Opinions on my potential D80 setup

[nein]

Hey everyone,

I am just really getting into photography even though I have enjoyed it for quite some time. I am a print/web designer and I would like to have a nice stock gallery for images I can choose from in case I ever need them.

Well, I am looking at getting into DSLR's obviously and I have chosen the D80 to be my first candidate. I am trying to set my budget around $2,000 for my first purchases. Even though I am a beginner I am willing to spend the extra cash in order to have a solid setup to learn with.

My question then is, do you think I should start off with an ok all around lens and purchase some accessories such as an SB-600 to get me started, or should I go with an 18-200mm VR and skip on the flash for now.

I was planning on getting a 18-70mm kit lens over the 18-135 lens since I have heard that the build construction of the 18-135 is not the greatest.

I would like to shoot mostly close range stuff such as flowers, but also like the idea of having versatility with the lens therefore giving me more options to expand my horizon and techniques. I would like to have a solid lens that can produce the pictures I want, but also realize that the best lens in the world will not be used correctly unless you understand how the camera works first.

Therefore I ask you, if you were in my situation, would you choose to go with a cheaper lens now, and go with accessories, or buy the more expensive lens now, and not have to worry about upgrading to something higher quality later.

I just want to ensure I'm getting my best bang for my buck, and theoretically spending the extra cash on a good lens now, would save me money in the long run wouldn't it?

ALL FUNDS ARE MEASURED IN CANADIAN CURRENCY.

I would greatly appreciate some feedback to these options.

Thanks,

James

 

[goofball404797]

Go for a 17-70 Sigma if you want to shoot some closeup as well as have a decent walkaround range. The 18-70 and 18-135 are not good in this respect.

The 18-200VR is an ok all-around lens. It's not what I would say is particularly great at anything but it is good all-around. Price you pay for such a wide zoom range.

if you want longer range, add the 70-300VR or 55-200VR.

Don't forget to add such things to your budget as filters, memory cards, bag, tripod...

In regards to skipping the flash, it all really depends on what you're shooting. Flash helps indoors to freeze motion, VR does not. So if you shoot indoors or under low light and want to freeze motion, get flash and skip VR.

 

[ccarrier]

The Nikon 18-70 mm lens is a very good lens.
Very sharp!

See the following web site : http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/131/cat/all

I recommand it to you. I have it on my D70 and am very satisfied.

I agree with goofball in regard to the flash. A good flash is important. You can bouce it to have pleasant ligthing, wich you can not do with the integrated flash.

Here is my suggestion :

• Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX lens : 1450 $
• SB-600 flash: 260 $
• Sigma 70-300 apo zoom lens : 300 $

Total : 2010 $ (based on http://www.henrys.ca prices)

The sigma 70-300 apo lens may not be the very sharpest lens, nor the fastest, but it is a good compromise, waiting to have the money for a better lens. It gives good results. It also does macro, up to 1:2
You can get a good idea here :
http://www.pbase.com/miljenko/70_300mm_lens_battle

--
Claude Carrier

 

[DennyD80]

Nikon D80 $1000
Nikkor 18-70 $275
Nikkor 70-300 VR $500
Tripod & ballhead $200-$300

That's the combination I would suggest. Skip the speedlight for now and use the on board flash when you need it. Read the D80 manual...cover to cover...twice. Then buy Thom Hogans' CD guide to the D80 and you'll learn some more about the camera. It's a great teaching tool and reference.

The tripod will prove to be the best investment a new photography buff can make. Learn to shoot from a tripod first....and you'll learn good compostion technique. Your images will also be much sharper since you will be reducing the chances of camera movement spoiling your shots.

Don't use the 70-300 VR to learn good handheld technique. The VR function can become a crutch. Depend on a steady hand and proper exposure settings to get the best images. Later... the VR function will help when you're shooting action shots.

Good Luck!

 

[goofball404797]

Nikon D80 $1000
Nikkor 18-70 $275
Nikkor 70-300 VR $500
Tripod & ballhead $200-$300

Those are US prices. OP is in Canada and gave his budget in CAN currency.

70-300VR is at cheapest $589 here. 18-70 is around $379. Taxes are unavoidable and can add quite a bit to the final tally as well (14% in Ontario for PST/GST combined!)

