Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Nikon

Saving images straight to hard drive

consilience — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:53:08 -0800

I have a Nikon D5000 - how do I shoot straight to hard drive? I'll be covering some major events next week which will require me getting pictures straight to our website ASAP. I'd like to keep my Nikon plugged into my laptop, shoot images, and have them appear immediately or get them straight away into iPhoto or ViewNX/Nikon Transfer.

Can anyone help me with that set up? I've tried plugging my camera in and taking snapshots, but images won't get saved onto the memory card if the USB cable is plugged in. Is there any way to shoot and have it saved on my computer instead?

Thanks.

Are Nikon D5000s currently sitting on shelves still affected by the recall?

consilience — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:32:39 -0800

Nikon recalled the D5000 a few months ago - are the ones on store shelves today still affected? I'm looking to purchase my first DSLR. I played with a D5000 and a Rebel t1i or 500D in store and I like feel of the D5000 a little more. I also liked the added bulk and weight of it. My only concern is that there was a recall for the D5000, two of them actually, just a few months ago. Does anyone know if the ones that are currently on store shelves are affected?

I have been reading forums, gadget blogs, photography forums and the like for two weeks now. Non-stop. Needless to say, I've been pulling out my hair trying to decide between the D5000 and the t1i. I've only decided on the D5000 because of its feel/heft and a simpler and more attractive UI.

From now until Sunday, both can be had for $699 with no tax from Samy's Camera, making my decision that much more difficult.

I feel like the brand I go with will instantly be a lifetime commitment because I would also like to purchase a 50mm f1.8 lens with either camera.

Normally, I'd give something like this more time if I'm this undecided, but I need a camera soon. I'd like to pick one up before the sale ends, but the latest is just before CES (Consumer Electronics Show).

Thanks in advance for advice and the recall info.

A better camera, or better lenses?

2oh1 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:59:22 -0800

Help me get the most bang for my photography buck: I own a Nikon D50. I've been finding the D90 priced around $700 online with rebates (sometimes refurbished, but sometimes new). I was ready to buy... but then I wondered: would I be wiser to spend the money on new lenses instead? I bought my D50 with the kit combo of DX 18-55 mm and DX 55-200 mm lenses (neither of them are VR, sadly). I also picked up a used Tamron 28-300, which has a great range, but isn't exactly a sharp lens.

I'm wondering if $700 is too good of a price to pass up for a D90, or if I'd do better to spend that money on lenses? And, if the latter, which lenses would you recommend to compliment or improve on what I already own?

A bit more potentially useful info:

As I mentioned in my previous question here, I'm legally blind, so autofocus is my highest priority for a camera or a lens. I can capture what I want using a viewfinder, but manually focus? Not a chance.

I'd like to be able to do macro photography at some point. For example, I wanted to be able to capture shots of these tiny gears but couldn't.

I don't do any sports or action photography.

Help me choose a beginner DSLR?

kylej — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:26:13 -0800

What beginner's dslr should I buy? I'm looking to purchase a camera within the next couple weeks. I have around 600$ to spend, and I'm looking to buy a beginners dslr.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Canon Rebel XSi.

It seems like it has a lot of options for me to learn and Canon has a nice lens selection if I want to buy more.

I've seen other questions on here, as well as numerous online reviews, but I wanted to see if you guys can think of any other options that would be good for me.

Stuff I'm planning on using it for:
Snapshots of friends
Macro(ish) shots
Travel shots(for when I go to Spain this summer)
Probably some informal portraits too

Another camera I was considering was the Nikon D3000, which is geared towards beginners, but I feel like it might be limiting as I get better at photography.

Thanks for your input!

.NEF file discrepancy

Hypnotic Chick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:15:13 -0800

Why does my version of Photoshop open the Nikon D700 images I have stored but not the D90 images? I am currently using Photoshop CS4 (v 11.0 ) with an iMac (OS 10.6.1). I am trying to open the proprietary Nikon .nef files. I have no problem with the D700 files, but the D90 files are unrecognized by Photoshop. The Nikon D90 uses firmware version (A1.0, B1.0, L1.0), and I can't find any updates. The D700 was borrowed so I don't know the firmware version there. The files are stored on a WD My Passport and copied from the cameras SD card using the Dell Mini 9 lpia version of Ubuntu Linux.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Need help shopping for a camera

FireStyle — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:14:14 -0800

What is the next best camera to the Nikon D300s? I'm doing some Christmas shopping for my dad, getting some prices in my head. I know he wanted the Nikon D300s, but that camera is anywhere between $1,300 to $1,600 --- WAY out of my budget!

