I'm interested in getting a DSLR. I'm thinking about the Nikon D60 but would like to know if there's anything better for around the same price (or anything as good for less) and what your suggestions are for a camera & lens for $600 or less (less is good). I'd like something with a lot of options, simple enough for someone who's never used a DSLR but something I won't want want/need to upgrade for a long time (the longer the better). Or whatever is closest ;p
here's the best place to get a ton of info and do side by side comparisons.
http://dpreview.com/
Get an ideal of what you want then go to a store and test then to see haw they feel in your hands.
I always say spend less on camera, and more on good glass....You can find used Rebel Xt-XTI's for relatively cheap on ebay and they are a good camera, then buy a 50mm 1.8 lens for 80$ (kit lens are crap)...better to save for better glass (good glass can be very very very expensive more so then camera).
I'm still on the fence about getting a digital SLR. Nothing wrong with them, I just have a huge tendency to never get pics off of my digital... There's just something about film cameras that warms my heart. Nothing's really automatic like a lot of digital cams nowadays. I LOVE my Minolta and Kodak SLR's. Too bad it's getting harder and harder to find film these days. :(
But! I remember the Bio dept back at school has a Nikon D80 and it was really nice to use while taking photos of critters out in the wild for Field Zoology.
Once you make the plunge to digital you will most likely never go back to film, i shoot some fashion work for a bunch of modeling agencies in NYC...and digital really has sped up my work process, even if i have to adjust some tonal values in photoshop it is still a quicker process then sending film to lab to be developed and then scanning in slides from a high res scanner.
Thanks.
I have a digital point-and-shoot right now. I prefer digital to film.
As the others have said, spend what it takes to get good lenses (they last many years) --- rather than spending a lot on a camera body that will be superseded in 6 - 12 months by the newest model.
One good place to read the views of a professional photographer who actually uses Nikon DSLR's is KenRockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com/).
In the middle of June, I bought a Nikon D90 from Adorama for $770. (It's Nikon USA Factory Reconditioned, but it appears to be Brand New.) In less than 2 months, I've already shot around 500 pictures --- and there aren't even any Ren Faires on right now!
Adorama doesn't have that deal any longer, but you can get a Nikon USA Factory Reconditioned D90 for cheaper than I did - $699 at Samy's Camera (http://www.samys.com/product_detail.php?item=15304#detail) right now.
Take Care,
David Baldock
Canon EOS Rebel XS for $548.19 (http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=92391) (free FedEx ground)
Canon's refurbished eStore (http://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&categoryId=29252&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=12078&top_category=12078&pageView=). If you can spend the extra $50.00, consider the XSi.
Quote from: Damien Ryan on August 11, 2009, 11:03:31 PM
Once you make the plunge to digital you will most likely never go back to film, i shoot some fashion work for a bunch of modeling agencies in NYC...and digital really has sped up my work process, even if i have to adjust some tonal values in photoshop it is still a quicker process then sending film to lab to be developed and then scanning in slides from a high res scanner.
So true... I waited for years to try a digital body. When I did give it a try I couldn't believe I waited so long.
A good body is important but glass really makes the difference between the two. Then the next most important thing to me is light. Gotta have good light. And the right lighting for each specific shooting condition.
Jon.
Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?
Quote from: Manwariel on August 14, 2009, 10:57:18 AM
Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?
Assuming you'll only have one lens on either camera, you only need one that will fit that particular lens. A UV filter will simply protect your primary lens from minimal damage (scratches). If you want a little more protection, you'll probably want to get a lens hood. There are other filters that create different effects. A circular-polarizer is a good one to take out on sunny days where you can make the sky bluer & give the clouds more pop.
Quote from: Manwariel on August 14, 2009, 10:57:18 AM
Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?
Your best bet is to buy a D40 kit. If you don't already have a camera bag, consider the
$520 D40 Outfit (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D40-Digital-Transcend-SecureDigital/dp/B000LRMX7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1250270900&sr=1-3). (Nikon D40 Camera, Nikon 18-55mm Lens, Nikon Gadget Bag, Transcend 4G SDHC Memory Card (holds way more than 1000 pictures), USB Memory Card Reader, Microfiber Cleaning Cloth)
Quote from: "u]Ken Rockwell on KenRockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm#serious)[/u]"]
Best Serious Camera: $450
If you don't have the time to read the rest of this page, you want a Nikon D40.
The Nikon D40, the answer to most people's camera questions.
For the best possible camera for just about anything, fun or serious, I use my Nikon D40.
