D80 Package

Well, after finally getting to a local Circuit city (just to hold the DSLR bodies in my hand, no intention to buy) I have decided to go with the Nikon D80 (although that "leaked" image of the D90 is nice looking.

I have been checking Adorama & Cameta they seem to have the best deals.

Anyone have suggestions of where else I should check?

I'm looking for:

D80 DSLR Body

at least 18-55mm lens (although the 18 - 135mm looks really nice)

I'm sure that I can buy the memory card somewhere pretty cheap.

I'm looking for this to replace my last digital camera an Olympus E-20 that I sold last year (I know way past time for an upgrade)

Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your time.

J-sun

Pick up the 70-300VR if you can. It is a nice compliment to the wide angle - normal lens. I have the 18-135 and it is nice but it definitely could use the VR, especially past 75-80mm.

I just bought one at B&H. D80 + 16-85 VR + 70-300 VR. They had the best prices two weeks ago. The D80 is a great camera and a great value now that the D90 is looming. I had the budget for a D300 but decided it was too big and my photographic level is not there yet. Below are a few pictures taken last week during my intense testing phase. I concluded that the camera and lenses are keepers. The photo with "Einstein" was staken at ISO 800 and the in-camera flash.

I would recommend the following lenses (better):

1. Nikkor 16-85 VR (or 18-135)+ Nikkor 70-300 (or Sigma 50-150/2.8-wonderful for portraits as well)
or
2. Sigma 18-50/2.8 HSM Macro+ either of the above longer ones.

Later consider adding a wide angle (e.g., Sigma 10-20) and a decent tripod+head.
--
Regards,

Michael Badt

Photos gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mibadt/

Thanks for all of the input; one additional question I have is:

How important is the VR, what does one need it on the 18-55mm lens, or is it just overkill, I have read that some it is more important with the telephoto lenses past 70mm or so is this correct?

jsunbailey said:

How important is the VR, what does one need it on the 18-55mm lens,
or is it just overkill, I have read that some it is more important
with the telephoto lenses past 70mm or so is this correct?

Click to expand...

The general rule is that you shouldn't use shutter speeds below 1/equivalent focal length when shooting handheld. Of course, this varies from person to person, as some people can hold their cameras steadier. Using that guideline, you wouldn't want to go below a shutter speed of 1/80 at 55mm on a DX body. Nikon claims VR gives a 3-stop advantage; that would theoretically allow a shutter speed of 1/10 at 55mm, or allow using ISO 200 instead of ISO 1600 while still at 1/80.