NOT AGAIN... Need help picking a DSLR :)

N

ninersrule1

New member
Well, I am pretty much almost set on the Rebel XTi, but still am considering the Nikon D40 or Nikon D80.

I have heard good things about the D40, but the fact only DX lenses would work on it kind of scares me, because they are very expensive, and it prevents me from having autofocus if I buy some third party lenses. I guess with shooting macro it shouldnt really be a big problem since I would imagine I'd do manual focus for that most of the time?

Anyone care to help?

I know I know. It all depends how they feel. Just know I am a beginner in the DSLR thing, and would be using the camera to mainly take pics of my tank, mostly macro shots.

How do you guys get the macro pics to look like they were taken from 1inch away. I know most of these lenses (105mm macro) say the closest they can be to object is 1 foot.

Is it just a matter of cropping?

Is it worth the extra money to go from D40 to rebel XTi or from rebel XTI to D80?
 
thanks doug.

I wonder if I go with the D40, will it limit me to nikkor only lenses, or maybe for macro it would be ok to buy a non DX lens since I probably would be doing mostly manual focus when shooting my tank?

I mean, I'd be ok with the D40 if that were the case, because I hear the kit lens that comes with it is rather nice, and I doubt I need more than it for my other photograph needs.

Basically, I just need a camera with a good kit lens and then find a nice macro lens.

Doesnt seem like there are any good DX macro lenses out yet, or am I missing something? Seems like i'd need to manually focus if I had the D40 with any of the macro lenses (105mm F2.8)?
 
Sorry. I shoot Canon so I can't speak to that but I'm sure that one of the Nikon shooters will chime in.

Nice username BTW. ;)
 
The D40 has no internal focus drive motor and hence no mechanical focus drive pin which means can only Auto Focus with AF-S and AF-I lenses (those with built-in focus motors). The biggest news however is probably fact that Nikon resisted the temptation to keep chasing megapixels and instead appear to have concentrated on what makes a good camera, a decent viewfinder, short shutter lag, very short viewfinder blackout.

So what does all this mean? I'm not 100% certain that this camera is for you. The D40 appears, IMHO, to be geared towards folks who want the flexibility of a DSLR for family shots, friends, parties, etc but without all the doo-dads and hoopajous.

If you want to be serious about your photography and you want to get decently into macro shots and such...and you want to look at a Nikon...you would want either the D80 or D70s or even the D50.

Incidentally you can get a Nikon D50, 6.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with 18-55mm DX Zoom Nikkor Lens at www.bhphotovideo.com for a mere $40 more than the Nikon D40, 6.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens.


OR...

For $700 you can buy a Nikon D50, 6.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF Autofocus Lens. I have the lens that comes with this camera and it features a modest 1:2 macro feature. SO, you could get a decent lens, good camera, *and* have at least modest macro capabilities right out of the gate and then save up for a more advanced 1:1 macro lens later.

I would go for the $700 kit personally.
 
they have the D70 with 18-70mm DX for 699 used but in 9+ condition or D70 body only for $489... would this be a good choice? Or should I just buck up and get the D80?

Niners will rule eventually..lots of good young talent. Gotta love frank gore.
 
I replied to your PM. In the end you have to figure out what you like best, what you want to be doing with the camera, how deep you want to get into photography, and ultimately how much coin you want to lay out to do it all.

Tough choices but answering the above questions will pretty much point you to the camera that you are looking for.
 
i ended up finding a good deal on a D80 and bought it with a tamron AF 28-200mm super II macro and wireless remote and 1gb card for $925... it was slightly used, but not more than a month old and the guy took a few pics with it and boxed it up because his gf bought him a D200...

cant wait to start playing with it
 
i ended up finding a good deal on a D80 and bought it with a tamron AF 28-200mm super II macro and wireless remote and 1gb card for $925. It was slightly used, but not more than a month old and the guy took a few pics with it and boxed it up because his gf bought him a D200.

cant wait to start playing with it
 
holy double post.

I haven't done that in a while :(

Well, I fooled around with the camera today, learned how to put on the lens, and take it off. LOL

How to zoom (no automatic zoom with buttons, have to do it manually by hand, WHOA, not used to that :)

It is like going back to the old school photography. I have been so used to using P and S cameras. But I am looking forward to learning the ins and outs of the camera.

I already took a few pics of the tank and the kid. So far so good, I am sure I will get things right eventually ;)
 
Sounds like you got a good deal on it. Welcome to a new hobby that's even more expensive than reefing....IF you get sucked in to the deep end. Post some of your shots with the "new" toy when you get the opportunity.
 
will do.

What do you guys recommend as far as things I should work on for just shooting my reef tank? What modes do you recommend I practice? Aperture priority? Should I go manual and play with different aperture settings, ISO settings, white balance etc?

I will be mostly working with macro shooting for now.

Also, what macro lens would you recommend for my camera? I have heard good things about the nikon 105mm but also the tamron 90 and 100. Any advice?
 
If you can afford it the Nikon 105 VR would be a very sharp lens. VR could prove beneficial in some low light aspects, not so efficient for macro but very efficient if you're visiting an aquarium and want to take some shots without tripod .
 
Quick note on shooting with VR lenses. If you are using a tripod to take a shot with a VR lens you will want to turn OFF the VR feature. Sounds crazy I know but the VR function is made to search for "shake" or "vibration" and compensate the elements accordingly....sometimes if the camera is mounted on a stable platform like a tripod the VR function will actually cause shake in the lens by searching for shake/vibration and thus possibly give a smidge of blur to your shot.

Again, I know it sounds crazy but I've read this in a couple books and on a couple websites recently. Just a friendly tip to consider.
 
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