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Nikon D80 (Lens Included)

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27th	of 28	in Nikon	(#1 is Nikon D300S)
32nd	of 36	in SLR/Professional	(#1 is Canon EOS-1D Mark IV)
73rd	of 76	in 9 Megapixels	(#1 is Canon Powershot G11)

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Editors' Comments

The Nikon D80 is an affordable 'enthusiast' level dSLR, offering the same stunning quality that the beloved D70 had, with some important and impressive improvements. The D80 upgrades virtually every aspect of the previous D70 models, with the exception of a shutter speed that is half as fast as its predecessor. Other than that, with a 10 megapixel sensor and the same high-capacity battery seen on the D200, this dSLR is a welcome addition to Nikon's already superb line.

This Nikon D80 Camera Kit includes a 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Mikkor Lens. For the "body only" model, click here.

Specifications

10.2 megapixel CCD
Nikon F Lens Mount
JPEG, NEF (RAW) file formats
Auto and manual focus and exposure
ISO 100-3200
2.5-inch LCD, optical viewfinder
Secure Digital media storage

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Nikon D80 (Lens Included) Comments & Questions (write your own!)

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Which Camera? (Todd — 09/08/2006)

I am seriously looking at purchasing my first dslr, and I could use a little help past the bias! Right now I'm considering the Nikon d200 with a cheaper 18-55mm lense. I'm also strongly cosidering the new Nikon d80 with a more expensive 18-200mm lense. As it is my first slr I am open to any brand of camera. I want something that is sturdy and will last though. Any help as to what the best camera in the $2,300 range with a lense would be helpful!

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Re: Which Camera? (tharrison — 09/11/2006)

Todd -

I have a Canon 10D, which has since been upgraded twice, now at the Canon EOS 30D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). This is an outstanding camera. I am not biased toward Canon or Nikon SLRs (though Canon's point-and-shoot cameras are consistently rated higher than Nikon's).

I always avail myself of the opportunity to try out other cameras, and in the last few weeks have tried the Nikon d80 with the kit lens ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) and the Nikon d200 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). A friend has the very popular Canon 350D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), or the Canon XTi 400D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )

Based on everything I can see, and have read, the Nikon d200 is pretty much equivalent to the Canon 30D. The Nikon d80 is pretty much equivalent to the Canon 350D or 400D. There are subtle differences, and in professional reviews these have occasionally favored Canon's offerings, especially since Canon has beat Nikon to market by a 6 to 12 month lead in the past, so Canon gets the jump on press. The main differences between the more expensive d200 and 30D is that they are more solid cameras; this means they are heavier, but also more durable and a bit more weather resistant. Many professionals use these cameras because of these features.

But they are also bigger and heavier than their less expensive counterparts, the d80 and the 400D. I believe the internal mechanics and electronics are the same for a given brand, although some fancier features may not be available through the menus on the lower-end offerings.

All are simply outstanding, superb cameras, in my humble opinion. There are good options for lenses from both Canon and Nikon, and other companies like Sigma, Tokina and others make compatible lenses. Sony and Pentax also both recently released the Alpha a100 and K100D respectively. While these cameras don't have a long track record, they do have image stabilization built in to the image sensor, meaning it is not necessary to buy IS lenses. If you are buying all new glass, this might be something to consider.

As for a lens, I would consider getting two; all options have a lens in the 18-55mm range, which is a reasonable range for indoor shooting. I had a 28-200 lens for my Canon -- it wasn't the best quality lens and was rather large, and also didn't have IS. I replaced it with a 70-300mm IS plus a 14-55mm (or something). The two together work very well for me. If you want to go with one lens, I am sure the 18-200 is fine, but I have to say, I really love the image stabilization and the extra 100mm tele. And 18mm seems like a wide angle, but there are thing you
can do at 14mm that 18mm is just not wide enough for. Two lenses is certainly more expensive, but you might want to see how the inexpensive 18-55 lens does for you and go for a nice telephoto zoom with image stabilization once your wallet recovers :-)

Tom

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Leon (11/12/2006)

Lick my cheesy bell

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do lenses from 6006 nikon fit digital cameras? (anonymous — 09/26/2006)

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Re: do lenses from 6006 nikon fit digital cameras? (camera? — 09/28/2006)

You need to figure out what the model of the lens is (not the camera), and then you can use this chart to figure otu compatibility:

nikonians.org/nikon/slr-len...

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Steve (09/30/2006)

Probably will work assuming it is a Nikon AF lens. I had an N8008s with AF 28-70 lens, and it will work.

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Which to buy - Nikon D80 or Canon 400D? (Steve — 09/30/2006)

I'm trying to decide between these two camera bodies. I do have a Nikon AF 28-70 lens, but afraid it will be too heavy and big. That is only price advantage to buying the D80 in that I won't have to buy a lens right away. But, I can get the Canon 400D and a nice Canon or Sigma lens for about the price of the D80 body alone, and then sell the Nikon AF lens. Is there anything about the D80 that is markedly better than the 400D? Which ones feels the best in the hand? Which feels the most well built and durable?

Thanks, Steve

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Joe (09/30/2006)

The Nikon D80 is a great semi-professional camera. It is very compact for a SLR camera especially with the features it provides - weighting in at 1.5lb (with batteries). It does have the classic pro body design that I feel most people find very comfortable.

The Canon 400D is very similar in size and shape - a bit lighter at 1.2lb (with batteries). This really is the state of the art camera. With the nine-point auto focusing feature it is much easier to take quick point and shoot type pictures. In addition it has all the standard manual functions that make it a great top of the line semi-pro camera.

I would say go with the Canon 400D especially if you think you can get a good price on those Nikon lens. But they are both well built cameras and if the price isn't right on selling those lens then the Nikon D80 would make a lot of sense.

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Steve (09/30/2006)

I only have the one Nikon Lens - and AF 28-70 from very early 90s. Not a bad lens, but effective focal length of 45-105 isn't ideal. I might be able to get around $100-125 for it on ebay. In my opinion, the Nikon is more state of the art than the Canon 400D, however. I'm only looking at whether or not the price difference is worth it, and I've almost settled on getting the Nikon unless someone can give me more reasons to go with the Canon (without a kit lenses remember).

Thanks, Steve

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Ed (10/04/2006)

The Canon 400D seems very nice on paper and I was tempted to buy one through the Internet based on what I had read.But, thank goodness, I decided to visit my local camera shop to try it for size.
After holding it for 10minutes or so I had an ache in my wrist.
No doubt an excellent performer but who would want to use it if discomfort results - it would have been wasted money for me. The Nikon D80 felt great in the hand; I will save a little longer.
Lesson: Read about them but try them for size also

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Steve (10/04/2006)

I made a mistake. My Nikon lens is not a 28-70, but is a 35-105. This makes using it much more undesireable and means I'll have to buy another lens.

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Tom (10/20/2006)

just how many megapixles are these camera's going to go up to, I'm looking at the d80, with 10.1 megapixles, they dont last as long as the slr camera's by a long shot. So what camera has the most megapixles, and is the best made camera, does anyone know. thank you Tom

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

These are both great cameras. I would recommend that you hold each of them in your hand before buying, as the ergonomics are significantly different. I have big hands, and the D80 fits me better than the Canon. I also like the design of the menus, and the button layout better on the D80. I've had my D80 almost two months, and couldn't be happier with it. But chances are you'll be happy with either choice. If you need a new lens, the Nikon's 18-135mm kit lens puts the D80 over the top, in my opinion -- a 7.5x optical zoom, a really nice zoom range, lightweight and small considering the range it covers. A few more dollars than the Canon, but I suspect you'll have this a long time and it's well worth it. The D80 was my choice, and I have no regrets.

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What is the best buy for a "beginner", the Sony Alpha a100K or the Nikon D80? (Ouzelfalls — 10/03/2006)

This camera is for my wife. She loves to take close-up pictures of nature (flowers), grandkids sports and while traveling.

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camera? (10/03/2006)

I'd actually have you consider the Nikon D200 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). It's a good entry-level SLR and seems to be a little more successful than the D80 with users.

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G-Man (10/04/2006)

The D80 at about $700 less than the D200 would be a great camera for the price. Shoot in Auto or Programed modes in the begining, and get more creative as you advance. I'd reccomend at least two lenses. Get a Zoom, maybe the 18-70mm, and a good fast lense like the 50mm 1.8 (which BTW, is only $100).

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the lenses of the Nikon N80 can be used with the Nikon D50? (ivan — 10/04/2006)

the lense is a AF telephoto.

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Andrew Skinner (10/04/2006)

Ivan,

The Nikon D50 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) and the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) do use the same lenses. In fact, all of Nikon's digital SLR cameras can use the same lenses. They have a PDF format spec sheet to compare these cameras and lenses here ( nikonusa.com/fileuploads/pd... ).

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elvira (12/02/2007)

Can I use a nikon n80 lense on a d80 body?

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Sony H5 shutter delay for a 35mm holdout... (Scoop — 10/06/2006)

I still use a Nikon F80 (35mm) camera. I plan to purchase my first digital camera and have focused on the Sony H5. I'm looking for a versatile, relatively compact camera primarly for family and kid's sporting events.

Shutter delay is a big concern. Is the Sony H5 the best sub-SLR option? Is shutter delay a problem for SLR cameras? Should step up to a SLR for shooting kid's sporting events?

Thanks!

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Brenda P (10/06/2006)

Hey Scoop,
I sympathize, I'm a 35mm holdout too.

The absolute fastest shutter response in a digital camera is going to come from a DSLR, like the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), which has a remarkable 80 millisecond shutter lag. Those cameras are high end but if you're truly interested in a quality camera with fast response (as well as tons of other features) that may be the direction to go.

As far as the Sony H5 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), it has a shutter time lag of about .4 seconds, which is decent but may not be the best on the market. <a href="impulseadventure.com/photo/... is a chart</a> that I find very helpful; it lists shutter lag time (and start-up delay) of some popular cameras and gives you an idea of what's out there for comparison purposes.

I hope that helps!

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nick (11/15/2006)

hi scoop,

I'd say for the money, a DSLR is definitely a better choice. Look into the price comparison with a nikon D50 - and it's not a huge stretch (especially if you can find refurbished for ~$450 with kit lens like I did), and the DSLR will allow you an assortment of lenses. the 50's only 6.1 mpx, but ask any pro and they'll tell you megapixels don't matter at all. I've shot with a D50 as a backup to my D2x on shoots and had professional results.

as for shutter lag charts, those are misleading, I think (have you ever had 0.1s delay on a point and shoot?). I think the numbers for point-and-shoot cameras represent when every other camera process is set manually beforehand - that is, you've focused, set aperature/shutter, and all that's left is, well, pointing and shooting. In reality, we all know the 2-3 second delay during which point-and-shoots have to read the scene, get ready ... get ready ... aaaaaand ... shoot - whereas DSLRS are nearly instant even on full auto. I'm sure the rest will get there, too; just not yet.

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What should I look for in a digital camera to get a faster shutter speed? (Alfredo Ramirez — 10/06/2006)

I'm looking for a digital camera that will take the picture at the instant I push the button.

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Brenda P (10/06/2006)

No camera responds instantly, but some respond much faster than others. To get the absolute fastest response, you'd have to spend a lot of money on a DSLR like the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), which has a shutter lag of something crazy like 80 milliseconds.

But in the realm of point and shoot, the new Sony Cybershots are fast, among others. Here is a chart that shows lag time for many popular cameras; this might help you:
impulseadventure.com/photo/...

