Dilema

[Michael]

G'day all

On the 11th and 12th of march are the south east region firefighters championships held in beaudesert, i'll be taking photos for a number of brigade in my area since I am a member of my local fire brigade and trained with 77 station last year (gatton) for the games.

Now to the dilema, My bank account doesn't currently allow me to purchase a D200 nor does the availability.

I was wondering if a member would be willing to rent thier a nikon pro body out to me for this weekend, I know its an extremely tall ask since everyone is in love with thier gear here but I would really prefer a body that can firstly Sync over 1/500 with flash as the d70s can't

And also I would like to not have to change lenses during the weekend not to mention the flash sync and what not.

So Im pleading with a member with any kind of pro body be it a d1x d1 d2h d2x or anything if they'd be kind enough to lend/rent whatever the arrangement may be for the weekend.

Also Im not totally unknown amounst members, zeeke (tim) knows me well as Xerebus.

Any help would be appreciated.

Michael

[Zeeke]

I dont know him

IF i owned a d2x id loan ya one.. or any other pro camera... IF i owned one.. but good luck in your search

Tim

[Michael]

Thanks tim

[Aussie Dave]

Hi Michael
I thought the max. flash sync on the D2X etc. was 1/250sec. ?

However, the D2X can do ISO100, which is the same as the D70 with ISO200 @ 1/500sec. flash sync.

Would it not be easier to borrow another D70 ? What other advantages are you looking for from the pro bodies ?

If flash sync speed is your main concern, surely the D70's 1/500sec. is fast enough ?

The only other option would be to mask some of the hotshoe pins, so you can select 1/8000sec. If you use the search tool, I'm sure you'll find some info on this method (which should only be used after careful consideration).

[Alpha_7]

Sorry Michael I only have a D70 to offer you, but I wish you good luck in finding the equipment you need.

And as Aussie Dave suggested, carefully consider the options before masking the hotshoe pins..

[tasadam]

 BTW D200 flash sync is, from memory, 1/250 sec. No time to verify that now but I think I can recall that as being one of th 2 features I like better about the D70, the other being IR remote.
Good luck.

[xorl]

Yep, the D200 sync's at 1/250 due to a mechanical shutter. However it supports Auto FP high speed sync. Flash power is reduced by using Auto FP mode, but it does allow syncing at any speed.

The D70 has an electronic shutter and the 1/500 limit is mostly artificial. You can trick the D70 into sync'ing at higher speeds by covering some of the hotshoe contacts.

[xerubus]

i don't have any 'pro' bodies around, but will definitely vouch for you. I say gday at the games as i'll most probably be there snapping away.

cheers

[wendellt]

hi

you would probably better off renting a D2X from a camera equipment hire place in queensland. The flash shutter sync only goes up to 250 any faster shutterspeeds than tha the flash effectiveness(distance is greatly reduced and you may get black bars from the top and bottom of the captured frame(the shutter)
I would liek to help but i use mine very often and can't part with it for more than 2 days unless you were in sydney and you used it for 1 night or soemthing

[Michael]

Thanks guys.

First of all the D2x's sync is 1/250th as with the D200 but with the hotshoe flash units they can use FP sync to go as fast as the shutter can, although it effectivly lessens the power of the flash it's still useful for fill flash, trust me.

I've looked around at a few equipment hire places and the cheapest was $270 for a weekend. and thats a fair bit of money for a weekend.

Anyhow I just thought i'd ask around.

[xorl]

Just curious, how come you need to be able to sync at such a high speed? Is it due to a shallow depth of field requirement? Perhaps you can use a neutral density filter to reduce the amount of light which will allow for a slower shutter speed?

[Michael]

I don't really want to be stuffing around with filters and crap.

I just thought a pro body of some description would help.

[mudder]

Dunno if it's a help or not, but there's the ol' trick of taping the first two contacts, so the shutter isn't limited to 1/500th on the D70 (using an external flash like the SB800 etc.)... I've tried it and it works a treat in strong light for lightening shadows etc...

As mentioned dunno if that's a help or not...

[jethro]

Michael, use what youve got and shoot it real. Turn the D70 inside out. It can be done
Jethro

[Michael]

Im affraid the D70 has been turned inside out a number of times already

Another reason for second body is I don't really want to be changing lenses with all the water mist and what not that ends up in the air.

Just want to play it safe.

I suppose another D70 body wouldn't go a stray. oh well when im rich.