Nikon Package lens choice - help please

beancounter1968

Hi

I am buying a digital SLR camera and am keen to buy a Nikon D80. I am a beginner and I would appreciate peoples opinion on the best choice between the following 2 packages

#1 D80 body, 18-55 lens @£579.89

#2 D80 bosy, 55-200 lens, SD card and bag @£594.92

Its the lenses that I am really unsure about. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

Phil

wolfman

Nice choice of dSLR. The D80 is excellent, superior to the Canon 400D.

I'd go for the first package. That'll give you a reasonable range, wide angle to around natural perspective. Although the 2nd option seems good value.

The only reason I'd be hesitant of the 55-200mm is if it doesn't have VR (Vibration Reduction). With a telephoto lens like that you'll find VR to be beneficial. Also I guess it depends on what type of photography you'll be doing or would like to do.

I actually picked up a 55-200mm Nikkor VR lens a few weeks back, new on eBay for £150, so you could get the first kit and should you want, a 2nd lens that won't cost you too much. A 55-200mm certainly makes the camera much more bulky and heavy to carry around. And you have to be stood a good metre away from anything for it to be able to focus.

Little_John

I wouldn't buy the 55-200 as my sole lens the 18-55 will be the main lens you will use for almost everything. I would then buy a longer zoom later if funds are tight currently.

You also need to bear in mind the crop factor of the D80 is 1.5 which is great for the long end making your 200mm lens equivalent to a 300mm lens but it does the same at the other end your 55mm becomes 82.5mm which is no good for wider angle stuff.

I have no experience of the 400D or the D80 but on paper neither is superior to the other one has a better feature the other has a better different feature It is just that some people prefer Nikon and others canon. I have played with a canon 350D and a Nikon D200 both were nice cameras, but I preferred the canon my next purchase will be a 40D

moonrakerz

beancounter1968 wrote: »

Hi

I am a beginner

Are you really sure that this is the camera for a "beginner" ? Don't be seduced by the 10mp, unless you are doing very specialised work you don't need them.

Have look at the D40; for the money you are willing to spend, you can get that with both those lenses (VR for the telephoto) - and have enough left over for a good meal !

wolfman

A D80 can still be considered a beginner, or "entry level" dSLR.

If considering the D40, I'd maybe look at the D40X too. Slightly more up to date model, 10Mp instead of 6Mp, and 3fps instead of 2.5fps. Especially if you can find one for not much more.

The D80 is a very good choice. Always come out top in any reviews I've read when compared to the D40/D40X and 400D.