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I have an older Nikon Nikkormat. Can my Nikon lens from this camera be used on a D 80? (Lew — 10/08/2006)

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

I don't know. My guess is no -- for sure it wouldn't take advantage of some of the features of the D80 even if it could be used. But even if it could be used, I wouldn't. First, assuming you have just one lens you're talking about, I'm guessing a normal lens (50mm), the 35mm equivalent focal length when used on the D80 is going to be longer because the sensor is only 2/3 the size of a 35mm film frame -- in this case, resulting in a 75mm lens. Additionally, if it's not autofocus, you're giving up a huge benefit of the D80. Finally, new lenses are optimized optically in many ways for digital, and you won't have those benefits with older glass. In summary, if you're going this far, go all the way and get at least one of the kit lenses Nikon bundles with the D80 -- I'd recommend the 18-135mm.

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Lew (11/02/2006)

Bob, Thanks for the reply. I have lens down to 24mm. I guess you are right with staying with the newer lens. Again, thanks for your relpy.

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Should I buy a Canon Rebel XTi or a Nikon D80? (Tom in Denver — 10/11/2006)

I'm an intermediate photographer. Which would be more versital and a better buy?

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Mike Ruthven (10/27/2006)

When I bought 6 months ago, I waffled between the D50 and the XT, and picked the D50 because it seemed like there was little to choose between the cameras, and the Nikon was cheaper. I think you have the same thing with the D80 and the XTi, except that the Canon is now cheaper. One possible difference maker would be memory cards, another would be lenses. Nikon has a great 18-200 with VR (although you have to wait to get one due to popularity) that is a great combo of features and price. Canon has some outstanding lenses, but none that I know of that compete directly with this particular Nikon. For memory, the Canon uses CF which is a better design in my opinion (no 2GB limit like SD, which was recently addressed with SDHC) and I think CF is still cheaper per MB than SD.

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

These are both great cameras. I would recommend that you hold each of them in your hand before buying, as the ergonomics are significantly different. I have big hands, and the D80 fits me better than the Canon. I also like the design of the menus, and the button layout better on the D80. I've had my D80 almost two months, and couldn't be happier with it. But chances are you'll be happy with either choice. Other factors are your existing lenses (if you already have Canon lenses, go with the Canon), and possibly memory (Canon uses CF, Nikon uses SD cards). But memory isn't that expensive any more; I switched from Canon to Nikon and bought new SD cards -- in the grand scheme of things, they cost very little. Bottom line, though, you're going to get great images with either of these.

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Multi-shot DSLR vs Point shoot (Bob — 10/14/2006)

Looking to replace me wife's Canon S400 with DSLR or another point-shoot. Main requirement is for fast multi-shot capabilty for pics of animals in motion. Any suggestions?

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Brenda P (10/14/2006)

Look for something with fast shutter lag and fast shot-to-shot times. The Canon EOS 20D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) has shutter lag of .16 seconds on autofocus and .48 seconds between photos. This is on definitely one of the faster cameras in this price range.

You may want to consider a DSLR for REALLY fast times- the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) performs operations in fractions of a second. Understandably the price jumps up too.

Also consider a camera with burst (or continuous) mode. This is a feature that allows you to push the button once and take multiple pictures in succession. For example the 20D mentioned above takes about .2 seconds between shots in burst mode. This is twice as fast as its typical time... burst mode is convenient when shooting something like animals in motion.

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

The D80 should fit the bill nicely for your purposes ... virtually instant on, practically no shutter lag, and a true 3 frames per second up to 100 shots at full resolution -- no one currently beats that at this price range. I highly recommend the D80.

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Do Nikon AreSLR lenses for film camera compatible w/ D80? (hdill@aol.com — 10/15/2006)

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John B Franklin (10/26/2006)

No answer, but I do have several older Nikkor lenses (for old Photomic) which I would like to know if they can be adapted to the D80.

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Ben Keough (12/05/2006)

Hi, I noticed that you haven't marked any replies as the "best answer." Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on digitalcamera-hq.com so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!

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sue (12/27/2006)

After just recieving this as a gift I did read in the owners manual that yes they are if used in the manual not AF position.

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Are Nikon SLR lenses for film compatible with D80 body (hdill@aol.com — 10/15/2006)

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Andrew Skinner (10/22/2006)

The Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) uses the AF mounted Nikon lenses. If your flim-in lenses are AF style, they will work.

Andrew

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

Remember that the sensor in the Nikon (and most other) DSLRs is only 2/3 the size of a 35mm film frame. That means the 35mm equivalent focal length when used on a DSLR is 50 percent longer -- for example, a 50mm "normal" lens on a film SLR would be the equivalent of a 75mm lens on a digital SLR. So chances are you're going to need to buy at least one or two new lenses to cover the wide angle end of the spectrum.

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Piero Foto (02/28/2007)

Hi, hdill.
I have just determined that using nikkor 35mm film lenses on a digital camera system is simply just not worth the hassles for serious photography. I have just got rid of all my SLR nikkor lenses and invested in new DSLR Nikkor lenses that are compatible with the D80 DSLR camera system.

BOTTOM LINE:
The DSLR lenses works much more better, properly, efficiently, and professionally for digital than the older Nikkor lenses. If photography is your business, I would strongly suggest to step to the plate and update, or else you be defeating the purpose of new technology.

I know its been a while when you asked your question, and since its still an open question I have taken to the chance of responding to it, but if you no longer need any additional advice it would great if you can pick an answer and close off the question, thanks!

I hope this info will help in some way.

Happy Shopping!
Piero Foto

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Cliff (07/18/2007)

I have no idea what Piero is saying... here is the real true bottom line: All AF and AF-S Nikkor lenses work perfectly with the D80.

AF - AutoFocus lens. This is the "screwdriver" type autofocus lens. Works fine on the D80. Put it this way, it works no differently between the D80 and the very best old film body.

AF-S - The "newer" autofocus system. This type of lens has a focus motor in the lens itself, with only electrical contacts between the lens and the body. As such, the focusing is generally faster and more quiet.

In fact, even some pre-autofocus lenses will work on the D80. Of course, they won't autofocus, but you can focus them manually. These should be "AI" or better.

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geraldo59 (12/16/2008)

I have tamron 28-200mm AF aspherical ld lense for Nikon film camera, what Nikon DSLR will it be most compatible today.

Thank you.

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Effect of lower shutter speed will affect sports photography? 30 Points (SUBRATA MITRA — 10/25/2006)

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Joe (10/25/2006)

Well have a low shutter speed means that the shutter closes more slowly allowing light to be received by the sensor longer. This creates a blur affect if it is a low light situation or the camera is not kept steady. If you want to get some one running and be able to "see" the motion, aka motion blur, then you want to use a low shutter speed, hopefully it won't be too bright out. Fast shutter speed will capture "quickly" meaning it needs a lot of night to work well. This way your running person will look totally still, no motion blur, but light is needed, hard to do from the stands or low light arenas. Tripod recommended. Does this answer your question?

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

If your question is in reference to the D80's shortest shutter speed of 1/4000 rather than the D70's 1/8000, no, it won't affect sports photography in 99.9 percent of the shots. The 1/4000 effectively stops any kind of sports action. It wasn't too long ago that film cameras had a shortest shutter speed of 1/1000, and that stopped over 99 percent of the action. So I wouldn't shy away from the D80 at all because of the 1/4000 "limitation." It's a non-issue, in my opinion.

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Ben Keough (12/07/2006)

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SUBRATA MITRA (12/07/2006)

I noticed some times even with Sb800 flash photos are blurred or 'shaky'. why does that happens? I use D70.

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Cliff (07/18/2007)

At 1/4000 of a second, you can stop a bullet. Seriously. 1/8000 is there simply to extend the range, say, if you want to be wide open at f/2.0 on a bright sunny day. But it has no additional effect in stopping action in sports photography.

For your second question, flash photography, you need to consider two sources of light. One is ambient light, (light other than your flash in the area), and the other is the key light, which in this case would be your flash. It's true that a flash "pop" is so quick that it will effectively stop action just like a fast shutter speed would, but in these cases you must consider how much of the final light in the scene is ambient and how much is key. So, if your flash is 90% of the light in the scene, it's going to freeze action. If your flash is 50% and the ambient light is contributing 50%, then you could see blurring due to the subject moving and/or the camera movement.

There are lots of things to consider. A flash like the SB800 is probably good only to about 30 feet. After that, it's really ineffective. You also have to account for any focus issues. Sports/action photography is not simple, it takes practice. A good sports photographer is like a good hunter... they need to know what they're doing, they need to concentrate, use good technique, etc., all that adds up to the end result.

Hope that helps!

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What is SLR? (Amber — 10/25/2006)

I'm looking for a GREAT point and shoot. I love to take pictures of my kids and I like to get close up but my 4MP isn't getting it done. I want a Kodak and am looking at the P880 and P712 but I noticed the P712 said it was a SLR and I have not idea what that means to me. I thought I wanted the 880 until I realized it didn't have the stabilization feature. What is SLR and what would be best for me?

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Brenda P (10/27/2006)

SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex... it basically means that there is a moving mirror inside the camera that reflects light to create an image. In layman's terms, an SLR is the "complicated" version of a camera- it lets you adjust all settings like exposure, focus etc. Think of it as the difference between a disposable film camera and a big heavy one with attachable lenses.

A digital SLR (DSLR) can mean many things... most often the term is used for something like the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) (aka the really heavy-duty stuff). The P712 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) says that it "doesn't come with the steep earning curve of a dSLR" and that it is for people who want "dSLR-style power without getting bogged down in investing in thousands of dollars for lenses and additional accessories."

So... the P712 isn't really an SLR camera. But it is a point and shoot with some sophisticated features and amazing results. It has full manual settings, so if you want to learn how things work you can turn everything to manual and teach yourself. Or you can just leave it at Auto and use it like a Point and Shoot. I HIGHLY recommend this camera.

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does the D80 have image stabilization? (Jan — 10/28/2006)

Are the stabilization features only with the digital nikon lenses or can that be accessed with the older AF lenses?

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Andrew Skinner (10/28/2006)

Jan,

With the dSLR cameras, you can only get the IS in the lenses (for now). I'm sure they will come up with a way to build it into the SLR body in the future though.

Andrew

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Jan (10/28/2006)

Thanks. I have older AF lenses. Do these lenses diminish the camera's performance

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Andrew Skinner (10/28/2006)

Jan,

I would say no on this. Nikon makes great lenses and if you have kept them clean and didn't see issues with them previously, you should be able to enjoy them well into the future.

Andrew

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Jan (10/28/2006)

Thanks for your help. Now I just need to save the egg money!

Jan

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Bob Bergey (11/02/2006)

High end cameras currently build the IS into the lenses -- Nikon uses the term VR -- Vibration Reduction. You get higher quality images with it in the lens rather than the body, plus a greater range of effectiveness -- up to four stops, rather than an average of about 2 stops when it's in the camera, where effectiveness varies depending on the length of the lens. The down side is that it makes lenses more expensive. But at this level, image quallity takes precedence, so I doubt you'll see it in DSLR camera bodies from Nikon.

