New DSLR?

[broberts]

I have always wanted a SLR (now- DSLR). There are some great brands out there. I have always wanted a Nikon and that is what I am leaning towards. I would like to have it for my trip the week of Thanksgiving. A friend of mine just got the Nikon D60 and really likes it. I am seriously looking at this model. Does anyone have any opinions on this model? Also, what lenses would you bring with you? Obviously it would be great if you had that one lense that would do it all, but I know they all have been designed for a specific purpose.

I want to be able to take multiple pics pretty quickly, from stills to action, low light and more light.

I would really appreciate anyone's recommendation.

Thanks.

Brian

 

[ukcatfan]

I personally think that the lack of a focus motor is still a big check mark against that model. Because this is their budget body, I think you should at least be able to use the budget wide aperture lens (the 50mm f/1.8 at ~$100). As far as I know, the cheapest lens that is similar and will AF is the Sigma 30mm at ~$400. It is a great lens, but having it be nearly as much as the body sort of goes against the idea of a budget setup.

 

[broberts]

As I sit here researching, I really like the D80 as well. I might end up spending the extra money for a better body.

 

[abdullahkurdi]

Nikon D60 Digital SLR is a nice one to try.
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1189.htm

 

[Experiment_626]

As I sit here researching, I really like the D80 as well. I might end up spending the extra money for a better body.

I have a D80 and love it, FWIW. And it will autofocus with the lenses the D60 won't.

SSB

 

[MonoManBlue]

I have a D80 and love it, FWIW. And it will autofocus with the lenses the D60 won't.

SSB

The 80 is better. With its price declining slightly, now is the perfect time to pick it up as well. Also, that 50mm prime will NOT focus without that AF motor in the body.

 

[broberts]

Ok. So it looks like I will be getting the Nikon D80. What are the must have lenses that I should get? Looks like I will be getting the the 18-135 with the camera. Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

 

[Steve's Girl]

The 18-135 plus the $100 50mm 1.8 prime lens is a great starter kit. This is what I started with 2 yrs ago with my D80. Over time, your style of shooting will develop and will help you decide what lenses to add to your collection (ie, do you prefer to do a lot of wide angle landscape shots or do you prefer to zoom in on your subjects, etc.) I have added lenses to my collection over time, but would not have picked any of the lenses I have now when I first purchased my D80 two years ago.

 

[Gdad]

I think the D80 over the D40/60 series is a smart move. And as mentioned the 50/1.8 is a great lens for the money. If you want more range on the long end the 70-300vr is a good value I think in the $400 range and compliments the 18-135 nicely.

 

[fhirleighinn]

If you want a single do it all lens, then the 18-200 is really your best shot. And if you are really just looking at that, then whether or not he 50 1.8 works does not matter at all, and the D40/60 would be fine. I agree that the D80 offers more options for the future, but the sensor in the D60 might be better than in the D80, as the D80 is older.
For what you want, it is tough to get a single lens, kinda like asking for a good cheap car with low miles, that gets good mileage, and is stylish.

 

[Steve's Girl]

If you want a single do it all lens, then the 18-200 is really your best shot. And if you are really just looking at that, then whether or not he 50 1.8 works does not matter at all, and the D40/60 would be fine. I agree that the D80 offers more options for the future, but the sensor in the D60 might be better than in the D80, as the D80 is older.
For what you want, it is tough to get a single lens, kinda like asking for a good cheap car with low miles, that gets good mileage, and is stylish.

I currently have the 18-200, and it is a nice versatile option. However, it will not perform well in low light with moving subjects. I would still recommend the 50mm 1.8 for low light even with the 18-200. The VR is nice for still objects, but will not help if the subject is moving.

 

[dr_zero]

I think the D80 over the D40/60 series is a smart move. And as mentioned the 50/1.8 is a great lens for the money. If you want more range on the long end the 70-300vr is a good value I think in the $400 range and compliments the 18-135 nicely.

I would have to agree with Gdad that the 70-300vr would be my next choice.

I have a 70-210 F/4 that I love!!! but the VR is a nice feature for low light you dont need a tripod as much.

I shoot the 70-210 without the tripod but with night shots its not easy during the day its a breeze to get in close without being on top of the person or place so that is why my next lens will probably be the 70-300VR or something fixed that is 2.8.

 

[handicap18]

The D80 is a great option. Excellent body. Good time to get as it is starting to come down in price.

You could easily go with 3 lenses that will serve you for many years.

18-135mm: suprisingly sharp for its class and great focal length range for an all around lens
70-300mm VR: Again very sharp for its class. VR works as advertised. A wonderful long telephoto zoom.
50mm f/1.8: Razor Sharp. Great for portraits. Excellent for low light. A little on the long side, but it can still be used as a general purpose lens for candids and VERY affordable @ $110.

With just these 3 lenses you will get excellent performance and sharp images and should be happy for a long time. There are hundreds of lenses in the Nikkor lineup that you can add to your collection over time. Once you get into it and figure out what your style/likes are then you can move up from here. Your only limited by your budget. These 3 lenses mentioned gives you coverage from 18-300mm in 2 lenses and the 3rd covers you for low light.

Good luck with your search.

 

[broberts]

Awesome. I really appreciate all of the responses so far. Sounds like I have a really good starting point from all of you experienced photo buffs.

I guess my next question would be what about a flash? Do I need to go ahead and spend the money right on one?

 

[dr_zero]

Awesome. I really appreciate all of the responses so far. Sounds like I have a really good starting point from all of you experienced photo buffs.

I guess my next question would be what about a flash? Do I need to go ahead and spend the money right on one?

The D80 has a built in flash that is not bad but its still a built in flash. They have some attatchements like the puffer that helps to difuse the light some for a softer look though.

I would look at a sb600 or sb800 but I wouldnt rush but that is just me.


Here is a puffer clone
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10920

and a link to some more clone diffusers similar to fong's
http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.diffuser

 

[YesDear]

You are getting great advise as usual from the group.

I have to share a thread I read on another board. The poster said he had decided to get into digital for the first time so he went out and bought a D700 a 14-24 2.8 and was looking to get the 70-200. Oh yeah he had gotten the SB-900.

All it takes is money $$$$

I think I want to ask to be adpoted!

 

[Quicklabs]

I bought the D80 about 3 months ago. I purchased the Nikkor 18-200 and the 50 1.8. I was very happy with those. I thought I wanted a wide angle, but I have discovered I'm more of a "macro" kind of a gal. Ended up with the Sigma 150mm (You can see some of my D80 pics farther down in the post under the heading ---Getting through the macro learning curve). I love the 50 1.8, but I needed something a bit wider and so I settled on the Sigma 30 1.4. I'm very happy with my purchases.

 

[dr_zero]

You are getting great advise as usual from the group.

I have to share a thread I read on another board. The poster said he had decided to get into digital for the first time so he went out and bought a D700 a 14-24 2.8 and was looking to get the 70-200. Oh yeah he had gotten the SB-900.

All it takes is money $$$$

I think I want to ask to be adpoted!

If you do ask if I can be a brother! Man some folks have all the luck