo, very sweet between mother and child. Maybe that's my problem, I need a D700

Trevlan · January 26, 2009

angevin1 wrote:

I think you're exactly right...and yet before I got my D700, I had no idea of what I could be getting...Great purchase decision! I kept my D300 and I am using it, but When I got to have a low light shot and feel the need for speed, the D700 is there and then some!

Oh, and touching photo~

cheers, tom

Angevin

I'm going to purchase the D300 next month, I was under the impression that the 300 shots hi ISO well also.

Low to no noise at 1600 ISO. I like the way the 300 shoots, and it will work with my DX lenses. Do you not recommend the D300?

angevin1 · January 26, 2009

Trevlan wrote:

Angevin

I'm going to purchase the D300 next month, I was under the impression that the 300 shots hi ISO well also. Low to no noise at 1600 ISO. I like the way the 300 shoots, and it will work with my DX lenses. Do you not recommend the D300?

yes. I actually like the D300 and I can get acceptable images up to 2k-2.5k ISO...but thats about it for me, so far. I'm not telling you anything new when I say that that is well above my D70 or D200's acceptable range. But the D700 I can just jump right on up there to ensure I get the shutter speed I am looking for. So, in truth, It really does make one H of a difference for me in low light. Also, I have to tell you When I bolted on my FF lenses to that D700 for the first time, it was nice to see that glass actually look like it was designed to look: view.

The D300 will remain an important part of my kit for the foreseable future.

cheers, tom

Trevlan · January 26, 2009

angevin1 wrote:

yes. I actually like the D300 and I can get acceptable images up to 2k-2.5k ISO...but thats about it for me, so far. I'm not telling you anything new when I say that that is well above my D70 or D200's acceptable range. But the D700 I can just jump right on up there to ensure I get the shutter speed I am looking for. So, in truth, It really does make one H of a difference for me in low light. Also, I have to tell you When I bolted on my FF lenses to that D700 for the first time, it was nice to see that glass actually look like it was designed to look: view.

The D300 will remain an important part of my kit for the foreseable future.

cheers, tom

Well, I've outgrown my D40. It was a great camera to start out with. I'm ready for a pro level SLR, but since I'm not making a lot of money off of this yet, I don't think I can justify a D3X with my accountant just yet. LoL.

I think for now, the D300 will be my best bang for the buck because I can use my DX lenses with it.

Wes Weber · January 28, 2009

Thanks for the comments, guys.

FWIW, I use my 12-14 DX lens on my D700 quite a bit. I don't set it to DX mode - I just shoot full frame anyway since I can crop it out later. The results were surprisingly good.

So, Trevlan - If you do ever move over to a FF camera, it might not be necessary to get all new lenses. I'm not trying to sway you away from the D300, but just wanted to mention it for future decisions down the road...

Wes

AspectArts · January 28, 2009

Flutist wrote:

That is a great photo, very sweet between mother and child. Maybe that's my problem, I need a D700

I KNOW I need a D700! Beautiful picture!

ky1 · January 28, 2009

re informal low light portrait
Really nice photo very natural. I havent yet tried any indoor stuff if they look as good as the photo you posted i will be well pleased.

BVardy · January 28, 2009

That's a great shot, Wes. One for a frame for sure.

jhelms · January 28, 2009

Wes Weber wrote:

Thanks for the comments, guys.

FWIW, I use my 12-14 DX lens on my D700 quite a bit. I don't set it to DX mode - I just shoot full frame anyway since I can crop it out later. The results were surprisingly good.

So, Trevlan - If you do ever move over to a FF camera, it might not be necessary to get all new lenses. I'm not trying to sway you away from the D300, but just wanted to mention it for future decisions down the road...

Wes

Wes, I'm drooling for a D700 and want to use 2 of my DX lenses with it - I was considering just using them in crop mode but how does it work not setting it to DX mode? What's different doing it that way?

ian408 · January 28, 2009

BVardy wrote:

That's a great shot, Wes. One for a frame for sure.

You going to ANA?

BVardy · January 28, 2009

ian408 wrote:

You going to ANA?

PM zipping your way...

angevin1 · January 28, 2009

jhelms wrote:

Wes, I'm drooling for a D700 and want to use 2 of my DX lenses with it - I was considering just using them in crop mode but how does it work not setting it to DX mode? What's different doing it that way?

I wasn't sure at all you could do this. But after reading Wes' use, I tried it today.....It may work okay for Wes, but I was totally unimpressed.

I tried the tammy 17-50 DX

It works: yes!...file size is appx double compared to crop mode...but it looks like a round dark tunnel with an image in the center.

It makes a round...pseudo vignette out of the image it captures...It may actually do okay in some circumstances...but just doesn't make any sense to me...other than saying you hung a lens on and it worked.

I can tell you tho, that the D700 is really fun and decent and I feel very free to take a low light shot if need be, with ease.

cheers, tom

TNJules · December 26, 2009

Hi Wes,
I'm trying to learn how to take pictures in low light, but I'm not using an SLR.
I have a Canon Power Shot SX200. It's supposed to be good in low light but that's all I know.

Can you point me to any resources? I typically take pictures of my infant daughter indoors with just the light from the window in her room. It's great natural light so I would think I would have problems.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

VayCayMom · December 27, 2009

Wes, totally agree with you, LOVE my d700, you can do more!! nice shot, just lovely.

Informal low light portrait with my new D700

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