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Why make the D80 half as fast in the shutter speed as the D70? Is the Shutter Speed on the D80 fast enough? (Martin K. — 11/01/2006)

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Brenda P (11/01/2006)

I read that the reason for this lower shutter speed on the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... is because it uses a straight mechanical shutter rather than a combination mechanical/ electronic shutter like other Nikons. It has to do with flash sync speed too (D70 has 1/500th, D80 has 1/200th, I think). But basically what I've heard from users is that most people don't use extremely fast shutter speeds anyhow. It's a rare situation that would require a 1/8000 shutter speed where 1/4000 wouldn't do just as well, so it seems Nikon ditched the higher speed in favor of other advanced features (which the D80 definitely has over the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... is the factor that these super-fast shutter speeds can be used to control light when you have a wide aperture, but you can also use the camera's sensitivity settings to take care of that, so basically the speed of the D80 should be plenty fast enough for anything you want to do.

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Adalberto Amaya (11/02/2006)

A camera is a tool whose use is defined by the user. Hence, two very basic questions arise. What is the lowest and highest shutter speeds and lense aperture settings on the D80 with included lense?

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Will F3 manual focus lenses work on D80? (Chris Bashall — 11/07/2006)

I have had an F3 from new (mid 80's) and have several manual focus lenses for it. Will these work on the D80? is there a manual focus programme?

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by James DeRuvo (11/07/2006)

As long as the mount is the same, they should work, but only in manual mode.

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Sony Alpha a100 vs Canon Rebel XTi (Chuck — 11/11/2006)

I'm trying to decide between the Sony and the Canon and ask fro some feedback from thse who purchased either. I see the price difference as insignificant and was leaning towards the Sony except for the noise issue and slow (compared to Rebel) start up time. Does the image stabilization adjust for shaky hands, action shots, or reduce noise? I am purchasing this for indoor and outdoor stills and actions shots. Anything else I should consider?

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Brenda P (11/19/2006)

The image stabilization is designed to compensate for shaky hands, and it also allows you to take photos at slower shutter speeds than you would normally be able to- say it's dark out, and you don't have a tripod, stabilization will perhaps let you kick down the shutter speed a bit to capture more light without getting a blurry photo. It won't perfectly freeze a moving subject or do anything to reduce image noise.

Regarding these two cameras, my opinion is that the Rebel ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) does better with handling image noise, and also seems to have more natural color in most lighting situations.

For a really comprehensive look at these cameras side-by-side, (plus the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )), I HIGHLY recommend <a href="digitalcamerainfo.com/conte... webpage</a>. It takes forever to read all the comparisons, but there are some great sample images and graphs there so you can really make an informed purchase.

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what is best camera for brochures? (prmaven — 11/14/2006)

What is the best camera that delivers hi-resolution output for pics to use in brochures and web.

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by James DeRuvo (11/14/2006)

I'd be looking at SLRs ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) for this purpose. That way, depending on what you are shooting, manual settings will enable you to maximize your photo options. It'll be important to light your subject correctly and not rely on the flash as they can create hotspots all by themselves.

I'm partial to Canon's Digital Rebel XTI ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) or the 30D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). Two very good cameras. Secondly would be Nikon's D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) because Nikkor portrait lenses are the finest in the business.

Pricey, I know. But if this is your business, it will pay to invest in the equipment that gets just the shot you want.

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I currently have a Nikon N80 and want to switch to a Nikon D80 (rmdittmar — 11/19/2006)

I am a novice photographer and most of my photos are of my gymnast and cheerleader daughters. We are generally indoors and I am trying to get the best action shots I can. I want to switch to digital because I'm going through film like crazy and only about 1/2 of my photos are keepers. Any suggestions about a less expensive model would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Rose

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Brenda P (11/19/2006)

Hi Rose,
If you're a novice but are interested in moving into DSLRs, you'll have a learning curve ahead of you. With that said, they are worth the investment if you're dedicated to learning how to use them.

If you like the Nikon line, a cheaper alternative to the D80 is the Nikon D50 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). It's Nikon's 'entry level' DSLR, and it has a full automatic mode so that you can still get good pictures even while you're learning how to use it. Yet it has the majority of the perks of a full DSLR. Definitely worth a look if the D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is a little too out there.

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Canon 30D vs Nikon D80 vs Nikon D200 (CSaponaro — 11/27/2006)

Looking to purchase Digital SLR and have been reading all the reviews. In most not all the Canon 30 D is refered to as semi-pro and highly rated even over camera's such as the Nikon D80 ( which has 10.2 mp that is typically compared to the Canon Rebel XTi). Not sure were the Nikon 200 falls be seems to be compared to the Canon 5D. The Nikon D80 comes with a fairly nice lense ( 18-135mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 DX Zoom-Nikkor) and is much cheaper than the Canon 30D. At any rate my budget says Nikon D80 or Canon 30D. If the 30D is better, should I get the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens.

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by James DeRuvo (11/27/2006)

Both are equally good choices. Both have great lenses and you can grow with both as well. And both can use older lenses. And that's the thing here. If there's one thing that can sway you one way or the other, it's the infamous Nikkor 105mm portrait lens. There's no better lens, ever. And if you can get one, it'll be the best you can get. And I'm a Canon man.

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jp (12/02/2006)

im planning to buy my first dslr camera. im choosing between the nikon d80 and the canon 30d, can you please tell me what are the advantages and disadvantage of these two?

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DSLR (12/29/2006)

I have been in the professoinal photography business for more than 15 years. To show balance, I use both the D2X and 1D with equal pleasure in my work.
Recently, I was in a toss up between the D80 and 30D for semi-professional, off-work, leisure use. I have toyed around with both the D70s and 30D, before, and they were both equally capable to produce remarkable photos when in the right hands. After some deliberation, I finally decided on the D80 for a number of reasons: First and foremost, Nikon has consistently focused its resources into the field of photography, so their expertise in mechanics and optics should be and is unsurpassed at this level (albeit Leica and the Zeiss). On the contrary, Canon seems to be a follower in this field, despite having caught up fast. Canon is frankly not as focused in this field, despite its agressive marketing tatics to capture a wide fan-base (Red / Gold ring lenses, white lenses, etc. which is simply meaningless to the anyone who knows his lenses). Secondly, the "feel" of the D80 is definitely more comfortable and well-balanced when the camera is held at hand. While it could be generally true that the more solid feeling camera (usually the heavier weighing one) gives a more sturdy and professional grip, I found the lighter D80 to be ideally weighed and more balanced, with a center of gravity appropriately place (lower-center-rear), while the 30D was unncessarily heavy and tended to twist and tilt ones grip forward-right (I can imagine this worsening on heavier lenses). This creates a magnitude of uncomfort once the 30D is used for longer periods. Thirdly is the fact that the Nikkor lenses are more appropriately priced. I am unsure whether this is a marketing tactic; however, I have witnessed consistent price increases for Canon lenses over the past 10 years, without significant improvement towards quality. One point that may affect the decision of buyers towards the Canon is the fact that it is "assembled" in Japan, while the Nikon is "assembled" in Thailand. If there were two versions of the D80, one from Japan for Japanese market and one from Thailand for the rest of the world, then I'd worry. But frankly, when even the discerning Japanese consumers are getting the same product, this becomes a mute point. Nikon will not risk its image and status through offering potentially lower quality products. Your Benz, Porsche or BMW will have many components not made in Germany. Likewise for a 30D that is only assembled in Japan.

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by James DeRuvo (12/29/2006)

DSLR is spot on in this regard. You can't go wrong with that Nikkor lens.

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adavid1 (02/05/2007)

Hi, i'm studying photography with the intention of doing wedding photography full time. What would be the best camera to get, initially i wanted the canon 5D but its quite expensive....now its a toss up between the canon 30D or the Nikon D200 - which would you say is the better of the two, also taking into consideration the affordability of lenses.

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n1patrick (03/16/2007)

DSLR, how can you say Nikon is following Canon? Nikon has been playing catch up to Canon every since the first digital camera was introduced. They don't even have a full frame dslr on the market. Nikon doesn't have anything that can compete with the Mark 1ds or the new Mark III. In fact Nikon just released the D40x to compete with the rebal.
That said, I shoot with Nikon.

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by James DeRuvo (03/19/2007)

There's one reason to go Nikon over Canon. The Nikkor Lens. No better lenses in the world.

That being said, I'm a Canon man. Nikon lost my interest with their very slow and bulky autofocus cameras back in the 80s. But their new digitals look pretty good though.

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lighthouse (03/30/2007)

DSLR or Mr. DeRuvo:
I have been going nuts reading reviews after reviews. I am trying to find the right camera for me. I used to own a Canon EOS Rebel G which I loved so much. It just gave up on me when I went on my 8 weeks vacation, I took about 300 pictures (during the last week of my vacation) and I owned it for ~10 years. Now I have a Panasonic FZ20k. It takes great pictures both indoor and outdoor. Since my kids are now playing hockey, softball/baseball I would like to move on to a DSLR camera where I can actually play with the lens. So, for indoor sports or Musical play which camera is good in low light? One camera dealer advised me to get Pentax k10D because of the SR; the others said get the XTi. I did get the Xti; it was very light and felt like a toy to me. So, I returned it. Then I moved on to K10D, I actually purchased it and let it sat in the bag for couple of days. Finally when I opened the box, it was used so I returned it too.(I learned my lesson there by the way) And was told it was the only one they have in the store. So, in other words I am still waiting for another K10D to arrive. I think it's a sign not to get the K10D?
Now, I am back to reading reviews after reviews after reviews. I am now moving on to D80 vs. 30D (perhaps D40x???). After reading this:
************************************************
DSLR wrote:
I finally decided on the D80 for a number of reasons: First and foremost, Nikon has consistently focused its resources into the field of photography, so their expertise in mechanics and optics should be and is unsurpassed at this level (albeit Leica and the Zeiss). On the contrary, Canon seems to be a follower in this field, despite having caught up fast.
************************************************
I am leaning towards the D80. Which camera is good in low/ indoor lights? I have read the CNet reviews for the D80 they gave it 8.4, Canon 30D I think it's an 8.0 and the D40x doesn't have one yet. They did have a review for D40 of 7.4 out of 10. Since the D40X is clone of D40 ( except it's 10 megapixels) do you think I should wait for the D40X reviews? If I get the D80, Is 200mm f2.8 fast enough to capture good pictures? Is Sigma 200mm f2.8 going to fit in the Nikon D80? Or does Tamron have 200 mm f2.8 that will fit in D80? What specific lense should I buy? Doesn't lenses have letters (mount?) after the f2.8. I am new to this whole thing so, please help. Thanks again for your time.

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tharrison (03/30/2007)

Lighthouse --

If the XTi was too light for you (a toy), you most certainly want the 30D or the D80 (or D200). Opinions about which company is conceptually better at cameras notwithstanding, Nikon and Canon are both real camera makers, and these are all real cameras. If you have any lenses from your old Rebel, then they'll work on the 30D, which would seal the deal for me. If not, then it's a toss up.

As a long-time Canon owner and serious (not professional) photographer, I very much appreciate the solid, strong performance of the 30D predecessor, the 10D which I have owned since it was released in 2004. The metal body, great functionality and speed are all great in the 10D, even by today's standards. The 30D is faster, has an even better image processor (lower noise at high ISO), more MP, a spot meter and a few other things I miss a little on the 10D. So it sounds like a great camera. I have heard similar raves about the 200D from Nikon.

I do think Nikon's glass has a great rep, however you should know they are going through a transition now, putting the focus motor in the camera, where it used to be in the lens (they had it in the lens for backward compatibility with their non-AE/AF lenses from many years ago). This means, I think, that there will be some incompatibilities in their lens line over the next few years. Canon made that switch (much to the ire of Canon owners then) in the early 1980s. So you may have a wider selection of lenses from Canon, although that's mostly speculation.

I would avoid all the other dSLRs, given your experiences so far. While many are fine, the Canon and Nikon offerings are the ones most pros choose, and if you want a solid camera, this is where you should stick. You will NOT be disappointed in either.

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by James DeRuvo (03/30/2007)

To Tom, you listen, wise is he!

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DSLR (04/03/2007)

Hi all....sorry for the late reply as I have been mostly out of town. The Nikon vs Canon topic will frankly be a never ending debate. Agreed with TomH, you should only stick to one of these two brands. The option of the body is really a short-term commitment, for a life-time hobby, and it depends on your application at the moment of question. If you're a beginner/enthusiast, it'd be hard to justify going beyond the 30D or D80. It'll take you a good year of serious shooting before you can really master all the features both cameras have to offer. This is besides having to learn all the proper shooting techniques. The real decision maker is on the lens, which will be transferrable asset to-and-from bodies of the same make (mostly if you don't decide to step down for the D40 in the future). So you really should be looking at the range of lenses available for a certain make, and the quality, speed, weight, etc of the ones that would apply to your application(s) at the moment of question. I know I haven't answered any questions directly, but it is frankly an internal issue with oneself.
To lighthouse, you asked about shooting indoors (I presume portrait photos). This depends on the distances you will be covering during your indoor shooting. 200mm is obviously great if you need to reach across relatively long distance (e.g. runway models or podium speakers). However, if you are mainly shooting portrait across distances within 2-3 meters, you may even consider a fix-focus 35mm or 50mm f/1.8 or 1.4 lens, which are great for indoors and out-door night photography.
All said, I tend to lean towards Nikon bodies due to my believe in the range and quality of Nikkor lenses. Agreed with DeRuvo.

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lighthouse (04/04/2007)

Hello,
Thank you all for responding to my message. It helped me a lot in deciding what to get. I finally got the D80 with 55-200mm Quant...for $1099 plus $50 gift card and 19.99 Epson mini printer. I think I had a great deal. I was a little picky w/ the lens they gave me. It had some finger prints when I got it so, I returned it and got a Nikkor 55-200mm instead. I paid the difference with the $50 gift card I got when I bought the kit and $50 more in cash. In short paid $1150 (out of pocket) for D80 body and Nikon 55-200mm lens. I also ordered me a nice Nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens for the indoor portraits. I do think that the 55-200mm Nikkor lense will be good enough for now. I am saving for a faster lens i.e. f2.8 for my indoor "Hockey photos". NOW, my last question... Which of these Nikon lenses is good enough for shooting indoor hockey photos and I can also use outdoor? 180mm , 55-200 or 105mm f2.8 ? Is there a 18-180mm/25-180mm made by Nikon?Please let me know which will be the smart choice bec. I don't have that much money to spend. I know if I can get a lens that's faster (indoor) than the Quant that I got now, I will be happy and won't even think of any other lens again. Again, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GOOD ADVISE. Hope to hear from you soon.

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by James DeRuvo (04/04/2007)

Lighthouse, go one step further and purchase a 1A skylight filter for that Quantray lens. It'll be the best insurance policy you can buy. I can't tell you how many times I saved a lens from impact damage by trashing that filter.

As for buying a 50mm lens, frankly, I think that's a waste of money. Get the 105mm Nikon instead. And I think that you're covered on the lens for hockey.

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lighthouse (04/05/2007)

Thanks again, have a geat day!

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Deep (04/08/2007)

I am a real amateur and from this conversationI believe that D80 is way to go. Could you please (lighthouse) tell me which shop you bought it from and what are the steps. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

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by James DeRuvo (04/09/2007)

We're glad to help, Deep. If you're committed to the D80, check out these prices ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). They're quite competitive.

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Haley (04/10/2007)

To pay 1,000 plus for either the 30d or the d80 is foolish, as I have found both for somewhere in the range of $700(shop around online), though this is body only, for the 30d that is UNBEATABLE. The K10d is wonderful but I do not like the choice in lenses. Olympus is also coming out with the e410 and e510, which are options to consider. Canon Nikon Olympus and Pentax. Those are the brands. Canon really lost a few points when they came out with such a flimsy cheap feeling camera as the 400d.

On the subject of lenses for the Nikon id go with the 18-70mm and a nice 50mm, as I take mostly low light shots.

by the way someone mentioned looking at cnet reviews.....don't. Bias bias bias is all I can say about their camera reviews . They are not photographers and many of their statements are down right inaccurate. They rate based solely on how expensive a product is.

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Liehsc (04/26/2007)

Check out Ebay, you can get a used Nikon D70s for $500, D80 for $750 and a Canon 30D for about $900. As far as lenses I would stay with Nikon, Canon, Tokina and lastly Sigma. Remember these cameras have a 1.5 to 1.6 crop factor on them. So a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is equivalent to a 75mm on a regular film camera.

Light house, Nikon makes a 70-300mm f3.5-4.5 with an image stabalizer on it. Runs brand new around $450.

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marley (04/26/2007)

Great choice on the D80 lighthouse. If I were you I'd definitely try and get a Nikkor wide angle lens. Either the well built 18-70mm for around $320 or the nice 18-55mm for about $170.

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lighthouse (05/02/2007)

Hi Everyone!

Deep: Sorry I haven't had a chance to check my e-mail for the longest time lol. Anyhow, if it's not too late, I got mine at Ritz/Wolfe Camera. I did wait for a long time to get that deal :-P Check their website and they might have a sale for "Mother's Day".

Haley: Thanks :- )

Liehsc and Marley: I will definitely check out those lenses. Thank again:-)

And YES!!! I'm loving my new D80 (with 50mm f/1.8)

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tomadaonline (05/29/2007)

I have a video production company and am just getting into the DSLR market. I have been looking at the D80 and the D200 with their +18-200mm ED DX VR II lens. The longer I look at reviews the more confused I'm getting. Somewhere in this thread I read that if I'm new, then anything past the D80 is not smart. My interests are shooting mountain biking, mostly up close, weddings, nature, and some event photography.

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by James DeRuvo (05/29/2007)

Tom, sooner or later, it may come down to trying them out. Heading on over to a camera store that sells upper level SLRs and simply trying them out. Holding them, seeing how they feel in your hand. Some even will let you rent them for a day or two and usually apply the rental fees to the price of purchase.

In the end, you can read all the reviews you want and you're just as confused as you started. But when you're holding that camera in your hand, seeing what it looks like in the viewfinder, and judging the speed of the focus, etc. first hand, then suddenly, all becomes clear.

Just don't let the salesman sell you on third party lenses and accessories unless you like the results. Salesmen make their commission (called spiffs) on these third party accessories. So beware.

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tomadaonline (05/29/2007)

Thanks James...that's how it started. I heard about the Nikon D40 so stopped in to check it out. It felt like a toy. So I tried the D80 and the lens felt cheap...and it was a Nikon. Then I stopped by a different store and held the D200, and fell in love. But it's so expensive and if I add this great lens, the 18-200mm ED DX VR II, which I cannot find to try out, but is available on eBay, will the camera be too heavy? Plus it costs $2200.

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Karnelf (05/30/2007)

Hello! I am also trying to choose between Nikon D80 and Canon 30D. 80D has plastic body, 30D - metal. Maybe, Tom, this 30D will not leave a feel of a toy on you? 80D is never referred as semi-pro, but 30D is. Megapixels in this case don't play a huge role, isn't it? So what to choose when you see that 30D is only 100-200$ expensive? I just burrowed through the forums and reviews and once met a great answer - choose the one with better lens. My interests are mainly portrait, indoors, outdoors, nature, not much of macro or close up? So which camera and which lenses will you, the experienced, recommend? I mean not the brand, but the model, since this brand battle will never end!

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tomadaonline (05/30/2007)

Well, I'm not an experienced photographer but have been shooting event video for the past 4 years. I would like to get a camera that has plenty of growing room, and the Nikon D200 with their 18-200 f3.5 VR lens looks like a winning combo.

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tomadaonline (05/30/2007)

My interests are event photography, mountain biking, nature, and probably some portraits. The sales person at my local store steered me to the D200 for sealed body, speed (5fps), and suggested that it is a better camera than the 30D. Then I read until my eyes closed, more than once, and found the lens, although I cannot find one to test as they are all gone except for a few sites on eBay.

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Karnelf (05/30/2007)

Tom, is this the lens you want to buy?
photozone.de/8Reviews/lense...

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tomadaonline (05/30/2007)

Yes...

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Karnelf (05/30/2007)

Read it carefully, they are not much happy with results, though VR is of course great option. If you're not nuch concerned about vignetting abberations and so on then it's great choice. Otherwise they recommend not to use "all-in-one lenses, but try to use a pair of them for different occasions. This should give better results.

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by James DeRuvo (05/31/2007)

Good points, Karnelf. It does look like the results from this lens are mixed at best.

As for weight, I you may find other lenses that could be slightly lighter, but what's the tradeoff? My experience has been that usually third party lenses are heavier than manufacturer lenses. But YMMV.

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Liehsc (05/31/2007)

I wouldn't buy the 18-200mm lens for shooting mountain biking. You need a faster lens. The Nikon 50mm 1.8D is good it only costs $100 and is a very good lens. I would then by a 12-24mm Tokina, this is very good for landscapes and would also be good for wide shots of mountain bikes coming down the trails. This lens will run you about $500. Then make sure you buy a good filter for both. Then if you want a telephoto I would go with the Nikon 80-200mm with tripod collar. New will run you about $800 used around $600. All of these lenses you can find at you local camera store or on ebay. Hope this helps.

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tomadaonline (05/31/2007)

Would one of the lenses in the Liehsc suggestion work for weddings and general event work?

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Liehsc (05/31/2007)

If you decide to go with the Canon 30D i would get the 17-40mm F4 around $600 or the 24-105mm F4 around $700. This is a heavy lens though. For telephoto i would go 70-200mm F4 around $500 or the 70-200mm 2.8 is for $1500. All in all the nikon and canon are pretty close it really just depends how they feel in your hands.

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tomadaonline (05/31/2007)

I'm actually most interested in the Nikon D200

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Liehsc (05/31/2007)

The 50mm 1.8D is a very good lens for portrait and general event photography. If you can spend $1000 bucks on a lens I would go with the Nikon 17-55mm f2.8. Great for everything. If you shoot in low light you want a lens that is f2.8 or lower.

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by James DeRuvo (05/31/2007)

That may be, but you won't find a better lens than the 105mm Nikkor. Ask those who still have them from over 40 years ago, they refuse to give them up!

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tomadaonline (05/31/2007)

Today I had a chance to shoot a little with a nikon 18-70 mm lens, I think it was f 3.5. It's a great lens for close up shots of mountain bikers. Why does a 17-55 f2.8 cost so much? Is it the glass quality?

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tomadaonline (06/02/2007)

I finally got to try out the 18-200 3.5 vr lens on the D200. It felt fine, but I feel that the 18 isn't wide enough when I'm in a close area trying to photograph a mountain biker jumping. I'm starting to think that the stock 18-70mm f3.5 lens that comes with the kit will suffice. then I can add lenses as my knowledge and skill improve. Thanks for all your inputs. I'm off to buy the camera today. DeRuvo, you are right. The longer I read the more confused I get. Holding cameras and trying them out is the best. This is a fun adventure.

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tomadaonline (06/03/2007)

I bought the D200 with a 18-70 f3.5 lens in a kit. I wish it was f2.8, but my budget didn't allow. It does a pretty good job of getting a nice wide shot in close for mountain biking jumps. And I'm a novice so it will take me a while to learn the camera, which is a joy to hold in my hands. I charged the battery and took a great shot of my wife, who funded the purchase, and it looked great. This camera is simply spectacular to play with. Now I have to learn it. I have kept all your notes for future purchases. Thanks to all for your advice.

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by James DeRuvo (06/04/2007)

Yes. It's the glass. Nikkor makes some of the best lenses in the world and that ain't cheap. Good news is that every penny can be seen in the photo.

Glad you found the camera for you, Tom! Enjoy!

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Vektor67 (06/18/2007)

This has been a great thread for me. I too have it boiled down to a D80 or a 30D. I'll be settled on the D80 and I'll hear a whisper 5 fps, metal body , low light ect. Then I'll be getting the 30D for a few days, frankly it's exhausting I can't wait until I finally buy something which I'll probably be doing on Friday. I've held both cameras and like them both although at the time I wasn't seriously considering the 30D due to the extra cost. It's such a big decision as your buying into a system and the decision will be very expensive to reverse down the line. I plan to immerse myself in photography , take classes and hopefully start a career. In this moment I think I'm going with the D80 again I like the lenses 5 year warranty and the prices seem a little more sane. The D80 is also a rather new camera with no replacement on the horizon while the 30D is a little long in the tooth and will probably be replaced soon.
That said I am concerned about the idea the Nikon is changing their lens format accross the line as per the D40x model. If that is true there won't be many new lenses coming out for the D80 in the years to come an what lenses I do invest in won't be compatible with future Nikon bodies. Come to think of it that would be a huge determining factor and would lead me back again to the 30D. Help me please, I'm going around in circles and I'm getting dizzy.
Great forum btw and this thead particular has been helpful in addressing my dilemma. Thanks for any and all feedback. ~ Mike

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tomadaonline (06/18/2007)

I've had the D200 for two weeks and have learned so much in a short time. One thing that's fun is to experiment with iso, shutter speed and aperture. I've been shooting face paced mountain biking in somewhat low light and discovered that raising the iso, adding flash, and guessing at shutter speed is a fun experiment. I was finally able to get good results with iso raised to 800 with a flash i could get the shutter to 60. I love the feel of the D200. And the controls are easy to find and adjust. I have a four part class locally that starts in three weeks. I'll be armed and dangerous.

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by James DeRuvo (06/18/2007)

Awesome. Also try bracketing. That's where you shoot at -1, regular & +1 on your aperture. Note the differences.

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BruinHero (06/19/2007)

Mike, per your last comment...I feel the same way, however I don't care much about lens investment. It's a matter of pricing...I like the coolness of the 5 frames per second...the Canon feels like a more quality camera, but it also feels heaver and more clumsy.

Anyone who can solve Mike's question once and for all...without a depends what your gonna do with it attitude will thereby make my decision as well. Thanks!

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by James DeRuvo (06/19/2007)

Well sorry, Bruin, but it really does depend on what you're going to do with it. Approach should always point the way to what camera you're going to end up with. If point and shoot is what you want, then this camera is overkill. Likewise, if you want to go into a serious hobby, then a prosumer model won't grow with you as much as you'd like.

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tomadaonline (06/20/2007)

I bought a 18-70 kit lens with my D-200 camera and now want to get closer to my subjects. Specifically I have seen some birds on my walks that I just can't get to with the 70mm. And I might want to use it for mountain biking when I cannot get close enough to the action. I saw the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Telephoto and it's only $140. That seems like an awfully good deal for a lens that I will learn with.

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BruinHero (06/20/2007)

Tom- What's the link to that deal? I decided on the Nikon D80 and am thinking of buying that lens you just mentioned plus a 50mm non-zoom...what do you think of that setup?

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by James DeRuvo (06/20/2007)

A Nikon for $140? Where?! That's a pretty good deal. But I'd be careful if this is an online deal. Beware of lens shake though and consider getting a monopod for those walks.

Bruin, really, what's the point of a 50mm? It has such a narrow focal range that you won't really use it that often - if you have a zoom along for the ride. When mine came with it, I stuck it in a drawer and never used it.

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BruinHero (06/20/2007)

James- do you want to sell your 50mm? ;)

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by James DeRuvo (06/20/2007)

LOL. Long gone, my friend.

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Vektor67 (06/20/2007)

James when you speak of a prosumer I assume your referring to the D80? I'm definately wanting something which will grow with me. To be honest I'd like to make a career out of photography. My intention is to immerse myself, take some classes and learn everything that I can.
Now as to the 50 mm that was what I was going to get, the 30D body and the "fantastic plastic". Until I could save up for a decent lens. In reviewing lenses(photozone) the kit lenses all seem terrible, so I'm at a loss.
Ideally I'd find something that covered the lower to mid range i.e. 17-85, 18-55 the 28-135 IS is available in a kit with the 30D for $1288.00. The cost of the 17-55 2.8 is prohibitive as is the 24-105 2.8L. Basically 1300 maybe 1400 is the most (more actually but) that I can afford right now but I don't feel like that means I have to settle for the XTI/D40.I should just keep saving a get the 5D /24-105L kit...in about a year. lol
What do you recommend?

Oh I learned that I was uninformed regarding the new Nikon lenses with motors and their compatibilty with the D80/D200 bodies with motors.

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tomadaonline (06/20/2007)

I found the link from Ken Rockwell's site. I could buy it from Ritz, who no longer carry it, Amazon, or Adorama. He suggested, correctly, that eBay was selling it at a higher price. Here's the link to Adorama.

adorama.com/NK70300AFGU.htm...

Here's the link to Ken Rockwell's site tha pertains to Nikon lenses.

kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikko...

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (06/20/2007)

Mike, I don't think that getting the XTi/40D would be "settling" per se, but then again, I'm not the one who would be using it either. I have a hunch that you're mind is set on the 30D and that's fine. It's a good camera. But frankly, you won't get much mileage out of the 50mm. You'll grow out of it in an afternoon to not too fine a point on it. I think starting out with a 28-135 is a good way to start. But what's the point of buying a great camera if you're going to settle on an inferior lens? Buying a kit with a third party lens is settling much more than going with the RebelXTi, IMHO.

I would advise saving up for a few more months and get the lens you REALLY want. Since you have it as a goal to go Pro, you won't regret being patient and having the right tools.

One last thing. No matter what lens you end up getting, plan on laying out another $25 or so for a 1A Skylight filter. It's a must for protecting your lens elements and is a good, cheap insurance policy. I can't tell you how many times I trashed a 1A filter, but saved my lens from impact damage!

reply to this comment

Vektor67 (06/20/2007)

Thanks for the response James. I didn't mean to imply that the XTI was a bad camera only that I didn't really care for the ergonomics. Thanks for the tip on the Skylight filter. I probably will end up getting the kit then with the 28-135. Although my mind is not cimpletely made up as of yet. I just got done reading o at the Ken Rockwell site and he's very excited about the D40 so...I've got so much to learn. I really wish I could save up for a couple more months but to be honest, I'm going nuts without a camera to shoot with. I returned my only camera for a refund so I could afford a DSLR because I wanted more control than my G7 offered me, focusing primarily I found it immensly frustrating when I couldn't get a focus locked shooting Macro shots of flowers and the manual focus on that camera was terrible. Money is going to be an issue however so I may get the most out of that kit while I save for some good lenses. Maybe there is something to be said for buying an inexpensive camera just so that I have something but I want depth of field preview and things that aren't available on most evtry level DLSR's. Well I'm confused again hehe.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (06/20/2007)

Here's an idea that would allow you to kill two birds with one stone. Many camera stores rent the cameras they sell, and then will deduct the rental price from the sale price if you buy it from them. You could keep saving, and rent both to 1) scratch that photography itch and 2) evaluate each one personally. Do this with the understanding that both rental fees will be applied to the sale price.

Then, when you're ready to purchase the camera, you have a leg up in both experience, and price deductions.

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BruinHero (06/20/2007)

N80 or 30D? Ordering one this Saturday. For the mid-range lens kits I've found

N80: $1110
30D: $1275

A $165 price difference isn't much, but I'm already over my $1000 budget. Add in a 4GB card, a case, that Skylight filter, maybe an extra battery and I'm way over...so that's why I'm going to get the N80...maybe.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (06/22/2007)

All I can say is, if you feel like you're going to be settling, what will another month or two of waiting while you save up the difference hurt? That's my advice. Be patient. And who knows, maybe the price will drop.

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Dan (06/22/2007)

How does Nikon D80 compare to Pentax K10D? I’ve read some replays here:
digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...
but got confused.

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calphix (07/04/2007)

Hi, I'm also buying my first DSLR, after reading reviews of both camera, I think i'm sold with the D80....I was just wondering now which lenses are good, I would like one that would be fast enough to shoot sports and one that is good with night shooting. Also DeRuvo mentioned the 105mm portrait lens from Nikon, is it the "AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED". Also my friend recommended to me the "Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR", how's that? Thanks

reply to this comment

tomadaonline (07/04/2007)

I have been shooting with two lenses on my D200. The first is a 18-70 3.5 to 4.something lens that I bought with the camera. Then, for fun, I purchased a Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Telephoto lens, for $150. Now I find the longer lens is on when I want to shoot something wide, and vice versa. To me, the 18-200 VR lens looks like a great one, expect, as you can see in the above thread, there is some distortion. Check out what Ken Rockwell says about it...see above link.

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philomycus (07/04/2007)

everytime i decide on the D80, I change my mind to the D200. All this info is driving me nuts! MAkes me want to use the $ and spend it on a lens on my totally manual fossil Yashica FX103

reply to this comment

tomadaonline (07/04/2007)

I went with the D200 for three reasons. One, it felt right. Two is has a sealed body and I shoot in dusty environments, and three, it shoots 5 fps which is great for sports. I've seen a lot of exquisite shots with the D70 D80 etc.

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Diplomat (07/06/2007)

You have to realize that both Canon and Nikon are wonderful companies. Both make fabulous lenses, and fabulous cameras. They are neck and neck for a reason: both are very good at what they do. There is no "wrong" choice with your camera, there are cameras you will probably like more than others for personal reasons, but all the cameras were put out for top notch shooting. The 30D and the D80 are VERY competent cameras. Both have amazing features, and wonderful image quality in the right hands. The lenses (though you can debate this all you want) are just about equal in most regards. People who have shot Nikon will probably like Nikon lenses, and Canon shooters will enjoy Canon lenses. Don't let biases sway you from either company--Nikon and Canon are old rivals who compete for the same ground. And none of them are toys. All of them were made to a standard that very few companies can match.
There are many upsides to certain cameras; the huge sensor on the 30D may influence your purchase, or the wonderful Nikkor lenses available with the D80. Perhaps you have had a camera before from one of them--obviously some of the lenses can be used on a future purchased camera. There are variables to each purchase, and very well there should be.
But the best thing you can do is try them out. Whether from a friend or family member, or even for a brief time at a store, it is DEFINITELY worth your time to get a feel of the camera before your purchase. NEVER purchase blind, you will get surprises you didn't ask for.
Realize your options and make your favorite pick. All in all, you will find what you like for a reason that suits you.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (07/06/2007)

Good comments, Diplomat. I'll also state that sometimes, a smaller camera store will allow you to rent the cameras and then will apply the rental price to what you pay for it if you purchase it from them. That way you're not paying more just because you rent it to see for yourself.

reply to this comment

Karnelf (07/12/2007)

I decided myself for Nikon D80 with Tamron 17-50 2.8 lens. What would you say about that 3rd party lens? It costs 450$ and seems to be a nice choice, as of photozone and some others.

