$3000 from the tooth fairy - what do you buy?

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/21/2006 05:34:24 PM · #1

Disclaimer:
Currently, this is purely hypothetical.

Let's say you are an avid amateur photographer. You've figured out all the manual settings on your point and shoot and even have little lenses and filters for it. You have a sweet desktop computer that was built with photo editing specifically in mind. You're just starting to dabble in stock and want to be more serious about it than you currently are, but have no plans of doing anything truly professional anytime in the near future. You lust after a DSLR and have a thing for Nikons.

Out of the blue, the tooth fairy or what have you drops $3000 on you and requires that it be spent on camera equipment and software.

You know you want a kick ass Manfrotto tripod and the latest version of PhotoShop, but you're waffling between the D70 and the D80, and know absolutely zilch about lenses for whatever body you settle upon.

So. What does the tooth fairy suggest you buy with the cash?

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

10/21/2006 05:38:18 PM · #2

Well if you must go Nikon then I would say go for the D70. It is a good camera and like you said not going professional. The D70 is cheaper than the D80 and all that money saved can go towards stuff like lenses, filters, cleaning kits, and software like I am sure you would want //www.fotofusion.com

Just my opinion.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

10/21/2006 05:39:34 PM · #3

70-200mm f/2.8 VR.

deapee

Kodak V803

10/21/2006 05:39:39 PM · #4

Get the d80. It's much newer, much nicer, etc. The screen on the back alone is worth it.

Get it and don't look back.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

10/21/2006 05:42:22 PM · #5

Well after looking at the prices here:

//www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d70%2Cnikon_d80&show=all

Go with the D80 only about $150 more and has a 2.5" LCD. This is my main reason for buying the 30D.

deapee

Kodak V803

10/21/2006 05:43:09 PM · #6

Originally posted by rex:

yeah...only after I said it. Don't steal my idea and pass it off as your own ;-)

10/21/2006 05:43:31 PM · #7

And lenses? Why, what do those lenses do specifically? The language of SLR lenses might as well be Martian right now.

Message edited by author 2006-10-21 17:44:06.

10/21/2006 05:45:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by faidoi:

70-200mm f/2.8 VR.

What does this mean? I know it's a lens, but...?

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/21/2006 05:46:58 PM · #9

You need the kit lens 18-70. Don't get caught up in the whole 'I need this lens, I need that lens' crap. Start with just the kit lens and see where it's lacking.

If you see that you want to do more closeups, get a macro lens. If light is a problem, get a 50 1.8 or an 85 1.8. If it doesn't zoom close enough, get a Sigma 70-200 2.8 or a 70-300 f/4-5.6...or a 18-200 VR.

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

10/21/2006 05:51:57 PM · #10

Nikon D80 - 999.95
Sigma 70-200 2.8 - 839.00
Nikon 50mm 1.8 - 114.95
SB-600 flash - 184.95
Manfrotto 3021BPRO - 195.95
Photoshop CS - 599.95

Comes in at 2934.75 plus you'd have to pay shipping. That's at B&H.

10/21/2006 05:53:00 PM · #11

Originally posted by karmabreeze:

Originally posted by faidoi:
70-200mm f/2.8 VR.

What does this mean? I know it's a lens, but...?

I'd get the D80 Kit that comes with the 18-135 for now. Very usable range, and about $1200.

A 70-200 is a good investment, a 70-200 2.8 is a dream lens of mine, be it Sigma, Nikon, whatever.

Get the 50 1.8, it's only $100 or so. 85mm 1.8 is pretty expensive.

The 18-200VR's are good lenses, but scarce to be found.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

10/21/2006 05:56:16 PM · #12

Originally posted by TrynityRose:

I think that is way to much money for a newbie to DSLR's Forget about the Sugma 70-200 for now.

10/21/2006 05:57:56 PM · #13

Originally posted by TrynityRose:

Or replace the 50 and frotto with a Sigma 18-50 2.8 at $400. Looks like a sweet lens, but I haven't seen tests or anything on it.

You can save $40-50 per lens by going with Sigma4less.com.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/21/2006 06:15:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by rex:

I think that is way to much money for a newbie to DSLR's Forget about the Sugma 70-200 for now.

Yeah, we are all quoting higher end lenses here (but not outrageous).

Depends on where you want to go with it.

The Sigma or Tamron 70-300's are each about $200, and are both fairly good for action shots. Not good low light lenses though. So outdoor sports is cool, but not really wedding or indoor sans flash or anything.

hihosilver

Nikon D200

10/21/2006 06:32:28 PM · #15

We have a saying in the equestrian world that the horse always goes to the level of the rider. Personally, I would throw in a workshop or two to go along with the my new equipment so I can not only upgrade my photo toys, but my knowledge as well.

Just my $.02.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

10/21/2006 06:34:46 PM · #16

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Or just get Cutter to come over and help you out :P

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

10/21/2006 06:35:10 PM · #17

Originally posted by karmabreeze:

That's some hypothetical question. Is there something your not telling?

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/21/2006 06:36:51 PM · #18

D80, one lense, and a week's vacation somewhere scenic.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/21/2006 06:37:32 PM · #19

Camera $799.95

Lens $674.95

2GB CompactFlash Card $59.95

Tripod & head $242.95

Total: $1777.80

Use the remaining $1,222.20 to buy yourself an airplane ticket to the Caribbean island of your choice. Then, take tons of awesome landscape and sunset photos in between PiÃ±a Coladas and dancing. ;D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/21/2006 06:37:42 PM · #20

Originally posted by routerguy666:

D80, one lense, and a week's vacation somewhere scenic.

Best suggestion yet, I think. ;)

samchad

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/21/2006 06:39:01 PM · #21

Originally posted by TrynityRose:

Good suggestions. May seem a lot of money but meets your initial summary. Buy the very best you can afford.

10/21/2006 06:39:31 PM · #22

Originally posted by Mick:

Lens $674.95

whatever you're smokin, can I have some?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/21/2006 06:42:44 PM · #23

Originally posted by MrEd:

That's some hypothetical question. Is there something your not telling?

That's not up for discussion right now.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

10/21/2006 06:45:00 PM · #24

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by Mick:

Lens $674.95

whatever you're smokin, can I have some?

Sorry, but I don't advocate drug use for young folks such as yourself. You need all the brain cells you can get. :D

Besides, that's an awesome lens!