I do agree with the tripod/ballhead agreement, though it isnt' always fun to lug one of those around for casual shooting either.

 

[DennyD80]

Nikon D80 $1000
Nikkor 18-70 $275
Nikkor 70-300 VR $500
Tripod & ballhead $200-$300

Those are US prices. OP is in Canada and gave his budget in CAN
currency.

70-300VR is at cheapest $589 here. 18-70 is around $379. Taxes
are unavoidable and can add quite a bit to the final tally as well
(14% in Ontario for PST/GST combined!)

I do agree with the tripod/ballhead agreement, though it isnt'
always fun to lug one of those around for casual shooting either.

Oops...my bad. Forgot the exchange rates.

Skip the 70-300 VR and opt for the Sigma 70-300 zoom. The VR function isn't needed if you shoot from a tripod and can contribute to bad technique for a noob.

Do get the tripod...you won't regret it.

 

[Kim Letkeman]

I am just really getting into photography even though I have
enjoyed it for quite some time. I am a print/web designer and I
would like to have a nice stock gallery for images I can choose
from in case I ever need them.

Sounds like you might be a lightbox shooter ... I have been doing that for a while with several lenses. The 18-200VR lets me do it hand held. Here's my light box gallery:
http://letkeman.net/Photos/lightbox

Well, I am looking at getting into DSLR's obviously and I have
chosen the D80 to be my first candidate. I am trying to set my
budget around $2,000 for my first purchases. Even though I am a
beginner I am willing to spend the extra cash in order to have a
solid setup to learn with.

I bought the D70s + Sigma 19-200 ... I very quickly got the SB600 ... I like it a lot. But I eventually tired of the Sigma ... it's very good, but I wanted higher overall performance. I tried the 70-210 f4, which is amazing. But the VR siren called to me and I finally broke down and bought the 18-200VR. Wow ... I shoot almost exclusively with that lense for general stuff now ... and when I travel. Here are some of 18-200VR galleries:
http://letkeman.net/Photos/icesculptures07
http://letkeman.net/Photos/bostonfeb07
http://letkeman.net/Photos/chicagoapr07
http://letkeman.net/Photos/anaheimapril07

My question then is, do you think I should start off with an ok all
around lens and purchase some accessories such as an SB-600 to get
me started, or should I go with an 18-200mm VR and skip on the
flash for now.

Tricky ... but you don't talk about shooting with flash much here. For flowers, the 18-200VR is going to work great. Close focusing lense. My Sigma works well for flowers, I have not yet had the chance to shoot flowers with the Nikon.

I was planning on getting a 18-70mm kit lens over the 18-135 lens
since I have heard that the build construction of the 18-135 is not
the greatest.

These are fine, but you may find that the reach won't cut it. Still, if you don't mind swapping lenses, the kit lense plus 55-200VR plus SB600 can be had for the price of the 18-200VR. So you might find that more to your liking.

I would like to shoot mostly close range stuff such as flowers, but
also like the idea of having versatility with the lens therefore
giving me more options to expand my horizon and techniques. I would
like to have a solid lens that can produce the pictures I want, but
also realize that the best lens in the world will not be used
correctly unless you understand how the camera works first.

One lense to rule them all ...

The kit lenses are all fine lenses. The 18-200VR is a very fine lense with a high degree of sharpness even wide open. For example:

Therefore I ask you, if you were in my situation, would you choose
to go with a cheaper lens now, and go with accessories, or buy the
more expensive lens now, and not have to worry about upgrading to
something higher quality later.

Only you can guess how patient you are for things like lense swapping etc. But if you are a creature of convenience, you might find the call of the 18-200VR will overcome you at some point anyway.

I just want to ensure I'm getting my best bang for my buck, and
theoretically spending the extra cash on a good lens now, would
save me money in the long run wouldn't it?

It would ... but eBay can get you some of your money back so it's not a huge loss. A few hundred at a time.

ALL FUNDS ARE MEASURED IN CANADIAN CURRENCY.

I would greatly appreciate some feedback to these options.

I buy in Canada and I like Henrys' eBay store a lot. There are a great many excellent used lenses out there for Nikon.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos