Do i change my camera?

Marine Breeder

Marine Breeder

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Name
Gary
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Hi All,
Looking for a bit of advice please,
I at present own a D60 with kit lenses,18-55vr and 55-200vr,A D80 with a Tamron 90mmm 2.8 macro,Kenko DG extension tubes.
I am new to digital photography,although i do have a basic understanding of,apeture,iso,whitebalance etc.Really interested in macro work.

The D60 i find very basic compared to the D80 but have recently been reading
that the D80 isn't as good a camera as i first thought.

My dilema is do i sell both bodies, or and lenses and by a D90 that seems to be recommended as a bigger improvement over the D80.
I would imagine it would be a long time before i would out grow the D90 but also want to learn on a resonably well specked camera that will take me through all the learning curves.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated wether it be different body,lenses etc..

Thanks Gary
 
The tamron 90mm macro is a fantastic lens, so you are on the right path.
What doesnt the D80 do that you want it to? You say you only thought its wasnt as good after reading something about it, meaning you were happy with it before reading?

The D80 is a solid camera, and although the D90 offers somethings over the D80, I dont think you would achieve anything better than you would with the D80. Dont get caught up in the GAS as I call it. Gear aquisition syndrome. The D80 is a more than capable camera, in my eyes you would be better off investing in better lenses than upgrading the body.
 
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TCR4x4 said:
The tamron 90mm macro is a fantastic lens, so you are on the right path.
What doesnt the D80 do that you want it to? You say you only thought its wasnt as good after reading something about it, meaning you were happy with it before reading?

The D80 is a solid camera, and although the D90 offers somethings over the D80, I dont think you would achieve anything better than you would with the D80. Dont get caught up in the GAS as I call it. Gear aquisition syndrome. The D80 is a more than capable camera, in my eyes you would be better off investing in better lenses than upgrading the body.
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I haven't used the d80 much,not long got it,but did use someone else's and liked the feel etc,got offered one at a really good price,then came the silly mistake of reading reviews etc.This is what has lead me into thinking i should
change it now.

What lenses would you suggest? sell the D60 kit with lenses, and replace with other? Keep the D80 and learn to use it?
 
Stop reading reviews and use the camera, then once you have identified the limitations of the body to your particular style and type of shooting (if any) people can offer more targeted advice on a suitable upgrade.
 
Marine Breeder said:
Hi i can only go by what i have read about iso ratings,exposure etc,i just want to start with the right tool that will take me through the learning stages and beyound.
Click to expand...

Having had a D80 and a D90, my feeling is the Nikon took the 80, an already good A1 camera, and produced an exceptional camera, by taking a few bit from models higher up in the range, giving the 'adjustment menus' more finesse, and generally producing an all rounder that you will be a long time in growing out of. Giving more time to improve your technique, get better glass, no need to worry 'will the body be up to it'.

Thats in my humble opinion . . . Yes, I know use a D5000 . . . I would have stayed with the 90 if it had a swivel screen, I cant get down low . . . The D5000 was a deliberate choice, where it matters 'to me', it 'is' a D90! If Nikon upgrade the D90 with a S/screen, I will be first in line . . . :naughty:

ET
 
Ah, the googly, you have already purchased a D80!!!!

As said, its an A1 performer in its own right, the 90 does 'strut its stuff', but you have no limitations in the glass department with an 80, screw focus. Your technique will develop naturally on the D80, I found it very easy to understand, the D90 can be a bit overwhelming on the menus, it has loads of extras and finner adjustments (that are nice but certainly not essential)!! So when you do move up, be prepared for a culture shock . . .

The one well know issue with the D80 . . . if you are into low light photography, its noise/ISO performance can be limiting?

CJS
 
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Cheers all,

So the general concensous is stay with the 80,

So what would you sell out of my kit,and what would you replace it with?
Anything that would benefit my chosen aim,macro/micro,
lens,tripod(allready have but is pants,an old slik,)flash,any suggestions appreciated

cheers Gary
 
Sell the D60 and all lenses bar the tamron 90mm. Unless you fancy keeping the 55-200 vr as a walkabout lens for stuff other than macro.

Buy a decent tripod if you arent happy with the slik one, although I have found my slik 700 to be ultra stable. Or really splash out and invest in a dedicated macro flash. Im not sure what sort of macro you are into, but if its still life/inanamite objects, a light tent might be usefull.

Keep the D80 until you are really pushing its limitations, which unless you are shooting at high ISO all the time, is unlikely you ever will.
Never buy something and read reviews after, they will always make you want the next best thing. If you bought the D90, you's start wanting a D300s, then a D700, then a D3. You'd never stop wanting, so just make the best out of what you have got.
 
You'll see the biggest improvement to your macro shots by the addition of a flash, If you have a big budget the R1C1 else something like a SB600.
 
Sounds like you want to buy something to me?
Both the kit lenses are very good and I would nt sell them, one of my friends has them and there is no difference compared to my expensive glass 99% of the time. In fact I m about to buy a 55-200VR as my 80-200 f2.8 is too big and heavy most of the time.
The main thing you are missing is a flash. I d get an SB600, sell the D60 if you are nt going to use it. I use one all the time with my macro shots and you d do very well with it and your Tamron which is also excellent.
Some of my shots here www.philcsimages.co.uk most macros done with a Sigma 150mm plus Sb600 on a bracket with extension lead and diffusser. You dont need the very expensive dedicated flash kits for decent macro nice though they are. I also have a Slik AMT780 tripod which is very good but very big and heavy. You also dont need a tripod for macro shots if you use flash as you ll have an effective shutter speed of about 1/20,000sec with the SB600 as it will be firing at aprox 1/32 power most of the time.
 
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