Fastest Upgrade Ever??

[annnewjerz]

So I purchased my D60 around a month and a half ago and I looooove it. That being said, I am already thinking about upgrading to the D80. I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong (or let's just say...not quite right) about things. It was suggested by some ::cough cough ukcatfan:: that I get the D80 and while I didn't understand to begin with...I get it now. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my dSLR and can't imagine not using one for years to come, so I figure while my body has a low # of actuations, now is as good a time to re-sell it as any. My posting looks more appealing with "Under 1,500 Actuations" added into it


I posted an ad on Craig's List to sell the D60 body only for $450 and have received three messages already. One person is interested in the lens as well, so I'm figuring with the lens, I can get $550ish. I paid under $600 for the kit brand new, so it seems like it would be a win-win situation considering the D80 body only is listed on many sites for $600 or less.

I already have the 18-200mm VR and would like to get a good low-light lens, so I was thinking I would get the nifty fifty for now and really get a feel for those lenses and then maybe upgrade to the Sigma 30 when I'm sure I need it.

Thoughts?

 

[handicap18]

I know that right now the D80 is at a pretty good price, but I would seriously consider keeping the D60 for a little while longer and then upgrade to the D90. The price will start coming down soon enough. The D60 sensor is actually better than the D80 (the D80 is 2 years old now which in electronic terms is old). Higher ISO performance isn't as good on the D80 as it is on the D60 nor the D90.

Right now there isn't much that the D80 has over the D60 except for the in-body focus motor, focus points, top LCD screen and the extra command dial. Both have the same MP's and rear LCD size screen.

The D90 has a MUCH better sensor and higher ISO performance (on par with the D300) even with more MP's. The LCD screen is bigger and has better resolution, more fps along with a few other things.

If you can hold out a few more months at least, the price on the D90 will start to come down (especially after the holidays). Less than a year after the D300 came out, its price went down about $250. The D90's origianal list price of $999 is the same as the D80's was a little more than 2 years ago.

Just something to think about.

 

[annnewjerz]

I know that right now the D80 is at a pretty good price, but I would seriously consider keeping the D60 for a little while longer and then upgrade to the D90. The price will start coming down soon enough. The D60 sensor is actually better than the D80 (the D80 is 2 years old now which in electronic terms is old). Higher ISO performance isn't as good on the D80 as it is on the D60 nor the D90.

Right now there isn't much that the D80 has over the D60 except for the in-body focus motor, focus points, top LCD screen and the extra command dial. Both have the same MP's and rear LCD size screen.

The D90 has a MUCH better sensor and higher ISO performance (on par with the D300) even with more MP's. The LCD screen is bigger and has better resolution, more fps along with a few other things.

If you can hold out a few more months at least, the price on the D90 will start to come down (especially after the holidays). Less than a year after the D300 came out, its price went down about $250. The D90's origianal list price of $999 is the same as the D80's was a little more than 2 years ago.

Just something to think about.

Thanks for the input. It definitely is something to think about. I put up an ad on Craig's List just to see if there was even any interest and get a feel for what I could get for it. I'm not in a rush, between now and Christmas I probably won't take more than another 1,500 pics or so, which still in the grand scheme of things is not that much.

My goal for the upcoming year-ish (until December 09) is to eventually ween myself off of auto-mode, get a good low-light lens before our trip to WDW and maaaaaaaaybe even get the 70-300mm VR. My options are as follows:

1. Keep the D60, buy the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and 70-300mm VR (we'll just say around $900)

2. Sell the D60 and get the D80 body as soon as possible (sometime in early 09), buy the 50 1.8 and 70-300mm VR (around $600)...maybe upgrade to the Sigma 30mm 1.4 if money permits and if not, use the 50 1.8 at WDW in 09.

3. Sell the D60, wait until early 09 purchase the D90, with the 50 1.8 and 70-300mm VR (around $900) and upgrade to the Sigma 30mm 1.4 further down the line than originally planned.

The only reason I was considering trading in the D60 for the D80 was in an effort to save some money, wasn't thinking at all about sensor quality, extra options (other than the built-in focus motor), etc. If I keep the D60 for our 09 WDW trip, I will NEED to buy the 30mm 1.4...just figured if I had the D80, I could use the nifty fifty for our trip and upgrade to the Sigma later as money permits.

