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12/20/2007 09:37:19 AM · #1 |
Hey everyone,
I'm finally about to make the jump, albeit a late one, from Film SLR to DSLR, and was hoping you could help me with some advice/experience/suggestions/recommendations please?
This is what I'm looking at getting:
Nikon D200 body
SB-800 Flash
Sandisk Extreme III 4GB CF Card
Card Reader
Don't worry, I didn't forget about lens/es. That's where I'm having the most trouble deciding, actually. Now what I've mentioned so far comes to just over $2k(Australian), based on the prices of where I'm probably going to buy the most of it from(//www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm - with the exception of the SB-800 and CF card, they're the cheapest I've found here in Sydney for bodies, lenses, etc. I do have a big preference to picking up and paying in person when parting with this sort of money, too).
Anyways, I was looking at spending around $2600, so that leaves me with $600, give or take, for glass. I've been loving all the positive feedback and reviews on the 50mm 1.8D, so I wanna get that, but I'm guessing it'd be easier and less restrictive to learn the camera with a zoom? So, do I get the 50mm prime and a lesser zoom, or leave the prime for a bit later and get a (slightly) better zoom? Please bare in mind that I would like to dabble in weddings later on down the track. I realise I'll need more/better glass by then, but it'd be easier and cheaper if something I get now is still useful for that.
These are the ones that are in my price range:
Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED AF-S DX Zoom - $310
Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF - $360
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D - $165
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 Zoom Lens - $419
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro Zoom Lens - $530
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro - $499
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC - $299
Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG Macro - $299
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] - $469
Tamron AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Wide to Ultra Tele-zoom Lens - $399
Any suggestions/tips/words of experience would be very much appreciated!
Also, one last thing, I'm guessing for things like UV filters you've gotta buy them separately? But what about lens hoods, are they usually stock included when buying a lens? |
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12/20/2007 10:04:53 AM · #2 |
First question that springs to my mind is: what film SLR are you currently using?
Do you have any lenses for that that could be utilised on a digital SLR? If so, that could help.
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12/20/2007 10:53:18 AM · #3 |
| Pentax MZ50 w/Sigma 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 II Macro and Sigma 100-300mm 4.5-6.7 DL. |
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12/20/2007 12:14:46 PM · #4 |
Possibly not the greatest lenses ever made, so starting from scratch is not too much of a waste.
If you don't want really wide-angle shots, then the Tamron 28-75 is really highly regarded and available at a good price. In real-world side-by-side (informal) tests with a Nikon 35-70, it performed equally well in just about every respect.
The 50mm f/1.8 is something that I think that everyone should try.
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12/20/2007 01:06:51 PM · #5 |
| The other option would be to get an SB-600 instead of the SB-800, and use the extra money to get a Nikon 18-200 VR. This kind of choice would depend on what you really use the flash for, of course. Lens snobs hate this lens, but as a do everything "only" lens, it's hard to beat. Small and light, lots of range, reasonably sharp, contrasty, and free of distortion, and has VR. Then, as you get money, you can supplement it with more specialized lenses. |
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12/20/2007 01:27:24 PM · #6 |
| I really like my 85 f1.8 and the 70-300VR lens.... I am currently trying to find the 24-70f2.8 but not having a lot of luck except from eBay gaugers. Check out www.imagingresource.com They have pretty good lens reviews over there and I have found them helpful. Have fun shopping!! Is there a place where you can rent your lenses that way you will know before you buy and can save some more money since your lenses will last you a lifetime if you put the money in upfront. |
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12/21/2007 11:16:13 PM · #7 |
| ^Bump^ in hopes of more suggestions/recommendations/previous experience. |
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12/21/2007 11:30:39 PM · #8 |
Not much new to add because I think that this is very good advice.....
Originally posted by annpatt:
The other option would be to get an SB-600 instead of the SB-800, and use the extra money to get a Nikon 18-200 VR. This kind of choice would depend on what you really use the flash for, of course. Lens snobs hate this lens, but as a do everything "only" lens, it's hard to beat. Small and light, lots of range, reasonably sharp, contrasty, and free of distortion, and has VR. Then, as you get money, you can supplement it with more specialized lenses. |
Upon reading your initial post I immediately wondered why you would spend the extra funds on the SB800 instead of getting the SB600. Unless you have a very good reason to go with the SB800, I also suggest you save money and get the SB600.
After going through several cheap lenses (because I wanted the range immediately) I finally got some good glass and now I have several lenses that I NEVER use. I suggest not settling for anything of less quality than the Nikon 18-200 VR which gives you a lot of versatility. If you are going to compromise and not wait to purchase really good lenses then this lens is a great choice. I suggest getting it and then patiently waiting until you can afford quality lenses.
And, of course, get the cheap, fantastic Nikon 50mm f1.8.
Message edited by author 2007-12-21 23:31:55. |
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03/06/2009 06:22:41 PM · #9 |
| Anyone know anything about this lens SIGMA LENS 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 DL Aspherical Hyperzoom Macro SLR Camera Lens" or happen to own one? |
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03/06/2009 06:33:02 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Lee85:
Pentax MZ50 w/Sigma 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 II Macro and Sigma 100-300mm 4.5-6.7 DL. |
You do know that both of these will work on any of the Pentax DSLR's do you? The K20D is a heck of deal for the features (In body image stabilization). Just a thought.
Tim |
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03/06/2009 11:06:17 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by rodfulk:
Anyone know anything about this lens SIGMA LENS 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 DL Aspherical Hyperzoom Macro SLR Camera Lens" or happen to own one? |
Resurrection!
Hm... not too sure why this was posted in this thread.... you'll probably have better luck posting in a more related thread. It also appears that there is only one user with one so there might not be much of any feedback anyway.... but they are active so you might ask them.  martinkulik has one. |
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