I want to buy a new camera. Which one?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/07/2008 11:15:53 AM · #1

Right now I have a Nikon D40

I am sticking with Nikon, I want to get either a D80 or a D200

Although I would rather spend my money on lenses, my 40 doesnt AF on some lenses that I want, and I just want a more "professional" camera.

I know the d200 is all manual settings right? whereas the 80 still has some auto settings?

I know there is a significant price difference too.

Would the 80 be "just as good"?

I dont want to buy another camera any time soon, so whichever one I get will be the one I will stick with for a while.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

02/07/2008 11:25:10 AM · #2

I have both cameras now. I just got my D200. They both have auto features and they both have full manual features. The sensors in the camera are the same. The image quality is about the same.

The D200 is bigger than the D80 and the D200 is metal the D80 is plastic. The D200 meters with old lenses and has a few more bells and whistles than the D80. That said, I love my D80 it has served me very well over the last year and I am keeping it as a back up to my D200.

I say go to the store and hold them both. See which ones feels better in your hand. Just know that IMHO you can't go wrong with either camera.

Message edited by author 2008-02-07 20:04:09.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/07/2008 11:30:34 AM · #3

well, i think it depends on how serious you're going to get with your photography. if you wanna go semipro go with the d200 with a better AF than the D80. qualitywise those two cameras are really good and on the same level.
if you consider goin into portrait/studio photography then i can just recommend you the Fuji S3, it has a really nice pro built body with integrated battery grip and produces beautiful skin tones. it's also famous for its high dynamic range, which makes it a great tool for landscapes, too. disadvantages would be a slow writing speed, old AF system and slow fps rate.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/07/2008 07:24:27 PM · #4

Does the D80 have the AF motor in it? I would love to get the 50mm 1.4 but my 40 doesnt AF with it, so I feel its a waste to get until I get a better camera

Money wise, It might be better to go with the 80 and get a few new prime lenses? I like doing portrait photography, but also want to do some landscapes, so I am looking at a 12-24 lens too.

geoffb

02/07/2008 07:26:56 PM · #5

Originally posted by gwe21:

Does the D80 have the AF motor in it? I would love to get the 50mm 1.4 but my 40 doesnt AF with it, so I feel its a waste to get until I get a better camera

Yes, it does.

Originally posted by gwe21:

Money wise, It might be better to go with the 80 and get a few new prime lenses? I like doing portrait photography, but also want to do some landscapes, so I am looking at a 12-24 lens too.

The 12-24 is decent, although right after I got it they released the 14-24 (which I would have bought instead, as I can move forward with it into full frame in a few years).

Quigley

Nikon D700

02/07/2008 08:02:30 PM · #6

I did scads of research when I was making my camera purchase and settled on the D200 and haven't look back. I love it and would also recommend the battery pack it balances the camera wonderfully, even my wife thinks so and she has considerably smaller hands than I do. You will love the ruggedness of the D200. The steel frame makes all the difference. You should try both out and see how they feel. Can you rent them somewhere and do a learning comparison with each? What I mean here is, that you have the D40 now so don't read the manuals just pick each one up and see how instincts kick in. You will be surprise at how easy the D200 is to use. I went three months without reading the manual and just taught myself the camera. Then I sat down and read the manual and made the necessary adjustments. Now I'm quite technical and this method is not for everyone but I had a great deal of fun this way. So wishing you all the best in your decision.

Take care Erica.

All the best to you and yours.

MACX!

02/10/2008 11:14:04 AM · #7

Thanks for this post...I was just asked to help buy a camera...bro-in-law had a film slr many moons ago and hasn't taken pictures in many moons!, and wife wants to get him a 'camera like [mine]'...my D50...It will be his first Digital

I know she won't want to spend alot, so was thinking D40 vs D80 vs ? I'm leaning towards D80

What is the Canon equivalent to any of these?

B&H has a D80 with a 18-135 ED lens for $1044.95...any thoughts?

I'm POSITIVE she will just get him a camera and a lens....so thought the 18-135 would give him enough options??

02/10/2008 11:32:10 AM · #8

Originally posted by dassilem:

How 'bout the new D60? its cheaper than the 80 and a tad better than the 40. I think its about $600-$700 range

fotomann_forever

02/10/2008 11:39:06 AM · #9

Originally posted by dassilem:

What is the Canon equivalent to any of these?

