Digital SLR advice wanted

[thauma]

Hi Folks,

just got a bonus from work (woopee ) and the SWMBOis badgering me to spend it (on me before you laugh).

I used to enjoy SLR photography, and had all the lenses + rest of the gear. However that was many years ago. I've been talking about getting a DSLR for years, but never had the cash, and the prices were always toooooo high. But this could be the perfect opportunity.

In general the lenses I used to use most were 35-70 & 70-210, and I also used to use a 2x converter. Pictures were anything from wildlife through sport to landscape.

Now things have moved on a LOT, so I was wondering if you guys had any advice. Looking through the internet it looks like a Nikon D80, or a Pentax K10D are in the right sort of price range, with a couple of lenses. NEw or second hand. I'm not a professional so I probably don't want anything higher spec, and I'm certain I could get away with a lower spec camera - but would I regret it in 2 years time.

what are your thoughts on their practicality, adaptability etc. Also what about the benefits of Image Stabilisation (in the body or in the lens).

I guess there are soooo many questions I could ask, so I'll open it up to yourselves and ask about your preferences, musings and the pro's and con's that you've encountered with your own DSLR's.

Thanks in advance.

Dave#...

 

[Slowdown]

D80 body, 18-200 VR II lens, SB400 flash, ultra fast SD card, some filters.

Sorted.

(Or go for a D40 and spend the extra on SWMBO)

 

[Uncle Rob]

Nikon D40 is a good choice also offering £60 cash back at the mo,have a look in the Photography section and a read through some of the Links +Reviews that Tuned In has put on there

 

[araspitfire]

Couple to things to mention..

Unless you spend a zillion dollars for full frame, remember that the focal length of your lenses will be effectively longer, because of the smaller than 35mm sensor size... So if you remember getting great photos at 85mm... you will be getting the same images at a little over 50mm.

Saving money on lenses that aren't sharp, or fast enough is just a sure-fire way to ruin your interest in photography... (it did me years ago... until I re-entered the hobby and bought some decent glass). You are after all doing it to capture great images of something... if you are always producing fuzzy images you will get bored...

Al...

 

[thauma]

You know - in all the years lurking on this site, I never noticed the photography section Doh. So I'm off for a read.

Thanks for the advice so far especially for the tip about the cashback- if there's any more keep it coming.

I agree with the lens comments - ultimately it is all about quality. Is there a benefit to the full size sensors, as opposed to the smaller sensors? I can't make my mind up whether a 200mm zoom working as an apparent 300mm (at 1.5 factor) is a good or bad thing. Theoretically you get a bigger/better lens at a cheaper price - but does it really work like that?

Cheers

Dave#...

 

[Slowdown]

For amateur use the 18-200 seems heaven sent. It give all the advantages of a point and shoot and all the benifits of an SLR.

Oh - and I'm getting to love Adobe Lightroom - it does everything I need....

Love the guy or hate him - he's certainly got an opinion.

Ken Rockwell on the D40

Again, on the 18-200 VR II

Another review of the 18-200 on Nikonians

 

[araspitfire]

Theoretically you get a bigger/better lens at a cheaper price - but does it really work like that?

Yup... works exactly like that... Theoretically you gain a bit more light sensitivity (longer exposures with less noise) with the full frame sensor, but the smaller sensors in decent DSLR's are very fast (way better than film ever was.. to normal people...) But don't forget it works the same way on the the other end too... at full frame you could get a nice wide angle shot at 25mm... now you need to buy a wider lens to get the same shots...

You gain quality of glass shooting a smaller sensor too... it's cheaper to make good glass that projects onto a smaller area... So what is very good on a small sensor camera, would be marginal on a Full frame sensor... Clearance of the back of the lens comes into play too, which makes some lenses only small sensor camera compatible.. (they'll crash into the mirror of a FF camera)

IMHO there are few reasons to go full frame, but I'm sure there are published articles on the reasons, worth a read before deciding.

Al...