New D80

Well folks, I finally made my decision and purchased a D80 over the XSi. I picked up the D80 a few weeks ago at Abe's of Maine for $700 with the 18-55 VR kit lens, a (freebie) Class 2 4gb SDHC card, and free shipping. I was a bit apprehensive about Abe's, but the worst part was putting up with their add-on sales call (please just buy this $3 lens cleaning kit so I can get a my SPIF today). I realize the 18-55 VR is not the sharpest lens on the block, but I feel it was a good starting point for the price. I now see that Circuit City is selling the D80 with the 18-135 for $750!

While I never actually brought an XSi home, I've played with the D80 long enough now to be sure it was the best decision for me. I really like the build, feel, grip, sound, and general ergonomics of the D80 over the XSi. It's got a fantastic grip and a beautiful viewfinder (love those gridlines). I also love the top-side LCD. I certainly can't argue that the XSi has a superior sensor, especially at higher-ISO. However, even with it's better sensor, I just couldn't deal with the XSi's grip and build quality -- I just couldn't make it feel good in my hands. I think the final straw was when I was playing with the XSi's kit lens at the store. I noticed that the zoom ring had a tendency to bind-up at the 18mm end of the zoom range (it got "jerky") -- it couldn't be moved smoothly at that end of the zoom range. However, Nikon's 18-55 VR's zoom moved with consistent resistance throughout its zoom range.

Seeing as I have a birthday coming up in June, I'm starting to consider an additional lens. Since they tend to be a bit pricey, I'm considering used lenses as an option. Anybody have suggestions as to where I should look for used lenses for a D80?

I appreciate everyone's input in my quest to find a dSLR that best fit my needs -- I'm very pleased with my decision! ;^)

Best regards, Michael

Hello Michael
congrats on your new D80
I have one also and it is still
a great shooting machine
I also have the 18-200Vr lens
and it is a nice combo
also looked at the XSi and I agree it is
too small in my hands
thought about it with the grip and 18-200 Canon lens'
but it would have been too heavy.
I have been posting some photos on my vacation periodically
and the D80 performed great.
enjoy
Lowell

Michael J Linden said:

with the 18-55 VR kit lens, a (freebie) Class 2 4gb SDHC card, and
free shipping.

Click to expand...

Michael J Linden said:

I realize the 18-55 VR is not the sharpest lens on the block, but I feel it was a good starting point for the price.

Click to expand...

Michael J Linden said:

However, Nikon's 18-55 VR's zoom moved with consistent
resistance throughout its zoom range.

Click to expand...

You have made a point of apologizing or excusing the ability of the 18-55mm. I encourage you to:

1. Do a thread search for... alexring. You will be stunned by waht he gets out of a non VR version; and

2. Concentrate on using that lens at f8-f11 and see what you get. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
gk
--
'I'm not as smart today as I will be tomorrow.'

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garyking said:

2. Concentrate on using that lens at f8-f11 and see what you get. I
think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Click to expand...

GK,

You have a very good point there. If you know your len's strengths and weaknesses, you can make the most of it. I was actually thinking about putting together a little note to remind me of the 18-55 VR's sweet spots until I get used to the lens.

-Michael

Congrats on you new purchase. The D80 is a great camera that I enjoy very much.

For used lenses I like to watch KEH. They are very reputable and do not exaggerate the condition of the used equipment. Just do a web search for "KEH" and you should find it.

Happy hunting.

--
Timbo



http://xltimbo.smugmug.com/

--
Jim K...just outside Detroit, MI
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Good start! That lil 18-55mm kit lens is just fine for starters and I also wouldn't get all caught up in that Canon better sensor and high ISO nonsense..the D80 can hold its own when one knows how and when to use it..it takes time, but first learn your basics and learn and enjoy the camera...I'd suggest looking at the lil 55-200mm VR for $229.00@Canoga Camera and and go to town!! When your ready and decide you need the benefits of faster lenses and what that's all about, in the meantime look at the 50mm f1.8 for $110.00, so for about $350.00 you'll have a nice lil taste of the wide to mid Tele, the longer zoom and a fast lil 50mm F1.8 to play around with in low lighting...Good luck
--

'I am what I am and thats all I am' Popeye 1960. Favorite famous Hollywood celebrity. Don't have time for the rest.....

already much good advice given re. where to get etc, so just need to say, welcome, congrats, enjoy, have fun!
--
Kevin - Photos 'n Prose: http://the-photo-muse.blogspot.com/

Ikeepem,

I've been looking at reviews of lower-cost lenses that would complement my 18-55 VR and came to the same conclusion. The Nikon 55-200 VR looks like a decent lens at a good price! I don't even have a lens for my 35mm equipment that will go out to 300mm (I've got a Tamron 70-200 f/4.0)! I'm thinking this would make a nice birthday gift...

-Michael

Ikeepem said:

I'd suggest looking at the lil 55-200mm VR for
$229.00@Canoga Camera and and go to town!! --

Click to expand...

I got mine a little over one year ago, have never been so happy with a camera (and I still have my Leica M3). Never any problem whatsoever, great results. I just posted this very light pic of the interior of Guggenheim Museum in NYC, you can also see many more D80 pics at my flickr account below.

Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO Speed: 200



--
Regards, Renato.
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You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus
(Mark Twain)

I got my second-hand D80 (13,000 shutter uses) last March for $450, a crazy price at the time (now a somewhat normal price). It was an upgrade from the D50, a model I had owned for 2½ years at the time and loved, but the D80 is something else altogether.

I agree--the gridlines, love them. I first experienced that in my Nikon N80 35mm SLR (my last film SLR and a nice upgrade at the time) and it may be one of my favorite things about a Nikon, they are the only ones that do that (you can just switch it off in the menus, no focusing screens to tinker with). They are a really handy compositional ad, and unlike the D70 they actually are useful, the D70 viewfinder had too much "tunnel vision."

I agree with you about the XSi and all the Canon Rebels since the XT really, their ergonomics are the absolute pits, the grip especially. I suppose the optional battery grip would mitigate that, but a battery grip should not be a requirement for an SLR to have decent grip to it.

Good lenses can be had at KEH, also try Fred Miranda and Nikonians, they have a buy-sell section, in my fact I got my D40 and D40x at Fred Miranda and my D80 at Nikonians, got my 18-55VR and 18-200 VR at Fred Miranda, and my 50mm f/1.8 from (I believe) Nikonians.Org. Both are great resources.

Enjoy your D80, it is a fine model.

---



LRH
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