nikon! film to digital

kimbie05

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hey, guys-

whenever i have a question, you are the first people i turn to. alot of times it's because i feel too silly to actually ask the question out loud! and of course, cause everyone here is SO helpful. but here goes. (sometimes i cant even believe i was a photo major and dont know these things.)

ok, i've never owned a digital camera. not even a cheap little one to take to parties. i'm very much a film girl. however, i am absolutely obsessed with the nikon d70, and wish more than anything i could afford it. but in the mean time, i want to stick to film, and i'm looking for a nikon SLR (the only camera i have now is my mom's minolta from the 70's, which i love dearly, but it's time to kick it up a notch!). i do alot of freelance...taking family photos and whatnot. but my specialty is "fashion photo shoots" as creative as possible, to build up my portfolio (fashion/fine art based).

my question is: can anyone reccommend a good nikon SLR(for less than 300) with lenses that i can use in the future when i eventually save up for that d70? i am scared that if i get a film nikon now, i will get the wrong kind or something and invest in all these lenses for the SLR and won't be able to use the lenses on the d70 (eventually!).

shwew. ok, thanks guys!
 
A tad bit over your posted budget but there is a $100 rebate to bring you back down to your $300 goal, the N80 can't be beat if you're looking at Nikon. The layout is extremely similar to the D70 and it focuses with all of Nikon's high end, late model IF lenses (as does the D70).
 
I myself was looking for something in that price range. I went with an N80 (F80 outside the US) It can be picked up for around 299, usually after a 50 dollar mail in rebate.

I bought this camera because it has most the fetures that a high end SLR has. The only downsides are that it's not weather sealed, it only has a 1/125 max flash sync, and has no metering with manual lenses.

reviewed at photo.net:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/nikon/n80

Other cameras in the same class:
elan 7, $350 min.
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/elan-7

maxxum 7, I think $400 but i'm not sure
http://www.photo.net/equipment/minolta/greely/maxxum7



http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wc...01&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=361776 - 299 new after rebate, 349 up front.

http://www.adorama.com/US 178477.html?searchinfo=n80&item_no=38 - 211 used

http://www.adorama.com/US 180873.html?searchinfo=n80&item_no=43 - 339 new

you probobly know all about the lenses you want, but its been said that the nikkor 50/1.8 is optically, one of the best lenses ever designed, and the best 50mm prime.

anyway nikon has a very good line of fast glass, if that's what your into, and some very high quality wide to mid zooms, 28-85mm f/3.6-4.5G ED IF AF-S
 
For that budget you might be best off going for something a bit older? Perhaps try and get an FE with an 85 or 105mm prime lens. The standard 50mm is great (I use a 1.2) but a little wide for fashion, so try entry telephoto length (>=85mm) which will be a bit more flattering and give you some room away from the model.

Don't get a Nikkormat as the lens mount is not the modern Nikon mount. I wouldn't recommend the G lenses either for fashion/glamour. Personally I wouldn't recommend any of the zooms, as you shouldn't need it for controlled photography with a model - therefore it's extra wasted glass and plastic between the light and the film.
 
everyone... thank you so much for your help! as usual, you guys helped me figure out everything i dont (but should) already know! i'm going to research all the cameras you guys suggested. i appreciate it...alot!
 

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