D80 config

[lennylim]

hi,
been wanting to get a dslr for a long time now... and am so spoilt for choice.
i've been thinking about the d80 or canon 30d...

i usually use the cam for family shots, travel, panaromas (stitched up) and i like to shoot aircraft/airshows. that's why i need some reach.

also, i'm not very good with photoshop, so usually i don't really do much post-process... (partly also becos i lazy).

i leaning towards the nikon, but also becos i have an old 50mm f1.8 (which i prob need to service cos got some fungi). but 1 question if i go with the d80:
- better to get d80 w kit lens + the new 70-300 OR d80 body with 18-200 VR?
price wise, its quite similar right? maybe about 2.8k-3k for either of the above config?

comments?

[ipin]

Originally Posted by lennylim hi, been wanting to get a dslr for a long time now... and am so spoilt for choice. i've been thinking about the d80 or canon 30d... i usually use the cam for family shots, travel, panaromas (stitched up) and i like to shoot aircraft/airshows. that's why i need some reach. also, i'm not very good with photoshop, so usually i don't really do much post-process... (partly also becos i lazy). i leaning towards the nikon, but also becos i have an old 50mm f1.8 (which i prob need to service cos got some fungi). but 1 question if i go with the d80: - better to get d80 w kit lens + the new 70-300 OR d80 body with 18-200 VR? price wise, its quite similar right? maybe about 2.8k-3k for either of the above config? comments?

IMO, spend a bit more and get the D200 + 18-200mm VR, then get a 70-200mm VR + 1.7xTC later.

[metallilan]

Originally Posted by lennylim hi, been wanting to get a dslr for a long time now... and am so spoilt for choice. i've been thinking about the d80 or canon 30d... i usually use the cam for family shots, travel, panaromas (stitched up) and i like to shoot aircraft/airshows. that's why i need some reach. also, i'm not very good with photoshop, so usually i don't really do much post-process... (partly also becos i lazy). i leaning towards the nikon, but also becos i have an old 50mm f1.8 (which i prob need to service cos got some fungi). but 1 question if i go with the d80: - better to get d80 w kit lens + the new 70-300 OR d80 body with 18-200 VR? price wise, its quite similar right? maybe about 2.8k-3k for either of the above config? comments?

Both camera's do the same thing, it's just a matter of trust. Which system you trust will give you what you want in return...

[lennylim]

Originally Posted by ipin IMO, spend a bit more and get the D200 + 18-200mm VR, then get a 70-200mm VR + 1.7xTC later.

thanks!
interesting thought on the teleconvertor bit...

the d200 config will set me back by another 1k, which is a little out of my reach...
and a little hard to justify given that i don't consider myself a hardcore photographer (yet!) and spending so much on a hobby.
am trying to keep my budget within 2.5k or max 3k for everything
so the d80 seemed like a good dslr to start off with (my first dslr)

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lennylim hi, been wanting to get a dslr for a long time now... and am so spoilt for choice. i've been thinking about the d80 or canon 30d... i usually use the cam for family shots, travel, panaromas (stitched up) and i like to shoot aircraft/airshows. that's why i need some reach. also, i'm not very good with photoshop, so usually i don't really do much post-process... (partly also becos i lazy). i leaning towards the nikon, but also becos i have an old 50mm f1.8 (which i prob need to service cos got some fungi). but 1 question if i go with the d80: - better to get d80 w kit lens + the new 70-300 OR d80 body with 18-200 VR? price wise, its quite similar right? maybe about 2.8k-3k for either of the above config? comments?

I may be a bit bias but IMO Nikon is very much more capable of good direct outputs from the camera than Canon. So far I tried I have not been able to get good images from Canon without doing PP. Otherwise I would have to manually tweak the exposure after taking one or 2 shots, still a the end of the day, I still find that I need to PP.


D80 seems ok, tried it today at Comex. It's fine if you don't want to be set back by at least another 1k plus for the D200 then you can stick with the D80. My opinion is that it feels a bit light and small for me but the mirror vibration feels less than the D70s.

Otherwise, if you don't mind 6mp, which I think is sufficient for prints up to 11R, then the D70s would save you a bit more and allow you to spend a bit more on lenses. Of course, the D80 with 10mp would allow you more freedom in cropping, but you will need very sharp (read expensive) lenses to be able to benefit from that.

My verdict of the D80 is that other than being a little bit small, the features and image quality is up to par. I would prefer the feel of the D70s or the D200 but for the price, if you haven't already have the D70s nor the budget of the D200 then I would highly recommend it. If you already have the D70/D70s, then the D80 would not be that attractive.

[ipin]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon I may be a bit bias but IMO Nikon is very much more capable of good direct outputs from the camera than Canon. So far I tried I have not been able to get good images from Canon without doing PP. Otherwise I would have to manually tweak the exposure after taking one or 2 shots, still a the end of the day, I still find that I need to PP. D80 seems ok, tried it today at Comex. It's fine if you don't want to be set back by at least another 1k plus for the D200 then you can stick with the D80. My opinion is that it feels a bit light and small for me but the mirror vibration feels less than the D70s. Otherwise, if you don't mind 6mp, which I think is sufficient for prints up to 11R, then the D70s would save you a bit more and allow you to spend a bit more on lenses. Of course, the D80 with 10mp would allow you more freedom in cropping, but you will need very sharp (read expensive) lenses to be able to benefit from that. My verdict of the D80 is that other than being a little bit small, the features and image quality is up to par. I would prefer the feel of the D70s or the D200 but for the price, if you haven't already have the D70s nor the budget of the D200 then I would highly recommend it. If you already have the D70/D70s, then the D80 would not be that attractive.

report on your experience on the D80!
Since you just mentioned that it's your 1st DSLR and on a budget, get the D80. It'll be able to learn the fundimentals of photography for some time and then you can upgrade later. lennylim, have you handled the various camera models before? I suggest that you go try them you for a feel 1st.