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by James DeRuvo (07/12/2007)

Well, frankly, I think you're loosing the advantage with such a short lens focal length (especially at $450) - unless all your planning on shooting is landscapes. You're much better off with a basic zoom that moves into the 70mm or beyond range. That gives you mush better options for getting shots further off.

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tomadaonline (07/13/2007)

Some of the above thread suggests that the 18-200 VR lens is not perfect, but I wish I had it. Read Rockwell's article. He says that he uses it and a very wide angle Tokina, and that's it. It has some barrel distortion at the close end and maybe a little edge distortion at the long end, and it's a little pricey, as in $700 or $800, but it's worth a look. Wish I'd gotten it.

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Laura (07/17/2007)

Is Nikon going to develop some new lenes? So, if I were to buy the Nikon D80 it would be harder in th future to obtain different lenes? Woulld the Canon Rebel xti be a better semi pro product

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (07/17/2007)

Well the beauty of Nikon is that they have always kept their lenses in the loop and kept them downward compatible. So you shouldn't have any trouble with just about any Nikon lens.

As for the Rebel XTi, it's a worthy alternative.

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Scott (07/18/2007)

I am planning on buying one of these cameras as well. I have quite a few lenses for my cameras (Nikkor AI lenses, I believe). Are these at all compatible with digital SLR's? If so, my decision will be much easier.

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calphix (07/18/2007)

Overall, which brand is more expensive? canon or nikon? in terms of lenses, speedlights, bodies, accessories, etc.....

reply to this comment

Vektor67 (07/18/2007)

I just ordered the 30D finally after much consternation. I'll be recieving it tomorrow and can't wait. Availability and pricing on lenses, low light noise performance and the price reduction in preparation for the next model and a clear upgrade path to full frame where my deciding factors. I found a new 30D body for 939.00 at cametaauctions Cameta Camera's Ebay store.
And there are many used Canon Lenses to be had a Fremiranda.coms buy/sell board. I bought a used EF 24-105F4L for 940.00. I can't wait to get to shooting.
Thanks for all the info from this thread where I posted some time ago but have been following since. That said I always loved the feel of the D80 in my hands and I'm certain it's an outstanding camera. Hopefully I don't regret my decision, I don't think I will. All the best and happy shooting. :)

reply to this comment

calphix (07/18/2007)

also how are sigma lenses?

reply to this comment

Vektor67 (07/18/2007)

Here is a great site for lens reviews so you can check for yourself.
photozone.de/8Reviews/index...
I'm a base noob but my impression is that Tamron, Tokina and Sigma all sell third party lenses and all either hit or miss. It's very lens specific. for instance the Tamron 17-50 and 28-75 are somewhat legendary for being incredibly sharp and wonderful. I've heard great things about the Tokina 12-24. Sigma's new 18-50 2.8 seems like a winner as well. I think they all make some very good lenses and some not so hot. Check reviews first.

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by James DeRuvo (07/18/2007)

Scott, I really don't think you'll have a problem. Nikon has always kept their cameras downward compatible with their lenses for the very reason that they understand their strength is their glass. Worst case? You may lose some auto functions. But I highly doubt that.

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calphix (07/18/2007)

Thanks Mike

reply to this comment

Vektor67 (07/18/2007)

You're welcome :)

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Rob (07/23/2007)

This thread has been pretty helpful. And now I'll beg for feedback like so many others. LOL.

I keep getting caught in this loop: "I should buy the XTi because I have Tamron glass for my Ti2 already, filters, etc. But I'd like to move up to the 30D since it's a bigger sensor and better camera. But the 30D is almost outdated w/ a 40D sooner or later. But I could save $200, dump my Tamron glass on eBay and move over to the D80 which is cheaper and comparable to the older 30D and just buy new glass for the Nikon. But if I'm going to do all of that, maybe I should just buy an XTi and a great lens."

And then I'm screwed. It's really hard to be sure what to do here.

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by James DeRuvo (07/23/2007)

Rob, at this point, when trying to make a final call, it may just come down to what camera feels good in your hand. Go to a local camera store and check both out side by side, holding them, feeling their center of gravity, the balance. How it sits in your hand. That usually sells me one way or the other.

You could also consider renting a model or two. Most smaller camera companies will rent you a camera for a day or weekend and will even apply the rental price to the camera if you buy it from them.

reply to this comment

Vektor67 (07/23/2007)

I feel you Rob, I was doing the same thing. Slightly different as but just as circular. Good Luck with it. You really can't go wrong. I ended up with the 30D and love it.
I'd probably be saying the same thing regardless of which one I chose. Happy shooting. ~ Mike

reply to this comment

Rob (07/23/2007)

OK, on the heels of good advice, I wandered by the local Best Buy and gripped some camera.

XTi is out. Just doesn't feel right. I'm sure it takes good pictures but it doesn't feel right for me.

D80 has a nice feel. I like it. I like the layout, the menu system. Looks good, feel comfortable with it.

30D feels like I could kill someone with it, properly grasped and swung. It was dead so I couldn't play with menus but it certainly has a nice feel in my hand.

I do have Canon glass, but it's only about $200 worth, tops.

So 2 slightly less subjective questions based on reading today:

(1) in terms of megapixels and image quality, how does the 30D compare to the D80? I know the 30D is only 8.2 but I don't know if that means any real meaningful compromise in image. If you were buying solely on image quality and electronics (AF points, metering, etc.) is there a big advantage to one or the other? I've got them both in a spreadsheet and they look awfully close but I may have missed something.

(2) can either camera put RAW into Photoshop without 3rd party software? If I have to buy a piece of software to get the RAW from one or the other, that's a consideration. I work in advertising and while I don't need to shoot billboard size, I do want maximum flexibility going into CS3.

Thanks again.

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Vektor67 (07/23/2007)

My situation again was very similar. I kept gravitating to the D80 @ Best Buy. I thought it felt the best in my hand, I was very drawn to it. I also liked that it had 10MP vs 8.2. I'm a noob and it was difficult for me to grasp that there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the two. It was a close call but in the end for me I decided on the Canon "system" as you are buying more than 1 camera body assuming you'll be buying lenses to accompany that body and not just shooting with whatever kit lens you get. I decided that Canon was more prevalent and popular and that I'd have an easier time finding good deals on used lenses. Also if you look at the prices of glass, Canons lenses are for the most part less expensive, particularly lenses with a longer reach i.e. high end lenses I felt were more affordable. I like the fredmiranda buy/sell forum a lot. You should check it out. I also went for Cmos over CCD and the low light advantage that affords me. All of that said. I'm sure I'd have been very happy with the D80 it felt very very good to me although it was plastic. I like the idea that the body of my camera is magnesium as well. I paired my 30D with a EF 24-105mm F4L lens which I bought second hand off of Fredmiranda.com and although its a weird focal range for an all around lens I'm liking it very much.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (07/24/2007)

See Rob? Often just holding it helps whittle down the list.

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Karnelf (07/31/2007)

To Mike: I had very similar feeling when holding both Nikon D80 and Canon 30D. Both were very pleasant. Button placement and 2 command dials of D80 were somewhat better, also 10Mpixels.. and 30D had 5 fps and metal body which both say about more professional device. I am a fresh starter with no lenses, and for me it was not a question to which system to get connected. So I decided just to a newer on - D80 which unlike 30D does not yet wait in horizon for a replacement.
I must say that first I was choosing between XTI and D80. And XTI was so cheap that I could get it with an average lens for around $1000.. but this cheap is not for free. No LCD display, lack of button/dial controls - it really reminds of an advanced point-and-shoot, which allows doing your controls only by browsing thru menu... I had opportunity to play a while with such advanced p&s cameras.. and after many attempts to set your aperture/speed and so on, you are getting tired of browsing in menu, and just set to AUTO and forget about any additional features. AND!!! the feel...When I held XTI in my hand, it felt so cheap, the tiny viewfinder.. weight..plastic. No it's not for me.
So in my opinion Canon has currently a gap for advanced amateurs. They definitely won't choose XTI, unless they have already invested in lenses and have no money to get 30D. And also many won't choose 30D because it's already not that new and has not much serious changes since 20D. If I choose 30D then I would not be quite happy when in some 6 months would come the "40D" with almost same price, and lowerng the price of 30D to 30% down.
That's why I have chosen D80. I had no budget for 2.8 apertured Nikkor anymore, and I have chosen Tamron AF 17-50mm f-2_8 SP XR Di II. It's fast enough, it's sharp, it's great, except... very few pictures have small blurry circles in same 2 to 3 places. That's not dust definitely - I cleaned lens and same as before. That's not sensor - it's my only lens currently and I have installed lens only twice (the second time I was checking sensor for dust). Then I looked thru the lens very thoroughly and found 2 tiny particles inside. It's really a bad surprise! One is between one of front glasses and aperture leaves and the other is between back glasses and aperture. I am currently making test pictures, but cannot find these flaws again. Maybe this occurs only under some lightning conditions? I know this is not the most correct place to ask, but any advise is very helpful. Did anyone met something like this? Does anyone have lenses with such particles inside? Should I return this lens to manufacturer?
Sorry for long tale...

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PenK (08/20/2007)

I have had a Canon EOS since 1987. I upgraded to an EOS digital Rebel about 4 years ago when a $5 internal rubber piece went. It was going to cost $250+ in labor to repair. Since all of my lenses fit on the new EOS, it I felt it was a wise choice. I currently have two lenses a 18-55 and a 75 - 300. I am looking at upgrading the camera again. This time I am looking at the 30D with a 28-135 lens.

Other than family gatherings, most of my photos are of my son's sports. He does Cross Country running and biking (tour bike races). I find that I am missing shots (mostly during the bike races) because the camera is not fast enough. It sounds like the 30D shutter speed will solve this problem. (I currently use a SanDisk Extreme III 2.0 GB CF). Since my lenses were purchased prior to the digital SLR, could this also be part of my problem? Do I need to worry about upgrading my lenses for the digital cameras?

Thanks

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by James DeRuvo (08/21/2007)

Well it can certainly do that. However, Canon just announced the 40D ( crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9... ) which is essentially an upgraded 30D. So you may want to wait just a tad to either check that out or see the prices on the 30D drop some.

reply to this comment

calphix (08/21/2007)

Hey guys, i'm thinking of buying a wide angle lens for my D80, any good recommendation? a friend of mine suggested the Tokina 12-24mm and the store suggested the Sigma 10-20mm

reply to this comment

A. Pranata (08/22/2007)

Hey Alex, I would prefer Nikon 12-24 mm, but if cost is the reason I would go down for Tokina 12-24 mm. I myself own a Nikon 12-24 mm, but a friend of mine had bought Tokina (it has a well build body) and looking through his result .. I think it is a good lens.

