nikon d80?

Hey guys and gals

im looking into buying my first dslr and was really leaning towards the nikon d60 or the canon xsi. until one of my friends told me about the d80. i looked it up and did some research on it and it looks like a nice camera and all ive heard is good things of it, and it seems that i will be able to grow and learn using the d80 a bit more rather then the d60 or xsi. now my questions are, do you guys think i will be lost if i pick up the d80 as my first dslr? my second question is do u guys think the d80 might be a little out dated considering that its been out for almost two years?(i might be terribly wrong about my second question but hey thats why im here asking.) thank you guys for your help it is very appreciated.

I'm in the same boat except not that intimidated about it being my first DSLR. Did a lot of research and the overwhelming feedback is to go for the D90 that just came out if its in your price range since the upgrades are significant over the D80.

Ya after my friend told me about the d80 i looked into the d90 but the video mode which is what some reviews said was the biggest change, i dont find that im going to use much, and i dont see myself spending that much money on my first dslr. I never imagined choosing my first dslr would be this hard. lol

If you intend on doing flash photography you can easily rule out the Canon system, any Nikon will simply out perform a Canon in this regard (I have used both). Despite being 2-years old, the D80 is still a great camera. Here is a comparison of the two: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/ The biggest differences between the two (IMHO) are:

• no self-cleaning sensor on the D80
• the D90 uses a CMOS sensor and the D80 a CCD. The CMOS will do much better in low light shooting. I would note however that adding a SB800 or even a SB600 to D80 will still produce acceptable results in most situations.
• the D90 has a larger screen.

With the D80 going for $600 now, we picked one up as our bang around camera (we also own a D90 and D300). The differences between the two cameras are certainly worth $400 but we already had a D90 and this let me get a D80 along with the 18-200VR lens. A perfect combination for vacations, family gatherings and what not. All of this is to say that the D80 is still a great camera- and a bargain at $600. If your budget allows for the extra $400, then by all means, get the D90. But $400 goes a long way towards a decent lens/flash.

Mike

Dear NIKON fun, this is my suggestion:

If you are willing to learn Photography, to buy some books and Videos to theach you the use of your camera, if you have money to buy good lenses, flashes, etc.

If yo have the money buy the D-90 and the SB-900 Flash.

If your short o money and only can buy the D-80 and the SB-800 it is OK.

Please reed the manual 10 times or more and you will get very good pictures.

Good Lock

now i am really considering the d80 lol i think this is harded then buying your first car

I own the d80 and it is absolutely a joy to use. You can get professional results if you use tried and true techniques. If your new to phography then read read read. If not then learn the camera and use the same techniques you always use. i If you can afford the extra features the d90 gives you then go for it. Once you reach this level of camera it is the photographer that make the photo. Good Luck and buy a good lens, Im partial to the 18-200vr and the 70-300vr, If I could afford it I would get the 80-400, but with the 10mb the d80 has, I can crop from the 300 and print 11x14 with outstanding results. I also use prime lens from my old Nikon days. These cameras both afford flexibility

The D80 is a great camera. I use mine to shoot weddings, portraits, family portraits on the beach (16" x 20" blowups) and everything comes out just great. Further, it is a grownup's camera. It has good adjustments, handles all temperatures of light, and can use its popup flash as a wireless commander over an SB600, SB800, or SB900.

The D60 is a great point and shoot; the D80 is the least expensive serious piece of equipment out there. A D80 and SB600 can do the work of a D60 and two SB800s. Compare the D80 to any other $600 camera out there and that will speak for itself. I paid almost $1000 for mine two years ago, and I don't regret a penny.

The D90 is newer and better. If you can scrape a grand together, buy one. But the D80 goes so cheap these days that you will never be sorry for buying one. I'd rather have a D80 today than a D90 I had to save up for.