[lennylim]

Originally Posted by ipin report on your experience on the D80! Since you just mentioned that it's your 1st DSLR and on a budget, get the D80. It'll be able to learn the fundimentals of photography for some time and then you can upgrade later. lennylim, have you handled the various camera models before? I suggest that you go try them you for a feel 1st.

thanks ipin!
i've tried the d70s (my friend's), but not d80 yet.
will definitely go check it and see if i like the feel of it.
at this pt, i'm still leaning towards the d80 body + 18-200mm VR config for a start

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lennylim thanks ipin! i've tried the d70s (my friend's), but not d80 yet. will definitely go check it and see if i like the feel of it. at this pt, i'm still leaning towards the d80 body + 18-200mm VR config for a start

If that's going to be your first DSLR, it should be ok. I'm just more used to the D70s and D200, but I believe given a D80, I would probably get used to it quickly too. Just that I don't find a compelling reason for me to get the D80 now. I'm sure the grip and built is much better than the competitors.

[Andry]

me using D70s, too. Definitely won't be upgrading to D80 esp when my lens collection still kinda lousy

imo, 400d and d80 is rather for starters or jumping from prosumer. Have to say good cams.
For starter, since D80 is out, overall test review was not bad. It might be the one to get for 1st dslr. Of course price is expected to be higher than d70s for quite a bit.

I'm a tight budget buyer myself but i felt u should always get the best in the budget range. End of the day it's all about being happy with ur purchase. New gear with some improvement, i dun see D80's price drop significantly in a couple of months.

being a D70s user, i dun feel like upgrading to D80. Might consider upgrading to D200 but it makes no sense to me, rather replace some of my current lenses 1st. Have had a quick grasp of D80 at Lords and did feel a bit smaller than D70s even though i have small hands. Vertically, definitely smaller, may be to make some room for the grip ...

All in all, if i haven't owned my D70s, the verdict will be to get D80

[ipin]

Originally Posted by Andry me using D70s, too. Definitely won't be upgrading to D80 esp when my lens collection still kinda lousy imo, 400d and d80 is rather for starters or jumping from prosumer. Have to say good cams. For starter, since D80 is out, overall test review was not bad. It might be the one to get for 1st dslr. Of course price is expected to be higher than d70s for quite a bit. I'm a tight budget buyer myself but i felt u should always get the best in the budget range. End of the day it's all about being happy with ur purchase. New gear with some improvement, i dun see D80's price drop significantly in a couple of months. being a D70s user, i dun feel like upgrading to D80. Might consider upgrading to D200 but it makes no sense to me, rather replace some of my current lenses 1st. Have had a quick grasp of D80 at Lords and did feel a bit smaller than D70s even though i have small hands. Vertically, definitely smaller, may be to make some room for the grip ... All in all, if i haven't owned my D70s, the verdict will be to get D80

. Likewise, as a D70s (Backup body) user also, I dun find much reason to upgrade to the D80. As a 1st body, the D80 is sufficient for the TS' needs for awhile. Since I also own a D200, I still prefer using the D200 over the D70s. Having big hands, the D80 does feel light and small during my hands on experience.

lennylim, do go have a feel for them. Might not fit or suit me, but it may suit you.

[zambullidor]

D80 for your budget. It's a very good cam.

Get acquainted with it within 18 months and you will never look back. Next time then upgrade to DXXX.

Save $$ for lenses. Lenses can go a long way.

Happy shooting

[_espn_]

Forget the Cannon, get Nikon

[ipin]

Originally Posted by _espn_ Forget the Cannon, get Nikon

forget the D80 and get the D200!

[ortega]

go and try the D70 for a while b4 trying the D80

if i have the money right now, i'd go for the D80 just for the viewfinder

[ipin]

Originally Posted by ortega go and try the D70 for a while b4 trying the D80 if i have the money right now, i'd go for the D80 just for the viewfinder

forgot to mention the better noise control, faster CAM module and a grip that can hold focus lock too

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by ortega go and try the D70 for a while b4 trying the D80 if i have the money right now, i'd go for the D80 just for the viewfinder

Same for me.. What's putting me off would be the size of the grip and the use of SD card. Maybe there'll be a D90 soon for D70 upgraders?

[ipin]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Same for me.. What's putting me off would be the size of the grip and the use of SD card. Maybe there'll be a D90 soon for D70 upgraders?

there'll be something to replace the D80 eventually. And I hope it uses CF cards!

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by ipin there'll be something to replace the D80 eventually. And I hope it uses CF cards!

My thought is that the D80 is a progression for people who are using D50 and it's definitely a worthy upgrade. So there may probably be something for D70s users that sits in between the D80 and D200 and priced in the region of SGD 2k for body only. There seems to be quite a big void between $1500 and $2600 waiting to be filled.

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon My thought is that the D80 is a progression for people who are using D50 and it's definitely a worthy upgrade. So there may probably be something for D70s users that sits in between the D80 and D200 and priced in the region of SGD 2k for body only. There seems to be quite a big void between $1500 and $2600 waiting to be filled.

D70 kit first time selling price was $2288...

[ipin]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon My thought is that the D80 is a progression for people who are using D50 and it's definitely a worthy upgrade. So there may probably be something for D70s users that sits in between the D80 and D200 and priced in the region of SGD 2k for body only. There seems to be quite a big void between $1500 and $2600 waiting to be filled.

Maybe there's a D90 in the pipeline?