Nikon help please

[CjBoatman]

Hi all,

This is my first post on the forum. I have lurked for ages, and love the photo section a lot, and decided to try to join in the fun.

I am in the process of moving for the first to to DSLR. I think i have decided to go with a Nikon D80.

Is this a good choice? Also, which lense do I need.

I though the 18-135 would be a very good all-rounder. I want to photograph my wife and daughter, a lot of Disney, and the fireworks, as well as a little air-photography (I fly part-time).

Any suggestions and help would be appreciated, and I hope to post some efforts after our November vacation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve's Girl]

The Nikon D80 with the 18-135 is the exact same set-up I started with last November. It was a good set-up to start with. The 18-135 is a great general purpose lens. You will love the D80. It takes great photos in auto modes (I prefer program mode), but also gives you all the manual controls and tons of customization features. I've had my D80 for almost a year now and still feel like I have a lot of camera to "grow into". The only other lens I would recommend for a WDW trip is a 50mm 1.8 lens. It is really great for low-light situations.

 

[YEKCIM]

Another vote for the 18-135 and the 50/1.8. The 70-300VR is another one you may want to look at, down the road. All three are very good lenses.

~YEKCIM

 

[Gdad]

I love my D80- How much are you looking to spend? You may want to think about the 18-200vr in lieu of the 18-135 if it fits your budget. And then of course I have to 2nd the opinion on the 50/1.8.

 

[Gdad]

3rd the opinion- sorry. Ed types much faster than me.

 

[Master Mason]

Or for that much money you could get a Pentax K10D... just saying

 

[gokenin]

Or for that much money you could get a Pentax K10D... just saying

now now dont pick on us pentax users and the K10D is a still roughly $400 cheaper than the nikon D80 with that lens at BeachCamera course the pentax come with the 18-55 lens so you will have to buy another lens but still a cheaper alternative to get you in the door to SLRs

 

[KrazyPete]

I moved from a Canon Rebel film SLR to a D80 with the 18-135mm last November. I have no regrets, it's a great camera. I have a 50mm, a 70-300mm and a 70-200mm VR. I'm sure I still use the 18-135mm more than any of my others. It's just a really nice size and range.

 

[ukcatfan]

Or for that much money you could get a Pentax K10D... just saying

now now dont pick on us pentax users and the K10D is a still roughly $400 cheaper than the nikon D80 with that lens at BeachCamera course the pentax come with the 18-55 lens so you will have to buy another lens but still a cheaper alternative to get you in the door to SLRs

He would not pick on us As a Canon user, he can always suggest a Pentax over a Nikon

Here is another vote at looking into a K10D. Heck, even a K100D would be nice and then you could spend more on lenses. Do not get caught up in MPs. I have yet to feel limited at 6MP even when I crop. To be fair, consider the XTi and 30D if you are willing to spend as much as the D80. Also, to be completely fair, the D80 is nice.

Kevin

 

[NostalgicDad]

I love my D80 with Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 and Nikkor 70-300mm VR. The 18-135mm kit lens is a great lens if you're looking for a wide range of basic wide-telephoto range. In other words, a flexible lens, indeed. However, if faster glass is your goal or longer focal length is needed, you might opt to go with the body only then chose what covers you and your shooting style the best.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I love my D80- How much are you looking to spend? You may want to think about the 18-200vr in lieu of the 18-135 if it fits your budget. And then of course I have to 2nd the opinion on the 50/1.8.

Yep, the 18-200 is the lens I have now. And I love it! I rarely change lenses and this is the lens that swayed me to Nikon. Have never regretted spending the $ on this lens.

 

[Jeanne B]

Yep, the 18-200 is the lens I have now. And I love it! I rarely change lenses and this is the lens that swayed me to Nikon. Have never regretted spending the $ on this lens.

I just purchased the Tamron 18-250 for my Pentax K100 as a replacement for my 18-55/50-200 combo and I love it. I only have to change lenses when I want to use my 50mm or the 10-17 fisheye which isn't that often.

 

[Groucho]

now now dont pick on us pentax users and the K10D is a still roughly $400 cheaper than the nikon D80 with that lens at BeachCamera course the pentax come with the 18-55 lens so you will have to buy another lens but still a cheaper alternative to get you in the door to SLRs

Now now, the D80 is a great camera with few drawbacks. It was good enough to rate #2 on The Online Photographer's TOP ten new camera recommendations for fall 2007... just behind #1, the K10D.

Seriously, though, if I had to buy a non-Pentax, the D80 would be at the top of my list... unless I could dig deep enough to afford a D300, of course........

 

[CjBoatman]

Thanks for all the help.

I am looking now at just getting the Nikon D80 with the standard 18-135. I would love the 18-200 Vr especially since I want to do a bit of aerial photography, but these seem much more expensive.

I already have a 50/1.8

I am in Ireland, and visiting Disney in three weeks, was hoping to buy in the US, eitherhen I get there or on Ebay for delivery when I arrive. Any thoughts on good companies?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Master Mason]

Order from B&H, buydig, or beach camera would be my suggestions, and have it delivered to your room. Personally I woule never by that high a ticket item from ebay.

 

[ukcatfan]

Order from B&H, buydig, or beach camera would be my suggestions, and have it delivered to your room. Personally I woule never by that high a ticket item from ebay.

Buydig and Beach only deliver to addresses. They will not do PO boxes or hotels.


Be aware that you will likely still have to pay your country's taxes/tariffs on the new camera b/c most customs checkpoints look for things like cameras that you cannot prove you started the trip with.

Kevin

 

[CjBoatman]

I have a house in Kissimmee, and could get the camera delivered there, or to our management company office also in Kissimmee.

Do you think that Ebay would be a problem, even from a trusted seller?

Even after any import duties from the US, a D80 still works out cheaper in the states.

 

[DebºoºS]

Great camera! Can't go wrong with a Nikon
I wouldn't buy on Ebay. Too many sharks for me. JMHO
If you buy when you get here (U.S.) there are reputable places in Orlando. Here's a link to the local camera club. http://www.orlandocameraclub.com/
Maybe an email to them could give you some more ideas.

 

[decomouse]

Yep, the 18-200 is the lens I have now. And I love it! I rarely change lenses and this is the lens that swayed me to Nikon. Have never regretted spending the $ on this lens.

Well, I've had a D50 for a couple of years now and highly recommend the AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR. Love, love, love this lens. (Camera too. )

 

[mill4023]

I just got my first DSLR about 6 weeks ago, so I'm no expert, but I LOVE my D80. I went all out and bought the D80 with the 18-135 kit lens, the Nikkor 50mm 1.8, and the Nikkor 70-300mm VR.
I took it all to WDW last month and had a great time taking tons of pictures.

The 18-135 seems to be a great all-around lens. That's what I had mounted probably 80% of the time. The 70-300 VR was great for things like the Kilimanjaro Safari. I got some great close-ups of the animals. And for low-light shots at night or inside attractions, the 50mm 1.8 was great. I have some great shots of my daughters at the playground at Ft. Wilderness when it's starting to get dark around 7pm. The 1.8 was also great for things like Spectro.