Settled on a Nikon D60..

polkatese

after doing an extensive roundabout research on anything DSLR, it boils down to asking the wife:" Canon or Nikon?" and she settled it.

Just like spending money on audio gears, it boils down to budget, brand, and usage. Personally, I like to own a Canon Rebel XSi, but it's an extra $100+ and slightly larger body. The contenders were:

- Olympus E520
- Canon Rebel XSi
- Nikon D60

Now I am thinking to get a VR zoom lens. I had ordered SB-400. Any thoughts and feedback on this DSLR journey that I am about to embark? tips, tricks, things to watch for?etc.

TIA

Shizelbs

I just got the 18-200 VR lens and I love it. Super versatile, certainly helps with zoomed out hand held shots.

What kinds of shooting do you think you'll be doing?

polkatese

the key driver for getting this camera is to take pics of my daughter's dance competition (which has always been the biggest dissapointment with P&S camera, no matter how advanced they are). So, panorama, nature, family occasions stuff will its primary use. Who knows, I might get sucked in into this hobby too

Shizelbs

I think you'd like a nice versatile lens like the 18-200. I also got a fixed 50mm lens for portraits and pics of my new baby and I love it. Its super fast and crystal clear. You might want to think about a cheap fixed lens for faster shots.

polkatese

that's what I thought too, Shelby. where did you get yours?

Shizelbs

I got all of my gear at a local camera shop. Their prices were awfully close to Amazon's, which would have been my other choice.

Shizelbs

Here is a pic I took last night from across the rink with the 18-200 fully extended.

polkatese

nice and clean job!

polkatese

been reading this just so that I am up to speed on what D60 can do:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND60/ND60A.HTM#

shack

The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 is an ok lens but there are better options IMO...especially for the street price of $750±. If you like the "all in one" focal range you you might want to consider going with the Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 at around $500 or the Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 for around $460. The Tamron may actually have the best optics but it lacks image stablization of the other 2. I have seen the Nikon and Sigma compared head to head and the Sigma came out the winner interms of overall IQ. The Nikon may be slightly better in terms of build quality but I think the other two have better optics. They all are pretty equal in terms of focus speed.

polkatese

thanks for the info, Shack. Damn, be spending the price of Krell integrated just to cover the basic arsenal.

shack

I always check with B&H Photo and Adorama for lenses. The are not the absolute cheapest price...but they have the best customer service in the photo business. B&H is where I order most of my gear, but I get some from Adorama as well. Both have resolved issues very quickly and fairly when they arose. Fast shipping and you get exactly what they advertise.

Hobbyguy

I have a Tamron XR 28-300 which I use to take pictures of my kids in sports and it is fast enough. I also use a Tamron AF 19-35. Both are very good low cost alternatives (compared to Nikon).

Hobbyguy

oh and the Tamron does not have image stabilization...you will need a tripod if you want crystal clear pictures at 200-300mm

Early B.

Polkatese -- you'll love the D-60.

I bought a Nikon D-80 a few months ago. This hobby is sick! It's just like audio -- it'll drain your bank account quickly. You'll need another grand for lenses and assorted accessories.

I have 3 Nikon lenses - 18-55 VR, 50mm, and a 70-300mm. These three provide a great combination and they were "relatively" inexpensive. In fact, I used my camera today and took some great practice shots of a former model who posed for a friend and me.

I also highly recommend Lightroom 2.

polkatese

Hey Brad, that's what it seems I am signing up to, love to see what you got with 70-300mm.

I have Aperture (Mac) that I am going to use to tweak the pics. We'll see. D80 is a serious investment (or the beginning of). Congrats!

Early B.

polkatese wrote: »

Hey Brad, that's what it seems I am signing up to, love to see what you got with 70-300mm.

I have Aperture (Mac) that I am going to use to tweak the pics. We'll see. D80 is a serious investment (or the beginning of). Congrats!

I've heard good things about Aperture.

I'm a pure beginner. I got some decent gear, but I don't know how to use it yet, so I'm in learning mode. I got some books and DVDs, and I plan to participate in a local photo club. I have a friend who has a D300 and that badass $1,500 Nikon 200mm lens. He takes some great shots, so I'm learning from him, too. He suckered me into photography. Up until a few months ago, I had zero interest in it. Now I'm eager to explore the hobby. But no more photography gear for me this tear or until I get more comfortable with what I have, whichever comes first.;)

shack

polkatese wrote:

I have Aperture (Mac) that I am going to use to tweak the pics. We'll see.

If you think you will ever really get into photography as a hobby in a serious way...might as well get into Adobe Photoshop. It is THE standard and everything else is just a wannabe.

polkatese

I am taking it slowly and see where it goes, I am not sure if it will be as serious as my passion with audio . However, having said that, I've been reading the reviews on 18-200mm lens, and (almost) convinced that it a must have, from one lens convenience and practical value. B&H has the sigma for $325 shipped, the Nikon best price is Amazon $687. Perhaps a used Nikon would be a nice compromise, I don't know yet, will need to get used with the 18-55mm for awhile.

shack

polkatese wrote:

I am taking it slowly and see where it goes, I am not sure if it will be as serious as my passion with audio . However, having said that, I've been reading the reviews on 18-200mm lens, and (almost) convinced that it a must have, from one lens convenience and practical value. B&H has the sigma for $325 shipped, the Nikon best price is Amazon $687. Perhaps a used Nikon would be a nice compromise, I don't know yet, will need to get used with the 18-55mm for awhile.

