Looking for decent/older DSLR recommendations in the $500 range.

[jake337]

d80 for $325
Nikon Digital D 80 10.2 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com


35mm f2 $265
Nikon Autofocus 35 F2 D (52) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS WIDE ANGLE LENS - KEH.com


50mm f1.8 $76
Nikon Autofocus 50 F1.8 (52) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS - KEH.com


85mm f1.8 $349
Nikon Autofocus 85 F1.8 (62) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com

Puts you 15 bucks over budget before taxes and shipping but would be a nice start.

I also see this ugly 180mm f2.8 for $254
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA069990468210?r=FE


and this ugly 300 F4 for $364
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA069990223970?r=FE

not sure what you like to photograph, landscape, portrait, wildlife.

 

[lieforalie]

Thanks much, Jake. I think I'll pick up that D80 there. I just need to research lenses a bit here. I plan on photographing everything... I know I'll need something for landscapes, something for action shots, a macro lens, and something for general photographing.

Digital camera lens buying guide: Guides: Learn: Digital Photography Review is very helpful. Now I just need to decide whether buying used is worth the money saved, or if I should just go with all new, so that way I know everything will be fine as long as I take care of it.

So, basically what I should look for is VR, AF, and the lower the aperture, the better? Also, I should stay away from DX, if I want to upgrade to a full-frame down the road?

 

[lieforalie]

Well, I went ahead and bought the D80. Now I'm going to spend some time figuring out what lenses I need. The more I look into them, the more confused I get hahaha. Thanks again for your help, everyone.

 

[jake337]

You can get a great macro on a budget. I got my tokina at-x pro d 100mm f2.8 for $350 used. Great macro along with tamrons, sigma and nikons offerings.

Some of the lens I posted stated they were "ugly". You would have to call to see exactly what that means for each individual lens. Ugly could mean everything is ugly except the glass.

I want a nice landscape lens too although it can be difficult to find something with a wide enough field of view after being "cropped" thats affordable and has great quality.

Maybe a tamron or sigma 14mm f2.8($4-600) for landscapes, 50 and 85 f1.8's and a macro of your choice seems fitting.

I like primes so I haven't went into any zoom lens available.

 

[lieforalie]

Cool man, thanks for the advice. I should only have one last question... all of the lenses you posted were 35mm, so that means that they aren't the DX style, and would be compatible with a full frame, right?

 

[jake337]

yes

 

[flatflip]

Congrats on the D80 purchase. I like looking at used Nikon's on craigslist and I think the D80 is about the best deal out there. Plenty of bang for the buck.

 

[lieforalie]

Thanks, it really does seem like just what I need. I'm very excited!

 

[jake337]

You might want to substitute a lens for a decent flash. If you go with a newer sb600,700,800,900 you can control it off camera via commander mode. Many will say flash is a must for macro, especially bugs, water drops and anytime you want to freeze motion.

 

[dakkon76]

As for lenses, depending on what you're shooting you may love a prime or you may hate it. I pretty much stick to my 2 primes and love them. If blurry backgrounds are your thing, then don't bother with an entry level zoom lens - get a 50mm f/1.8 instead. If you want to shoot some of everything, then I say get a cheap kit lens and use it as much as you can. Get some good software that displays all of your shot info when you browse, so that you can see what focal lengths you shoot at most. Then you'll know which lens to upgrade to, and you'll be able to identify WHY you need to upgrade.

 

[subscuck]

I would suggest starting with a kit lens, period. You may find that lenses you were gear-lusting after will see little use if you actually purchased them. Don't buy a lens until you find you can't get shots you regularly miss because you don't have the lens for it. A kit lens will be invaluable in helping you figure out what you really need.

 

[lieforalie]

I'm gonna roll with this Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens 2137 B&H Photo for my first lens I think. Still looking for a decent kit lens... thanks for all of the advice, again, guys!

 

[lieforalie]

Actually, I found this "Nikon 50mm 1.8 E Series Pancake Lens in good condition with a B+W F-Pro filter on the front." for $50 on my local craigslist. Maybe I should just check that out?

 

[MTVision]

Actually, I found this "Nikon 50mm 1.8 E Series Pancake Lens in good condition with a B+W F-Pro filter on the front." for $50 on my local craigslist. Maybe I should just check that out?

I may be wrong but I think e series lenses are manual focus and won't meter on the d80.

 

[lieforalie]

Actually, I found this "Nikon 50mm 1.8 E Series Pancake Lens in good condition with a B+W F-Pro filter on the front." for $50 on my local craigslist. Maybe I should just check that out?

I may be wrong but I think e series lenses are manual focus and won't meter on the d80.

They are manual, indeed, which I don't mind. If I end up not liking it, I can always just get the new one that I listed.