Getting some advice on starting photography


alwaysthere

New Member
Jun 3, 2008
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Hi all,

I have some growing interest in the art of photography but not sure if this will be a lasting interest or would it become an occasional hobby.

Just in case my wife wrings my neck for spending a few thousand bucks and end up dusting it in the storeroom (as is my golf clubs), I am intending to go basics.

Asking for friendly advice if I should buy a D60 body and a 18-105VR lens (Both 2nd hand of course)? Would this be good enuff for a starter who have never use any DSLR before?

Thanks!
 

as long you know what you are doing.

but if you are going Nikon, might want to look at the D80 instead.
 

Welcome to CS :)
Both D60 & D80 is a good choice. Check out the price difference 1st. But I'll go with the latter ;)
 

I will go with D80 as well.. Coupled with the 18-105, it should made a gd starting kit :)
 

go with the Pentax K-X ...... camera body and 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-300) that covers a huge focal range for about $1100...... great system and features for a small $$ outlay

Best Bang for the buck today

Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus and Sony all also VERY good systems......
 

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you should get pentax k-x instead.

Nikon D60 is 2 generation back, and even second hand together with the lens will cost you close to $1100 already.

Pentax K-x is the newest generation and has upper entry level feature set but price point is lower than entry level of more famous brand. (Just a note, pentax having lower price does not means they are not as good, pentax just does not have the high passing on to consumer advertising cost from other famous brands)

Current price brand new K-x is about $800 for single kit lens, $900 for dual kit lens (18-55 and 50-200) or $1100 for dual kit lens with longer reach(18-55 and 55-300)

So first hand brand new, better dslr at equivalent/lower cost or 2nd hand and not as good dslr (but just paying for the brand). Your choice.
 

Btw, D60 body and a 18-105VR shouldn't cost you a few thousand dollars ;)
 

D80 + 18-105VR (both 2nd hand) wouldn't be >$1K, so how can D60 + 18-105VR be close to $1100?

check out http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667881
and http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667879

I think the pentax kx is best bang for your buck at the moment. It's also brand new, vs the 2nd hand Nikons.
Just a point to note: The Pentax kx uses AA batteries. Therefore no charger and rechargeable batteries are provided. To purchase a set of Eneloops and a charger would be in the region of $40 or thereabouts. This would be a necessary cost, unless you already have a charger and extra batteries lying around.
 

Hi all,

I have some growing interest in the art of photography but not sure if this will be a lasting interest or would it become an occasional hobby.

Just in case my wife wrings my neck for spending a few thousand bucks and end up dusting it in the storeroom (as is my golf clubs), I am intending to go basics.

Asking for friendly advice if I should buy a D60 body and a 18-105VR lens (Both 2nd hand of course)? Would this be good enuff for a starter who have never use any DSLR before?

Thanks!

First off, any direction you decide to go, welcome to the club.

D60, D80, D40x, D70 or even D40 are all very capable cameras. I sold my very low shutter count D40x with kit lens with extra batteries and all that jazz around 7 months ago for $550 only. So a good deal is possible. An older generation camera doesn't mean you will not get good pics. Here are some I took with my so-called 3 generation old D40x with kit lens.

3600032764_d55659ee2b_m.jpg
3664382867_e9e24f6ca5_m.jpg
3664382483_0c07c9ab77_m.jpg


Always remember that it is more about the learning process, and the person behind the camera. A good top-of-the-line camera do not guarantee awesome pics. I really encourage you to go to flickr and do a search on images taken by D70 and D40. You will be amazed by what these old 6mp cameras are capable of.

BTW for your info: D3000, D60, D40x, D80 and D200 all share the same sensor. Just that features are different. D40, D70, D70s and D100 share the same sensor. D5000 D90 D300 D300s share a similar sensor (with some modifications in D300 and D300s) You will find that current brands do a lot of this sensor sharing thingy. Just that the feature set differs from each level to another.

Hope this helps.
 

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Don't underestimate those camera w/ sensor so called few generation back.

As shown in previous post, many of the "old birds" here started w/ D70 or less & still get impressive pics..

