Need advice on a camera purchase, please..

Otohp · Mar 8, 2006

I wrote in this forum: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32728 a while ago..

I've finally come to the point where i can afford something!

..and i'm considering the NIKON D50.. It's within a decent price range, has good enough resale value (in case i suck @ photography) and seems to be able to encompass anything i should need while i'm starting out..

Can anyone supply information on this model? Pros? Cons? etc?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Big Mike · Mar 8, 2006

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d50.asp

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon_d50.html

Should be a great camera for someone starting out in the DSLR world. Plenty of members here have one...and seem to love it.

Otohp · Mar 8, 2006

Taking another look at things..

I see the D50 takes SD cards and a few other differences..

..is it worth shelling out a couple extra hundred for the D70 or D70S?

I'm in Australia, so the overseas market is no good for me..

slickhare · Mar 8, 2006

Otohp said:
(in case i suck @ photography)

my best advice: dont worry about not being good. EVERYONE has to start somewhere. so don't get discouraged when you don't turn out pictures on par with some of the vets here. if you really like photo, don't give up. just keep shooting and eventually you'll find your style. especially since you're going into digital, you can never shoot too much!

g'luck :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Otohp · Mar 8, 2006

Yeah thanks, i didn't mean it too literally ;p

Also would like some BRIEF info on lenses, as some of these cameras come packaged.. Just what they're for best and things like that, just so i know whether i need them straight away or not!

18-55
18-70
55-200
18-200

Thanks again!

Otohp · Mar 8, 2006

Ok ok..

The latest update:

Looking at purchasing the D50 (as the D70 is rare, and the D70S seems to be a bit more expensive, and is more and more seeming to not be the camera i need..)

It's probably best that i'm not spending too much as i'm just starting out ANYWAY.

A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON AFS 18-55mm
NIKON AF 70-300mm

for $1499 AUD..

OR

A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON 18-55mm
NIKON 55-200mm

OR

A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON 18-55mm
NIKON 55-300mm

for $1,399.95 AUD

Any info on those lenses (as well as what AFS and AF means) as well as what they're good for shooting, and what conditions etc. would be appreciated.

cumi · Mar 9, 2006

You can find some useful infos here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

I am also considering to buy a DSLR. Some thougths here:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44225

Look at the 18-70 lens. Lot of people use it and they are very satisfied with it. Also consider the 50mm 1.8 - it's cheap but provides very good quality.

Anyway, I think both the D50 and all the Nikon lenses are very good joice...

dsp921 · Mar 9, 2006

Otohp said:
A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON AFS 18-55mm
NIKON AF 70-300mm

for $1499 AUD..

OR

A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON 18-55mm
NIKON 55-200mm

OR

A D50 pack, on offer, the body with lenses:

NIKON 18-55mm
NIKON 55-300mm

I'd skip these kit lenses and get either the 18-70mm or if you have some extra cash the 18-200mm. Much better lenses, and the 18-70 isn't really all that expensive. The 18-200 costs more and is pretty hard to find at the moment.

Otohp · Mar 9, 2006

All the lenses listed above I have access to buy.

I think i'm going to just get the D50 with the standard 18-55..

I'll post some pics after I've bought it and had a go ;p

Big Mike · Mar 9, 2006

Sounds like a good plan to me. You can always get another lens at a later time, after you have had a chance to play with the camera and kit lens.

Arch · Mar 9, 2006

You'll be happy with the 18-55 to start with.... i bought deal number two on your above list... they are both decent enough lenses....and unbelievably quiet.... you may have read they have silent wave motors in them.... the glass is decent quality as well.

Otohp · Mar 9, 2006

On the lenses, is there a sticky forum here somewhere, or further information I can find out on the lenses topic?

I have NO idea what the differences are, and for what reason each lense is used for etc.

Arch · Mar 9, 2006

You could try and do a search within the forum to find previous threads.... and also you can just google it, theres plenty of info out there on lens types.

Otohp · Mar 9, 2006

Yeah i tried a forum search.. I'm at work all the time so I don't have so much free time between phonecalls etc..

And it's alot nicer to have the info brought from another user, instead of some site trying to sell you the lense.. if you get me.