Sure, I own more expensive cameras, but whenever I grab a camera for my own personal vacations or family photos, it's almost always my remarkable and super lightweight Nikon D40. There isn't anything reasonable I can't do with Nikon's least expensive D40. There is no real reason to pay more for a Nikon D60 or D80. Save your money for more important things, like another lens or flash, or just pocket the difference and enjoy a vacation.
For $449 or less, complete with an exceptionally good 18-55mm lens, it's a no-brainer. (I paid $600 for my D40 in 2006 and still love it.)
I wouldn't bother with the more expensive Nikons unless you really want to spend money, or will be using it all day, every day, or just have to have a bigger screen on the back. Don't worry about durability: I've made 25,000 shots on my D40 and it still looks and works like new.
I only use my more expensive cameras when I'm shooting all day. If I'm spending more time carrying it than using it, I grab my Nikon D40.
...
Flash
Nikon SB-400, about $110.
The built-in flash of the D40 is excellent, but can't be pointed to bounce off the ceiling to improve your indoor photos. Since I just saved you at least $200 with the D40 instead of the D60, let me suggest an excellent accessory flash, the SB-400. I own more expensive flashes, but I almost always have my SB-400 on my D40 when I run out the door. Even if you don't bounce it, the SB-400 lets you shoot fast with flash since it recharges much faster than the D40's built-in. I use my SB-400 even on my more expensive Nikons. It's that good.
As "Wildabeast" said, you need just one UV filter to protect the front element of each lens. The
Nikon 18-55mm lens (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-AF-S-Nikkor/dp/B000LWJ1ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1250272027&sr=1-1) sold in the Amazon kits with the D40, needs a 52mm UV Filter. If you can afford it, the
Hoya HD Filters (http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Hardened-8-layer-Multi-Coated-Digital/dp/B001B1Z7ZU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1250271255&sr=1-3) are
recommended by Ken Rockwell (http://www.kenrockwell.com/hoya/hd-filters.htm).
I've used Hoya Filters for years, so I bought and installed Hoya HD UV Filters on both of my new Nikon lenses (10-24mm and 18-200mm).
Enjoy Taking Pictures!Take Care,
David Baldock
I'm definitely leaning toward the D40 after that website and other research I did. What lens do you recommend for sports/action, namely the joust?
Is this accessory kit (http://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-SAVINGS-ACCESSORY-Digital-Waterproof/dp/B001L6ENR8/ref=sr_1_78?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250283961&sr=1-78) worth $40 more than this one (http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Accessory-Nikon-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001L1BXRG/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250283022&sr=1-23)?
I got the Nikon D40 kit as my first DSLR. It was free from a professional photographer friend, so I can't complain. It seems to do a fine job and is absolutely a major step up from the Canon point and shoots we've used in the past. However, I can only guess at how well this camera kit could be ... because I stink as a photographer. :( I know that I need to upgrade from the lense that came with the kit but I'm planning to do a whole lot more learning with this one before that.
Most of the pictures I really want to get good at are of the three dimensional furniture, sculptures and woodturning/woodwork that I make. I don't do landscapes or portraits or anything like that very much. But, when I do, I REALLY like the fact that the D40 is really really quick when snapping pictures. No more of a lag between pressing the shutter release and it snapping. That's really nice!
Before the 4th of July, I did a lot of reading, researching and asking advice on photographing fireworks. Was very excited that night and took hundreds of pictures. None of them turned out well at all. >:( Oh, well. There's always next year.
Anyway, I just wanted to chime in and say that the D40 is a nice DSLR and I know that they can turn out some really great photos in the right hands. Just not mine. hehe
Quote from: Woodland Artisan on August 14, 2009, 05:21:29 PM
Before the 4th of July, I did a lot of reading, researching and asking advice on photographing fireworks. Was very excited that night and took hundreds of pictures. None of them turned out well at all. >:( Oh, well. There's always next year.
http://www.popphoto.com/Features/How-to-Photograph-Fireworks?cid=10 (http://www.popphoto.com/Features/How-to-Photograph-Fireworks?cid=10)
Quote from: Manwariel on August 14, 2009, 03:47:58 PM
I'm definitely leaning toward the D40 after that website and other research I did. What lens do you recommend for sports/action, namely the joust?
Is this accessory kit (http://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-SAVINGS-ACCESSORY-Digital-Waterproof/dp/B001L6ENR8/ref=sr_1_78?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250283961&sr=1-78) worth $40 more than this one (http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Accessory-Nikon-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001L1BXRG/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250283022&sr=1-23)?