As a learner, using these older cameras will help to brush up ur skills more,
as you will learn to work around limitation w/ different settings & skills

Just as gaming, you will miss out a lot of learning chances & fun, if I gave you the most powerful weapon at the beginning of the game ! :bsmilie:
 

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First off, any direction you decide to go, welcome to the club.

D60, D80, D40x, D70 or even D40 are all very capable cameras. I sold my very low shutter count D40x with kit lens with extra batteries and all that jazz around 7 months ago for $550 only. So a good deal is possible. An older generation camera doesn't mean you will not get good pics. Here are some I took with my so-called 3 generation old D40x with kit lens.

3600032764_d55659ee2b_m.jpg
3664382867_e9e24f6ca5_m.jpg
3664382483_0c07c9ab77_m.jpg


Always remember that it is more about the learning process, and the person behind the camera. A good top-of-the-line camera do not guarantee awesome pics. I really encourage you to go to flickr and do a search on images taken by D70 and D40. You will be amazed by what these old 6mp cameras are capable of.

BTW for your info: D3000, D60, D40x, D80 and D200 all share the same sensor. Just that features are different. D40, D70, D70s and D100 share the same sensor. D5000 D90 D300 D300s share a similar sensor (with some modifications in D300 and D300s) You will find that current brands do a lot of this sensor sharing thingy. Just that the feature set differs from each level to another.

Hope this helps.

Daredeil123, your pictures are really awesome.

TS, things to factor in your consideration would be D60 might not be compatible with the older AF lenses for future purchases.

Cheers:)
 

Hi all,

I have some growing interest in the art of photography but not sure if this will be a lasting interest or would it become an occasional hobby.

Just in case my wife wrings my neck for spending a few thousand bucks and end up dusting it in the storeroom (as is my golf clubs), I am intending to go basics.

Asking for friendly advice if I should buy a D60 body and a 18-105VR lens (Both 2nd hand of course)? Would this be good enuff for a starter who have never use any DSLR before?

Thanks!

Just work along your budget, Don't try to spend more than what you intend to spend. The only concern from me is the age of the camera since you're buying second hand. Because D60 is of a newer release (2008), and D80 an older one (2006). The chances of you getting a better conditioned camera is higher when you get a D60. Don't want you to get a second hand only to find faults with it after a while.

Once you've made your choice, stick with it and enjoy shooting. a 18-55mm kit lens should be enough.

=)
 

Hi all,

I have some growing interest in the art of photography but not sure if this will be a lasting interest or would it become an occasional hobby.

Just in case my wife wrings my neck for spending a few thousand bucks and end up dusting it in the storeroom (as is my golf clubs), I am intending to go basics.

Asking for friendly advice if I should buy a D60 body and a 18-105VR lens (Both 2nd hand of course)? Would this be good enuff for a starter who have never use any DSLR before?

Thanks!


u must set a budget first. with this budget, then get the cam. not the other way round

2nd advise, dun get the lowest end model..... u might feel its not good enough. "buyer's remorse". and also if u decide to sell off next time, may have problem finding buyers.

lowest end models get easily outdated in the market


get the 2nd or 3rd lower end model, will be good enough for a beginner, and it stays current in the market.
 

Thanks for all the advise and reply!! Sorry been really caught up with meetings at work, hardly had the chance to come into the forum.

I am very intrigued by the phototaking skills of the forummers here and
to daredevil123: WHOA! Thats very nice photo by using a D40x!

I am not sure if I know whats the difference between a normal len and an AF len yet thats why I opted for a D60.

Hi Donut88: Is D60 considered as the lowest end model, please advise? My budget is actually around $600-$700 thats why I am thinking of a 2nd hand DSLR. But was advised by my colleague to consider Canon since its lower range of 1000D or 450D is around $800 brand new.

Fireemblem, Pentax is not a very familiar brand to me. I assume its good for an entry user as myself? Thanks to all again!!
 

By most accounts of the friends in this forum, pentax k-x is a very capable camera... no experience with it so cant tell...

In reality all entry cameras are capable of delivering great pictures. Its really how the end user utilise the tool. I am sure that D60 and 18-105 VR will be great for learning and experimenting until you know what you want. Like some friends here say... set the budget first... this game is endless..... :bsmilie:

happy shooting