Nikon D50

[ukcatfan]

Have you ever done a format of the card from a PC? That can sometimes do funny things to it.

Also, check to see if the write protect switch on the card is flipped, partially flipped, or broken.

Kevin

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

I have been wanting a DSLR for about 2 years now, but it just never seemed to be in the budget. Then about 3 months ago I decided that I just needed to make it a priority, and started doing the research.......after many hours researching and reading reviews, I FINALLY decided on the D50. I priced it all out last month, and I wouldn't let myself look at them again until I had saved up some money.....well, today I thought I would look around and see if there were any deals- and they are GONE!!! They are marked as "discontinued- no longer available!!"

Ahhhhh! Now it is back to the drawing board!!

 

[photo_chick]

There are still a few on the shelves here and there that I have seen locally here.What about the D80? Isn't that the replacement for the D50?

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Hi Danielle, I had looked at the D80, but it was just too far out of the budget- I was pinching my pennies as it was for the d50, because I didn't want to charge it. I have called every store around here trying to find it, and no luck.

 

[YEKCIM]

The D50 body only is still showing as in stock at www.sigma4less.com...$490 new, $430 refurb. A quick pricegrabber search shows a couple other online retailers may have a few left, as well. I wouldn't wait too long, though...

~YEKCIM

 

[handicap18]

You'll probably have to get it on-line, but don't wait. It has been discontinued since both the D40 and D40x have been released (though I think the D50 is a much better camera, granted I'm biased cuz I have a D50). Some placed might accept pay-pal for payment. Or just used your credit card and send the money right to the cc company when you order the camera. Thats what I did when I got mine.

Good luck. You certainly wont be disapointed when you get it. I know I wasn't!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks for the information- I am wondering now though, what if I get a D50, and have problems with it later on? Will I be able to find a place for any possible repairs, or will the "parts" be discontinued or changed- I am just a little afraid to get something that will be antiquated so quickly, kwim?

 

[YEKCIM]

I wouldn't be concerned about parts/service issues. Nikon has sold TONS of this camera since its introduction. I would think their parts bins would be well stocked.

~YEKCIM

 

[garris3404]

Get the D50 if you can. I love mine. Don't bother with the D40 series. Or you can keep saving for the D80. Good luck!

 

[Furgus]

Agree with everyone, get the D50 if you can find it. Some local camera stores might still have it in their stores. I love mine and have had for about a year now.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Ok, now I need some pixie dust for my decision- I have about 5 hours to make my decision one way or the other. I got a call this morning from the local Ritz camera store- they had told me that they didn't have any D50's yesterday when I called. Well, I guess one of the employees had set one aside for himself to buy, and changed his mind, so they called and said it was available! The price on it was $ 549.00 for body only.

Alright- the other option if I go with the D50 is to go through Sigma4Less, but I am seeing some complaints on customer service problems, so I think the difference in cost is negated.

Lastly- my other option is to go for my second choice, which would be the Canon Digital Rebel XT. The price is very comparable to the D50.

Ok everyone- time for the debate to begin! I have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to put this purchase on my Disney Visa, but I need to decide rather quickly if I am going to go get that D50 today.

Any advice either way would be wonderful!!!!!

PS- If I get the D50 today, my plan was to get the body-only, and get a 50 mm f/1.8 lens to start with. Any other suggestions of accessories I need right away, or a different lens choice?? Thanks so much!

 

[Master Mason]

Ok, now I need some pixie dust for my decision- I have about 5 hours to make my decision one way or the other. I got a call this morning from the local Ritz camera store- they had told me that they didn't have any D50's yesterday when I called. Well, I guess one of the employees had set one aside for himself to buy, and changed his mind, so they called and said it was available! The price on it was $ 549.00 for body only.

Alright- the other option if I go with the D50 is to go through Sigma4Less, but I am seeing some complaints on customer service problems, so I think the difference in cost is negated.

Lastly- my other option is to go for my second choice, which would be the Canon Digital Rebel XT. The price is very comparable to the D50.

Ok everyone- time for the debate to begin! I have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to put this purchase on my Disney Visa, but I need to decide rather quickly if I am going to go get that D50 today.

Any advice either way would be wonderful!!!!!

PS- If I get the D50 today, my plan was to get the body-only, and get a 50 mm f/1.8 lens to start with. Any other suggestions of accessories I need right away, or a different lens choice?? Thanks so much!

I am a canon XT user, and I think it is a great camera. That being said, if you have done your research and wanted the D50, then that is what you should get. Otherwise if your anything like me, everytime you use it you'll be thinking about how you really wanted the other one. Life is short, if you did your reasearch and you want it then go get it.

As for the lens, the 50 is a good lens, but I personally would want something wider if I only had one lens. But you can also get lenses at anytime, the D50's are getting few and far between it sounds like.