The D80 is an absolute bargain at $600, I bought mine in June despite the impending release of the D90 and don't regret it. The D80 and Nikon SLR's in general may seem a bit daunting at first with all the extra buttons, but once you become accustomed to the camera (doesn't take long) you really appreciate all the extra well placed buttons. However you should also try both Canon and Nikon cameras in store though, you might prefer the Canon user interface? Try and buy from a store with a good return policy, many will let you return or exchange a camera within a certain timeframe if you're not fully satisfied. If you decide on a D80 get the store to price match as prices are anywhere from $600-700, I think B&H has them for $600.
Good Luck
--

D80, 18-70mm, 70-300mm VR

digital noob said:

do you guys think i will
be lost if i pick up the d80 as my first dslr?

Click to expand...

The D80 is a great camera and at $600 I would pick it over the D60. The D80 has two command wheels, supports AWL (great for advanced flash), better AF, and has an in-camera focus motor (gives you access to some very good and cheap lenses, such as the 50mm f/1.8 D).

digital noob said:

my second question is
do u guys think the d80 might be a little out dated considering that
its been out for almost two years?

Click to expand...

No. The D80 and D60 uses the same generation sensor technology. The D60 is really a "dumbed down" D80. While the D60 is more recent, the IQ is identical. Buy the D60 if what you want is a P&S-like DSLR, not because it is "newer".

(The D90 is of course newer, but also much more expensive.)
--

• gisle [ See profile for equipment list ]

digital noob said:

do you guys think i will be lost if i pick up the d80 as my first dslr?

Click to expand...

The D80 was my first DSLR from about 15 months ago and I have learned SOOOO much from it. And just when I think I've got my technique nailed in a particular area, I learn something new and I want to try everything again. And 95% of the time, I've just been using a prime lens. I only just recently picked up my first serious zoom (70-200mm f/2.8) and I feel like my head's exploded trying to comprehend all the possibilities.

digital noob said:

do u guys think the d80 might be a little out dated considering that
its been out for almost two years?

Click to expand...

Absolutely not. Even now, with a little extra money in hand, I'm not the slightest bit tempted by the D90. I've tried the D40x and D60 and I felt they were too dumbed-down for my liking - all of the options were hidden in fancy menus. My next camera is probably going to be a D700, but I don't see that happening for at least another year. Right now there's still plenty for me to learn on the D80; and if you're going to be starting from scratch, the D80 will not only be a fantastic camera to start learning from, but incredibly good value for money.

A couple of other things I wanted to add:

• I have tested the D90 and the exposures are definitely better by default, but it's nothing you can't do with a D80.
• I don't care for the HD video, and I would rather get a D80 and a great prime (50mm f/1.4) than blow it all on a D90.

--I purchased a D60 3 weeks ago and chose it over the D40. I am in the process now of exchanging it for the D80. What I have learned is that I have a lot to learn as DSLR is way different than P&S. I miss my zoom but love the speed and quality. Realizing now that I have so much to learn and that lenses are very important I am going with the D80 and will invest the necessary time and effort to learn. I like the extra controls on the outside rather than always having to go through the menu to change. I use continuos mode a lot for my grandsons' sports and it will be nice to be able to push an exterior button. I believe the D80 will carry me for quite some time and will give me the ability to learn and do more. I realized after purchasing the D60 kit w/ 18-55mm that I am going to want more lenses (even though everyone said I would I really didn't believe it until I realized the limitations for me). My vote is for the D80.

i Actually went through a similiar situation about 5 months ago. I was buying my first dslr and was choosing between the brand new Canon Xsi and the Slightly older Nikon D80....I had been considering both for weeks (literally i drove myself insane making this decision). I was leaning towards the canon but after hearing some issues with the newer camera i went with the D80.

This camera is great for beginning dslr users because it has the same features as a point and shoot but also the ability to act as a professional camera. So it definitely has room to grow.

Because of the price drop on the D80 its definitely a better idea to get it and spend the extra money on a new lens later or other accessories. Besides you'll still be learning new things about the camera up untill the next nikon dslr comes out. Than you can buy that one

Hope this helps
--
J.C.
Proud owner of a D80
18-55 VR