I saw the Nikon D5000 which seems to be the intermediate version of the D300s. At a price tag around $800, that's something I could handle. However, I'm an audio guy, so I have no idea what the difference between an FX and DX chip is, what CMOS is (unless its the same CMOS spec for motherboards?) etc. so I have no way of effectively shopping for a good camera for him.

It should be noted, he is really good for an amateur photographer... just a fun hobby of his back in the day and was looking to get back into it. Also, I know he *reeeeeeally* has his heart set on a Nikon, so please no suggestions of a Canon X5 million plus. Thanks!

Canon -> Nikon

aeighty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:55 -0800

Switching dSLR systems, going from Canon to Nikon? I'm curious if anyone has done this. I've been photographing with a Canon Digital Rebel 350D for about 4 years now. I'd like to get a little more resolution for larger prints and better nighttime sensitivity. Recently, my father bought himself a Nikon D90, so I figure if I upgrade in the near future, I might as well upgrade to a compatible system so that we may share accessories (flashes, expensive lenses). I'm not heavily invested in Canon. I have a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon f/1.8 50mm prime and the crappy kit lense. Oh and a flash. Over the years I've gotten used to Canon's menus and ergonomics, so I'm never fiddling with settings; equipment almost never interferes with the process.

I'm concerned that I may hate "the Nikon experience", although truth be told my initial Canon decision was somewhat arbitrary. At some point in the near future, I will borrow my dad's D90 to play with, but I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Thanks

I need a 102, 103 class in photography. Suggestions?

GilloD — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:35:23 -0800

Where do I go for my 102 on photography? I took a couple of photo classes in high school and know my way around an SLR/DSLR pretty well. I'm at about 102- I understand an Shutter Speed and an Aperture and I understand the trade-off between the two, but I'm not always sure what I'm looking at when I see my photos, i.e. this photo looks great, but how'd I get there?

Now that I've gotten a bit more serious, I'm interested in how lenses interact with that process. I understand what's different about an 18-55mm lens and and 28-200mm, but I'm not 100% sure what those terms mean, in terms of being useful for me, and how they change the photos I take beyond "Well, this one can zoom farther than that one". I'm also looking for clarification on things like AE, and the various forms of AF and why one matters more than the other and... phew!

I got myself a copy of Understanding Exposure, but that's much more about picture taking than the complicated technical world of equipment. I'm really looking for a 102-103 class: "Okay, you're comfortable with the camera and you understand what the aperture and shutter speed are. Let's go farther.".

Suggestions? Books are fine, but I have limited access to English language books. Web tutorials are better and I don't mind shelling out for something I can DL. FWIW, I'm shooting on a shiny new Nikon D90 with 28-200mm Nikon lens.

DSLR n00b

chrisinseoul — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:00:36 -0800

New to the DSLR world, and I need the hive mind's help with a couple questions. I recently picked up a used Nikon D70 body (decent older DSLR, decent enough for the purposes of picking things up anyway) and a couple lenses (a 28-70mm and a 70-210mm lens, both Nikon). Over the past couple days I've spent free time reading through a manual that seems almost incomprehensible in places. I come from a fairly advanced point-and-shoot type camera, so I'm familiar with most of the terms like white balance, shutter / aperture priority, and the like. The advice of 'just shoot stuff' is certainly good, but a few things are bugging me.

#1: The longer lens (70-210mm AF 1.4-5.6 D) has one area to turn for manual focus and an aperture ring closest to where the lens hooks up to the body. There's no way to zoom in / out though - am I missing something here?

#2: I know the D70 has a crop factor of 1.5x. When I take a picture, it looks nothing like what I saw through the viewfinder. It's a *much* tighter shot than expected. Is there a way to adjust this, or is it just a mental adjustment?

