Buying my first DSLR in a few days, shop recommendations needed>>>

[sjackal]

This is my first post, first thread so please kindly help.

I am buying as a birthday gift for myself. Its going to be my first DSLR. Got about SGD$2100 to play with. If exceed some budget is ok, just need to be thrifty in the months that follows. This is my plan please give suggestion if its not good or if there are better combos.

Body
D80

Lenses
The kit lens 18-135mm 3.5-5.6G ED AFS DX
This probably gonna be my general walk around lens, probably for amateur photography at friends weddings too, intending to use diffused flash to make up for the slow lens.

Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor - for portraits, anyway its an affordable yet high quality 'must get' right?

Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM - probably will be my general standard lens.

Flash
Nikon SB600 Speedlight - Will buy a diffuser online.

You think its possible at about $2100? Tell me what you think and more importantly, I am not familiar with shops, please recommend a reputable dealer that I can get everything together at good price.

Thanx a lot in advance.

[psyk1]

probably not the place for you to post the question.. but to answer your questions, you may want to look at this thread here..

good luck with your purchase..

[ghaznoor]

Please make some effort to read the threads before posting "what's-been-asked-to-death" questions

[Wzierbovsky]

IMO, best thing you should do is to prepare a price list for the components you want based on the sticky thread here, and also visit each component's manufacturer web link so you know for certain what are the accessories that come with each item. That's your safety net to make sure you don't get overcharged or asked to fork out more money for accessories that should come with the package.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by psyk1 probably not the place for you to post the question.. but to answer your questions, you may want to look at this thread here.. good luck with your purchase..

Thank a lot.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by Wzierbovsky IMO, best thing you should do is to prepare a price list for the components you want based on the sticky thread here, and also visit each component's manufacturer web link so you know for certain what are the accessories that come with each item. That's your safety net to make sure you don't get overcharged or asked to fork out more money for accessories that should come with the package.

Great tip!

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by ghaznoor Please make some effort to read the threads before posting "what's-been-asked-to-death" questions

I am honored that my thread had encouraged you to post your first message since your joining the forum on 2 November 2007!

Newbie and noobs questions will always pop up on a regular basis, I believe experienced admins and mods will graciously accept there will always be newbies, and its what keeps any community ongoing. I am not in the market and I am new to the forum, if people can't ask beginner questions, then this is a niche forum only for experienced photographers and experienced forum members.

I asked for help politely, and its my first time here. I hope this is not what represents the attitude and culture of this forum, though it certainly forms a first impression.

[sjackal]

Decided upon what I wanted. Dropping the 18-135mm in favor of the sharper 18-70mm. Will get the 18-200mm in future for the zooms, and hopefully by that time, prices would had gone down and money would had been saved up.

Body
D80

Lenses
The kit lens 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G ED AFS DX
This probably gonna be my general walk around lens, probably for amateur photography at friends weddings too, intending to use diffused flash if it gets too dark.

Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor - for portraits, anyway its an affordable yet high quality 'must get' right?

Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM - probably will be my general standard lens.

Flash
Nikon SB600 Speedlight - Will buy a diffuser online.

Will add better wide angle and wide to tele zoom lens end of the year or next year.

[armchairsurf]

Woo... another guy to join D80! haha

I started SLR in late march. I was lucky to have found a shop tt is honest in its own way (John 3:16 at Funan). Ever since, I have only gone back to him for lenses...

I started off with D80, kitlens 18-135, 50mm F1.8, 70-300 VR.

To date, I own a D80, 50mm F1.8, Tamron 90mm F2.8macro, Sigma 30mm F1.4. kitlens 18-135.

Given a choice I would drop 18-135 as I don't find it good at all! rather u pump more money in gettin a Sigma 18-50 or 17-55 F2.8 (cant rem which is which), thats more worthed e money and you wun regret

my personal opinion now is... get a D80 (if its nikon you want), with Sigma 18-50 F2.8 and a flash, SB800.

that would prob set you back by $2700-2900. HEHE!!! but its better than buying and selling your lenses...

It also boils down to what you wanna shoot. but I think u wldnt regret getting a 18-50 F2.8, will be great for shooting indoors and with your frens n families!

Hope this is nt crap to u.