 

[YEKCIM]

If you are going to buy locally, I'd set aside some time to go play with both cameras and base your decison on which one you are more comfortable with. If the D50 is your choice, I'd suggest you consider the 18-135mm lens as your "all around" lens. I have one and it is very sharp, with a good range (28-200mm full frame 35mm equivalent). See what kind of deal you can get if you buy camera and lens from them. I paid $300 for mine and that's about what they are going for, online, at present.

Also, let me comment on Sigma4Less.com. They shipped my order, if I recall correctly, the same day I ordered it, or maybe the next, and from that standpoint, I had no problems with them. No upsell calls or anything of that nature. Only issue I had was that they used a shipping box just slightly larger than the two lenses I ordered from them (10-20mm Sigma and 50mm Nikkor) with very little "filler" material. As a consequence, a corner of the retail box of the 10-20mm Sigma lens was slightly crushed. However, the lens itself was protected by a well padded semi-hard case inside the retail box, so there was no damage, afaik. Still, that would give me some concern about buying delicate equipment from them.

Good luck with your decision.

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

I agree that just having a 50mm might be very limiting. You could probably pick up a kit lens on an auction site for almost nothing.

I also must say that if you liked the way the D50 felt in your hands, you might not like the XT. To me, they had a very different feel.

Kevin

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Hmm, I may have to consider the 18-135 lens. It is so funny that I was having such a hard time forking over the money for just the camera, but now that I am thinking of spending the $550 on the camera body, my attitude is "what's another $300 for a lens?"

Besides the camera body and a lens, would you recommend getting anything else today? An extra battery? Any other things that I may be overlooking?

Also- quick question on the lens. I had originally thought of the 50mm because I tend to shoot a lot of low light photos, so I thought this would be a good choice. I agree though, that the 18-135 is much more versatile. A friend of mine wants me come out and do a shoot with her and her horses (she understands I am a newbie, and I thought it would be great practice!)- I am thinking the 18-135 may be more suitable for this situation.

Thanks for the suggestions!! Keep 'em coming, and I'll keep you posted on my decision!
Lisa

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well, not to muddy the water too much... But, if you do a lot of low light shots, you may want to consider getting one of the Sigma of Tamron f2.8 lenses. The comparable Nikon (or Canon) lens will not leave you laughing over the price! Maybe the Sigma 18-55 2.8 or the 24-70 2.8. You will have less zoom, but these will be much better in low light and are also quite versatile for an every day lens as well. One of these lenses with the body should be a great start for now.

 

[Ratpack]

I have the 18-135 lens as well and it stays on the camera unless I need low light, then I use the 50 1.8 or the 28 2.8. Now that you are asking about other things to get, the 50 1.8 is only a little over $100 brand new. I have even seen some 28mm 2.8 lenses on Ebay right now for less than $50. I know because I was going to list mine and get a Sigma 28-70 2.8 but for less than $50, I will just keep it. Also, an extra battery is nice but not really necessary, my battery lasts for a lot of shots and I just recharge when I notice it getting low so it is ready for the next outing. Extra memory would be the other thing I would look at. If you shoot a lot of low light shots, do you have a tripod already? It needs to be a fairly sturdy one and then a good bag. I would go ahead and invest in a bag that can carry a fair amount of gear. Believe me, once you use the DSLR, you will get the bug and want more and more lenses and accessories, like a Speedlight flash unit and the list goes on.

 

[Groucho]

I don't know that I'd jump on it. There are still D50s floating around, and you can always same some more bucks and pick up a nice used one. Some people are very nervous about used cameras but I don't think they're that big of a risk.

If you start over, I'd definitely consider the Pentax K100D before the Canon XT, but that's just me. The Pentax and Nikon feel and are laid out very similarly and have the same sensor inside, however the K100D has in-body image stabilization (and costs less, $500 after rebate including lens, or $600 w/kit lens plus 50-200mm bought at the same time.)

Back to the D50, if you get one, I don't think repair work will be a problem at all, they've sold a ton of them and you'll be no worse off than anyone else with a D50.

I would not buy accessories yet, you can almost certainly find better deals online, and for things like tripods, filters, etc, you'll want to spend some time researching to make sure that you're getting what you really want.

 

[tinksdad]

If you are going to buy locally, I'd set aside some time to go play with both cameras and base your decison on which one you are more comfortable with.
~YEKCIM

Great advice!! Definitely go down and "handle" each camera. Look, push the buttons, take some pictures, look at the LCD, go through the menus and general try them out. One of them will feel better to you than the other. That's the one you should buy!!

 

[photo_chick]

I have the Rebel XT. I was a Rebel G user, so it was an easy switch for me. It just feels righ in my hands. My FIL has the D50. I held it and it did not feel good to me, but then I was already used to my Rebel. Also I have small hands and the Nikon felt a little big to me.

I compared the two side by side and for me I prefer the Rebel XT, but that was all personal taste. The two cameras are very similar.