#3: Looking to buy one more lens, primarily used for landscapes or macro. Is it possible to get wide angle and macro in a single lens without the cost breaking the bank?

Thank you O hive mind :)

Camera reviews are taking over my sanity

TravellingCari — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:10:49 -0800

Following my previous question, I've narrowed down my camera options and done a lot of reading, but I'd love some Hivemind input. My Previous Question

Since asking, I've been reading reviews online and went to B&H to play with some of the models I thought I liked. End result, I walked out with two different ideas than when I walked in. Below are the ones I'm considering most and why, but I'm having issues with the reviews I read online because I know every product will irk someone and it's a question of cutting through that to get to what matters.

I'm also trying to keep in mind that a) I'm upgrading a 4 year old camera and b) I don't need perfection on every shot. I'm not ready to make the jump to DSLR because I don't take pictures nearly enough anymore, but I want a camera that can take good landscape shots, a good zoom to take pics at sporting events from bad seats and ability to shoot close up (i.e. Macro). I have pros and cons below. Do you have any experience with these cameras? Anything I'm missing? As I've said, I'm familiar with the review sites and have read extensively. If those are all to be believed, there's no decent camera out there.

*Sony HX 1 - Pros: good zoom, I have media for the camera, familiarity w Sony cameras, good battery life, feels good in my hand, without a doubt the best video capabilities. Cons: 9.1mp, Price, video stuff I don't need (I don't know what 1080i/p means, and I rarely shoot video)

*Nikon P90 - Pros: 24 optical zoom, known for good sports photography, good macro, price. Cons: hate the look and feel of camera, reported poor battery life, no zoom while shooting video.

*Olympus SP-590 - Pros: Price, 26x zoom, good response time with fast photos (sports).Cons: AA battery (although I don't mind this too much, means you're never caight without batteries), dial seems weak

*Canon SX 1 - Pros: 20x zoom, known brand, RAW support, Cons: AA battery (see above), hate hate the fold-out LCD, least zoom (although I'm upgrading from 12x so it's still big jump

So, I'm still torn. At the moment, I'm leaning Olympus but I don't know enough about the brand. I covet the Sony but at 399 even on Amazon (have $65 credit so likely to buy there) it's steep. I came out of B&H really not liking the Canon at all but I feel like I should because it's such a known brand that people love. Nikon was my first choice walking in, but I really don't like the body of this camera.

Anyone have any input or am I destined to eenie meenie miney mo? Thanks in advance!

Pentax DSLR vs Nikon vs Canon

mikepop — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:21:07 -0800

Digital SLR - does anyone have experience with the Pentax K2000 (comparing with the Nikon D40) This recent DSLR question was timely, as I'm looking to buy one as a gift soon and I was looking at entry-level Canons and Nikons.

However, the giftee has a Pentax film SLR and along with it a couple of lenses - a basic lens and a telephoto/zoom lens (sorry, I don't know what they are exactly). From what I'm reading in the other thread, it makes sense to buy the camera you already have lenses for, so I'm taking a look at the Pentax K2000.

A lot of people I know have a Nikon or Canon, but I don't know anyone with a Pentax DSLR. Is it just as good, generally speaking, as an entry-level DSLR? Any warnings?

And if I do decide to go with the Pentax, would it make sense to buy just the camera body (vs a kit) and save some money, since she already has a couple of lenses?

Which DSLR would you pick?

ddaavviidd — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:59:43 -0800

I need to choose between buying a used Nikon D50 and a used Canon Rebel XT. I would like to hear about your experience with any of these fine cameras. Both cameras pretty much have the same specs, and I can get them at the same price ( about $400 CAD), both come with the 18-55 kit lense, the Nikon also have a dx nikor 55-200 F4,5-5,6 and the canon comes with a sigma 70-300 F4,0-5,6. I will use this camera both inside and outside, and I don't plan to print huge posters. I'm not doing sport photography, mostly landscape and people. I was also looking at new Nikon D60, but they are still over $500 and I can't afford that right now.

