Camera People

[BostonBanker]

Okay, the vet bills are paid off, the horse is looking healthy, and so now it is time to go shopping . I know there are some very knowledgable camera people here, so I need some advice.

I want to upgrade from my current digital camera (Olympus C50-50) to a DSLR. I'm inclined to go with Nikon based on reviews I've heard here and from what I learned at the camera store (they also recommended the new Olympus?).

So I was looking mostly between the d40 and the d80. Obviously, saving money is good, but I am inclined to go with the d80. Reason 1 - I tend to crop a lot, which ends up making my pictures look bad blown up. Now, hopefully with a good camera and a good lens, I won't have to crop as much, but that has been a big problem with my current camera. I mostly use it for horse shows and dog stuff, so I can't always get close to the action. Reason 2 - the faster frames per second in continuous mode. That mostly matters for me with horse stuff; since horse pictures only look good during a certain point in the horse's stride, it's nice to take a really fast burst and then delete all but the "correct" moment. Does that all make sense? Am I silly not to get the cheaper one and save a few hundred?

The other big thing I am trying to figure out is which lens/es to start with. Obviously I want something with more zoom than my current camera, but other than that, I'm clueless. Can someone give me a suggestion or two, with a quick explanation? I don't want to start out with a super expensive one (that'll wait for Christmas ), but I also don't want a really cheap one that isn't going to be useful.

I do intend to take some classes once I get the camera; the store gives away a bunch of free lessons if you buy the camera from them. I just want to be sure I end up with the right equipment.

Thanks for any help.

 

[SisMorphine]

Though my Nikon is not a DSLR, I have been very unhappy with it. I was told "Go Cannon or Nikon, they're the only good brands" and I've been very disappointed in my camera, though my dad's HP and my mom's Kodak (both brands which I was advised AGAINST) have both proved to be far more superior than my Nikon, even though they are on the same level (does that make sense? I don't know the lingo).

 

[96 GTS]

Nikon's compact digitals are nothing to write home about, but their DSLRs are amazing. My dad has a D200 and my mom just got a D80, and I have a D70, they're all amazing.

I'd go with the D80 over the D40, the D80 has the same CCD as the D200, which is just spectacular, images come out wonderfully crisp and clear, and you can't beat Nikon's 18-200mm VR (vibration reduction) lens.

 

[RD]

I'm with GTS on this one, I'm not wild about Nikon's compact but the DSLRs are wonderful. I *adore* my D70, I like my D200 too but the D70 is my go-to camera.

If you can get it, the 18-200 VR lens is terrific. I've had terrible lust for it since I had my hands on one, but it's kinda expensive and not easy to get.

I started with a 18-70mm kit lens and a 70-300 ED zoom lens. I later got a 50mm portrait lens. I'd say the one I use the most for dog pictures is the 70-300, it's not expensive but I've been happy with the quality.

 

[BostonBanker]

If you can get it, the 18-200 VR lens is terrific.

:lol-sign: That's what I've been reading in the reviews. That's definitely a "buy later" price, though!

Do the numbers translate to anything useful? For instance, the 70 - 300 lens you mentioned; how much "zoom" is that? And, since it is a zoom, does that mean I should get a second lens as well, or is that one good for starting with?

I knew this was the place to come for good help - thanks guys!

 

[Zoom]

I've got a Nikon D50 and I love it, even with the crap knock-off lenses that came with the kit I bought. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[RD]

The 70-300 has a lot of "zoom". I'm not sure exactly how to translate that into numbers that make sense, but I can take pictures of the dogs playing 50 feet away, and make it look like I'm right in front of them. I use it for pictures of birds too.

I would definitely get a second lens if you get the 70-300 because mine only lets you take pictures if you're at least 5+ feet away from the subject. The 18-70 allows you to get pretty close. I don't know what comes as the kit lens with the D80 or D40, but usually you'll get a shorter lens if you buy a kit.

 

[AndrewF]

I don't know a lot about the nikon line-up, so take what's below as a starting point for what you want - as opposed to gospel truth.

I think it's called a D40X - but it's identicle to the D40, but with the same 10mp sensor that's in the d80. I'd compare that to the D80 for features if you think you'll be cropping a lot and will need the resolution. On the flip-side, a 6mp sensor will give you less noise at high ISO.

If you're just starting off, look at the kit lens (which is usually an 18-50/70mm range and if you want a good reach in the telephoto department, a 70-300mm zoom.

As for frames per second, I don't think the D80 quite hits 3 fps, and the D40X isn't much slower, IIRC. You won't get a decent bump in speed until you go to the d200, which reaches about 5 fps.

EDIT: D40X link
D80 link
Based on what I saw, both reach 3 fps

 

[BostonBanker]

I'm so bad at decision making. The woman I spoke to at the store also suggested the D40x (of course, she's the one who told me the D80 was 5 fps); I know she said the 40s would only take Nikon lenses (no problem, as I don't own any yet and could just buy those). Does anyone know what the other differences are between the D40x and the D80?

The 70-300 lens is a bit more than I wanted to spend (although if I go down to the 40, maybe it won't be such a big deal); how does this one look?
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541531257.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcifilm-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcicamera-lenses%3Bcislr-lens%3Bcilenses-for-nikon

I'm assuming that because it only goes to 200, it won't zoom as much? It's a pretty big price difference though, so maybe it would do for now, and I could hold off for a nicer one?

 

[Tracer Tong]

You might consider reading what this guy has to say about them:

www.kenrockwell.com

He doesn't mince words.

IMO they're both great. I'd buy either if I had the money. I'd buy both if I had the money.

 

[96 GTS]

I'm so bad at decision making. The woman I spoke to at the store also suggested the D40x (of course, she's the one who told me the D80 was 5 fps); I know she said the 40s would only take Nikon lenses (no problem, as I don't own any yet and could just buy those). Does anyone know what the other differences are between the D40x and the D80?

The 70-300 lens is a bit more than I wanted to spend (although if I go down to the 40, maybe it won't be such a big deal); how does this one look?
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541531257.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcifilm-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcicamera-lenses%3Bcislr-lens%3Bcilenses-for-nikon

I'm assuming that because it only goes to 200, it won't zoom as much? It's a pretty big price difference though, so maybe it would do for now, and I could hold off for a nicer one?

200mm is still plenty of zoom, especially on a Digital camera. Other than a few of the highest end Canon models, DSLRs have a smaller CCD than a slide frame, which effectively lengthens all your lenses, so 200mm is actually a lot of zoom. I don't really know how to convert lens lengths into powers of zoom though, nothing outside of pocket digitals use those. If you use an SLR for just a little while, you'll be able to tell how much "zoom" a certain length lens has just by looking at it.

As for the D40x or D40 or D80, I'd still be really looking hard at the D40x or D80. Both of those have the CCD, the image sensor from the D200, which is lovely, and 10MP is great for cropping, since you still have a big image when you're done.

 

[AndrewF]

The reason why the lady told you the D40x will only take Nikon lenses is (firstly, false) because the D40 & D40X don't have a focusing motor in the camera body like the D80 does. All this means is that IF you get a nikon lens that doesn't have the motor built in, it won't auto-focus. You can still use these lenses fine, though - you just have to manually focus them, but they still meter.

That said, realistically, you're going to buy lenses with the motor built in as part of the D40/D40X kit.