[JamPal]

Hi all,

I have been considering a D80 as my first SLR camera (digital or otherwise). Would saving a few quid and buying an outgoing model like the D50 and putting the savings toward some decent glass make sense? Or would you say the D80 that much better...?


Thanks in advance,
James

[xanda]

erm...i am about to buy a d80 this evening , so have obviously been doing lots of research...i chose the d80 due to the higher resolution/ megapixels compared to previous models, and also more customization etc.

[Hawk66]

Originally Posted by JamPal

Hi all,

I have been considering a D80 as my first SLR camera (digital or otherwise). Would saving a few quid and buying an outgoing model like the D50 and putting the savings toward some decent glass make sense? Or would you say the D80 that much better...?


Thanks in advance,
James

Fancy seeing you here

[Dave]

It's all according to what you ultimate goal is. A Nikon D50 will produce stunning effects, as would a s/h Nikon D70 ...around £250. If I was to say photographers still win competitions with print sizes of A3 with Nikon D70's or Canon's 20D equivalent, it shows what these cameras are capable of

That said, the D80 is a better camera overall....it's just the old depreciating returns game. If you're a hifi man you'll know the score

So if you said to me, I have a set limit of £700 for everything (including a couple of lenses) I would say get the D50, s/h D70 & some decent lenses. If hower you said I want to start at £700, happy with one lens & over the next couple of years build up a set of lenses as & when I get the dosh , then you should consider the D80.

That's a personal view. Hope it helps

[Soupdragon]

I just bought my D80 + 18-70, hoooraaaah!

After some initial reservations I can now conclude the Nikon D80 is a fine camera and will meet my needs for some years.

[Steve]

Its about time too

Congratulations sir, I know you have been looking around for sometime

[stepheno]

Hey....nice one Soupy ...looking forward to seeing some shots now.

[Sonsey]

Congrats Soupy, glad to see you made the decision before it drove you mad!

[Soupdragon]

Thanks guys, swmbo is not too happy though!

I have all bar fried the petals on her vase of lillys with the on board flash.

[JamPal]

Originally Posted by Hawk66

Fancy seeing you here

Ha! I thought I'd seen you around these parts.



Thanks for the advice chaps. have decided to wait for D80 prices to fall a bit. What lens should i go for first?

sorry, really new to this.

[silver]

the 18-70 kit lens is really a good performer for the price point, may be worth looking for secondhand / ebay as ppl ditch them thinking the more expensive zooms are better but..

Sil

[Dave]

It's all according to what type of photography you take ?

Landscapes usually require wide angle lenses (circa 20mm) , portrait type shots work well around 50mm, Sports / wildlife photography may need a telephoto circa 200/300mm plus. Then chuck in to the equation do you want the convinience of a zoom lens that covers a range of focal lengths, or seperate more dedicated lenses for optimum image quality ?

The 18-70mm lens is great way to start & covers a general range. Some people prefer to have a lens that does it all & go for the Nikon 18-200mm lens. Hey if you go for a non Nikon lens, you can get 18-250mm now

[Soupdragon]

Having owned both the 18-70 and the 18-135 I can say the 18-70 performs better and is of a higher build standard than the 18-135 (my copies anyway)
They are both sharp but the 18-135 vinegaretts worse and has marginally higher climatic abhorration.

[eighty]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

They are both sharp but the 18-135 vinegaretts worse and has marginally higher climatic abhorration.

Soupy,

I have no idea what most of that means, but I am very happy with my new D80 and the 18-135 lens.