Which Camera to buy?

You wouldn't go wrong with the D80.

most of the reviews you read on that are like its too good as its only con hahaha

I'm loving mine.. Can't go wrong with the D80.. I couldn't ask for anything better


The 55-200 VR is a great all around lens sub 300 bucks too..

If you're looking Nikon the D80 is a great choice if that's the price point you're looking at... especially right now. At that "1k" mark or so there's also a lot of buzz around the new Sony's that were just released although I don't know much about them. Go down to your local shop and see what jumps out at you; All the major brands have awesome offerings at that price.

Do you have any glass already?

[quote="AdamZ934MX":152ofjk4]I'm loving mine.. Can't go wrong with the D80.. I couldn't ask for anything better


The 55-200 VR is a great all around lens sub 300 bucks too..[/quote:152ofjk4]


I just ordered the US Nikon 55-200 AF-S VR for $229.00 from B & H Photo. It comes with covers, little soft bag, 5 year war. and hood.

[quote="jallenstarlite":3irydvne]For a beginner, which one should I get?

[url:3irydvne]http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11243090&whse=BC&topna…]


--or --

[url:3irydvne]http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11267350&whse=BC&Ne=40…]

I have the D40 with the 15-55 lens. I love it! I have 2, 1 gig cards. I like that better than just one. I just ordered the 55-200 lens for $229.00. I think the camera and standard lens are on B & H for less than $499.00. Sounds like costco is a little high.

If I were you right now and are for sure thinking Nikon AND it's your first dslr I would just go for the d40 (or maybe d40x if you're shooting MX because it's a little quicker). There are killer killer deals on both of these cameras right now because they were just replaced by the d60 which almost literally is a rebadged d40x.

Check out Adorama Camera... they have d40's starting at 499 with lens and have about every combination you can think of nikon body and lens. What are you looking to spend btw? That could help us recommend something to you.

I have a question about one of the features of the D60 - Nikon mentions the sensor cleaning - does this make a difference, is it beneficial? I noticed this feature has been on the upper end cameras like the d80 and above and I'm wondering if the few tweaks on the d60 make it a worth the extra $$'s.

Thanks for your opinion, I'm going back and forth between the D40, D40X and now the D60 - I would like to buy something this week and Beach Camera is advertising a ship date of 2/28 for the D60 so the timing for D60 would work.

Cheers

Robert

The D200 with a 300mm fixed lens is great for outdoors. I know that doesn't address a particular question per se, but I just have to give a shout out every once in a while cus that combination produces some amazing photos.

what lense would you look at with a D60 that would suit MX situations?

Ive found one with a deal that comes with 18-55 and a 55-200

When I had a Nikon D70s, I rented the Nikon 70-200 VR 2.8. That lens is really a nice piece of glass, but it is a bit pricey.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

[quote="docweedon":r5hcy444]When I had a Nikon D70s, I rented the Nikon 70-200 VR 2.8. That lens is really a nice piece of glass, but it is a bit pricey.

Good luck in whatever you choose.[/quote:r5hcy444]

Ill second that. I shoot weddings mostly and just picked up the 70-200VR 2.8 to replace the older 80-200 F2.8 AF-D. Amazing being able to hand hold 1/60 at 200mm and get a sharp hit 3/4 times. Totally worth $1700, I should have bought it a year ago.


I never recomend anyone buy the D40, D40X or the D60. One BIG reason...they don't work with non AFS lenses. Nikon autofocus lenses made in the last like 20 years all mount the same and use the same screw drive system for autofocus where the motor is inside the camera body. the D40 and D60 cameras do not have this screw drive motor, thus they are manual focus only with 95% of the lenses out there. The AFS lenses tend to be expensive as well.

Say you have a D40 and you want to get a 80-200mm F2.8 zoom for shooting MX. well..you can only use the $1700 70-200 AFS VR lens. The 80-200 AFD that you can buy on ebay for $700-800 will not autofocus.

Basicly with the D40 variants...you are limited to AFS lenses only...giant suck ass, especially since people typicly buying the D40 would be the ones to budget shop for used lenses.

[quote="NateCrisman":p66sitag][quote="docweedon":p66sitag]When I had a Nikon D70s, I rented the Nikon 70-200 VR 2.8. That lens is really a nice piece of glass, but it is a bit pricey.

Good luck in whatever you choose.[/quote:p66sitag]

Ill second that. I shoot weddings mostly and just picked up the 70-200VR 2.8 to replace the older 80-200 F2.8 AF-D. Amazing being able to hand hold 1/60 at 200mm and get a sharp hit 3/4 times. Totally worth $1700, I should have bought it a year ago.


I never recomend anyone buy the D40, D40X or the D60. One BIG reason...they don't work with non AFS lenses. Nikon autofocus lenses made in the last like 20 years all mount the same and use the same screw drive system for autofocus where the motor is inside the camera body. the D40 and D60 cameras do not have this screw drive motor, thus they are manual focus only with 95% of the lenses out there. The AFS lenses tend to be expensive as well.

Say you have a D40 and you want to get a 80-200mm F2.8 zoom for shooting MX. well..you can only use the $1700 70-200 AFS VR lens. The 80-200 AFD that you can buy on ebay for $700-800 will not autofocus.

Basicly with the D40 variants...you are limited to AFS lenses only...giant suck ass, especially since people typicly buying the D40 would be the ones to budget shop for used lenses.[/quote:p66sitag]


I disagree...I think the D40 is great for what it is. Guys can get "good" photos with a camera for under $500.00. It is VERY easy to use and is small enough to schlep around.

I would guess that MOST people that buy a D40 will NEVER have more than $1,000 invested in body and glass. I just bought a 55-200 ($229.00) lens for mine and love it. Sure, I could have bought a D2x, but for my wife/kids to use and for us to take family photos, I think I made the right choice. Plus, I can still take decent MX/action photos. They're not magazine quality, but I have an extra $3,000 in my account to purchase many, many magazines.

If all you ever want it for is to shoot with the kit len and equivelent, then a D40 will be fine for "point and shoot" replacement. It's small and inexpensive and works fine for that. But it's just severely limiting when you want to improve your equipment, and many end up forced to sell the d40 to buy a D70/D80 because they want to use normal nikon lenses.

In my experience, people getting into photography as a hobby want to start collecting different lenses, and that is where the D40 has it's only major downside....expandability. I tell people that want to get started for less money to find a D70, they sell used for less than a new D40, work with EVERY lens and have a few features that are major upgrades (1/500 sync speed, CLS control, and two command knobs).

I make this recomendation to hobbiest who will outgrow the D40 real fast. Why buy something that you know you will replace right away. I think the D70/D80 is a better initial starting point

I just got the D80 about a month ago and it is amazing. If it is in your range then go for it. I know the price on them just dropped $100.