Advice for new Nikon DSLR camera as a gift

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doodle

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Hi all,

I would like to buy my wife a new camera for her birthday next month and, with no knowledge of this subject outside of what i've googled(!), I am looking for some advice. Currently she has a Panasonic Lumix but I know she would like to make the jump to a DSLR. Given this, I would like to get her something of great quality and which she can use for years to come. Her main needs would be for travel photography (outdoors generally, city and country) plus some product photography.

I have spoken to a few retailers and a friend and the suggestion is a Nikon D90, based on my price range, and their experience with the brand and its quality. One of the retailers have suggested the option of getting this in a 'boxed' pack which includes a Nikon 18-105 lens, plus purchasing an additional Nikon 35 mm f1.8 lens.

My friend, on the other hand, has suggested steering clear of the 18-105 lens if possible and getting the body separate, and pairing with a Nikon VR 18-55 lens and a Nikon VR 70-300 lens.

Does anyone have any thoughts on either of these options and suggestions on which would be better given the requirements noted? Happy to provide any other info required...

Thanks in advance for your help!

Doodle
 
The D90 package with 18-105 is pretty good and with the 35mm f1.8 AFS she will be fine unless she need some mega zoom lens for reach ......

If getting body seperate i would stay away from the 18-55 and grab a 18-70 instead and add the 70-300 VR.

When she progress further and start using filters and CPL etc, the 18-55 will struggle because of the rotation when focusing at the front.
 
What sort of things does your wife take pics of? This is fairly important when considering lenses.

Heather
 
Hi Heather; Badboy...

Thanks for the responses - much appreciated.

Heather, in respect of your question - its hard to say - a bit of everything to be honest! A lot of it is just very general stuff, and a lot of it while travelling - it might be a streetscape, or a statue, or a view of the countryside while the sun is setting. Not a lot of zoom from afar though... She is also working on designing some clothing so some of it is product shots as well, requiring good light and a bit of detail.

I guess I'm trying to give her a good starting point (in terms of the flexibility of the first two lenses) that will give her plenty of options in terms of continuing to do what she does presently, but also experimenting going forward (if that makes sense?).

Hope this helps...

Doodle
 
I went from a Panasonic FZ45 to a Nikon D40 swiftly followed by the sale of the FZ45 and the purchase of A D90. I had the 18-55mm kit lens from the D40 and soon bought a Nikkor 55-300mm new and a 50mm prime s/h from ebay cheap and I have not used the kit lens since!

I think that your best bet would be the D90 plus 18-105mm kit lens (much more use than the 18-55mm) and then let your wife decide what else she would want/need when she has got used to DSLR.

I found that even though I had got used to shooting in manual and RAW with the Fz45 it was a HUGE learning curve with DSLR........great fun though! I was also extremely lucky to have a friend willing to let me have a go with any of his different lenses until I had decided what I wanted to buy.

She is a lucky lady!

Heather
 
Hi Doodle,
I can't disagree with what anyone else has said, so I'll just tell you what my thinking was and what I ended up with. I originally had a D50 with the 18-55 and a 55-200 but changed both lenses for an 18-135 as I found the extra length of the 200 wasn't worth keep changing lenses for and so now mainly keep the 18-135 on as a walkabout most of the time. I then bought a 70-300 VR for the extra length, and most recently bought a 35mm 1.8. Oh, and I changed the body to a D90.
In reflection however, I wish that I had gone for an 18-105 instead of the 18-135 which doesn't have VR. I hope this has been of some help.
 
I switched to a D90. It's a fine camera. I've had both the 18-55 and the 18- 105 and much prefer the latter. The 70-300 VR II I have currently and is really quite sharp but seem to be using it less these days now that I have the ultra sharp and also ultra expensive 70-200:shake:

Yes she'll be chuffed with D90, 18-105, 70-300, and 35mm, who wouldn't be.:thumbs: Only other point I'd make is that a macro/micro lens may be a consideration depending on the kind of products she shoots and also the D300 prices should drop soon as new models are appearing from Nikon just to complicate things a bit more for you. :D:lol:
 
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Heather, Madmardle, Doog - thankyou for the further responses - this is all really helpful and I do appreciate it.

I think based on all of this the D90 with the 18-105 is the go, plus the 35mm. I think the suggestion of going with the kit lens, giving her the opportunity to figure out what she likes and needs thereafter is a great one - half the fun is figuring all of that out I'd imagine, which I know she'd really enjoy.

Thanks again for all of your help!

Doodle
 
Hi,

I know its a present but if you can get her to a store to handle the cameras, feel the weights etc it might help you.
D90 is pretty good.


At the start of the year I bought my wife a gf3 - smaller and almost compact type but interchangable lenses. I just need to get an adapter so she can use my lenses... :D

It all depends on weight/size and then lenses you can get. Its an expensive (but rewarding) hobby.

I'd say go to Jessops, state from the outset that you are just looking, and handle as much as you can. If you feel good about a few cameras, you can come back n post about them, or if there is a deal and zero percent interest still going... hehe

Just don't feel pressured to buy.

Good hunting!
 
Thumbs up for the 18-105 here. Got one with my D7000 so I read several reviews of the lens and it's well regarded considering it's "just a kit lens". It's probably the best kit lens out there.

I will say though, the first one I got back focussed slightly but Jessops swapped it and the newer one is spot on. I know there is sharper lenses out there, but I've never been disapointed with the results from mine (unless I've made a hash of things myself!)

If you go for the D90 you could/should also consider the 50mm f/1.8 AF-D. A cracking lens for the price and it'll autofocus on the D90 thanks to the cameras built in AF motor. Add a Raynox DCR250 macro attachment and you have a budget macro set up.

Check out my flickr for some examples taken with the 50mm and Raynox (albeit on a D7000).
 
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