If you only had $800 which Nikon?

[brandydandy]

I know that we want a Nikon. I like the button set up I like the way it feels and I loved my Old N60 that I still have.

I have read so much that my eyes are crossed.

What would you buy?

D60 18-55?? 55-200 lens?

D80?? 18-105 VR lens?

D200?? and use old lens and maybe a new one?

D90 body and use old lens?

HELP!! I would appreciate any help or suggestions. That is my max budget. TIA!

I see that ebay has several kits, but am so very lost.

 

[ukcatfan]

What are the old lenses? They are probably not going to be wide enough to forget having a lens starting at 18mm. If your lens is 28mm for example, it is effectively a 42mm.

 

[brandydandy]

Thank you I didn't know that... I have a Nikon AF 28-80?? 3.5-5.6 (not sure about the ending number the 80) and a Tamron 100-200.

I am leaning towards just the D60 and maybe 2 lens, but Dh is more towards the D80 with the one... I would probably have to buy a body and then lens separate.

 

[My2Girls66]

For $800 I'd get the D80 and a lens with an 18mm end- the 18-105vr or the 18-135mm. You should be able to use your older lenses on it, too. The D60 won't autofocus your old lenses but if you got the 2 lens kit with it you wouldn't really need the old lenses. I use lenses from my N8008 and N80 on my D50 and D80. The D90 would be great but more than $800 just for the body. It would autofocus your old lenses but you would still probably want a lens wider than the 28mm you have so that would push you close to $1200.
When I 1st bought my D50 3 years ago I didn't know about the crop factor and bought just the body,planned on using my older lens. They worked great but I soon found I needed an 18mm end and ended up buying another lens.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

I bought a D60 with the 18-55 and 55-200 lens last year for our last trip. I love the camera. With those 2 lenses, you can get every shot you need. The only downfall was the fact that the 18-55 does not seem to zoom enough for some of the close face shots i wanted to get, so last week, in preparation for our next trip, I bought the 18-135mm lens so that I have a more multipurpose lens. I also purchased a SB600 flash unit so that i could get better shots in the restaurants. I have often thought about the D80, but just could not justify the extra money over the D60. I like the size of the D60 over the 80 as it is a little smaller and easier to carry for all day trips. Either way, you cannot go wrong. Nikon makes a great camera.

 

[Gdad]

Not on your list but- If it were me...?

New D200 - $599 at Best Buy.
35mm f1.8 AS-F - $199 at B&H or Adorama

That plus the two lenses you have would make a nice kit.

 

[lap3]

Not on your list but- If it were me...?

New D200 - $599 at Best Buy.
35mm f1.8 AS-F - $199 at B&H or Adorama

That plus the two lenses you have would make a nice kit.

My feelings exactly!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I had a D80 and I recently upgraded to the D90. I love the D90 because I can shoot at much higher ISOs w/ hardly any noise compared to the D80. It's due to the new CMOS sensor. You can get an 18-135 for cheap cheap cheap if you feel the need to get the 18mm perspective. If you don't have super fast glass, I'd definitely go with the D90 just for the higher ISO.
Good luck!

ETA: The D90 is only $954 on Amazon for the body w/ free shipping. It's worth the extra $154.

 

[Chikabowa]

If I were in your situation, I would first invest in the best body you can afford - which would be the D90. It's the newest in terms of technology and the most advanced in the class of cameras you have listed.

If you have some old film lenses, those should work on your D90 (they will not, however, work on the D60). Then as time went along, I would start investing in better glass as you have the money to do so. The body will last you 3-5 years depending on how many clicks you make and how quickly you outgrow the technology available and need to upgrade.

The D80 is old technology at this point and has been discontinued. Additionally, I just think if you are going to invest $800 into a DSLR, you should get the best bang for your buck. The D60 is a good alternative, however, I am not fan of the autofocus motor being outside the body and can limit you into the future. Hence, I think the D90 is a perfect solution.

Plus, this allows you the time to save up for really good lenses, instead of spending money on cheaper lenses.

 

[pednurse]

I had the same issue recently.....was ready to upgrade from my N60 to a DSLR. I chose to go with the D90 & use my old N60 lenses on that body until I can afford to upgrade lenses. It's worked wonderfully! I'm very pleased with the D90 & have had no problems with the old lenses being compatible. I am stashing away money to get a lens with a wider aspect, but once I played with the D90 for a while I was quickly able to adjust my shooting to compensate.

 

[frugal_mar]

Well said and I agree. I own both the D80 and D90. The D80 is a terrific camera, but the D90 is better. The Active-D Lighting feature and the High ISO on the D90 are both amazing.

If I were in your situation, I would first invest in the best body you can afford - which would be the D90. It's the newest in terms of technology and the most advanced in the class of cameras you have listed.

If you have some old film lenses, those should work on your D90 (they will not, however, work on the D60). Then as time went along, I would start investing in better glass as you have the money to do so. The body will last you 3-5 years depending on how many clicks you make and how quickly you outgrow the technology available and need to upgrade.

The D80 is old technology at this point and has been discontinued. Additionally, I just think if you are going to invest $800 into a DSLR, you should get the best bang for your buck. The D60 is a good alternative, however, I am not fan of the autofocus motor being outside the body and can limit you into the future. Hence, I think the D90 is a perfect solution.

Plus, this allows you the time to save up for really good lenses, instead of spending money on cheaper lenses.

 

[saturndb]

Not on your list but- If it were me...?

New D200 - $599 at Best Buy.
35mm f1.8 AS-F - $199 at B&H or Adorama

That plus the two lenses you have would make a nice kit.

