D80 or D300 advice please...

mrmac

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, and I've learnt a lot from it during the last couple of weeks, so firstly THANKS and keep up the support.

My background: I'm a novice, enthusiastic amateur, newbie (at 40!), but I've had a Canon P&S for years and love photography. I've loads of books on the subject, and TRY to take the best shots I can

My Photographic Interests: I like portraits, indoor events, family gatherings, candid shots. Not really into sports stuff or wildlife.

I've read review after review and I'm just about ready to buy my first DSLR, but I'd appreciate some last minute advice.

Canons are out, for me, as they use a flash strobe for AF assist, which doesn't help with a candid photo. That's the only fault I can find!

With my budget, I've got two choices:
1. Nikon D300, with a 50mm f/1.8 lense (I think a good combination to start)
or
2. Nikon D80, with 18-200mm VR lense (A great lense for almost anything)

Both work out about the same money. I like the D300 but hear great reviews about the 18-200mm lense. Unfortunately I can't afford both.

I've also read a few remarks about the D300 being a bit noisy, that's not ideal for me, as I attend quite a few indoor events (weddings, seminars, presentations etc.)

So, should I go for the expensive body, or should I go for the expensive lense?

Thanks, P.J.

digitally-yours

Buy D80 and get two nice lenses

should be fine

punchdrunk

I found the 18-200 a bit soft,and had to photoshop most shots took with it until I was happy
dead handy range on it though
if your looking at the D80 theres all sorts of rumours that it'll be replaced next month,worth keeping in mind as some places might blow theres out cheap if we do get a D90

quilmore

I can't tell the D300 being any noisier than any other nikon camera and for the exception of the D50 and D100 I've shot them all)

I'll admit that it was myself all the time who suggested to get not the most expensive camera and to get more lenses
but this time, I have to say I'll get a d300 with a 50 1.8 a hundred times over a d80 with 18-200

but that's me
the IQ of the 18-200 feels miles behind the 50 1.8
obviously there is a wide (and tele ) diference in favour of the 18-200
that depends what you shoot

for portraits, indoor events and candid shots I'd say the 50 1.8 is a clear winner

I have a D300 and a few fast lenses, the 50 1.8 included
I've had the 18-200 but sold it last week, image quality wasn't enough and it started to overlap with most of my other lenses
the only time I'd choose the 18-200 is if I'm going on holidays and can carry camera with only one lens, it's a jack of all trades and master of no one

slumped

D300 - hands down.

Magnificent camera.


I went from D70 to D300 and have not looked back.

quilmore

I must have said I moved from D200 to D300 just before Easter and now, 4000 pictures later I have to say it's the best camera I know (well, the D3 is even better but not worth the price tag in my case)
D300 is the most forgiving camera I've seen
if you forget your ISO at 400, 800 or even 1600, usually that's not a big deal, contrast, colours and definition are there

if you're in dublin I'll let you take some pics of my D300+50 1.8 (I'm not selling them btw!)

mrmac

I thought I'd take a quick look in and see if I'd got any replies, WOW!
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I'm getting the impression the D300 is something special, it does seem to get great reviews from a lot of different forums.
I know the 50 1.8 might be a bit restrictive, iniatially, but I'd hope to be able to get another lense in 3 or 4 months, which would expand my options.

Two poor opinions about the 18-200mm VR; post processing is not wanted!
Although I'm getting used to photoshop, I wouldn't want it to be a necessity.

quillmore - thanks for the offer, I appreciate that, but I'm up in Letterkenny!

BTW - I intend to buy "whatever" in Jessops in Derry. I've looked on the web, but in the long run, there's not a big saving to be made, compared to the warrenty implications.
D300 + 50mm f/1.8 = £1059
D80 + 18-200mm VR = £1050

bp_me

mrmac wrote: »

BTW - I intend to buy "whatever" in Jessops in Derry. I've looked on the web, but in the long run, there's not a big saving to be made, compared to the warrenty implications.
D300 + 50mm f/1.8 = £1059
D80 + 18-200mm VR = £1050

Print out the page from the Jessops website the day you plan on going in there and they will price match the shop price to the web price.

The D300 was GBP999 in Jessops last week. Don't know if it still is.

I'ld suggest you grab both manuals from the nikon website and have a read through them. If this is your first D-SLR there will be ALOT in the D300 to get to grips with and you may find the D80 easier to start with. Figure out if you actually need anything the D300 offers over the D80.

I'ld suggest avoiding the 18-200. The 18-135 (kit) isnt too bad and you can add better glass around that. Or start with the 50 1.8 on the D80 also.

