Nikon D40 or ?? as my first Dig SLR?

[Gmoney]

I have heard a lot of good things about the Nikon D40. I also know it doesnt have a built it mechanism for lenses so it needs the AF-I and AF-S lenses in order to work.

I will mainly use it to shoot macro and close up shots for my website of livestock, but of course I'd use it for some personal things as well such as the family pic etc.

For its price range, am I better off with a D40 vs a D80 or Canon 30D and then spending the money on another good lens?

Which macro lens would you guys recommend?

Thanks for the input.

Gal

[tabblet15]

If you go with a Canon, a lot of people have liked the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. I also plan on buying it when I come up with the extra cash. lol. I know you didn't list it, but for the record I have the Canon Rebel XT.

[Gmoney]

yah i guess I should also throw in the Rebel XT or XTi and Nikon D50. I know there are other great cameras out there but between these I mentioned, what would be my best bang for buck.

Gal

[xiaochew]

Ypu can try Nikkor 105mm AFD . this is the older version.
if your budget allow. you can try the newer version 105mm AFS VR.

One of the best macro lens.
should be less than 500USD.

[Loverotties]

I like and use Nikon.

[marcuspajp]

Get the one that is most comfortable for you.

[Gmoney]

everyone says that, about comfort...for me I dont care...I'll be shooting mainly from a tripod to get good macros of my fish, corals etc....so I dont think comfort is much of an issue.

Just trying to figure out what is the best bang for the buck type of camera out there.

G

[marcuspajp]

What you get with the D80 for your purposes is primarily the ability to fire extra TTL-flashes wirelessly from the built in flash. With a D50 you need an extra hot shoe flash on the camera. If you think this is worth the extra money thats up to you. Also the D80 can use a wired remote, something that most people use then working from a tripod. unfortunatley none of them offer the ability to lock the mirror up before exposure. The canons however can do this. But I dont think that you will be limited in sharpness by stuff like this anyway, as the glass and coral movement have a far greater effect.

For web images the extra 4mp does nothing except waste memory space IMO. My favorite macro lens when it comes to bang for your buck is the Tamron 90mm(don't know if that one works on the D40 however).

Really all the DSLRs available are perfectly capable for almost anything anyone wants to do. Thats why everyone tells you to go with comfort.

Personally I would get the cheap body and spend the money on good lenses, flash and a decent tripod.

Hope I was able to help somewhat

[wharyat]

The XT and XTI (in my opinoin of course) are the best bang for your buck. They will do all the 20 and 30D will do (except the 5FPS, and 2.5" screen against the XT's 1.8).

I've used a 20D and own an XT, the 20D does feal a little more professional (heavier, bigger); but pic to pic comparison using the same exact lense it's impossible to tell a difference. When it comes to SLRs it's best to get the best lenses you can afford as that is where your image quality is found.

[DebsSisterFlo]

I also have a rebel xt and I just love it. I have the 100mm macro and oh gosh, well anyone here can tell you that I got my use out of it! I guess the XTi has a bigger screen and is 10 megapixel compared to the XT's 8 megapixel. I dunno, the XT does all I ask of it and more.

[Gmoney]

thanks guys.... it helps, I guess I just need to pull the trigger and fire away, no pun intended

Still trying to decide between the D40, now the D50 LOL, D70 and XT or XTi, in the price range I would like to spend.

I saw a good deal on a demo D70 with kit lens for $700... very tempting, considering most dont think it is THAT much better than the D80.

Gal

[Gmoney]

Originally Posted by marcuspajp

What you get with the D80 for your purposes is primarily the ability to fire extra TTL-flashes wirelessly from the built in flash. With a D50 you need an extra hot shoe flash on the camera. If you think this is worth the extra money thats up to you. Also the D80 can use a wired remote, something that most people use then working from a tripod. unfortunatley none of them offer the ability to lock the mirror up before exposure. The canons however can do this. But I dont think that you will be limited in sharpness by stuff like this anyway, as the glass and coral movement have a far greater effect.

For web images the extra 4mp does nothing except waste memory space IMO. My favorite macro lens when it comes to bang for your buck is the Tamron 90mm(don't know if that one works on the D40 however).

Really all the DSLRs available are perfectly capable for almost anything anyone wants to do. Thats why everyone tells you to go with comfort.

Personally I would get the cheap body and spend the money on good lenses, flash and a decent tripod.

Hope I was able to help somewhat

from what I read the wireless remote can be used on D50, 70 and 80?


Anyways, most of these things are trivial to me as I am brand new to photography, so it would take me a while to figure it all out anyways. I guess I need a good beginner DSLR camera.

[Gmoney]

Originally Posted by xiaochew

Ypu can try Nikkor 105mm AFD . this is the older version.
if your budget allow. you can try the newer version 105mm AFS VR.

One of the best macro lens.
should be less than 500USD.

ummm that Nikkor 105mm AFS VR is closer to $900 USD... so if you can get it for that cheap in singapore.... well, we need to talk

[xiaochew]

Originally Posted by Gmoney

ummm that Nikkor 105mm AFS VR is closer to $900 USD... so if you can get it for that cheap in singapore.... well, we need to talk

the older version is selling sell than $1005 sing

the vr version is selling $1230~$1290 sing.

if you have friend in hongkong . its even cheaper.

10-30% off market prices for some lens.

[Gmoney]

I was going back and forth, thinking D50 with more lenses....then Rebel XTi because it has mirror lock up... then thinking D70s ...then D80... back and forth...finally, I decided it will be either the D80 or D70s, depending on what kind of a deal I can find.

G