D80 or EOS 30D ???
Well.. I'm a serious photographer... and I bought EOS 10D on 2004 then move to 20D ... I like the result of my canon, the problem is that canon doesn't has a good balance, so if you are using it for a long time, your hand will soon be tired.
So last year I decided to buy D80 and 18-200 nikon lens. This was the first time I use Nikon .. and I've never been so happy to feel the solid and balance body of D80, It has a fantastic viewfinder (It's very .. very brilliant clear), the magnification is good. Image quality is very good.

so here is my opinion regarding nikon or canon:
- if you shoot RAW image result would consider the same, but if you shoot JPEG I found that my canon has
a better "out of camera" result (but anyway you can easily adjust with photoshop)
- if you happen to shoot in a low light condition then canon is better.
- if you are looking for a good "handling" DSLR then I prefer nikon, since I consider "handling" is very important
for me
- speaking about the lenses, both nikon and canon have a very reliable good lenses.
- one thing that annoying me with my nikon is the sound of the focusing motor, while canon has a very silent
motor.

finally... I can't wait to see the 40D reviews.

reply to this comment

calphix (08/22/2007)

Yeah I was thinking about the Nikon 12-24mm but it is so expensive so I think i'll get the Tokina one, thanks

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (08/22/2007)

Call me a purist, but to not use a Nikkor when you have the opportunity is a crime. Nikkors are some of the best lenses in the business and it would be like sticking a VW engine in a Porche. Sure, you could probably do it, but the performance wouldn't be what you hoped it would. IMHO.

But if price is an issue, then the Tokina should be an affordable alternative.

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NP0839 (09/05/2007)

How does the D80 and the 30D compare with how their sensors
are cleaned.Also,does it matter that the D80 flash sy speed is 200?
I have only used a point and shoot digital so this is a new world
to me.I have used my minolta x700 for many years so I do know how
to shoot.I am just still analog in this digital world.Thanks to everyone
in this blog you have given me alot to think about.

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radswim (09/07/2007)

OK this is my first time writing in a question forum for cameras....I had the Nikon D70 and lenses for it! It got stolen from me and now I am in the market for a new SLR! I have read review after review....I loved the D70 however the new Canon 40D has a lot to offer...I have to start over from scratch so does anyone have any advise on whether I should stick with Nikon and upgrade to the D80 or should I spend a few extra bucks on the 40D! I am torn and I would like to know which one would be the most versatile for full range of shooting! If anyone has an opinion of the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens that would be helpful too! I am an amateur/enthusiast and I use my camera all of the time...I have been jonesing for over a month now without it! I just don't want to make a rash decision! Thank you ahead of time for your input!!

reply to this comment

A. Pranata (09/08/2007)

well, to be honest it is a hard decision to choose between Nikon or Canon. one thing I know for sure that both camera producers have an outstanding record. I've used Canon for a long time, and tried Nikon D80 recently, I use my Nikon a lot. both has the same image quality ... one thing that I like a lot from Nikon is the balance design and also the big bright viewfinder. I use 18-200 VR lenses and I think that this is an excellent lens, it covers all your needs.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/08/2007)

I agree, AP. But all things being equal, a Nikkor is a Nikkor. Period. There are some Nikkors (in particular a 105mm portrait) that pros refuse to give up and their decades old. That speaks to something.

However, many pros in sports use the Canon. I think Radswim would be happy either way. And since you're already comfortable with the Nikon platform, I'd stay that way.

reply to this comment

radswim (09/08/2007)

Thank you both so much for your response....I am probably going with the nikon with the 18-200 VR lens! I just don't want to outgrow the Nikon....By outgrow I mean technology. I need the latest but where I am starting over I hope to make the right decision. I love Nikons performance, but after reading a professional review on it vs the Rebel XTi it had a flaw that I was concerned with. The dust seals were not as tight as would be expected from a Nikon product. This is a concern but not the only factor. Does the 40D use a beter seal and body construction....I really do use my Camera almost daily and dust is a real concern. What are you thoughs on the housing Armor they make for these cameras are they worth it and do they inhibit the performance of the camera? Thank you both so so so much again this is really helping me!!

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/10/2007)

Well I'd consider the XTi then. It has a dust removal system in it's lenses that uses ultra sound waves to keep the lens free of dust.

reply to this comment

A. Pranata (09/10/2007)

Agree with you James ... but please consider 40D as well .. it has better body construction.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/12/2007)

Oh, I'm sure it does. But I usually recommend the likes of a 40D for a more experienced shooter who has grown beyond an entry level DSLR and spends most of their experience in manual - doing speciality shooting, etc. I didn't get that vibe here. I may be wrong though.

reply to this comment

radswim (09/12/2007)

A lot of the time I do Manual....but it is nice to have the option of a nice DSLR to shoot AF because My GF likes to mess around with it too!! I am going to buy the 40D for a couple of reasons....1st it will get me more motivated to expand my skill and hone my ability. 2nd it has room to grow and become a more avid photographer despite not being a professional!! Thank you for all of your feedback....I needed to hear from others before I bit the bullet and changed camera platforms! Thanks Again!!

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/12/2007)

That sounds like an excellent plan, rad. But I'd be thinking of maybe getting your GF her own camera so she doesn't mess with your 40D! LOL.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/15/2007)

Can anyone tell me how to choose which tripod and tripod head to get? thanks

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/18/2007)

Videomaker has an annual write up on TriPods every year ( videomaker.com/article/11067/ ). It may help you. Granted, that's video, but a tripod is a tripod. One thing that's going to determine you needs is what kind of shooting will you be using it for. Action style? Sports? If Sports, maybe a monopod is more to your liking.

Here's another article ( associatedcontent.com/artic... ) which may help to know what to look for.

You want a good fluid head and a quick release plate which will allow you to shoot on the go.

As for personal use - I like Velbon for the basic tripod. But size and weight does matter. Keep in mind when shopping around for tripods the weight of your camera plus the weight of extras. Make sure that tripod can carry the load of the camera, lenses and flash.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/21/2007)

hi James, thanks for all the help, I actually have another question, I was thinking of buying a macro lens and looking into the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 lens, i read the reviews in www.kenrockwell.com and he said that he preferred the non VR model which as of now i can only see used in Ebay, what do you think? VR or non VR edition? thanks

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/21/2007)

Well, the nice thing about the VR lens is that the optical image stabilization is quite handy. Much better than the software driven IS. However, if you're shooting Macro, it's always best to use a tripod to keep the camera stable during those close up shots. As such, VR isn't really all that necessary. At least for a macro lens. IMHO. However, if you're planning on shooting macro handheld, it'll help.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/21/2007)

Yeah i was thinking that the VR system will be handy if i end up using it as a short telephoto, but at the kenrockwell site, he said that the autofocusing on the VR model is not reliable, is that true? I kinda want to buy a new one but since the non VR model is old they only have used ones so then I'd have to buy it from Ebay and I don't know how reliable that will be, it might come to be all scratched up.....any suggestion?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/22/2007)

Well, the thing about eBay is you pay your money and you takes your chances.

Ken makes some good points, but I've found reviews ( bythom.com/105AFSlens.htm ) that state that it has nice overall performance. So I think it's a case of Your Mileage May Vary.

Since we're talking about a few hundred here, I'm betting, why not go to a local premium camera store and see if you can rent one? That way you get a first hand experience with the lens and often, if you buy it from them, they'll deduct the cost of the rental from the sale price.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/22/2007)

do you by chance know a place where I can get the second hand 105mm non VR model? its really hard to come by now, even on ebay there isn't much available. There are always bad and good reviews for everything which makes it hard to decide haha. So if the difference between the two lens are very minor/slight then I guess buying the VR model would be good too although its so much more expensive. I like in Asia right now, unfortunately I don't have the luxury of trying out lenses, here in Asia you either buy it or not, you can't take it out to try, oh well, thanks James

reply to this comment

lighthouse (09/23/2007)

Hi Everyone, I have been following this thread for a while now and I am very pleased on the input that everyone has contributed.

Hi Alex,

I only know e-bay or Amazon.com for second hand stuff but then again, James is right ... "Well, the thing about eBay is you pay your money and you takes your chances.”

Ritzcamera.com has it: Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Close-up Lens Mfr # 2160 Our Stock # 541535902 Our Price: $899.95

I have the 50mm with f1.8 it is very good and very fast. I am thinking about getting the 18-200 VR lens myself because I have kids to follow around with the camera and sure am tired of switching lenses in between... Thank you James for the advice......

Cheers,

reply to this comment

calphix (09/23/2007)

Thanks lighthouse, I'm actually trying to find the older model, the non VR one, i actually found some on ebay and also on Adorama, i might just get the one from Adorama since I heard that they are very reliable. I'm still deciding whether or not to get the 50mm f/1.4 or 1.8, i'm not sure if there is a really big difference between them, all i know is that the price is really different hehe.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/24/2007)

Lighthouse, while I did say that, I should also point out that eBay does have several tools to minimize the risk. These include Feedback ratings, paypal protection, and even escrow services. So it isn't as risky as I made it sound with my one liner.

reply to this comment

lighthouse (09/24/2007)

Ok :-} Thanks again James.

Good luck Alex. If you end up getting the 108mm, please let me know how it is.. /thanks.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/24/2007)

I waited too long to decide and the one I wanted from Adorama is gone haha....i might just find one on ebay, i'll let you know

reply to this comment

TSmith (09/24/2007)

I am a complete newbie and I am wanting to discover the wonderful world of photography, with all of it's possibilties artistically and possibly career wise. I am trying to decide between the d80, d200, & the 30d. After reading the posts, I'm leaning towards the Nikon d80. By being a newbie, I'm a little concerned about the dust issue. Is this a big concern? Also, I am very limited as far as funds are concerned so I was thinking of getting the NIKKOR 18-200 lense because I read several times that it would cover just about everything. Please help me in deciding the best course for me.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/25/2007)

If the dust issue concerns you, you may want to look at the Canon XTi ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). It has an ultrasound dust removal feature on it's Canon lenses that's pretty slick. And being an entry level photographer, it would fit you much easier than the 30D, IMHO.

reply to this comment

stephanie (10/09/2007)

I have an old nikon n80 and it looks like my 2 lens are a 28-80mm and an 75-300mm. I am considering coming into the future and purchasing the nikon d80 and get rid of film altogether. My question is.... will those 2 lens work w/ the new D80?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/09/2007)

Yes. But they'll probably only work in manual, I'm guessing. That's not a bad thing, mind you, since you are obviously a seasoned SLR user.

reply to this comment

Mike Woolf (10/20/2007)

Experts, great thread. I am going on a safari in africa in December. Not used an SLR for nearly 10 years (used to get one free to shoot tennis at Wimbledon in the day of film and that was always a Nikkon).

My friend has a D80 with the 18-200mm lens + UV filter. Is ths lens the best for shooting (not literally of course) big game in the morning?

Mike

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/22/2007)

It should work great for that - but your mileage may vary since it also depends on how far away from the game you really are. and since you'll be shooting wildlife at the extreme range of the focal length, you may want to invest in a good mono/tripod. And since it's been awhile, you may want to get some practicing in with it. If you live in so Cal, a day at the Wild Animal park in San Diego would be beneficial.

reply to this comment

Mike Woolf (10/22/2007)

thanks james - i live in Indonesia but we do have a safari park here as well!!

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/23/2007)

Excellent. Start practicing!

reply to this comment

Phoebsnyc (11/05/2007)

Ok I am in this same Canon/Nikon predicament..I have never shot professionally(and am honestly not the most technically sound) but am planning on pursuing photo as a career as I have been kidding myself working in advertising( a tune i'm sure many of you know) and all I do is take pictures.Image quality is my biggest deal. Since many of my questions have been answered by previous threads..consider this:

CanonEOS 40D w.28-135 lens- $1499.99
Nikon D80 w/ 18-135mm lens--$1149.88

Thoughts?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (11/05/2007)

I think where you have to look is the professional world with which you are going to be working. Both will work equally well. But that Nikkor lens is hard to pass up. And if you can get an old 105mm Nikkor Portrait lens (if you can manage to get a pro to part with it, that is), you're way ahead of the game.

