Advice: new camera

[Cotterik]

hey guys.

ive put up long enough now with my Canon A85, its done a good job but ive been using my pentax film slr lately and its just not convenient for editing.

So im looking at a new dslr off my parents for my 18th

originally i was thinking of getting the new pentax k100d to use my lenses from my film slr but i was advised otherwise. So im looking at the Nikon range now. (i didnt like the feel of the canons)

I understand the ratings for the new D80 are very high but then again so is the price, compared to the Canon 400D there is around £200 difference with the lens kit.

So I'm wondering whether its better to go for the Nikon D80 with the 18-70mm kit or for the equal kit for the D70S. I dont want to go any higher than £600 idealy..

any tips?

[Pinin]

I can only reccomend a Canon 30D, but since you don't like them I guess I can't help you much. I've had my 20D for about 7 months and I can't fault it on anything

[Cotterik]

if anything, its out of my price range

[drakkie]

Well with 600 pounds you could barely get a dSLR body over here... be glad prices are apparently lower there

[PerfAdv]

I had the same dilemma, D80 vs D70s. The D80 is also being offered with the 18-135 in addition to the 18-70 package. Finally price and feel had me pick the D70s/18-70mm kit. With the money I saved I got the Speedlight SB600. Also, the 18-135 has a plastic mount, the 18-70 is metal.

[my porsche]

, the 18-135 has a plastic mountl

no it doesnt.

[PerfAdv]

no it doesnt.

yes it does.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-135.htm
Look under "Bad News"

[my porsche]

Ah sweet, I feel like an Ass. I've only taken it off my camera once or twice and I assumed it was metal, but I just looked and it's black plastic. Still better than the shitty Canon plastic mounts, but not metal.

I was sure it was metal, but obviously not. Doesn't really matter to me, since one it works perfectly, and two eventually I will have all pro-glass and not even use this anymore probably. Oh well, I shouldn't have been so certain.

[PerfAdv]

Like the site says, it shouldn't be a problem if you're not changing out the lenses all the time. Even then you just have to be a little extra careful when changing, not to scrape the plastic.

I want to get the 18-200mm VR. Seems it's a one step solution...

[my porsche]

I'm not really going for more huge zooms, it seems like too much of a compromise to me, so hopefully eventuall I'll have something like 17-55 f/2.8, 12-24 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8 VR and 300 f/2.8.

At least we can all agree that Nikon>Canon, right johnny?

[PerfAdv]

That's quite a collection of lenses. By the time you change the lens and compose that perfect shot... the moment's passed.

Actually, I thought the same about the 18-200 VR, as being too much of a compromise and it's slow at the telephoto range. The 70-200 VR might be a better compliment to the 18-70.

BTW, who's Johnny?

[my porsche]

That's quite a collection of lenses. By the time you change the lens and compose that perfect shot... the moment's passed.

Actually, I thought the same about the 18-200 VR, as being too much of a compromise and it's slow at the telephoto range. The 70-200 VR might be a better compliment to the 18-70.

BTW, who's Johnny?

Yes, but generallyu you have an idea what you're shooting and can choose lenses accordingly, so you won't really have to change lenses too much.

70-200VR would be an awesome compliment to the 18-70.

Johnnynumfiv, he's like a super-duper Canon fanboy.

[henk4]

At least we can all agree that Nikon>Canon, right johnny?

rather not....

[shee10]

ive been using the canon rebel xlr, it does the trick and photos come out great and can be edit very easily

[Cotterik]

ok well im sticking with the d80. thats for sure. now the question is this:

18-70 or 18-135?