Nikon recently made all their European Warranties two years I believe, which mostly removes the benefit of buying from Pixmania or AC-foto, but check their prices anyway.

quilmore

bp_me wrote: »

Figure out if you actually need anything the D300 offers over the D80.

that was my wife's question long ago
I could still be with my trusty D70 if I had answered that question (and I'm glad I didn't)

technology is there to be exploited, not to have what is just good enough (wallet permitting)
at least that's my view of it

bp_me

quilmore wrote: »

that was my wife's question long ago
I could still be with my trusty D70 if I had answered that question (and I'm glad I didn't)

technology is there to be exploited, not to have what is just good enough (wallet permitting)
at least that's my view of it

The right tool for the right job. If the OP's shooting requires something the D300 does that the D80 cannot, then the D300 is the obvious choice.

However, technology for technologies sake isn't the way I like to approach the problem. The one comment I would make regarding this, is the D80 is a generation behind the D300 and it would be worth seeing what it's replacement is like before making the decision.

Both are excellent cameras, but I personally couldn't justify the price tag of the D300 unless I was using it in a semi-pro capacity. It would have to start paying for itself.

digitally-yours

mrmac wrote: »

D300 + 50mm f/1.8 = £1059
D80 + 18-200mm VR = £1050

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/355-581H/
does this tilts the balance in favour of D80

D80 DSLR Camera Body with 18-200mm VR Zoom
Subtotal £875.00
Shipping £3.99
VAT £130.91
Order Total £878.99

50 pounds Refund

Plus cashback
http://www.nikon.co.uk/sites/cashback/default.html

mrmac

Thanks everyone, it's so great to get informed opinions, rather than just yes/no answers.

digitally-yours - that is a great price from Calumet, and they've a store in Belfast, hmmmm, might be worth a spin. I don't think Jessops do a Price Match anymore, but if you can send me a link, please do!

bp me - you are 100% correct about the D80 probably doing everything I'd need it to do.
It's simply that the D300 seems more robust and easier to handle. That's not enough reason to pay the extra money, but I'm not a tech geek and I'd expect to be keeping the camera for at least 5 years, so the extra build quality is important.
I've read both user manuals, D80 & D300, and to be honest, it's going to take some getting used to no matter what model I go for.....

I iniatially looked at the Canon 400D and the Nikon D80, and the D80 won that round.
Then I looked at the Canon 40D, which I really liked, and the D80 lost!
Then I got introduced to the D300 at a camera store, and loved it! I think it has enough spec and more features than I'll ever need atm, but should have the ability to last me the next couple of years.

I think I'm going to go for the D300 + 50mm f/1.8 at £1059.00 from Jessops.
Now if someones knows how to squeeze a great deal from an Irish/UK supplier......

digitally-yours

That's not enough reason to pay the extra money, but I'm not a tech geek and I'd expect to be keeping the camera for at least 5 years, so the extra build quality is important.

to be realistic 5 years is a hell lot of long time in this world of fast moving Electrical gadgets.

<speaking from my previous experience having worked for one of the above mentioned camera manufacturers>

bp_me

mrmac wrote: »

bp me - you are 100% correct about the D80 probably doing everything I'd need it to do.
It's simply that the D300 seems more robust and easier to handle. That's not enough reason to pay the extra money, but I'm not a tech geek and I'd expect to be keeping the camera for at least 5 years, so the extra build quality is important.

Fair point. I have my D80 about 18 months, and my gear doesn't exactly get an easy time (I have no idea how, but the lense cap on my 12-24 broke after less than 2 weeks). Still going strong. But yes, the D300 will be tougher (I presume it still has the magnesium alloy body and the weather sealing?).

quilmore

yes, here is a pic to the naked body with grip beside its big brother
http://www.digitalcamera.jp/html/HotNews/image/2007-09/21/nikon-09-L.JPG

somebody reported to be taking pictures on a p!ssing rainy day with a D300 and not a bother, I wouldn't dare it that much but it seems to be well built

lenses like the 50 1.8 are well built and will survive almost any misuse you can provide, but usually lenses that can survive to go to a war and back are heavy and cumbersome
I've seen a lens, can't remember if a 18-55 or 18-135 snapping from its body wiping the plastic plate on its base (wasn't a 18-70 or 18-200, they have metallic bases)

and if I remember well, the AF assist can be turned off in a D300

Boatsman

As a D80 user I must say that the D300 has so many options that probably you wont be needing half of them. Just like me on my D80

But seriously now :cool: digitally-yours in his first post said what I would like to confirm.

Even though there might be D90 comming out soon. This is still very good camera. 18-200mm like punchdrunk mentioned is soft and I prefer to change lenses rather then use this one.

50mm f/1.8 is the best ! So my personal recommendation - D80 + 50mm and then maybe 70-300mm Sigma APO

Whatever you pick from these options you mentioned below, you get a very good equipment