Buying camera, not sure what I need.
- Thread starter JGoslee
- Start date
lessthanlights
New member
tripod and skylight filter to protect the lens
soldier1911
Premium Member
Tagging along
JGoslee
Premium Member
Is this a skyline filter?
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CROUV62
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CROUV62
lessthanlights
New member
yup that's what you want- i've dropped many lenes in my day and broken every filter i've owned but the lens is protected. i like hoya filters but those should work fine.
lessthanlights
New member
I have no personal experience with that lens but I can tell you it's going act like a 90mm lens when you attach it to the d80. All Nikon DLSRs magnify the focal length of the lens by 1.5. So a fixed 90mm lens is not going to be not you best option for everyday use. While photographing birthday parties, family gatherings, pets, vacations, ect you might find yourself very limited but for you tank that would just about perfect.
What is you budget? My favorite lenses are the Nikon 17-35 2.8 and the Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR- I use both those lens everyday. If I can only take two lenses with me it is those two. But both those lens cost about $1500 each and if you have that kind of budget you should be seriously considering the D200 not the D80.
If you want just one lens try to find a wide angle zoom lens with a 2.8 aperture. And if at all possible don't skimp- I often find that the lens is more important than the camera.
What is you budget? My favorite lenses are the Nikon 17-35 2.8 and the Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR- I use both those lens everyday. If I can only take two lenses with me it is those two. But both those lens cost about $1500 each and if you have that kind of budget you should be seriously considering the D200 not the D80.
If you want just one lens try to find a wide angle zoom lens with a 2.8 aperture. And if at all possible don't skimp- I often find that the lens is more important than the camera.
JGoslee
Premium Member
I did some more reading and I think I might go with the canon digital rebel xti instead of the nikon d80. It seems more in my price range. So I put together this new package. What do you think?
1. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
2. Sandisk 2 GB Ultra II Compact Flash Memory Card
3. Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II Standard Auto Focus Lens
4. Canon EF-S 60mm F/2.8 Macro USM Lens
5. 52mm protective filter
What do you think?
-Jesse
1. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
2. Sandisk 2 GB Ultra II Compact Flash Memory Card
3. Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II Standard Auto Focus Lens
4. Canon EF-S 60mm F/2.8 Macro USM Lens
5. 52mm protective filter
What do you think?
-Jesse
PnoyReefeR
New member
Jesse I just bought the Canon Xti lastnight and wa plying with it very nice and I was also in the mix between D80 and Xti. Im going to get the 100fm/2.8 lens which is really good for macro. One guy posted in sps forum with Macro and itsvery nice pics. anyway goodluck 
First off....while I love a 50mm f/1.8 lens (I'm a Nikon guy and I have one for my D200) and think it's a great little lens to have in your bag, you are going to want some kind of zoom lens (i.e. 18-55mm) for "everyday" shots. Trust me on this one.
Second, you should have a UV protective filter for every lens...you put it on as soon as you take the lens out of the box and you never take it off. Why one for every lens? Because odds are that each lens is going to have a different filter size. I have 3 lenses in my bag and each one is a different filter size (one is 52, one is I think 62, and one is 77). Plus, always having the UV filter on will keep dust off the main glass element as well as protect it....it's cheaper to replace a scratched UV filter than a scratched lens.
Canon cameras also have the crop factor....I think the Rebel XTi is a 1.6 crop factor but don't quote me on that.
Second, you should have a UV protective filter for every lens...you put it on as soon as you take the lens out of the box and you never take it off. Why one for every lens? Because odds are that each lens is going to have a different filter size. I have 3 lenses in my bag and each one is a different filter size (one is 52, one is I think 62, and one is 77). Plus, always having the UV filter on will keep dust off the main glass element as well as protect it....it's cheaper to replace a scratched UV filter than a scratched lens.
Canon cameras also have the crop factor....I think the Rebel XTi is a 1.6 crop factor but don't quote me on that.
Here is a good site to check out reviews of various lenses:
www.fredmiranda.com
and here is a review of the 60mm Canon Macro lens:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=293&sort=7&cat=2&page=3
www.fredmiranda.com
and here is a review of the 60mm Canon Macro lens:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=293&sort=7&cat=2&page=3
jedininja
New member
Unless you are going to be doing mostly tank shots, I would go with a zoom lens instead of the 50mm. The 50 is a great lens and very sharp, but its very limited. My favorite afordable multipurpose lens is the 17-85mm 4-5.6 IS. That gives you an 27-136mm effective range. Nice decently sharp lens that is great for everything from landscapes to portraits. And although not a macro lens, you can zoom down to about a foot which isnt bad.
For dedicated macro lens, the 100mm macro seems to be the most popular, but the 60mm would do fine. If you want a closer macro shot, with 10MP, a bit of cropping wont hurt.
For dedicated macro lens, the 100mm macro seems to be the most popular, but the 60mm would do fine. If you want a closer macro shot, with 10MP, a bit of cropping wont hurt.
JGoslee
Premium Member
Thanks for all the info guys. Im going to get the xti package with the 18-55mm lens. Im still undecided on which macro lens to get. For those who have the 100mm macro lens. Do you have to be far away from the tank to get a good pic? My space is pretty limited in front of my tank. I have about 5 feet of space in front of the tank. Is this enough room to use the 100mm?
I have never, in my limited almost 10 years of photography, had this issue. Digital or film. Maybe it's just my luck, but I've never had this happen.
Besides, I would rather risk the extra PS time to remove a possible "ghost" or reflection than risk damage to the front element of a several hundred (or thousand) dollar lens.
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