Help with camera questions...

Hi...

My family and I love to go to WDW. We live up in the Jacksonville area, and get annual passes about every other year. This year, our kids will be 9 and 5, which brings me to my question.

I am new to this site, and found it while looking for camera information. I'm posting here because I have an equipment question.

I currently have a Sony DSC-P52 point and shoot digital, as well as a Mamyia/Sekor 35mm, model 1000DTL, with two lenses...a Mamiya/Sekor 55mm f1:1.4, and a Hanimex 135mm f2.8. I am a pretty good photographer with this quite old camera (it was my grandfathers, and I know it's almost as old as I am...probably 35 years old or so), and have taken some quite nice pictures, but it's old, film, and HEAVY!!!

So...my question. I have determined that it is time to upgrade my photographic equipment, and have been looking at the various dSLR's. I have played with the Canon Rebel XTi, the Nikon D40x, and the Nikon D80, actually with the intent of purchasing a Canon Rebel XTi...and I hated it. My favorite, by far, was the D80. It just felt right in my hand.

I've read reviews all over the internet, and even checked out some photography magazines. Interestingly, I've found the overall reviews to really like the camera except for the price, and even some of those said it was worth it.

I would like to hear opinions from others that have used any of these cameras in real time, both for general family pictures as well as at WDW, I would appreciate hearing your experiences.

Thanks

Kevin

 

I appreciate that. I wasn't bashing the XTi, it just didn't feel good in my hand. The D80 just fit me better. I'm guessing that cameras can be a bit like pistols...after a certain price point, they all are (mostly) good, so you buy what fits you best.

 

I went for the D50 because it had many of the same features as the D80 and for me the only real draw back was the lack of backlit LCD screen but I purchased a Nikon remote (NkionRemote.com I think it was) that also has a LED light on it which actually works perfectly for me. Now, don't quote me but I'm almost certain that only other thing the D80 has is better gaskets around the buttons and what not to keep out moisture and dust but I bought my camera a Ritz Camera and for a mere $60 more I got a complete "drop it in the pool and it's covered" warranty. I bought my at just the right time and got not only a free printer (which I didn't really need) but also a free lens and a $100 rebate. I think total I spent $599. I love this camera and can't believe it took me so long to buy one. I've had my D50 now since Xmas eve and have had zero problems with it.

 

welcome to the board
i am a long time canon user, so when i went digi, i stayed canon due to investment in glass already made, having said that, there's nothing at all wrong with the nikon digitals, we don't bash equipment here on this board, it's not allowed, and the competition keeps the marketplace healthy
i picked up a rebel xti last feb, specifically for a trip to europe, small and lightweight, and i love it, but i agree that every once in a while it feels too small in my hands
but as one poster stated, since you are starting from scratch, if the nikon feels the most intuitive in your hands, get that, it takes great photos, and since you face a new button/feature learning curve anyway, might as well have a comfortable fit on the camera while you spend time taking the 2000 or so experimental pics we all seem to do while climbing the digital learning curve

 

I just got this email and thought I would share, I'm endorsing ECost but it's a "Nikon Blowout" seemed fitting to post it here...

http://view.ecostemail.com/?j=fe9015767 ... 0778711c76

I will buy from Ritz / Wolf camera again if it were me simply because of their brick and mortar status plus they have an excellent extended warranty...

 

I'd like to thank all of you that took the time to reply.

I am planning to purchase the D80 as soon as the wife releases the funds...which may mean I have to cash in some stock (not retirement, just something I do on the side) or something! ;D

I'm not too worried about the learning curve with all the buttons and technical parts - I'm a programmer by trade, and a DBA...with a background in computer hardware, so I'm sure I'll be OK. All of that, and I really do use all of the different settings on my old manual SLR, so I have an idea or two on how they work...well, maybe ...

Now, which lens would you buy...or buy the body without a lens, then purchase a lens? I'm looking at the 18-135 MM kit lens, and adding the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens, but I'm not sure if I should get the 18-135 or the 17-55.

Thanks!

 

if you can afford it, body only, then spend as many $ as you can to get nikon's very best glass, if like canon they have a committment to not engineering out the mount, good glass never goes bad, if well cared for maintains it's value better, and if you ever go full frame, you'll be grateful for good glass, nothing shows a lenses faults like full frame
definitely vr tech, you will still need the tripod for long exposure/night time wdw magic, but it helps a lot with handheld
all of the concert threads i have on here are handheld stuff with canon is techno, and i think some of it's ok even if i say so myself
it really does give a couple of stops more handheld
several of us on the board preach the best glass gospel on a regular basis

 

Do you mean that's Nikon's "little problem", rather than Canon's ? The fact that they rely on a competitor (Sony) to make their sensors ? It certainly is a problem with Sony's increasing aspirations for the DSLR market.

I've got all Canon gear, and am pleased with it, but I haven't really used a Nikon since I bought my first digital camera (a Coolpix 950) years back ... so I can't compare and contrast at all. I'd consider looking at Costco for a camera, though, as they carry both the Rebel Xti and Nikon D80 at very competative prices. They have a 3 month return policy, and you can bring it back for any reason. Get it, use it, and make sure it's right for you. Other than that, I totally agree that you should look to invest in glass over body. You can use the same glass over multiple bodies, if you plan ahead.

As for bashing other equipment, that's what seperates this Community from the others out there - we just care about the photos (and Disney) ... not the gear. No one will castigate you for making a "wrong" choice. Unless, of course, you elect to go with a tripod other than the Velbon Ultra Luxi F ... Tim seems pretty commited to that one

 

Ok...good glass.

I understand the idea - buy good quality lenses, the result will be best no matter what body you go with. So...what constitutes good glass? If I buy a Canon or a Nikon body, are matching brand lenses necessarily the best way to go...or are Sigma or Tamron just as good? I can read the numbers and understand the basic meaning of them, but how to I pair up a lens to whatever body I have?

Sorry about all the questions...I just want to do this as with as good a result as I can.

 

i would reccommend sticking with the same make glass as whatever camera you get, i've used several 3rd party lenses over the years with mixed results, there seems to be less quality control and compatibility issues with staying brand specific
one source i've used for high quality used glass in good shape is www.keh.com, a dealer in marietta georgia. most of my canon L grade lenses i bought used from them, including the 200 2:8 i used to take the motorcycle race pic i just posted.
i've been a several time satisfied user. and good condition used glass is a little less expensive way to get into pro grade glass, which if this will be a lifelong hobby is the only way to go for the long term.
my .02 worth

 

First, I would like to thank everyone for their posts on this thread. I continued to do my research, and earlier this week purchased my new camera - Nikon D80 w/18-55mm kit lens.

I now have some lenses on my list (for Christmas!), as well as some other equipment, and I am saving my pennies for the Nikon 70-300 f4-5.6G VR ED lens.

I can't wait to come back from our trip in two weeks and share some pictures! Again, thanks for your advice. With all of the rest of the research I did, and what I learned at the stores, I'm sure that I'll be very happy with my purchase!

Kevin

 

The D80 is a very nice camera. You'll be very happy with it.

I know you've already done tons of research, but let me make two more suggestions. First, if you haven't already found it, check out the reviews here. The reviews are at the bottom. I've found Bjorn's comments to be spot on. Second, when choosing your list of glass, you might want to consider getting lenses made for full frame, not DX since Nikon has introduced a camera with a full frame sensor. That way you wouldn't have to replace any glass if you upgrade to a full frame body in the future. I have only purchased lenses that will work with full frame for that very reason. Just my 2¢ worth.

Can't wait to see the pictures!