File :-(, x, )
Moving Up to a DSLR. Anonymous
Currently using a compact - the Nikon P5100. Had some great results with it, and seriously enjoying photography, however the P5100 is coming up short for me these days, in terms of high ISO shooting, range and the blotchy compression (when even set to fine) is getting on my nerves.

Planning on moving to a DSLR, specifically the Nikon D300, which seems a great semi-pro camera. However whilst the body is simple enough in choice, I've got little clue as to what lenses I need to be looking for.

I'm after something fairly general purpose initially, as I'm still only at a beginner/intermediate level. I've got no idea what kind of f stops a good SLR lense needs and what kind of mm range I'm after.

Any recommendations, would be gratefully appreciated, and any specific differences between a compact and DSLR would be handy, I noticed the D300 only goes to ISO 100, yet my compact goes to ISO 64.
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKONCamera ModelCOOLPIX P5100Camera SoftwareACD Systems Digital ImagingMaximum Lens Aperturef/2.7Focal Length (35mm Equiv)74 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:04:19 08:53:55Exposure Time1/125 secF-Numberf/6.8Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating64Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length15.70 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width900Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlLow Gain UpContrastNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknownISO Speed Used64Color ModeCOLORImage QualityFINEWhite BalanceAUTOImage SharpeningAUTOFocus ModeAF-SISO SelectionMANUALImage AdjustmentAUTOTone CompensationAUTOLens AdapterOFFAuto FocusUnknownSaturationNormalNoise ReductionOFFImage OptimizationNORMALSaturation 2AUTO
>> Anonymous
That's because the D300 has a better sensor design. The higher the minimum ISO, the more efficient the sensor is, since the minimum is always the optimum ISO.

What do you shoot?
>> Anonymous
I shoot a range of subjects, however landscape and low-light work is my highest priority at the moment.

I've rarely done portrait work, but eventually I want to do some street photography focusing on subjects unaware of my presence (trying to capture people naturally).
>> Anonymous
>>229241
What do you shoot in low light?

What focal lengths do you use for your landscapes?

I can tell you right away to get a normal lens, 28, 30, or 35mm, a 50mm (because they're all so cheap, and are often useful), and something a touch longer than 50mm for portraits, something like a 55, 58, 60, or 70mm lens.

Do you mind manually focusing? It should be fine on the D300 if you don't, in which cases there's cheap, great 28/2s and 35/1.4s for you, a great, affordable 50/1.2 if you want something a little better than the cheap but still good 50/1.4 or 1.8, and some 55mm lenses (macros and f/1.2 lenses, mostly), and the Voigtlander 58/1.4. There's also a Noct-Nikkor 58/1.2, but it'll cost more than your D300, seriously.

If you want autofocus, the Sigma 30/1.4 is your best bet, then the 50/1.4 Nikkor, and either the 60/2.8 Nikkor or any of the 70mm third-party macros sitting around.
>> Anonymous
Mostly city scapes, and dark alley-ways, with normally very little light. One scene for example was a young couple leaving a resturant in Tokyo, only light sources included the doorway, a sign and a small lamp.

I'd like to do some clubbing photography, preferably without the flash.

For landscapes, my compact is 28mm, its done for me thusfar, but in some city scapes, has left me stepping backwards to try to fit more in, whilst suffering more and more interfering fore-ground.

Thankyou for your suggestions, I'll certainly look into those lenses. Is the treatment of f stops different in an SLR over a compact?