[Simon_84]

Originally Posted by ghaznoor Please make some effort to read the threads before posting "what's-been-asked-to-death" questions

i have seen worst threads over in the newbie section where ppl dont even know what they want and keep comparing between d60 and 450d...and the 450d sure wins hands down when it comes to the MF primes issue with d60.

the reason to as why TS posted over here is because he decided on a nikon body already.

to TS if you wanna try to help your friends take some simple wedding photo, dont use kit lens, go to primes like sigma 30mm f1.4 and perhaps a tarmon 17-50mm f2.8, sb800 is the most pro flash to be use in weddings but sb600 will do fine as well.

last i heard the d80 package is the cheapest over in LORDS (located in lucky plaza) or you can try MS colours over in AMK.
to posion you even further if you have more cash to spare, go with the 16-85mm vr over 18-70mm / 18-200mm vr.
sigma 30mm f1.4, the cheapest price i discovered is the price from serialsnapper at 650.
nikon 50mm f1.8 cheapest is from the oracle priced at 160.

[cheersjy]

Originally Posted by armchairsurf my personal opinion now is... get a D80 (if its nikon you want), with Sigma 18-50 F2.8 and a flash, SB800.

I second the suggestion of either a Sigma 18-50 f2.8 or Tamron 17-50 f2.8 over 18-70 or 18-200. The f2.8 will allow you to take photos in many dim conditions where flash is not allowed or you only want natural lighting, and the bokeh is nicer. Take the 18-200 if you want a versatile lens when you are traveling.

[ghaznoor]

My apologies. Didn't mean to offend anyone. I was just trying to encourage everyone to read and make good use of all the valuable contributions available made by forumers here. Peace

[lynxiger]

Originally Posted by sjackal Decided upon what I wanted. Dropping the 18-135mm in favor of the sharper 18-70mm. ... ... Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor - for portraits, anyway its an affordable yet high quality 'must get' right? Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM - probably will be my general standard lens. Flash Nikon SB600 Speedlight - Will buy a diffuser online. Will add better wide angle and wide to tele zoom lens end of the year or next year.

Welcome to Nikon club! I've used D80, really good camera, superb colors.
I was like you once, which lens to go with the body... 18-70 is not much sharper than 18-135.
18-200 VR is great for convenience, but optics are not much better. In the end,
they're all slow and you'll want f2.8. So if budget is not an issue, I'd suggest Sigma 18-50,
Tamron 17-50, or Tokina 16-50. I'm currently using Tamron one. Built of these
lenses are pretty much personal taste, try them out and decide. Sharpness also depends
on whether if you got a sharp copy, so must test a few copies and compare.

I bought 50mm f1.8 first, but then sold and got 50mm f1.4. I find 1.4 one gives more
contrasty and sharper around f2.2. But I was very happy with 1.8 one before, it's a great lens.
I'd hold off buying Sigma 30mm 1.4, because you'll end up using the zoom and 30mm prime
rarely. Or I may be wrong and you like prime lenses. Must get a flash as well SB600 is sufficient,
but some people want extra features of SB800. Also you'll need a tripod for night shoots.
Wide angle lens and tele lens can come in at a later time. Have fun shooting!

[XiaoWei]

Originally Posted by sjackal Decided upon what I wanted. Dropping the 18-135mm in favor of the sharper 18-70mm. Will get the 18-200mm in future for the zooms, and hopefully by that time, prices would had gone down and money would had been saved up. Body D80 Lenses The kit lens 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G ED AFS DX This probably gonna be my general walk around lens, probably for amateur photography at friends weddings too, intending to use diffused flash if it gets too dark. Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor - for portraits, anyway its an affordable yet high quality 'must get' right? Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM - probably will be my general standard lens. Flash Nikon SB600 Speedlight - Will buy a diffuser online. Will add better wide angle and wide to tele zoom lens end of the year or next year.

If you dun need much of a zoom, you can go for a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II instead of 18-70mm, the former which is a very sharp general purpose lense.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by ghaznoor My apologies. Didn't mean to offend anyone. I was just trying to encourage everyone to read and make good use of all the valuable contributions available made by forumers here. Peace

No problem.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by lynxiger Welcome to Nikon club! I've used D80, really good camera, superb colors. I was like you once, which lens to go with the body... 18-70 is not much sharper than 18-135. 18-200 VR is great for convenience, but optics are not much better. In the end, they're all slow and you'll want f2.8. So if budget is not an issue, I'd suggest Sigma 18-50, Tamron 17-50, or Tokina 16-50. I'm currently using Tamron one. Built of these lenses are pretty much personal taste, try them out and decide. Sharpness also depends on whether if you got a sharp copy, so must test a few copies and compare.

Discovered 18-70mm out of stock at most places, John316 said can order, but cost $480 and his D80 bundle not attractive. So I gave up on looking for this lens.

Will have to settle for the kit lens 18-135mm. 18-200VR to exp for me. Maybe wait for price drop.

Originally Posted by lynxiger I bought 50mm f1.8 first, but then sold and got 50mm f1.4. I find 1.4 one gives more contrasty and sharper around f2.2. But I was very happy with 1.8 one before, it's a great lens.