All of these decisions and options, they make me craaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy.

 

[Gdad]

I would go for the Sigma 30/1.4 and skip the 70-300vr for a while considering you already have the 18-200vr. I would also go for the D90 over the D80 at this point if possible- the D90 price will probably drop by the end of the year or January at the latest and may be less of a delta between what you can get one for vs what you can get for your D60.

 

[annnewjerz]

I would go for the Sigma 30/1.4 and skip the 70-300vr for a while considering you already have the 18-200vr. I would also go for the D90 over the D80 at this point if possible- the D90 price will probably drop by the end of the year or January at the latest and may be less of a delta between what you can get one for vs what you can get for your D60.

The 70-300 VR was for an upcoming trip to Alaska, however I was considering just renting the Nikon 80-400 VR because I really don't see myself having that much use for the 70-300 at this point (other than this trip). If I rent the 80-400 I get a better zoom for whatever wildlife I may see and only have to spend the $100 or so for the time I will need to rent it.

Skipping over the 70-300 and getting the Sigma 30, as well as the D90 in early 09 seems like it might be the best decision...for my wallet and for my new hobby.

 

[YesDear]

NAS is serious condition that many see only one cure....

I agree with the other posters that the D90 will be the better purchase for you over time if you can control your NAS.

 

[Gdad]

For Alaska I would bite the bullet and rent a 200-400vr.

 

[annnewjerz]

For Alaska I would bite the bullet and rent a 200-400vr.

HOLY COW! Bite the bullet is right. I just looked it up and for a 14 day rental, $500(ish). That being said, it is going to be our once in a lifetime trip up to Alaska, so it only makes sense to try to get the best pictures possible, right??

I haven't looked too far beyond standard telephoto lenses and since this was in the "super" telephoto category, I didn't even know it was a possibility. Now you've got the wheels turning. I think our trip cost just went up a few hundred bucks.

 

[handicap18]

The 70-300 VR was for an upcoming trip to Alaska, however I was considering just renting the Nikon 80-400 VR because I really don't see myself having that much use for the 70-300 at this point (other than this trip). If I rent the 80-400 I get a better zoom for whatever wildlife I may see and only have to spend the $100 or so for the time I will need to rent it.

Skipping over the 70-300 and getting the Sigma 30, as well as the D90 in early 09 seems like it might be the best decision...for my wallet and for my new hobby.

Something I hadn't considered about this lens and your D60....... The 80-400mm VR is AF not AF-S. It wont auto focus on the D60. Consider renting the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS APO HSM. It has the motor in the lens and also has OS (Optical stabilization) which is Sigma's equivalent of VR. Or the Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM.

Looking into it a bit more, the 120-400 is probably better. Lensrentals.com has both available to rent, but apparently they aren't happy with the 150-500mm and are selling their copies. This rental place is VERY good with catching copies that aren't as good. They also have very good pricing.

 

[handicap18]

HOLY COW! Bite the bullet is right. I just looked it up and for a 14 day rental, $500(ish). That being said, it is going to be our once in a lifetime trip up to Alaska, so it only makes sense to try to get the best pictures possible, right??

I haven't looked too far beyond standard telephoto lenses and since this was in the "super" telephoto category, I didn't even know it was a possibility. Now you've got the wheels turning. I think our trip cost just went up a few hundred bucks.

Well, for you to buy the lens yourself will cost you a tad under $5000.

 

[My2Girls66]

For Alaska I would bite the bullet and rent a 200-400vr.

I think I'd be afraid to be responsible for it
$5300 brand new.

 

[annnewjerz]

I think I'd be afraid to be responsible for it
$5300 brand new.

I've got to agree...but hey, that's what insurance is for, right??

Honestly if I did bring it, it's so huge I would probably only bring it out for certain locations. I wouldn't haul it out at the Alaska Sealife Center in Skagway when everything is relatively up close and easy to see. Unfortunately, the places I would probably be more likely to need/want it would be the places it would be least convenient to carry it around...i.e. an all day hike in Denali National Park.

