What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

@spotter whats that padded insert that you use? there are quite a few on ebay but would like to know what goes well with x-pro type cameras.

Mine is by Matin, doesn't seem to be on ebay any more, its a 'soft' slightly fluffy one.

shape is critical :( can you find a similar one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATIN-NDCP-30-Black-Camera-Insert-Cushion-Partition-Padded-Bag-Case-/281068192928

new version

thnx bbes

Hi photo experts.
If I was to sustain the fantasy of carrying on using (or more exactly taking it out of the cupboard after many years) my old Nikkor ais 50mm is there any cheaper option than a D3 or a D700 as it would be more of an experiment (for now at least)... The above models are what Google told me would work but what about the older professional models that come under £100 on eBay? Would my phone be taking better pictures?

How about an EM or FM? They're cheap.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_EM
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_FM

what about the older professional models that come under £100 on eBay? Would my phone be taking better pictures?

Yeah you might just get a cheap (film) SLR like the EM h2o mentioned (or an FG) if shooting analogue is an option.
If you need / want digital I'd look for a D300. Will likely be more than £100 but is great value for money.

Thanks,
I was indeed thinking of digital, I've got a FE body already... With a film inside started ten years ago... That's going to be fun when I get to see what's inside!

Will look at D300.
Will it manage light measurement from an AIS lens?

D300 also makes for a handy door-stop, hammer or projectile.

It will meter with an AIS lens in M or A modes, but not S.

D300 also makes for a handy door-stop, hammer or projectile.

Yeah, gotta love that camera body. Bit like the small brother of the D3, such tough..

I'm gonna assume that you mean that as a good thing, otherwise if I need a door stop, I can just connect the MD12 motor and its 20 batteries to my FE and get similar level of performance...

After a quick look on eBay D300 seem to go for quite a lot more than £100, what am I doing wrong?

Been loving the 23mm F2 I picked up recently. For whatever reason I never really got on with that exact same focal length on my x100 but now on the Xpro 2 I really like it. I admit that this makes no sense.

Its not a D300 but I found the D7000 was pretty good and they go for around £200 ish

Hi mate, I have a friend who is looking to sell her D300, I'm not sure what price she was looking to sell for, but if you're interested, send me a message and I'll check for you.

Would they similarly accept old lenses / provide light measurement compatibility?

Looking at their average price on eBay the D300 isn't the right choice for me.
I was hoping that the older professional bodies, which are cheaper could do the job.
I just want to have a go at it and try my old lenses on a digital body.

Could always go mirrorless and use adaptors... Something like a Sony Nex-6

Fair enough. The D200 is a good shout if you can find one. I used this when it first came out and was fantastic, only replaced when I went full frame. Let me know, I can still ask to see how much she'd want to sell it for, less I think that on ebay.

D200 is worth getting. I got one new and wore it out. Have had D300, D700, D3 & D3S since. I've just bought another for my daughter who loves it. Mind you she hates my Df! Cheapish at £100.

Yeah should be fine.

The lenses work quite differently. The X100 gets noticeably soft wide open, particularly close up, while the standalone stays sharp through the aperture range. Plus it focuses much quicker than on the older x100 models.

@veLLo You can have/borrow my old d60 if you like. The old lenses fit on it, but everything has to be in manual mode. I've fitted a split screen focus thing for the old manual lenses, which helps. The screen is cracked and it no longer meters with modern lenses, but for a play around body for old school lenses it should do the job.

This one, same sensor as d200

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I thought only the higher range (semi pro and pro series) had the ability to provide light meter reading with old lenses?

Just realised my lenses aren't AIS as doesn't say AIS on them (I have a 50mm and a 135mm too of the same type. The 135 mm is quite battered, at least cosmetically)
The 50 mm is this one