The price of 50mm f1.4 no longer sweet, so I guess not, I'm on a budget.

Originally Posted by lynxiger I'd hold off buying Sigma 30mm 1.4, because you'll end up using the zoom and 30mm prime rarely. Or I may be wrong and you like prime lenses. Must get a flash as well SB600 is sufficient, but some people want extra features of SB800. Also you'll need a tripod for night shoots. Wide angle lens and tele lens can come in at a later time. Have fun shooting!

I think I am not a zoom guy, for the past few years of using compact, I very seldom use the zoom, its always wide angle. So I take a calculated guess that I will love prime lens.

As mentioned, on a budget so SB800 too exp for me. Agreed about wide angle lens and tele lens can come later. Wide angle lens probably first. I love those street photography pics people took, hope can do so myself too. Thank you very much for helping me out with good advice.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by armchairsurf Woo... another guy to join D80! haha I started SLR in late march. I was lucky to have found a shop tt is honest in its own way (John 3:16 at Funan). Ever since, I have only gone back to him for lenses... I started off with D80, kitlens 18-135, 50mm F1.8, 70-300 VR. To date, I own a D80, 50mm F1.8, Tamron 90mm F2.8macro, Sigma 30mm F1.4. kitlens 18-135. Given a choice I would drop 18-135 as I don't find it good at all! rather u pump more money in gettin a Sigma 18-50 or 17-55 F2.8 (cant rem which is which), thats more worthed e money and you wun regret my personal opinion now is... get a D80 (if its nikon you want), with Sigma 18-50 F2.8 and a flash, SB800. that would prob set you back by $2700-2900. HEHE!!! but its better than buying and selling your lenses... It also boils down to what you wanna shoot. but I think u wldnt regret getting a 18-50 F2.8, will be great for shooting indoors and with your frens n families! Hope this is nt crap to u.

Thanx a lot for your advice. How much is the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8? It sounds too much for my budget.

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by Simon_84 i have seen worst threads over in the newbie section where ppl dont even know what they want and keep comparing between d60 and 450d...and the 450d sure wins hands down when it comes to the MF primes issue with d60. the reason to as why TS posted over here is because he decided on a nikon body already. to TS if you wanna try to help your friends take some simple wedding photo, dont use kit lens, go to primes like sigma 30mm f1.4 and perhaps a tarmon 17-50mm f2.8, sb800 is the most pro flash to be use in weddings but sb600 will do fine as well. last i heard the d80 package is the cheapest over in LORDS (located in lucky plaza) or you can try MS colours over in AMK. to posion you even further if you have more cash to spare, go with the 16-85mm vr over 18-70mm / 18-200mm vr. sigma 30mm f1.4, the cheapest price i discovered is the price from serialsnapper at 650. nikon 50mm f1.8 cheapest is from the oracle priced at 160.

How much is the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8? Sometimes I see 2.8 it means I cannot afford. But some say better pain once than pain twice.

Can I have the address and contact of serial snapper and Oracle? They are not on the recommended list? I was thinking of getting everything at one shop, but if I can save more buy splitting my purchases I will, this means I can stretch my budget more.

It is really confusing, I really hope there is a clearer or more updated price list. I guess thats the learning curve a newbie must take.

Today I done some shopping (asking for quotations) at TK, CP, John316, and also called MS, MS did not give good price. (maybe I call instead of go) MS and John316 were most friendly and comfortable to work with.

Here are the quotes:

D80 with 18-135mm +SB600 +4GB + Bag TK $1680 MS $1750 CP $1690 (CP add a tripod too)
Same package above but without SB600 is $1520 at John316, to bundle with 18-70m f3.5-4.5 is $1680, 18-70mm alone is $480, SB600 is $350.

50mm f1.8 TK $180 CP $175 MS $180 John316 $180

Sigma 30 f1.4 TK $720, CP$740, MS$750, John316 $730

So if the price at Oracle and Serialsnapper is accurate, I save about $90!

[sjackal]

Thanx a lot for the heads up Simon!

[lynxiger]

Looks like there'll be a hole in your waller.

I suggest go easy on the buys, buy the ones you really need first, cuz buy everything at once
won't save you much, I don't think shops give you much discount.

Ok, "The Oracle" and "serialsnapper" are not shops, you can find their threads under
"Mass Sales". Just do a search and all their selling threads will pop up. These guys are great!
You can trust them. i.e. Oracle selling a new 50mm 1.8 at $160. They sell with no local warranty
(but international), anyway lens don't break easily.

If I have to decide, I'll buy D80 + Tamron 17-50mm + 50mm 1.8 + SB600.
(Test Tamron to make sure a sharp copy) Buy the rest later...
Trust me, you'll want to buy more.