Camera Suggestions Please

[Misled]

I just upgraded Bodies from the D40 to the D200. I did pick up a sigma 90mm macro while I had the D40 and used it for alot of my bug shots. Had to manual focus because no motor in the lens. Started taking pics of scapes and sunsets and started looking into other lenses from other makers than Nikon.

There were alot of other reasons I upgraded also. Metal body, more control, better and more accesories that fell more into where I want to go in this "hobby." I won't have to change the body for awhile. While not one of the most expensive things in this hobby, it still should hold it's value for some time.

 

[Shawn D]

How long did you use your D40 for? I think I will probably do something like that as well. A friend of mine has the D200 and they sure are sweet, I love the feel of the metal body.

 

[Misled]

1 year.

 

[Shawn D]

Decided on the D60 w/18-55 kit lens. Now just wants another good lens in the longer zoom range to add to my X-mas list:rollface:

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

From a photographer....I'm a canon girl....so, I'd recommend a canon.

 

[Shawn D]

Canon seems to make some great stuff I just didn't like the way the XSi felt and can't afford the better models

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

You'd probably want the 40D then...definately a set up from the XSi. I have the 5d....love it.....I want to upgrade to the new 5d.

 

[Shawn D]

looks very nice but quite a bit out of my $ range

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

Sorry....figured that it would be since you said you couldn't afford a better model. Powershots are nice point and shoot cameras.

 

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681959#post13681959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ERIKATHORNBURG
Powershots are nice point and shoot cameras.

I've got a Powershot and it is a nice camera. But, when I want to go to dSLR, I'm going to get a Nikon, most likely the D90. Nothing against the Canon dSLRs, which are excellent cameras with great lenses. But, the XSi feels small and awkward in my hands. The 40D feels nice but, from a price/performance perspective, the Nikon gives me more for my money. That's my call. Clearly Shawn felt the same way. Why not leave it that both systems are very good and let people choose which they feel most comfortable with? No need to get into a tussle over which system is better (the answer is: neither. They both can make great pictures.)

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

I wasn't trying to start a tussle. Just saying that I prefer Canons....so, that's what I would recommend. I have lots of photographer friends that shoot awesome photos with Nikons. They are great cameras. I just prefer Canon.....it's my old shoe...I'm use to it.

 

[Shawn D]

So what would be a good lense with decent reach?

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

I love my Canon 24-105mm f4 L lens....not sure about Nikon. Probably something with a similar range.

 

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683056#post13683056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawn D
So what would be a good lense with decent reach?

If you can afford it, the Nikkor 16-85 has been getting very good reviews but it will cost as much as your camera A common match with the 18-55 kit lens is the 55-200mm VR. It is a solid lens with a reasonable telephoto range. The 70-300 (which I am looking at getting) is better and has good 'reach' but would leave you a 'gap' between 55 and 70. If you want to take macros, there are at least four macros lenses in the 100mm range which are excellent (Tamron 90, Tokina 100, Sigma 105 and Nikko 105VR). These also work as standard telephoto lenses. The first three are around $400 while the Nikkor is about $700.

Did you get the 18-55 VR or just the 18-55? The former is reported to be a better quality than the later.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683056#post13683056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawn D
So what would be a good lense with decent reach?

70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM or f/2.8L USM or f/4L IS USM or f/4L USM
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
EF 135mm f/2L USM
EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
EF 600mm f/4L IS USM
EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM

Those are the "good" lenses with "reach" in Canon's lineup ranging from $600-$100,000 each. Don't even get me started on the wide angle or normal angle lenses. Telephoto or "reach" is just a fraction of the pie. You don't always want a football player to take up the entire frame from the other endzone.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Oh I saw all the Canon talk and assumed. I don't know about Nikon, their lens system is strange to me. Either way this stuff could be more expensive than your tank so do your homework.

 

[Shawn D]

nickb it ilwill be VR. Thanks for the responses, now I have got plenty of hw to do.

 

[VoidRaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683549#post13683549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Oh I saw all the Canon talk and assumed. I don't know about Nikon, their lens system is strange to me. Either way this stuff could be more expensive than your tank so do your homework.

It isn't any more weird than Canon's line up. Canon just has a few more lower cost alternatives to certain lenses (like the 70-200 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/4) and their longer tele primes are cheaper than Nikon's.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

They have many classes of lenses though. Canon has 2, Ef and Ef-s. Nikon seems to have many more which would question compatibility with said camera.

 

[nickb]

I'm not sure the differences are that great. Canon has EF (for full 35 mm sensors), EF-S (for non-full frame sensors) and L lenses (pro quality). Nikon uses 'DX' to mean the same as 'EF-S'. Other Nikon lenses are full-frame. But, Nikon doesn't have a separate designation for its pro lenses. .

Both companies use a bunch of other letters to describe their lenses (IS, USM for Canon and VR, AF-S, ED, G, etc. for Nikon). Nikon has more descriptive letters but that doesn't define classes of lenses. They just describe lens coatings, focus options, etc. If you get used to one line, the other may look strange but that;s just what you are used to.