I'd like to hear about your experience with these cameras. I'm leaning towards the D50 for its larger lcd, but I heard the XT does a better job for inside shots. I don't own lenses, so I'm not sold to any brand. Anything I should be aware of to help my choice? I've done lots of photography before, using manual settings and all, but always with point-and-shoot cameras.

Lens recommendation for Nikon d70 for close-up indoor photography of kids

stuehler — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:47 -0800

I'm loooking for a lens recommendation for a Nikon d70 specifically for close-up indoor photography of kids. Apologies in advance for asking a question that's very close to several others here at AskMeFi, but here's the twist... I'm looking to buy this lens as a gift for my wife, and I don't know ANYTHING at all about photography.

So, I know you can find TONS of information about this all over the web, but everything I find presumes much more knowledge than I have (f-stop, focal length, aperture, etc... all lost on me).

Anyway, she has a Nikon D70, and the only lens she has is the one that came with it: AF-S NIKKOR 18-70mm.

I'd like to find on that's best suited to taking pretty close-up pictures of our kids, mostly indoors. In particular, I'm after one that tends to create really sharp focus on the face, and significantly blur the background.

I'd really appreciate recommdations for specific models, if possible.

Many thanks in advance!

Help me prep photos for printing

2oh1 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:34:54 -0800

I have a Nikon D50 dslr, iPhoto, an old version of Photoshop Elements (3), and three empty 11 X 14 frames (black wood/glass). How do I process the photos for printing before I take them to... Kinkos? I picked up three 11 X 14 frames, and I thought it would be fun to hang some of my photography, but since I do so little printing, I'm clueless.

How do I get the best (affordable) results?

Cheap DSRL for low-light?

Monday, stony Monday — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:20:21 -0800

What cheap kit should I get to take relatively low-light photos? So I found out that shooting hockey indoors is out of my price/skills range. Still looking for a camera. My subjects would be people in low-light situations, at close range (players on the bench, people in the crowd). Later, I'd use that setup to shoot family gatherings. Ideally, I'd like to spend less than $1000. I own no lenses, or body. It seems that a DSLR with an APS-sized sensor + a fixed lens would offer me the best compromise in terms of low-light performance vs. weight vs. cost.

This leads me to:

This Nikkor lens + a D40 (or D60 if I should) seems like the cheapest/lightest setup with a "normal" (like a 50 mm lens on a 35 mm camera) perspective. Amirite? Is there a good reason to avoid the D40?
Should I step up to a Sigma 30 mm/1.4? Here in Canada it's more than double the price.

Fast 50 mm lenses are relatively cheap. Would putting one on an APS body be an hindrance, given that I intend to shoot in close quarters (e.g.: people in a living room)?

Finally, am I overthinking this? Would whatever cheap kit zoom be enough for my purpose? For "shooting around a hockey game", a zoom would be nice since I could get relatively "close" to the players on the opposite bench.

Oh, and should I care about stabilisation, since I'm shooting people?

What is the best external flash for the Nikon D40 camera?

Craiggy83 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:15:04 -0800

Which external flash should I purchase for a Nikon D40? I just purchased a Nikon D40 with the Nikon 18-200mm lens for my girlfriend. She is an artist and is going to Italy during the middle of march. I want her to have the best set-up she can to take great indoor photos and outdoor photos. I went with the above lens because I thought it would be more convenient then switching between different lenses. Neither one of us has much photography experience, which is why I have asked those out there who have the experience. I have read that the SB-400 flash is an ok flash, but would it be good for indoor and outdoor shots. I also heard good things about the SB-600. I am looking for flash recommendations of any brands which will be the best choice for her trip to Italy. I'd like to spend around 200 max, but don't let that stop you from making your recommendation. Thank You!!

Filtering my (DSLR) results.

Gordion Knott — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:29:11 -0800

Is it necessary to attach a filter to DSLR lenses to prevent scratching and damage to the lens? I recently bought an 18-200 mm zoom lens for my Nikon D40 camera. Since I only purchased a bare-bones lens, it arrived on my doorstep without filters.

Now, I'm not interested in changing the light that enters the lens in any way. I simply want a filter to protect the lens against scratches and UV damage.

