Which Nikon DSLR

snapplejacks

hi,

firstly i currently have a nikon n65 with kit lens 28-70mm which i've been using for 2 yrs now....and while i was in states i purchased a (good glass) sigma 120-300mm f2.8 as i have a keen interest in sports photography.

now i want to buy my first digital....

i had been thinking for a long time about a D200, then the D300 came out and it was the one BUT i've since been thinking about starter DSLR as the D300 could be too much to take on this early, and am stuck between choosing D40 and D80.....i basically want it for anything and everything and sport

another reason for my decision was to leave more money for a good lense, so any suggestions there also helpful.


thanks

run_Forrest_run

I own a D80 and to be honest I love it. If the budget permits, I would opt for the D80 over the D40. The D80 is packed with features that will keep you progressing nicely until you move upwards to the D300 (or D3;))

Have you also looked at the D60 lately? (OK, Ken Rockwell says to save your money and get the D40 over the D60:eek:) but I can only speak for the D80 and I have no complaints.

qwertz

Keep in mind regarding the D40: no lens motor in body means non-AF-S/AF-I lenses are manual focus only.

ginger nz

I bought a D80 last week and I love it. I was familair with the Nikon D series having used my dad's D50 for a while.

I preferred the D80 on account of the feel and the autofocus motor. The 40 and 60 felt smaller and flimsier in my hands. The 18-135 kit lens is pretty nice too.

Whichever one you go for, www.nikondigitutor.com has some good tutorials to learn how to use the non-Auto modes. Definitely worth checking out and easier that RTFM

run_Forrest_run

ginger nz wrote: »

I bought a D80 last week and I love it. I was familair with the Nikon D series having used my dad's D50 for a while.

I preferred the D80 on account of the feel and the autofocus motor. The 40 and 60 felt smaller and flimsier in my hands. The 18-135 kit lens is pretty nice too.

Whichever one you go for, www.nikondigitutor.com has some good tutorials to learn how to use the non-Auto modes. Definitely worth checking out and easier that RTFM

I also invested in the Complete Nikon D80 Guide by Thom Hogan. A superb in-depth ebook on the D80...very thorough.

sun child

D80 without a doubt! Much better image processing capabilities and battery life. I'm very much in love with mine.

melekalikimaka

i agree, even a second hand d70s, i dunno something about the d80 just doesnt sit well with me, dunno what it is, maybe its the kit lens...U.G.L.Y.:D, but seriously, d70s are cheap as chips

PopeBuckfastXVI

d80 > d40*2

If it's a choice between them and money is not an issue, then get a d80.
/thread

Duchovny

Canon :P

snapplejacks

i've found somewhere (v reputable) which is doing the D80 for 382 stg + vat ! i'm persuaded !!
there is also cashback on any of their kit lenses.....i really prefer not to get kit lenses.

melekalikimaka

snapplejacks wrote: »

i've found somewhere (v reputable) which is doing the D80 for 382 stg + vat ! i'm persuaded !!
there is also cashback on any of their kit lenses.....i really prefer not to get kit lenses.

i agree

DU.LLAHAN

snapplejacks wrote: »

hi,

firstly i currently have a nikon n65 with kit lens 28-70mm which i've been using for 2 yrs now....and while i was in states i purchased a (good glass) sigma 120-300mm f2.8 as i have a keen interest in sports photography.

now i want to buy my first digital....

i had been thinking for a long time about a D200, then the D300 came out and it was the one BUT i've since been thinking about starter DSLR as the D300 could be too much to take on this early, and am stuck between choosing D40 and D80.....i basically want it for anything and everything and sport

another reason for my decision was to leave more money for a good lense, so any suggestions there also helpful.


thanks

Check this out not much in the price diff http://www.komplett.ie/k/kcp.aspx?sku=341562&sku=324381

so why not go for the d300

snapplejacks

well 1500 euro for a body only is above my expenditure level as then i would also need other lenses and accessories....plus it will be above my capabilities currently and i'd prefer to go in with a less complicated camera.

i think i can get my d80 (450 stg inc vat) plus 2 good lenses for another 500 or so.

snapplejacks

also...
my sigma 120-300mm
I’m liking the look of Nikon 70-200mm f2.8….can this do pretty much anything and more than my sigma ? I’m thinking about trading in the sigma if the 70-200 would be thought of as more useful and better glass, thoughts ?

quilmore

I have a 70-200vr and I love it
it's hard to think it's going to be a lens out there even close to it
sharp as a tack, great contrast, great colours, VR works very well
a bit on the heavy side, but if you're used to your sigma this one is going to feel light
also, DSLR being crop sensor means a 70-200 will be almost the same as your sigma

Thirdfox

The 70-200 f2.8 will also autofocus on the D40 btw.

I disagree with the statement that a D80 > D40*2. They're aimed at different people. I personally do not want to lug around a massive camera everyday. (And the D80 is almost uncomfortable for me, D300 is a definite no-no due to size). I'm not sure the D80 has a much better battery life either (the D40 can do around 700 for me).

The no body motor issue is an issue for older lenses (on the other hand, to save money you can mount REALLY old lens (pre-AIS lenses) that no other digital Nikon can.) And the lenses are getting updated to AFS/HSM/Tokina micro-motor etc. all the time.

But if you're going to be mating a 70-200 f2.8 to it - a D80 might be more ergonomic (for balance and weight's sake)...

quilmore

I've had my 70-200 attached to a D40 and it did seem a small camera for that lens, it did feel a camera attached to a lens
balance wasn't a problem
it may feel disproportioned, but that's a matter of taste
a 70-200 is not a lens to have handheld for long time, regardless of the camera
if OP is used to a film camera with a 120-300 2.8 he won't have any problem with a d40 and a 70-200 vr

eas

Just a bit of info for anyone looking at the D80 - according to Thom Hogan the D80 replacement should be out soon. As well as a handful of new lenses + a high rez flagship SLR - www.bythom.com

The Buzz
Apr 19--Current rumors out of Japan have Nikon introducing the D90, D3x, plus lenses, in the second week of June. I'm tightening my D90 (or whatever they decide to call it) prediction date to between May 12th and June 16th.