Nikon D80

[handicap18]

I have an almost identical set up as YECKIM. I use the 18-135mm as my standard walk-around lens and am VERY happy with it. I moved up from the 18-70 as I found that 70mm wasn't long enough for me.

I just got back from a few days in Philadelphia and used the 18-135mm 90% of the time. Only time I used a different lens was at the Phillies game and took out the 70-300mm for in game shots.

I'd love to have an f/2.8 zoom like the 17-55 or 18-50, but right now I'm getting excellent quality from my 18-135 so I've decided to forgo the fast aperture for the longer focal length.

For the price the 50mm is an excellent lens to have. I use it as a portrait lens and will also use it occassionally as a general purpose lens. The image quality is outstanding. Its tack sharp. To me its worth the $110-120 to have it in my bag even if its for only occassional use.

The 18-200mm VR lens is great, but expensive. The 18-135 is less than 1/2 the cost. You can age the 18-135 and the 70-300 VR for about $100-150 more than just the 18-200 if you look around.

 

[mill4023]

I don't think anyone mentioned size/weight... without knowing the exact numbers off the top of my head (how sad would that be!), I'm pretty sure that the D80 is noticably larger and heavier than the XTi, due to it being a higher-end camera.

I'd still go for the D80 over the XTi, but it is something to keep in mind if weight is a concern.

I'd also assume that there's a reason that the Sony A100 and Pentax K10D (or even K100D) didn't make it to your final round... those are both worth considering also.

Yep, I think the D80 is about 10% heavier than the XTi. Something like 580g vs 520 (or something like that).

Yes, the Sony and Pentax were originally on my list. Each one had certain things that caused me to take it off the list. For the Sony, the high ISO noise and the button layout. For the 10D, the bad default JPEG's. None of those issues may be a big deal, but in the end, I decided I'd rather spend a little more and get something that would hopefully leave me with no regrets, which is why I chose the Nikon.

 

[mill4023]

Thanks everyone.
I think I'm going to go with the 18-135 for now. It sounds like it's worthwhile to buy it as part of the kit instead of buying body only.

 

[Steve's Girl]

but in the end, I decided I'd rather spend a little more and get something that would hopefully leave me with no regrets, which is why I chose the Nikon.

You'll be a happy camper!

 

[Master Mason]

but in the end, I decided I'd rather spend a little more and get something that would hopefully leave me with no regrets, which is why I chose the Nikon.

Well except for the usuall Canon envy that all Nikonians suffer from

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks everyone.
I think I'm going to go with the 18-135 for now. It sounds like it's worthwhile to buy it as part of the kit instead of buying body only.

I think that's a very sound decision, and will give you a good range to work with to determine if you need any additional range. If you do, I highly recommend the 70-300VR. You may also want to think about an accessory flash (SB600 or SB800).

~Y

 

[mill4023]

What do you all think of the 55-200mm VR?
It seems to get really good reviews and with my 10% coupon at Circuit City, I can get it for $270. I'm tempted, but then I wonder if I'm better off saving the extra money for the 18-135 and getting an 18-55 or 18-70 instead. It would be nice to have the overlap, but when I'm getting up to 100 and higher, it seems like having VR would be worthwhile.

 

[mill4023]

Of course, then if I'm spending that much on two lenses, maybe I should just spend a little more, get the 18-200 VR and be done with it.
Argghhh!
Is it just me, or are there about a million different choices when it comes to figuring out which lenses to get.

 

[YEKCIM]

What do you all think of the 55-200mm VR?
It seems to get really good reviews and with my 10% coupon at Circuit City, I can get it for $270. I'm tempted, but then I wonder if I'm better off saving the extra money for the 18-135 and getting an 18-55 or 18-70 instead. It would be nice to have the overlap, but when I'm getting up to 100 and higher, it seems like having VR would be worthwhile.

From everything I've read, the 55-200VR is a very good lens, especially considering the price ($232 shipped, online). It is also small and lightweight. The negatives are that the build quality is not as robust as the 70-300VR (plastic lens mount, like the 18-135, instead of metal like the 70-300VR) and of course, not as much "reach". For me, personally, there is not enough difference between 135 and 200. When I'm using the 70-300VR, I'm usually at the long end of that range, but that's just me. As I said before, I really like the two lenses (18-135 and 70-300VR) and they are a good "fit" for what I shoot.

Ed

 

[mill4023]

Yeah, I think you're right. When I was looking at the prices, I was looking at Circuit City, where the 70-300 is over $600, so it was a lot more than the 55-200. Online, the 70-300 is more like $450. The only reason I'm looking at Circuit City for the D80 is because I can pick it up now and with my 10% off coupon, it's about the same price as the online dealers.

OK, I swear I've made up my mind. I'm just going to stick with the 18-135 and a 50mm F/1.8 and see how that works out for now.

 

[mill4023]

Well except for the usuall Canon envy that all Nikonians suffer from

LOL. I feel like I'm joining a cult or something.

 

[Master Mason]

LOL. I feel like I'm joining a cult or something.

You are, your joining the dark side

 

[handicap18]

Yeah, I think you're right. When I was looking at the prices, I was looking at Circuit City, where the 70-300 is over $600, so it was a lot more than the 55-200. Online, the 70-300 is more like $450. The only reason I'm looking at Circuit City for the D80 is because I can pick it up now and with my 10% off coupon, it's about the same price as the online dealers.

OK, I swear I've made up my mind. I'm just going to stick with the 18-135 and a 50mm F/1.8 and see how that works out for now.

Sounds good. Thats some nice equipment your getting. We're eagerly awaiting the posting of pictures.

 

[KrazyPete]

Take the moral high ground Mill. You're a Nikon user now. Petty bickering with Canon people is beneath you. Do what I do, simply smile, nod your head and allow them to continue on in their delusion state.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well, my motto has always been "speak softly and carry a big camera"

 

[mill4023]

You are, your joining the dark side

LOL. I did always lean more towards the dark side. Luke was just such a wimp.



But don't worry. We'll still be bringing our Canon S45. That way my wife will have something to use. I think she's afraid to touch the D80.

 

[Groucho]

Yep, I think the D80 is about 10% heavier than the XTi. Something like 580g vs 520 (or something like that).

Yes, the Sony and Pentax were originally on my list. Each one had certain things that caused me to take it off the list. For the Sony, the high ISO noise and the button layout. For the 10D, the bad default JPEG's.

Argh, curse Phil at DPReview and his FUD... Unfortunately, it'll probably be tarred with that sentiment forever. They purposefully chose a film-like look, a slight adjustment of sharpness and/or color can change that. The DCRP review is a bit more even-handed, though I still don't agree - he compares a "default" jpg that looks decent enough to an over-exposed, oversharpened RAW conversion that he thinks looks better???

Sigh. See any Pentax message forum for tons of consternation on this issue.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hi all you d80 users,
I just started playing with my new camera and noticed that whenever I try to take a photo in Manual mode it comes out black. I have the lens set to M, the body set to M and the Mode selector set to M. I tried adjusting the shutter speed and aperture and that makes no difference. It looks fine in the viewfinder and then nothing but black comes out. This happens when I use my kit lens 18-135 and my 50mm f1.8. Nothing I do in manual mode comes out. Am I overloking something, doing something wrong or is something wrong with my camera? Pictures are fine in Auto mode, but if I wanted all auto mode I could've stayed with my P&S.
Help would be really appreciated rght now because I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall!!
Thanks...

Oh yeah, I even tried reversing the body and lens to a and shoot in M but it still didn't work. Of course manual says to have everything set to M.
Thanks...

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hi all you d80 users,
I just started playing with my new camera and noticed that whenever I try to take a photo in Manual mode it comes out black. I have the lens set to M, the body set to M and the Mode selector set to M. I tried adjusting the shutter speed and aperture and that makes no difference. It looks fine in the viewfinder and then nothing but black comes out. This happens when I use my kit lens 18-135 and my 50mm f1.8. Nothing I do in manual mode comes out. Am I overloking something, doing something wrong or is something wrong with my camera? Pictures are fine in Auto mode, but if I wanted all auto mode I could've stayed with my P&S.
Help would be really appreciated rght now because I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall!!
Thanks...

Oh yeah, I even tried reversing the body and lens to a and shoot in M but it still didn't work. Of course manual says to have everything set to M.
Thanks...

Never mind. I figured it out. I obviously have to go practice and learn more about exposure. DUH! OTOH, at least the camera works fine even though the operator has a lot to learn!

 

[Steve's Girl]

If the lens is set to M, then that is manual focus. I would recommend using the P (program mode) until you get a little more comfortable with the camera. The camera chooses the setting for you, but you still have some creative controll when you want it.