Is it necessary to buy such a filter, or is the glass in the lens scratch-resistant and strong enough to hold up to abuse?

Apparently, a 72 mm filter is required for this lens. If I need a filter, what's my cheapest option for one which will protect the camera without altering my photos in any observable way?

What Nikon lens should I use for the Presidential Inauguration?

jacob — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:02:46 -0800

I've got tickets to the presidential inauguration. What telephoto lens should I get for my Nikon D50 so that I can get great shots of Obama's swearing in? FYI, I've already got a 50 mm f/1.8 prime lens and an 18-200 mm VR lens, and my plans are to rent an additional lens from BorrowLenses.com for long shots of the ceremony. Although I've got tickets to the event, I'm not sure what sort of seat I'll have -- I can't imagine I'll be that close to the action.

Can anyone recommend a good lens for me from either this list of telephoto or supertelephoto lenses? It needs to be available for January 20th, of course :-)

Best low-light lens for Nikon D80?

bollockovnikov — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:03:51 -0800

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon D80 that works well in low-light conditions. Something relatively compact and not too expensive would be best. I already own a 18-200mm VR lens, which is OK in low light, but not very compact.

I would obviously like my new lens to be useful in a range of situations, but I am more interested in the portrait to 10 metres range.

I do not own a flash unit and don't intend to buy one.

Thanks

Pokémon Snap was about as far as I got with photography.

joshrholloway — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:13:58 -0800

What are some absolute beginner DSLR tips and tricks my wife can pick up on quickly and start using today? My wife has recently become interested in photography as a hobby or potential career, but has always been a point-and-shoot person. Instead of sinking money into a nice camera and lenses, I decided to borrow a nice DSLR from a friend and let her use it for a day or two to see if it's something she would like.

I know about ISO and white balance and shutter speed in the sense that I know what they are, but not how to utilize them effectively. I want to help her be able to maximize her experience of using the camera, but neither of us have ever really used a DSLR before.

I know that these days you can set a camera to auto and just snap away, but are there any absolute beginner techniques to make your pictures pop like the pros? I know she's not going to be an expert in a day or two of using a DSLR, but is there something that would just take here a few minutes/hours to "get" to really see some results and room for potential growth?

(If it matters, the camera she was looking at buying is a Nikon D40, and the one I was able to borrow is an Olympus E-410.)

Am I crazy to try shooting a motion picture on a still camera?

drjimmy11 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:35:48 -0800

Am I crazy to try shooting a motion picture on a still camera? So i was reading this thread and what people said about the Nikon D90, and it started me to ponderin'...

Why couldn't I make a near-professional quality film on this thing? It's got all the things I want: HD, 24fps, ability to control depth of field, and changeable lenses.

The major drawbacks people mentioned were:

1) it can only shoot 6 minutes at a time before needing to cool off. As far as I'm concerned, that's no big deal. i would never want to shoot more than 6 minutes continuously anyway. Does anyone know how long it needs to cool off though? I assume 6 minutes also takes up a healthy chunk of memory card, but it wouldn't be a problem to have a laptop on-set and unload after each take.

2) Possibly only has mono sound. This isn't a big deal because any on-board sound from any camera isn't going to come close to professional standards. I'm assuming you CANT plug in an external mic, can anyone confirm or deny that? that's kind of a bummer, but not a dealbreaker- it just means having to record sound separately and sync up later.

I realize it's no Red One, but then i can buy a D90 and probably a decent lens for what I'd pay to rent a red one for a weekend.

Am I missing anything here, camera people? Thanks!

Too many cameras! So many features! Too much choice! Arrrgggrhhhh!

gergtreble — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:17:08 -0800

Calling all Mefi photographers. Help me choose my entry level DSLR. I just went to my local camera store to buy a Nikon D60 but I made the mistake of asking the guy in the store if there were any other similarly priced ones he recommended. He immediately recommended the Sony a350. This totally threw me I had made up my mind that I wanted a D60 no question! But the Sony A350 has a host of extra features I wasn't expecting to find with the budget I have. Here are the pros and cons of each model as I see them.