The Rebel XT, XTi or XSi (350D, 400D and 450D) would be Canon's equivalent, although it doesn't really have one equivalent to the Nikon D40(x).

Both the XT and XTi are available at the moment, with the XSi (a12 megapixel introductory dSLR) due out soon.

Also the Canon 30D and 40D are close comparisons to the Nikon D200 and D300.

Edit to fix XSi instead of XTs

Message edited by author 2008-02-10 12:11:29.

02/10/2008 11:45:00 AM · #10

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by dassilem:

What is the Canon equivalent to any of these?

The Rebel XT, XTi or XTs (350D, 400D and 450D) would be Canon's equivalent, although it doesn't really have one equivalent to the Nikon D40(x).

Both the XT and XTi are available at the moment, with the Xts (a12 megapixel introductory dSLR) due out soon.

Also the Canon 30D and 40D are close comparisons to the Nikon D200 and D300.

Thanks,....I guess he used to use a Canon E05620 (if she told me right) so I may look for Canon's

Originally posted by gwe21:

How 'bout the new D60? its cheaper than the 80 and a tad better than the 40. I think its about $600-$700 range

Yes I was just looking at that too

fotomann_forever

02/10/2008 11:49:17 AM · #11

If he's accustomed to an older Canon film body, I'd recommend looking into the Canon 30D (available new for about $750) or the Nikon D200 (I think also dropping in price). The size of those bodies would probably be more comfortable for him. The Rebels and the smaller Nikons like the D40x can be hard to get accustomed to.

02/10/2008 12:08:45 PM · #12

Thanks....one more question what is Tv is it shutter priority? (Nikon has P, A-aperature priority, S-shutter priority, Manual) I see the XTi has M, Av, Tv, P...

fotomann_forever

02/10/2008 12:12:36 PM · #13

Av is Aperture Priority and Tv is Shutter priority.

missinseattle

Nikon D200

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

02/10/2008 04:02:19 PM · #14

I faced this same decision months ago and I ended up getting a D200. I was using an Olympus E500 so it was a big change for me. I'll have to say I wouldn't change my decision for anything and while the D80 was considerably lighter and smaller than the D200, I liked the fact that D200 was metal and not plastic. That was important to me. If I wanted plastic, there was really no point in upgrading from Olympus.

I'm happy with it. I only have 2 lenses right now and LOOOOOOVE the old 50mm mf lense my hubby got me for Christmas. The portraits I have gotten with that thing are amazing- the color and clarity I think are better then most af lenses if used correctly. Plus you can get old mf lenses for cheap cheap on ebay- hubby paid 25 for the 50mm 1.8 I have.

I will say it's heavy to carry around if you do a lot of outdoor shooting- but I've gotten used to it. That is the one plus about the D80- it's a lot lighter.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

02/10/2008 04:20:58 PM · #15

Originally posted by dassilem:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by dassilem:

What is the Canon equivalent to any of these?

The Rebel XT, XTi or XTs (350D, 400D and 450D) would be Canon's equivalent, although it doesn't really have one equivalent to the Nikon D40(x).

Both the XT and XTi are available at the moment, with the Xts (a12 megapixel introductory dSLR) due out soon.

Also the Canon 30D and 40D are close comparisons to the Nikon D200 and D300.

Thanks,....I guess he used to use a Canon E05620 (if she told me right) so I may look for Canon's

Originally posted by gwe21:

How 'bout the new D60? its cheaper than the 80 and a tad better than the 40. I think its about $600-$700 range

Yes I was just looking at that too

That is the EOS 620, a film SLR. I used one years ago and loved it. However the digital version would be something like the 20D, 30D and at a stretch the 40D. 30D's are cheap now, as the 40D has replaced it.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/11/2008 08:20:05 AM · #16

ok (ugh) much to my dismay, they are looking at at Canon Powershot 8.0mp....I thought that she wanted at DSLR but I think she ran away from the price...(or future prices :-) )

Anyone have any input on a Canon Powershot or anything comparable...
My husband and mother have Kodak Z612, I guess they want similiar but better....

Thanks for input.

ApertureAshley

Nikon D40

02/11/2008 09:04:59 AM · #17

Originally posted by dassilem:

I have a canon powershot A520, and I love it!! For a point and shoot its wonderful!!! It's a few years old, so I am sure they have even better powershots out now! I took these with it:

[thumb]644491[/thumb]

Of course I enhanced them in photoshop a little ;)