Moving from D80 to ...

[kevyan]

Hi all,

I having been using the D80 for quite sometime, and I am thinking of changing it's body to something else (still Nikon lah.)

I am looking for a body that has good noise control at low lighting environment because I shoot school/church events and something my kids school performance and friends wedding. I would like the body to have video shooting capabilities too.

Can you recommend me some models? Budget would be below $2k, best, best $1.5k.
I will need to sell my D80 to fund it though.

 

[DrSpock]

It is always a nightmare with school/church events where too often there is not enough lighting and you need a fast SS to catch all the actions.

Based on your shooting requirements I'd recommend the D700 with f2.8 lenses which I use for these events but due to your budget constraint the best option is to buy a 2nd hand D90 coupled it with some good budget lenses like 50f1.8 or 35f1.8 for low light shooting. One quick solution is to use a decent flash like SB600 if you can get permission to use it and that will minimise your problem.

Another way is if you can stretch your budget a bit more get the latest D7k body only (buy kit then sell the lens in B&S) and rent a good lens whenever you need to shoot. The D7k ISO performance is quite impressive and he Full HD video mode suits you to a T.

 

[dingdongz]

I second the D90. But im not too sure if you would feel the difference from your D80.

 

[tehzeh]

Get a flash(es).

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Hi all,

I having been using the D80 for quite sometime, and I am thinking of changing it's body to something else (still Nikon lah.)

I am looking for a body that has good noise control at low lighting environment because I shoot school/church events and something my kids school performance and friends wedding. I would like the body to have video shooting capabilities too.

Can you recommend me some models? Budget would be below $2k, best, best $1.5k.
I will need to sell my D80 to fund it though.

1.5K + $ collected from selling D80?

I would suggest D7000

but I'm also in agreement with the others' suggestion of fast prime and/or flash(es).
tough call!

 

[liionel]

the D7000 is a very good performer under high iso. very clean at 1600 and at 3200, with abit of clean up is also very usable.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

TS, for your info I'm a D80-D90 "upgrader". Can notice the difference!

 

[jnet6]

D90/D300s/D7000 Or Full frame D700, all are good bodies.
$1k/$1.8k/$2k or $2.8k approx estimated 2nd hand price.

Either 1 will give you better noise control then D80, but ask youtself this qns. if without changing body, adding a flash(SB600/700/800/900)will help in my "usual" event taking? tried that if not please try and maximise the use of D80 and can further save yr $$ now.
If you are getting some "pocket money" or incentive for your services, you can then safety upgrade yr camera or else just use your current setup till EOL.(like old film times)

 

[mrleech]

External Flash? Faster lens? VR lens?

What lens are you using now? I have been using the kit lens. Always thought better lens and stuff would mean better pictures. In the end, it is how to control all the settings to achieve what you need.

 

[burboy]

D90 should be value for $ now... :think:

 

[kevyan]

Hi all,

thanks for all your reply. I am using the SB-600 and the Tamron 18-50mm f2.8 for most of my events.

So I guess it should do the job pretty well then. Maybe I should just get a telezoom lens with f2.8 :dunno:

 

[DrSpock]

Hi all,

thanks for all your reply. I am using the SB-600 and the Tamron 18-50mm f2.8 for most of my events.

So I guess it should do the job pretty well then. Maybe I should just get a telezoom lens with f2.8 :dunno:

Then I strongly suggest you should think of getting the D7000 body. Getting the f2.8 telezoom like 80-200AFD(cheaper) will not solve your problem much. 70-200VR I or II is too ex. 70-300VR is quite useless indoor. Also telezoom DOF will be very narrow for any good use and you may end up with blur photos unless your subjects stays very very still

 

[coolthought]

1.5K + $ collected from selling D80?

I would suggest D7000

but I'm also in agreement with the others' suggestion of fast prime and/or flash(es).
tough call!

second that. get the D7K. HUGE difference....

 

[kevyan]

Okay, any idea how much can the D80 fetch?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Okay, any idea how much can the D80 fetch?

really? Must we do everything for you?
You can simply check the 2nd hand prices on the Personal Classified section leh.
See how much people have recently sold their D80s for.

 

[daredevil123]

Okay, any idea how much can the D80 fetch?

I offer $400.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

I offer $400.

you break my heart bro...
luckily I sold off my D80 before this new monster was announced...!

 

[DrSpock]

I offer $400.

Wah pian eh, $400 can probably get u a D70s. D80 maybe $150 to $200 more that's it lah

 

[daredevil123]

Wah pian eh, $400 can probably get u a D70s. D80 maybe $150 to $200 more that's it lah

eh... I sold a D70s for $300 a few months back... before news of D7k...

 

[DrSpock]

eh... I sold a D70s for $300 a few months back... before news of D7k...

(A bit OT Liao)
Oh dear, I should hv PM you earlier. Looking for a D70s to play with. Still got lobang at $300?;p

To TS, just post on B&S at your comfortable asking price and wait for any offer to come in lor:devil:

Else get a second hand D90 and a 80-200AFD(2T) to try out