1) Glass - Nikon lenses are generally better than Sony right? But Sony bought Minolta so I can use old Minolta lenses if I want. I've also heard that Carl Zeiss makes all Sony lenses! Is that true?

2) Live view - The Nikon doesn't have it, but the Sony does. And the display is movable for shooting from the waist or from over the head! This is drawing me to the Sony.

3) Vibration reduction - The Nikon uses VR in the lens. But the Sony's VR is in the body. Technically I should be able to get vibration reduction with any lens I use in the Sony. But i would have to buy specific VR lenses from Nikon

4) Autofocus - I think the Nikon's AF isnt back compatible with old lenses. But I'm not sure about this.

Now to top it off I've started looking at the Cannon EOS 400D / XTi too! I'm a beginner photographer so I'm looking for a camera that will help me learn the nuances of photography. My budget is £500 ish give or take. I also plan to buy a longer lens before Christmas as I am hoping to spend new year in The Maasai Mara.

I'm torn and conflicted here! A decision that once was so easy has become unbelievably difficult! I would appreciate any advice or testimonies that you can provide.

Thanks in advance.

I need a good camera.

zardoz — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:12:19 -0800

I want a camera. I'm not quite satisfied with just an SLR or just a video camera, but one that can do both. If I had the money I'd buy one of each, but it's more economical and practical to just get one. I'd like to get a Nikon digital SLR, if for no other reason than the ability to change lenses. For video, I'd like a 3CCD video camera, but this doesn't seem to be part of any digital SLR that I can find (is the hardware for 3CCD too bulky?).

Which brings me to a corollary video question: is there a big difference between "HD" video cameras and 3CCD video cameras?

In short, can anyone suggest an SLR that has good-to-outstanding video quality? I seem to remember reading on a tech blog very recently that Nikon or Olympus is releasing a video SLR but I can't find anything. One that is under US$1000 would be ideal.

Best lens for low-light photography with a Nikon D50?

inatizzy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:54:46 -0800

What is the best lens to use with a Nikon D50 for low-light situations where the subjects are moving? I would like to photograph people at swing dances, which are usually low-light settings and the people tend to move fast.

A friend has gotten some really amazing shots using a Canon EOS 30D with a fixed 28mm lens. (exposures were typically lasting .005-.01 seconds, f 1.8 or 2.) No blurring, beautiful colors. Really just gorgeous portraits of people having a good time, like a freeze-frame in the middle of their dance, and just enough blurring in the background to bring the viewer's focus to the subject.

I have a Nikon D50 and this friend has told me Nikons are not as good as Canons in low-light situations. But I don't really want to invest a lot of money in a whole new body *and* lens.

Is there a lens for the D50 that could accomplish this? (And that would be not-too-expensive? I'm happy to buy used.) In case it matters, right now I have the Nikon 18-200mm lens, which has been fine for everyday shooting but doesn't do as well in really low light. I might be willing to sell this lens to put the money towards the low-light one. (esp if the low-light one could also be used for more general settings like outdoors in the afternoon.)

thanks for your advice! :)

Will they fix it?

Venadium — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:52:33 -0800

Has anyone had Nikon gear that you bought used serviced under warranty? Is this possible, or is Nikon's extended warranty non-transferable? I've got a lens (28-70 2.8 AF-S) that I want to send in to Nikon to have checked out. The person I bought the lens from filled out and mailed in the extended warranty card when he first bought the lens, so it's still under warranty until September of next year. They were also kind enough to include a copy of the original receipt from B&H that clearly shows the lens and serial number, along with all the other things he bought that day.

I've searched around a bit but I haven't found any clear answer as to whether or not I'll be able to get the lens serviced under warranty or not. Some are saying no, that the warranty is not transferable and if I want it serviced I'd have to have the original owner send it in for me (which probably wouldn't be a problem, but he isn't exactly local and it would just end up taking longer), and then some are saying it should be no problem as long as I include that B&H receipt and maybe also a note stating that the item was a gift (the original sales receipt is usually required anyway when getting warranty service).

Does anyone have any experience with getting used equipment repaired under warranty? I'd call Nikon myself right now if they were open, and I was hoping to get an answer or two before I go to the UPS store to send the lens out in the morning.