I use my Canon 18-55mm 70% of the time as an everyday walk-around lens. I have a 55-250mm, a 10-17mm fisheye ultra wide zoom, a 10-20 ultra wide zoom, a 50mm prime and an 85mm prime. They all have their purpose, but I think you can get a really good feel for photography with your 18-55...for now.

polkatese

gee, Shack. How big is your camera bag?

you're right, I would love to have 18-200mm as my default and never have to change it ever, but I am not sure if that is practical either, nor want to carry extra weight than necessary.

Early B.

polkatese wrote: »

you're right, I would love to have 18-200mm as my default and never have to change it ever, but I am not sure if that is practical either, nor want to carry extra weight than necessary.

If you're gonna take pics of your daughter's dance competitions and nature stuff, you'll probably want a bigger zoom lens, sooner rather than later. The first time I seriously took a few shots, it was at a wedding using the 18-55 lens, and I got frustrated because there were times when I couldn't get close enough to the subject.

polkatese

so what is the effective distance for the 18-55mm to get a close-up shot, Brad?

Hobbyguy

Which camera do you have Shack? I was considering the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (upgrade from my old Nikon D100) but there seems to be issues with HD video and Black spots on dark scenes.

timlitton

I can attest to B & H customer service. I've spent almost $40,000 with them in the last couple of years and have had no problems.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Shack, couple questions for you on the Sigma 18-200:

1 - Does the Sigma lens have the motor on the lens, so that my wife could use it on her D40?
2 - I already have the Nikon 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses for her D40. I'd mainly be looking at this lens for a factor of convenience, her not having to switch out the lens all the time. Would I be sacrificing any performance or quality going from that two lens setup to this single lens?

Thanks

AsSiMiLaTeD

polkatese wrote: »

I am taking it slowly and see where it goes, I am not sure if it will be as serious as my passion with audio . However, having said that, I've been reading the reviews on 18-200mm lens, and (almost) convinced that it a must have, from one lens convenience and practical value. B&H has the sigma for $325 shipped, the Nikon best price is Amazon $687. Perhaps a used Nikon would be a nice compromise, I don't know yet, will need to get used with the 18-55mm for awhile.

The lens that B&H has for $325 is NOT the OS version, which means it has no image stabilization - you're going to want that at focal lengths of 200mm unless you're using a tripod or shooting in broad daylight all the time.

The OS version is actually $439 on B&H photo, I'd get it on Amazon where it's $399

polkatese

Thanks Assimilated. I'll check out my option once I get the D60. That's good to know, I assume the Sigma with OS is compatible with Nikon VR, right?

shack

AsSiMiLaTeD= wrote:

Does the Sigma lens have the motor on the lens, so that my wife could use it on her D40?

Yes it should work on any Nikon DSLR mount.

AsSiMiLaTeD= wrote:

I already have the Nikon 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses for her D40. I'd mainly be looking at this lens for a factor of convenience, her not having to switch out the lens all the time. Would I be sacrificing any performance or quality going from that two lens setup to this single lens?

I would typically say that a single lens of equal focal length to two lenses will have to make some compromises and may not be as good as the two. In this case those are "kit" lenses and while they perform reasonably well for the intended user they are not high end glass. I don't think you would be sacrificing any performance or IQ by going to the Sigma. You may actually be upgrading some.(especially over the 18-55).

AsSiMiLaTeD= wrote:

The lens that B&H has for $325 is NOT the OS version, which means it has no image stabilization - you're going to want that at focal lengths of 200mm unless you're using a tripod or shooting in broad daylight all the time.

The OS version is actually $439 on B&H photo, I'd get it on Amazon where it's $399

With camera gear (like lenses) that is subject to shipping damage, mfg issues (like back focusing, soft focusing) and so forth, I spend my money where I know any issues will be taken care of. B&H and Adorama have earned my business in that regard and it is worth more to me to buy from them when purchasing big ticket items. YMMV.

Hobbyguy wrote:

Which camera do you have Shack? I was considering the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (upgrade from my old Nikon D100) but there seems to be issues with HD video and Black spots on dark scenes.

I use a Canon EOS Rebel XT and Canon EOS 40D. I would love to have the build and some ot the features that camera offers..but not at that price. I don't really want the video features and 21MP is simply more than I could ever utilize...however...the 3.9 fps, expandable ISO up to 25,600 are GREAT features. If I ever decided to go to a full frame camera, the 5D Mark II would be my choice. I have chosen to spend my limited resources on lenses rather than bodies. I still have lots of clicks left on both of my cameras so it will be awhile before I upgrade.

shack

polkatese wrote: »

Thanks Assimilated. I'll check out my option once I get the D60. That's good to know, I assume the Sigma with OS is compatible with Nikon VR, right?

Yes. Nikon's image stabilization is in the lens...not the body.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I agree with Shack on buying from someone you know will take care of you on this stuff. I only mentioned Amazon because I've also had great service with them on camera stuff, and they're about $40 cheaper at the moment on the Sigma lens.