For Sports / Action shots, like the Joust, it's easier to "stop" the action when shooting with large aperture lenses.
A Simple Reminder - The smaller the "f/" number, the larger the opening that light passes through to reach the Film or Digital Sensor, per unit of time. So, for a given scene, when you have an f/2.8 lens, twice as much light gets through than a f/4 lens - so you can use twice the shutter speed to "stop" the action in the scene while getting the correct exposure. There's also the third variable - Film Speed or Digital Sensor Sensitivity. With a Digital Camera, you can turn Up the sensitivity (ISO number) to compensate for having a smaller lens aperture, but if you turn it up too much, the image ends up "noisy" (brightness levels aren't represented correctly).
(NOTE: I found a detailed explanation here -
A Tedious Explanation of the f/stop by Matthew Cole (http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm))
So, I'd recommend buying the fastest Nikon Zoom-Telephoto lens that you can afford. For example, going from most expensive to least expensive:
$2,400 -
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (P/N: 2185) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2185/AF-S-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f%252F2.8G-ED-VR-II.html) (Crazy high price, but you get what you pay for. Equivalent to 105-300mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$1,680 -
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED (P/N: 2139) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2139/AF-S-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f%252F2.8G-IF-ED.html) (Vibration Reduction I version of the expensive lens. Equivalent to 105-300mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$1,400 -
AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED (P/N: 1996) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1996/AF-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-80-400mm-f%252F4.5-5.6D-ED.html) (Will give the equivalent of 120-600mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$850 -
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II (P/N: 2192) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2192/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-200mm-f%252F3.5-5.6G-ED-VR-II.html) (Vibration Reduction II version of the $700 lens. Equivalent to 27-300mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$700 -
AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED (P/N: 2159) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2159/AF-S-DX-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-18-200mm-f%252F3.5-5.6G-IF-ED.html) (This is the one I bought earlier this Summer, before the VR II version came out. Equivalent to 27-300mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$490 -
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (P/N: 2161) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2161/AF-S-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-70-300mm-f%252F4.5-5.6G-IF-ED.html) (Will give the equivalent of 105-450mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
$250 -
AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED (P/N: 2166) (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2166/AF-S-DX-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-55-200mm-f%252F4-5.6G-IF-ED.html) (This one has a plastic Bayonet lens mount, so always grab the camera and not the lens. Equivalent to 83-300mm on a 35mm camera when used with a D40.)
I would't spend the extra $40 to get a no-name brand Flash in the $100 Kit. It would probably be better to save up (or put it on your Christmas Wish List ;D ) and get the Nikon SB-400 for ~$115.
Hope this helps!
Take Care,
David Baldock
Wow, for only a $50 difference, I'm surprised you're not going with the D60. Much better option, IMO.
I did find the D40 for $375, which is significantly less than the cheapest I found the D60 for, $540. I read several places that people prefer the D40 to the D60, and I don't remember what else made me lean toward the D40...What makes the D60 better? I know it has more megapixels, but heard the difference between 6 and 10 isn't that noticeable.
Edit: I did quite a bit more research, and I'm pretty sure I'm going with the D40.
As a continuation of my previous post, the large aperture telephoto lens that I would like for shooting wildlife, but can't afford, is the:
$4,600 - $4,900 - AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2154/AF-S-VR-NIKKOR-300mm-f%252F2.8G-IF-ED.html) (It's not too big, compared to the 400 - 600mm lenses, but it's still pretty dog-gone expensive! Equivalent to 450mm on a 35mm camera when used with a DX type camera, like your D40 or my D90.)
Take Care,
David Baldock
The D3000 is almost out. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3000-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G/dp/B002JCSV5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250968719&sr=8-1
Would you recommend this over the D40 and D60? It looks pretty spiffy.
Quote from: Manwariel on August 22, 2009, 02:20:59 PM
The D3000 is almost out. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3000-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G/dp/B002JCSV5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250968719&sr=8-1
Would you recommend this over the D40 and D60? It looks pretty spiffy.
Well, it looks like Ken Rockwell says that the D3000 is probably going to be the replacement for the D40, and that it will be his recommended
starter camera.
Quote from: [u][b]KenRockwell.com[/b] - [i]D3000[/i] (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3000.htm)[/u]
Recommendations
Buy a D40 today, or wait for a D3000.
I expect to love the D3000 when I get my hands on it.
I'll miss the 1/500 sync of the D40, but will love the 3" LCD and Gen II performance.
