nikon d80?

[rareform]

Is the nikon D80 a good camera? I have one but need a micro lens to shoot some corals. I have never really took pictures but love all the close up pictures is see on reef central. I know that the price will range greatly so I'm hoping for something for under 500.00 recommended. THANKS

 

[Ian55]

it is an awesome camera...hardest part is learning all that it can do.

 

[rareform]

Its my wifes from before we were married and I don't have a good idea of how to use it. There is a ton of settings so I'm trying to learn but I think I need a different lens to get the shoots I want.

 

[InLimbo87]

First, learn how to use it. Then invest in equipment.

I'd suggest "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Its a quick read and should give you a good idea of a starting point for taking nice photographs.

As far as macro lenses go, there are several options under $500. Most notably the tamron 90mm macro and the new 85mm f3.5 from nikon.

 

[kilroy217]

check out http://www.dtowntv.com It features Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski (two very well known Nikon users). Start at episode 1 and work your way up. They give great tips and tricks for using all sorts of settings. Almost anything they say about the D90 can be translated back to the D80.

 

[jerrym21]

The D80 is a great camera. . .as others said, once you learn how to use it. I would recomend visiting www.kenrockwell.com . He has written an excellent plain english user guide for the D80. He also has tons of very useful articles. He is a guy that cuts through the BS in my opinion.

 

[xtm]

D80 is an older camera, which is replaced by the D90. It's still a very good body which has an AF motor (screwdriver) so you can AF a lot of used glass that other bodies cannot. (D40, D40x, D5000, D3000....) This means you are not limited when selecting glasses.. the D80 can AF the AF-D 105 micro-Nikkor and the Tamron 90. Check out the list of macro lenses I listed here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762095