First DSLR!! D90 + 18-200mm VR vs D7000 + Cheapo Lense

[c0ld]

Hello guys I am going back and forth with decisions. I always had the itch of getting a DSLR when i used to play around with my dad's old nikon SLR. I have about $1200 to spend, I really wanna get the D7000 but that leaves me going with a cheapo lens. I am also considering on getting the D90 Body + a nice 18-200 VR which is gonna come around the same. I am so damn indecisive, but I am afraid I am gonna keep wanting getting the D7000 vs the old D90.

Which one would be best and why? Any other tips for a noob like me?

 

[tirediron]

Only you can say which is best for you. I would suggest the D7000 for it's newer, more advanced technology. The 18-200 is not what I would call a 'nice' lens, but rather a 'jack of all trades' and, as with a Swiss Army knife, whenever you try and make something do too much, the end result suffers. I would say the D7000 and an 18-55 lens would be an excellent starting point.

 

[Vtec44]

D7000 + 50mm prime lens.

 

[c0ld]

Alright thanks a lot for the info I am dead set of getting the D7000.

So in order to save a bit I was looking at the refurbished one at ritz going for $950 after coupon. What do you think about getting a refurbished one?? It was factory refurbished according to ritz and comes 1 yr warranty with them.
Nikon D7000 DX-Format Factory Refurbished Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - 25468B - RitzCamera.com

To go with this lens Tamron 18-200 AF F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Digital SLR Lens for Nikon D-Series. Still a noob but seems good for the price what do you guys think of this lens? And will it fit the D7000?
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/255112138.htm?bct=;cilenses-for-digital-cameras;cislr-lens

Appreciate your responses!​

 

[j-digg]

D7000 + 50mm prime lens.

Was gunna say this too, or I believe nikon offers a similarly priced 30 or 35mm thatd be a good option as well.

 

[SCraig]

I shoot with a D90 and if it were a choice between the D90 and the D7000 it would be an easy choice for me. I love the D90 but the D7000 is a generation ahead of it in features and cabilities.

My advice is to get the D7000 with whatever lens you can and then save your money and start getting good lenses. You will be a lot better off in the long run.

I'm not sure if the D7000 has an internal focusing motor or not. You might want to check that out, or someone will provide that information I'm sure. If it DOES have an internal focusing motor you can use virtually any Nikon lens made since the 60's and everything will work. If it does NOT have an internal focusing motor you will have to focus manually with some lenses. The bottom line is that you will able to use virtually any lens made for a Nikon in the past 50 years. Some features, such as auto-focus or auto-metering may or may not work, but the lens will fit the camera and it will work manually in the worst case.

Look at B&H Photo Video or Adorama. They both have very good prices on gear, including lenses. I get most of my equipment from them and have never had any complaints at all.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

18-105mm and 18-135mm are kinda sharp. 18-200mm I don't know. A D7000 have an internal focusing motor. If you don't mind better sensor, focusing, video, viewfinder, battery life, shutter, card storage and weather sealing, then it shouldn't be a big problem.

 

[Nikon_Josh]

Nikon D7000 with either 35mm 1.8 AFS G or a 18-55 AFS G, the 35 1.8 will be good fun as a starter lens and will teach you alot. Quit the obsession with wanting 18-200 lenses, this is a typical newb mistake to make. The idea that you need a lens that does everything!

 

[jake337]

The Op needs to let us know what he likes to shoot. Portraiture, landscape, macro, etc... This will help with advice on lens.

I"ll be the oddball and say go with the d90 from KEH.com for $599 and spend $600 on lens, tripod and a flash.
Or $310-399 for a D80 and the $900 on lens, tripod and a flash.

D90
Nikon Digital D 90 12.3 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com

D80
Nikon Digital D 80 10.2 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com


D2X for $850
Nikon Digital D 2X 12 MEGAPIXEL WITH BUFFER UPGRADE, BATTERY & CHARGER (NON U.S.) (CF CARD ), DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com



Nikon Autofocus fixed and zooms lens:
Nikon Autofocus Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com

Nikon Autofocus Zoom Lenses - KEH.com

Third party fixed and zoom lens:
Nikon Autofocus Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com

Nikon Autofocus Non-Mfg Zoom Lenses - KEH.com

 

[jake337]

Nikon D7000 with either 35mm 1.8 AFS G or a 18-55 AFS G, the 35 1.8 will be good fun as a starter lens and will teach you alot. Quit the obsession with wanting 18-200 lenses, this is a typical newb mistake to make. The idea that you need a lens that does everything!

Spending $1000 bucks on your first body could be a mistake as well.

 

[jwbryson1]

The 18-200 is not what I would call a 'nice' lens, but rather a 'jack of all trades' and, as with a Swiss Army knife, whenever you try and make something do too much, the end result suffers.

I find this such an interesting comment. KmH says the same thing but to be honest, I own this lens and frankly I have consistently gotten many of my best shots with this lens. I find it to be tack sharp, versatile and an excellent "jack of all trades" lens. I LOVE it. My biggest complaint is lens creep and I find it a big heavy to carry around for extended periods of time (though others will say it's not a heavy lens--it's all relative, so chill). I shoot it with my D90 and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.

Having said that, the D7000 is supposed to be the best thing out there at the moment and from the reviews, that is a commonly held belief. I'd probably suggest the D7000 too, but I would not hesitate to get the 18-200 either. Some will suggest getting the 18-55 (bleh--it's okay), and the 70-300mm. Probably can't go wrong this way either.

 

[Dillard]

Spending $1000 bucks on your first body could be a mistake as well.

This is what worries me. We see many people get the itch and dive into photography and let it pass by like a phase. I sure would hate to invest in a $1,200 body if I wasn't positive about it. Now granted, only the OP can make that call.

 

[KmH]

A $1200 D7000 body can easily be sold as used gear, to recoup a sizable portion of the $1200.

 

[jake337]

A $1200 D7000 body can easily be sold as used gear, to recoup a sizable portion of the $1200.

Same goes for most lens as well.

 

[tirediron]

I find this such an interesting comment. KmH says the same thing but to be honest, I own this lens and frankly I have consistently gotten many of my best shots with this lens. I find it to be tack sharp, versatile and an excellent "jack of all trades" lens. I LOVE it. My biggest complaint is lens creep and I find it a big heavy to carry around for extended periods of time (though others will say it's not a heavy lens--it's all relative, so chill). I shoot it with my D90 and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.

If you don't use the lens to the extreme, it's very satisfactory, but just for s**ts and giggles, try this: Find a subject with a regular horizontal or vertical stripes (I like to use the vinyl siding on my house), and stand about ten feet back. with the lens wide open, at 18mm, take a couple of shots. Do the same thing at 200mm. Look at the images carefully on your computer and note how the degree by which the lines do not appear to be parallel. There are also some CA problems with this lens. Granted, most people aren't going to do that sort of thing very often, if ever, but.... At the end of the day, if you're happy with it, that's what counts. Despite all the gold-ring glass in my bag, one of my favorite lenses is still the 18-70 that came with my D70...