 

[My2Girls66]

When are you going to Alaska? That is on my list of must go places- Denali for sure. I can't wait to see your shots! What is your itinerary?
I just bought a D80 so I could give my DD my D50. I couldn't afford to spend the extra to get the D90 since she in college and we need our pennies for tuition-I really shouldn't have bought the D80 either but
I was happy with my D50 so the D80 is working out fine for me- I'd consider it a slight upgrade. If I could have spent the extra $$ I most likely would have gone with the D90 since it is newer technology, I also needed a lens so it would have meant spending closer to $1300 on the D90. I can't live without the 18mm end and the only lens I had with 18mm is on the D50. If I were you I'd probably go along with what everyone else is saying- since it isn't a MUST to have a new body now- get yourself the 30mm so you'll have one that works on your D60 and wait out the price on the D90. If you must have a new body now- I don't think you'd be disappointed in the D80, tho.

 

[My2Girls66]

I've got to agree...but hey, that's what insurance is for, right??

Honestly if I did bring it, it's so huge I would probably only bring it out for certain locations. I wouldn't haul it out at the Alaska Sealife Center in Skagway when everything is relatively up close and easy to see. Unfortunately, the places I would probably be more likely to need/want it would be the places it would be least convenient to carry it around...i.e. an all day hike in Denali National Park.

Over 7lbs- I guess you wouldn't want to carry it too much. Enjoy- sounds exciting!

 

[annnewjerz]

When are you going to Alaska? That is on my list of must go places- Denali for sure. I can't wait to see your shots! What is your itinerary?
I just bought a D80 so I could give my DD my D50. I couldn't afford to spend the extra to get the D90 since she in college and we need our pennies for tuition-I really shouldn't have bought the D80 either but
I was happy with my D50 so the D80 is working out fine for me- I'd consider it a slight upgrade. If I could have spent the extra $$ I most likely would have gone with the D90 since it is newer technology, I also needed a lens so it would have meant spending closer to $1300 on the D90. I can't live without the 18mm end and the only lens I had with 18mm is on the D50. If I were you I'd probably go along with what everyone else is saying- since it isn't a MUST to have a new body now- get yourself the 30mm so you'll have one that works on your D60 and wait out the price on the D90. If you must have a new body now- I don't think you'd be disappointed in the D80, tho.

Alaska is still quite a ways off. We were planning it for summer of 09, even started making some room ressies and reserved a car through Enterprise really early and then after doing all the math we decided we will go in 2010 instead so we can save up that extra little bit of money that will make the difference as to whether we are eating PB&J and ramen the whole trip, or whether we can indulge a little with a few meals out and maybe even a stay at the Best Western in Seward instead of the motel we originally looked into! (so now, we have our first trip to WDW at Christmas planned for 09 instead!!).

It's just DH and I, so unless something catastrophic happens and we really can't afford to go - there are no ifs ands or buts about it...summer of 2010 we WILL be in AK for a wonderful 10 or 11 days. The plan is, fly into Anchorage, rent a car and tour the Kenai Peninsula, Fairbanks and Denali National Park on our own. We decided against the cruise or land tour just because the itineraries seemed to restrictive.

Can't wait, and now that I am starting to have the right equipment and enough skill/practice to take some decent photos, it makes it that much more exciting.

 

[My2Girls66]

Has anyone rented from this place before? Seems like a much better idea to rent for $80-$100 rather than buy.

 

[oogieboogieman]

I probably don't have any reason to post (because I don't own a Nikon) but I would hold off on the D80 just for the simple reason of it being 2+ years old. I would invest in good glass with the intent of upgrading to whatever next model they come out with. I do like the idea of the 30mm, it appears to be a super lens.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I'd pass on the D80 and go for the D90, or wait for the successor to the D300 to come out. Aside from the D60's lack of focus motor and lack of ability to bracket exposures, it's pretty much the same as the D80. I'll throw in another suggestion. How about picking up a D200? It's faster (5 fps) than the D60 and D80, meters better, focuses faster and has some nice features like exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing. You can pick up the body only for under a grand. Just my $.02.

 

[annnewjerz]

I'd pass on the D80 and go for the D90, or wait for the successor to the D300 to come out. Aside from the D60's lack of focus motor and lack of ability to bracket exposures, it's pretty much the same as the D80. I'll throw in another suggestion. How about picking up a D200? It's faster (5 fps) than the D60 and D80, meters better, focuses faster and has some nice features like exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing. You can pick up the body only for under a grand. Just my $.02.

So many choices! Not sure I can handle the D200, it looks to be a little bit of a beast.