Camera Labs

Hey guys n gals

Firstly i'd like to say great site you got going here Gordon
Also a great bunch of guys around the forum.

Well on to my question. As my title says, I'm after a new camera as im "growing out of my p&s" you could say. I've been looking for about a month now. (my uncle is bringing it over form america), as here in the Uk prices are crazy.

I have been looking at the D40 but decided against it as ive heared some issues about the 3 point Af. Ive been looking at the Pentax K10D and the D80, but was trying to keep my budget to $800 (400pound), i guess i'll have to raise that a bit , ive read your reviews and watched the videos. Was just looking for some guidance , (which lenses, etc etc)

Any help will be much appreciated

Jay.

Depends on the type of shots you want to take, the reason I ask is why is the 3 point AF not good enough. I mean it will cover all everyday occasions, unless you are into serious sports/action photographs. I mean you will be paying alot more more for tech. you will not use.

D80 is a nice camera as is the D200. As you prolly know the Canon 400D has a 9 point AF and is nice but out a while and starting to look a tad dated.

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Canon 40D - EFS 17-85mm IS - EF 50mm 1.8 II - EF 70-200mm f.4 L - Speedlite 580EX II - GF Lightsphere Cloud - S.I.L.K 300DX PRO Tripod - Manfrotto 679 monopod - LOWEPRO Trekkar Backback - Adobe CS3 -

Well, as you say i arent into the hardcore "action" shots so ive decided on the D40x.

My uncle has managed to pick up the D40x body, 18-55mm lens, 50-200mm lens and a little kit along with it, all for $900. (450pounds)

This sounds like a snatch to me

Cant wait for christmas, lookinf forward to taking a few shots in the snow, and i will keep yuo al updated on how i get on

sorry was meant to say 55-200mm ..

400D looking dated...er how so?

I just bought a 350D, mainly because I am going to spend more money on lenses as opposed to the camera body because i'll outgrow the body before the lenses.

I recommend picking Canon or Nikon, then make an investment in lenses, then stick with it. I am going Canon all the way now, because I am going to eventually buy a 5DMkII/III in 2 Years or so, meaning I'll be buying more EF lenses than EF-S so that they will work on Full Frame bodies, and besides IF (and i mean IF) I even get fe up with photography, I'd personally say EF lenses would sell better, since they can fit all Canon DLSR cameras!

I would say go for a Canon EOS 400D, and buy a descent lens (not to hot on that, ask others here for more advice on lenses) to go with it since the lens makes up as much for the image quality if not more than the camera body does, meaning you can have the best camera in the world, but if you are using a £60 lens on it, it won't make much difference!

If you do want to go the Nikon way, D80 would be a good investment with a 18-135mm kit lens to start off (wide-angle to basic telephoto)

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Well the NIKKON D40 and D40x and the Olympus E510 all have 3 point AF, but the 510 is much much more feature packed and has a better standard kit lens then the above and the Canon 400D.

So if the AF does not bother you why not choose the 510?

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Canon 40D - EFS 17-85mm IS - EF 50mm 1.8 II - EF 70-200mm f.4 L - Speedlite 580EX II - GF Lightsphere Cloud - S.I.L.K 300DX PRO Tripod - Manfrotto 679 monopod - LOWEPRO Trekkar Backback - Adobe CS3 -

Well. updated news and im asking for your input

I can get a D40x with 18-55 & 55-200 , for $900

Or a D80 with ony the 18-55 lens for $940

Do you think i should go with the D40x with 2 lenses? or should i go for the D80 just with 1 lense and then save up for later add-ons??

Cheers

Jay

Hi Jay, is this the Nikkor 55-200mm with VR? This is a very good lens, and the IS is very valuable for the tele-range. So judged from the opportunity to make a good photo, the first set is better (if it really is the a.m. lens!).

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

hiya Tom.

Yes im pretty sure this is the 55-200mm AF-S VR lense. My uncles said it was on clearnace deal in costco so he got it all cheap

Do you think the D40x 18-55, 55-200, some 1gb kit is goo dofr $900

From what ive been looking at. (here in the uk where iam from) this would cost me around 650pound maybe even more im not sure.

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys.

Buy the D80 and avoid the "what if's".

Zorro.

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

Hi Zorro! Clear-cut, concise advice from you, as always
Still the D40x is not to be counted out. But Jay again: Make sure the 55-200mm is the latest and greatest version WITH VR. When I read your buzz-word "clearance" all the alarm-bells started to ring: there are older versions of this lens still out there, which not only lack VR but also are of lesser IQ!
In that case I agree with Zorro: better get the D80 and add some decent lenses later on...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Obviously if you can get the D80 it would be my choice, You can only use one lens at a time so get the better camera and add the better lenses later.

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Canon 40D - EFS 17-85mm IS - EF 50mm 1.8 II - EF 70-200mm f.4 L - Speedlite 580EX II - GF Lightsphere Cloud - S.I.L.K 300DX PRO Tripod - Manfrotto 679 monopod - LOWEPRO Trekkar Backback - Adobe CS3 -

Hey guys. A little update!

Managed to get the D40x 18-55 kit lense + 55-200 AF-S (and VR) , Nikon Camera Bag , 2gb SD card , 2 DVD's.

Price : $900

I'm very happy with that cant wait for xmas and start shooting!!

Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it!

Jay

Congratulations Jay on your new gear. Time to update your signature!
Now the only thing is to find out how XMas can be shifted to Oct. first. Perhaps you can dig up some inconsistencies in the Gregorian calender

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Why wait untill christmas.... get out and start shooting now, then when christmas does come you will know your camera inside out.

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Roy
EOS 350D, 40D + BG-E2N, EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 430 EX Speedlite




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