Jeff,
What do you like more about the d200 over the the other cameras for a few hundred dollars in price savings?

 

[Gdad]

Jeff,
What do you like more about the d200 over the the other cameras for a few hundred dollars in price savings?

Well in answering the OP (with a strict $800 budget) I was pretty much comparing the D200 to either a D40/D60 or a D80. The D90 has a better sensor (1-1.5 stop better ISO performance), video, and some other bells and whistles but it is also a more expensive option. The D200 is a magnesium alloy weather sealed professional camera body. It will have a much better buffer to make use of the 5 frames per second (which means you will get 22 raw shots continuously at 5fps before it slows down as compared to only 6 on the D80/D90.) You can auto focus any AF lenses Nikon ever made (D40/D60 can't...) You can meter any non-cpu lenses Nikon ever made (D80/D90 can't...) There are a lot of advantages to a professional camera body that you can take advantage of here and at $599 new in the box (I sold my USED D200 for more than that a year ago!) it is a terrific bargain. Just my $0,000,000.02

 

[saturndb]

Well in answering the OP (with a strict $800 budget) I was pretty much comparing the D200 to either a D40/D60 or a D80. The D90 has a better sensor (1-1.5 stop better ISO performance), video, and some other bells and whistles but it is also a more expensive option. The D200 is a magnesium alloy weather sealed professional camera body. It will have a much better buffer to make use of the 5 frames per second (which means you will get 22 raw shots continuously at 5fps before it slows down as compared to only 6 on the D80/D90.) You can auto focus any AF lenses Nikon ever made (D40/D60 can't...) You can meter any non-cpu lenses Nikon ever made (D80/D90 can't...) There are a lot of advantages to a professional camera body that you can take advantage of here and at $599 new in the box (I sold my USED D200 for more than that a year ago!) it is a terrific bargain. Just my $0,000,000.02

So, it sounds like this would be a good Disney, general use type camera. I was going to buy a d90 thru Amazon, never thought of the d200. I might have to go this way, since I have a 125.00 best buy gift card.

 

[brandydandy]

Jeff-

Thanks for coming back and explaining some more info.

After a ton and I mean a ton of reading we went with the D200.

I really appreciate all of the efforts and time and suggestions that people made.

I know that my lens are a little old, but I still have $170.00 after shipping and tax to find the best lens for my money. Since most all of my old stuff will work. I will make do and maybe in month or two, learn all set up, and then I can have another hundred for an even better lens... or maybe I will just have a garage sale and get it sooner. LOL.

I am looking at the 18-105 VR. I think those are the right numbers. I have read so much that it is all running together.

Thanks again to all that took the time to answer.

 

[brandydandy]

Oh and I went thru ebates for a 1% savings which isn't much, but it was easy and I already had the ebates account.

 

[saturndb]

Jeff-

Thanks for coming back and explaining some more info.

After a ton and I mean a ton of reading we went with the D200.

I really appreciate all of the efforts and time and suggestions that people made.

I know that my lens are a little old, but I still have $170.00 after shipping and tax to find the best lens for my money. Since most all of my old stuff will work. I will make do and maybe in month or two, learn all set up, and then I can have another hundred for an even better lens... or maybe I will just have a garage sale and get it sooner. LOL.

I am looking at the 18-105 VR. I think those are the right numbers. I have read so much that it is all running together.

Thanks again to all that took the time to answer.

what made you decide on the d200?

 

[brandydandy]

what made you decide on the d200?

I couldnt stretch my budget to a D90 so that was out.
Dh did not want the D60 so that was out.

We finally went with the D200 over the D80 for a few reasons.

1. the D200 cost at BB was great.
2. after significant reading many places reported that some of the functions are right on the camera instead of seraching thru a menu.
3. Dh's camera was just smashed on the ground this past week due to a fall... so he was really inpressed with the metal body.
4. It would use all of our lens that we already own, which the D80 might have also, but this was key for us. We are saving going to use what we have and save for a 18-105mm or the 18-200mm. One we would be able to get alot sooner than the other.
5. I figure that if I use this for a few years and want to upgrade I wouldn't be out a ton.


I am a little afraid of the no "preset" auto, but you can make 4 yourself and save them.

HTH! Not sure those are all the reasons, but the some.

 

[My2Girls66]

Looks like a good choice.
'P' mode is pretty much like 'auto' mode only the flash won't pop up automatically.
Here is some info from Nikon. Check out the digitutor if you are new to dslr's- it gives some of the basics.
http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product-Archive/Digital-SLR/25235/D200.html
Have fun!

 

[annnewjerz]

I couldnt stretch my budget to a D90 so that was out.
Dh did not want the D60 so that was out.

We finally went with the D200 over the D80 for a few reasons.

1. the D200 cost at BB was great.
2. after significant reading many places reported that some of the functions are right on the camera instead of seraching thru a menu.
3. Dh's camera was just smashed on the ground this past week due to a fall... so he was really inpressed with the metal body.
4. It would use all of our lens that we already own, which the D80 might have also, but this was key for us. We are saving going to use what we have and save for a 18-105mm or the 18-200mm. One we would be able to get alot sooner than the other.
5. I figure that if I use this for a few years and want to upgrade I wouldn't be out a ton.


I am a little afraid of the no "preset" auto, but you can make 4 yourself and save them.

HTH! Not sure those are all the reasons, but the some.

Don't forget to get an extra battery! From what I have read on the D200 (was considering one a few months back) they suck the life out of the battery fairly quickly.

Congrats on the purchase and can't wait to see some pics!