looking to uprade my camera

[Jor3lBR]

sorry if i didn't mention this earlier but i'am by no means a pro...it will be my 1st dslr.

I Don't plan to become a pro as such more of a hobby atm but i may go in that direction.

Now if i did get a d60 could the lenses i bought for the d60 work with the d80?

Sure, they will work but the other way around may not always be true. Some older lenses wont suit the D60.

[disruptfam]

Sure, they will work but the other way around may not always be true. Some older lenses wont suit the D60.

im looking @ the 18-55mm vr for starters.

Say a year or so down the track i upgraded to a d300 for example.Could i use that lens on that body?

[Jor3lBR]

im looking @ the 15-55mm vr for starters.

Say a year or so down the track i upgraded to a d300 for example.Could i use that lens on that body?

Yeap same Nikon F type mount.

[disruptfam]

Yeap same Nikon F type mount.

thanks mate

[Shadowmage]

I think you guys are forgetting several things (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1. This will be his first DSLR.
2. He has a strict 800AUD budget for camera + accessories + lens.
3. He just wants to go into DSLRs as a hobby (not pro).

You are recommending high end cameras such as the D80, which have nice features but aren't meant for the entry level hobbyist. I don't think that anyone can challenge the argument that at the strict budget of 800AUD, getting a cheap body + good lens is worth it over getting a super expensive body + kit lens (no money left over for a good lens). The IQ benefits of the lens completely trump the small benefits you get from a better body.

Of course better body + better lens is better, but I'm assuming that he wants to keep to his budget

[Jor3lBR]

I think you guys are forgetting several things (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1. This will be his first DSLR.
2. He has a strict 800AUD budget for camera + accessories + lens.
3. He just wants to go into DSLRs as a hobby (not pro).

You are recommending high end cameras such as the D80, which have nice features but aren't meant for the entry level hobbyist. I don't think that anyone can challenge the argument that at the strict budget of 800AUD, getting a cheap body + good lens is worth it over getting a super expensive body + kit lens (no money left over for a good lens). The IQ benefits of the lens completely trump the small benefits you get from a better body.

Of course better body + better lens is better, but I'm assuming that he wants to keep to his budget

Thats why I pointed this out on my first post. People where recommending him the camera they own or the camera they wanna buy (D80/D300 etc), losing focus of his actual needs.

His jump from a S3 will be HUGE so why not get a cheaper cam for learning purposes and then when he fells he is really outgrowing the cam (that will be very hard to achieve if not professional) I would get a big bucks like D300/D3 Series.

A D60 with the 18-55VR lens costs about $620 with an extra $150 you can get the other cheap 55-200VR and voila you can take every pic you want with that lens combo without breaking your bank!

Also always recommend this book for dSLR beginners: http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-N...6737251&sr=1-1

[disruptfam]

OK...

i understand what you fellaz are getting at.

I can get a d60 18-55vr,55-200vr kit new for around $900ish aud.

If i was too start with a body only ... the difference between the d60 body and d80 body is $200ish...

Knowing that what would be the best way to go???

I want the camera for atleast 2-3years before i would upgrade anyways and thats only if i really needed to...

[[XC] 2long4u]

im looking @ the 18-55mm vr for starters.

Say a year or so down the track i upgraded to a d300 for example.Could i use that lens on that body?

I have the D40, 18-55, 55-200vr, 50mm f/1.8, and sb-600. The 18-55 is a crap lens. If I had to go back and do it over I would get the 18-70. Any of the lenses will work on any of the body's. The thing that separates them is if it is a AF lens or a AF-s lens. The AF lens will not auto focus on the D40, D40x, and I think the D60 is the same way.

His jump from a S3 will be HUGE so why not get a cheaper cam for learning purposes and then when he feels he is really outgrowing the cam (that will be very hard to achieve if not professional) I would get a big bucks like D300/D3 Series.

A D60 with the 18-55VR lens costs about $620 with an extra $150 you can get the other cheap 55-200VR and voila you can take every pic you want with that lens combo without breaking your bank!

I got the D40 because it was cheaper at first. But as far as outgrowing the camera, that is very easy. I was considering upgrading to the D80 but then I said what the hell I'll just get the D200 when the time is right. The D40 doesn't have the focus motor which is a BIG MINUS as one of the best lenses nikkor makes is the 50mm 1.8, and it is a cheap lens to boot. The 50mm is an AF lens and will not auto focus on the D40.

The other thing is the 18-55 is based on an older film lens which was an AF lens. They kept the lens the same and added a motor to the existing AF in the lens.

The 55-200vr is not $150 it is $220. This is an alright lens. The VR makes up for it's cheap build quality. The 55-200 is built almost exactly like the 18-55.

I would say get the D40 for now as a temporary body and that way you can spend the extra on the 18-70. Then down the road you can upgrade the body to a D80, D90 if it is out by then, or the D200 which is a magnesium body.

[disruptfam]

thanks for clearing that up mate!!

i was searching online and found some pretty good deals on a d80 and 18-70mm lens.Could i just start from there?

[Soulburner]

The last time I checked, the difference between D60 and D80 was only around $150...not sure about now, or in Aus. To me that is reason alone not to get the D60...not saying it isn't a good camera, it just wasn't priced far enough away from the better body.

[[XC] 2long4u]

A d80 and a 18-70 would be a great combo.

[disruptfam]

thanks for all the help fellaz!!!!

I'm going with the d80 and 18-70mm lens combo!!!

also i see that there's two 18-70mm lens ed 1 and ed 2 whats the difference?

[[XC] 2long4u]

ED 1 means that there is 1 ED glass element
ED 2 means there is 2 ED glass elements.
2 would be better.

[disruptfam]

ED 1 means that there is 1 ED glass element
ED 2 means there is 2 ED glass elements.
2 would be better.

cheers