Honestly, if you already own a D40, I see no reason to buy a D3000, but for people who ask what to buy, the D3000 may become my top recommendation since I suspect the D3000 replaces the D40.
Price and Availability
Price
$599.95 at introduction, including the excellent 18-55mm VR lens.
Announced
30 July 2009.
Available
Expected late August 2009.
Take Care,
David Baldock
I decided for sure on the D40 and was going to wait several months before purchasing a camera, but today I saw an hhgregg add listing a deal where you can get the camera, the 18-55mm lens, a 55-200mm lens, a case, and an instructional DVD for $550 + tax. So I went out and bought it. :D
I just can't, for the life of me, figure out how to get the ends of the strap through the metal loops on the camera. :P
Wow, sounds like you got a great deal! Enjoy taking pictures!
Sorry, I can't help on installing the Nikon Neck Strap. I just reused a Tamrac neoprene strap from one of my older film camera bodies when I bought my D90. I prefer that type of strap with the quick release snaps on each end, so I can remove the strap when using the camera on the flash bracket or tripod.
Take Care,
David Baldock
I got the strap on :)
I am having fun with the camera! ;D
I absolutely love my Nikon d40 - it's simple yet versatile, and has almost all the features as my husband's D90 minus a couple of very advanced ones that I'd never use anyway. The size is small yet substantial, the photos are beautiful, and I am very happy with it.
I've been in the honeymoon phase (with the camera, not the hubby) for almost 3 months now with no problems. He's already had to send his d90 in for repairs! Shhhh! The stock lens is pretty good, but I prefer his mega zoom. We have a macro, too. It's nice to be able to swap lenses.
Quote from: Manwariel on August 23, 2009, 06:15:27 PM
I got the strap on :)
I am having fun with the camera! ;D
You know, these two statements, when taken together, might be misinterpreted. :o ;)
Uh...I don't want to know. :P
Quote from: Tixi on August 25, 2009, 03:10:19 PM
... He's already had to send his d90 in for repairs! Shhhh! The stock lens is pretty good, but I prefer his mega zoom. We have a macro, too. It's nice to be able to swap lenses.
What sort of issue(s) required service on his D90?
In June, I bought a Nikon USA Factory Reconditioned D90 from Adorama, along with new Nikon 10mm-24mm and 18mm-200mm lenses. So far, in 2 months I haven't had any problems with mine after shooting ~750 pictures.
Take Care,
David Baldock
To answer your question about what broke (This is Tixi's/April hubby by the way).. The built in flash broke, it would not lock back down.
I LOVE my D90, it's a great camera (Photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blair_wright/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blair_wright/)), I had a D50 before this one and we recently purchased a D40 for Tixi and she loves it.. Nikon and Canon are both very good platforms IMO.
I have a few lenses now and I would consider the best all around lens the 18-200 ED VRII, it may be a little expensive but if you only want to carry one lens it can cover pretty much everything.
Cheers! See you at Faire
When I ordered my Nikon D90 from Adorama in June, SanDisk had a Mail In Rebate going on their 4GB Extreme III SDHC cards. I bought 2 cards and received a $30 rebate. Yesterday, I went to Fry's Electronics and found an AData 16GB SDHC card on sale for $30, and bought it with the Rebate money. So, it's basically a FREE 16GB card! 8) It's not quite as fast as the SanDisk Extreme III (22MB/s vs 30MB/s) when transferring data to a PC, but it's plenty fast enough for use in the D90.
When saving pictures in the highest quality and largest image size JPG's, a 4GB card holds 549 shots, and the 16GB holds ~2,200. That should be enough for a 1 week trip to central California, or a few weekends at the Texas Renaissance Festival ... LOL! ;D
Take Care,
David Baldock
For those of you with Nikon DSLR's --- if you want save your shots as NEF files and be able to view them in M$ Windows XP, here's a review of a RAW image file viewer from M$ (so you don't have to install the Nikon Software).
DCViews - Microsoft RAW image thumbnailer and viewer for Windows XP (http://www.dcviews.com/press/Microsoft-RAW-Viewer.htm)
I normally run Linux on my home PC, and there are several image viewers available that support NEF files. But I didn't want to install any non-Microsoft applications at work. So, I tried the M$ RAW image viewer, and it works. Basically, it's like a plug-in for the regular Microsoft Picture and FAX viewer.
There are a number of other Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) that you might like to try. Some have to do with Photo Image Processing, and others do not.
Take Care,
David Baldock