In my mind, both are equal to the task.

reply to this comment

Someone (11/06/2007)

Ok when I say i'm new to this (digital) i mean really new...so please go easy because this may seem like a stupid question...

D80 - 10.2mega pixles
30D - 8.2mega pixles

Does this really make much difference?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (11/07/2007)

For photos 8x10 and below the untrained eye probably won't notice any difference at all. Above 8x10, that extra MP can really be beneficial. So, in the end it depends on the kind of photography you're into. But for 99% of the average shooter's pics, no, it won't really.

reply to this comment

WynPainter (11/10/2007)

Hello, I have been reading reviews and have made a couple trips to the camera store learning about Canon and Nikon DSLR's. I have found I am in the same position as Tom was in, unable to make a clear decision on which camera to buy. First I looked at the Canon Rebel XTI but found that the compact body was hard for my large hands to hold onto. I can just see an accident waiting to happen with this camera when it is dropped. I am looking at the D80 and D200 Nikon cameras and the Canon 40D. I like the larger feel of the bodies of these cameras plus the fact that the bodies are metal and not plastic on the D200 Nikon and the Canon 40d. It scares me to invest $700.00 in this lens and $900 to $1300.00 plus for a camera body and then find out that Nikon is headed towards changing the motors to the camera body. Is this true? I am really leaning toward the Canon 40d but many have told me the Nikkor lenses are supreme over Canon lenses and that Nikon seems to be a better camera. My uses for this new camera would be lots of closeups of pottery usually shot inside in a variety of light settings including ultraviolet light, overhead lamps, low light situations etc. I have been told that a very good lens from Nikon is the 18-200mm lens but after reading some confusing reviews on this lense, the major problem seems to be the quality of the materials it is made of. I am new to photography and would like any input someone might have to help make this decision easier. Thanks.

reply to this comment

Bamn! (11/11/2007)

I just discovered and read this thread, and it has been a great read!

To answer PenK's question from August, I upgraded from the 300D Rebel to the 30D and yes, the speed alone was worth the upgrade. You won't be missing shots anymore, and I definitely had that problem with the Rebel, primarily because of the shallow 4 jpeg buffer.

Someone, megapixels matter very, very little. The difference when I went from 6.3MP to 8.2MP was that my images were just 500 pixels wider and 300 pixels taller. Going to 10MP would offer an even smaller improvement.

As a 30D user, I do get slightly envious of D80/D200 users. Some areas Canon's products are better, like low noise images at high ISOs, while Nikon wins in other areas. However the decision is even harder nowadays, with the 40D being out. That camera truly gives Nikon a run for their money and has features that they don't offer, like the sensor self-clean.

I would recommend the Canon xxD line over Nikon, to anyone wanting to take pictures at high ISOs. WOW. Sometimes I forget I'm shooting, say, ISO 1600, because the pictures look so good. Very clean images, especially when paired with an "IS" image stabilizer lens.

Buying into Nikon vs Canon "system" is definitely an extremely difficult choice to make. Although I think there's no wrong answer. Good luck to everyone facing it!

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (11/12/2007)

I agree, Bamn!. Sometimes discussions like this come down to almost religious fervor when both, or either, can work rqually well. But I have to tell you this. As a Canon fan, if I could get ahold of one of those old 105mm nikkors, that would tip the scale for me in favor of the D80/D200.

reply to this comment

DSLR (12/28/2007)

Let's make it tougher.....considered the D300?

reply to this comment

Mike (01/10/2008)

I am also looking at the Nikon D80 with the 18-200mm VR Nikkor lens. The price of the D80 at $900 and the price of the 18-200mm VR lens at $800 is pushing my wallet to its max, and I still need a memory card, flash, filter, monopod, trypod,........ So I am looking at the New Tamron 18-250mm for $500. I know it is not a VR lens but is the $300 worth it. Is the quality of the Tamron lenses good, bad, or is there a big difference from the Tamron, Sigma, Promaster to the Nikkor lenses. Also to save some money I am looking at the package deal D80 and Nikkor 18-135mm non VR lens at a price of $1200 is this better then the Tamron option, or is the bigger range a better way to go.

I really need some help with which lens to pick, and if the nonNikkor lens are any good.

Thanks for any help at all.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (01/11/2008)

Back when I was selling cameras in college, Tamron was a solid third tier lens manufacturer. They have improved their quality alot in the last two decades. Still, in comparison to Nikkor ... well, there is no comparison. But I understand your desire to keep the cost of your camera under control. My recommendation is to look for a used lens on eBay and save twoards the real deal. But if you prefer a new lens and are on a budget, Tamron and Sigma would be my first choice over Promaster. (You'll hear some disagreement on this, so I'll say IMHO).

reply to this comment

Abhishek (04/11/2008)

Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens @ $1280
Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens @ $1000
Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens @ $929

I am planning to buy my first dslr. Photography is my hobby and I generally do street photos, cityscapes and I prefer b/w shooting a lot.
Would prefer an all-in-one lens to start off with as I'm practically on a shoe-string budget.
Need advice as I'm simply overwhelmed by the huge array of reviews I've been reading for the better part of last month!!
I leave the decision to you guys...please help narrow down within a week's time.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (04/11/2008)

The D40X is largely an entry level DSLR. I think you can bypass that one since you're already into the hobby. The D80 is more for those who are already in the deep in. Comparing to the 30D, both are solid platforms. I think you'd be happy with either of them. So, if price is an option, then I'd spend less and use the difference for a better, faster lens.

reply to this comment

Shaolin (04/11/2008)

Hello Folks, stuck with Canon 30D vs Nikon D80....
I started out with Canon EOS 400D aka XTi vs Nikon D80. I've been shooting photos for long, but only with point-n-shoot cameras.
Given D80 has pentaprism viewfinder, spot metering and better ergonomics compared to XTi, I was more inclined for D80. But, I went back and had a look at Canon 30D.
Interestingly price for D80 ($730) vs D30 ($800) is very comparable (body only, as per B&H photo)

Given I don't own any lens now, what tradeoffs would I be making if I choose one over the other.
For now, I'm more oriented towards Canon for it's Magnesium Alloy body compared to D80's high grade plastic, faster 5fps continuous, CMOS sensor (=>better pictures at higher ISOs), better choice of post-processing software.

Actually this should be in a separate thread, but...
Lenses: No matter what body I choose, I plan to buy Tamron 18-200mm over kit-lenses. My justification for this is that this lens would allow me experiment more (meaning higher range of focal lengths) and would serve as a good starter all-in-one lens.
As an expert, what is your take on that?

P.S. This post is NOT intended to evoke the Nikon vs Canon ire. Just expecting some genuine feedback that would help me understand tradeoffs.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (04/12/2008)

Well, if you're hard on your equipment, then I'd go with the 30D. If nothing else, that alloy chasis will make you feel better if you drop or bang it around. The faster burst mode is a plus if you shoot action shots more. As for "post-processing software" that's a wash as the best is Photoshop/Photoshop Elements, anyway. A free option is Picasa ( picasa.google.com/ ) from Google. It's a great tool for managing your photographs, cleaning up red eye, and even printing them. On the mac side, you can't get any better than iPhoto which is also free when you buy your mac (or you can buy it as part of the iLife suite for about $80-100).

The CMOS sensor is the real ticket and will reduce noise at higher ISO - which is the achilles heal of higher MP cameras in the point and shoot world.

Now to lenses, have you taken a look at the Sigma varieties? They are running neck and neck with Canon/Nikon lenses of late and some, according to Photography magazine and testimonies on this board, are down right superior.

An all in one lens is ideal just starting out. Just do yourself a favor and buy a 1A Skylight filter for it. Reason being? Insurance. They will take any impact damage and spare your lens. I can't tell you many times I have thrashed a 1A filter and saved my camera lens. It's well worth the $20 or so, believe me.

reply to this comment

Shaolin (04/12/2008)

> Well, if you're hard on your equipment, then I'd go with the 30D.
Actually, I'm a careful handler, but doesn't hurt to know body could take some beating :)

>The faster burst mode is a plus if you shoot action shots more.
Yes, since I would love to have an all rounder body, good to have this feature.
I don't photograph for living, and so, can't afford many bodies, at least to start with.

>As for "post-processing software" that's a wash as the best is Photoshop/Photoshop Elements, anyway. A free option is Picasa from Google. It's a great tool for managing your photographs, cleaning up red eye, and even printing them.
Noted!

>Now to lenses, have you taken a look at the Sigma varieties?
No, actually I only looked Tamron.

>They are running neck and neck with Canon/Nikon lenses of late and some, according to Photography magazine and testimonies on this board, are down right superior.
Are you talking about 18-200mm in particular? If so, then the prices are exactly the same on B&H photo.
And in one review I read, they perform equally well. If you are talking about long run other lenses,
I definitely need to look at more lenses.

>An all in one lens is ideal just starting out.
Yes, that's the goal, to get started. And also for occasions where changing lenses would be clumsy
or not favorable.

>Just do yourself a favor and buy a 1A Skylight filter for it. Reason being? Insurance. They will take any impact damage and spare your lens. I can't tell you many times I have thrashed a 1A filter and saved my camera lens. It's well worth the $20 or so, believe me.
Thanks a ton for that one James. Since I'm just starting with DSLR, I didn't know this was so important.
I'll definitely add it to my must-have list and buy it off along with the lens.

reply to this comment

calphix (04/15/2008)

Hey everyone, I have a Nikon D80, could anyone suggest a nice telephoto lens? i have an 18-200 VR lens already, and I want one that goes longer for lanscapes.....but is there a telephoto lens that is far, great for landscapes and also action (movement) shots and thats affordable? is that possible?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (04/15/2008)

Zooming for landscapes? Usually one wants a wide angle for that purpose. Nikon does make lenses for ranges from 300mm-600mm ( nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Niko... ). But just remember, the longer the focal length, the greater the possibility of camera shake and the need for a faster "F" stop and either a mono or tripod. At at larger than 200mm, affordable is seldom in the equation.

reply to this comment

calphix (04/25/2008)

I got another question, the Epson P3000 and P5000, prices $431 and $615 USD respectively, is it worth getting the P5000 for about $180USD more for the extrea 50GB, if i'm not a pro photographer?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (04/25/2008)

Well that depends on how much of a shutter bug you are. Personally, I think that 40Gb is more than enough. Even if you toss in videos you plan to keep. Sure, that extra 80 would be great to have, but I'm betting you could put all your pictures on the 40GB and still have room left over for video.

reply to this comment

lighthouse (07/12/2008)

Hello again,
I have the fixed 50mm 1.8f lense and I am very happy with it. The only thing is I can't really use it about 10 feet away from my subject. If I were to take Baptism or bday party pictures what fixed or fish eye lense would you recommend? Should I use 18, 12-24 or 10.8? Also, something inexpensive for an amateur like me. Thanks again.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (07/14/2008)

50mm lenses have their place, sure, but they are incredibly limited. I don't think you want a fish-eye as they distort the image to look like you're viewing life through a viewing port in your front door. I hold that a zoom that goes from say 18-105 will give you about 75% of what you're doing. It'll give you wide angles for group shots and landscapes, but also a nice portrait capability. But if you can't get close enough to get a good picture (as some ceremonies won't allow it) then you may want to look at a longer lens like an 18-200 or there abouts. Sigma makes some great ones that are affordable and are nearly as good as the name brands (according to recent Popular Photography reviews).

reply to this comment

lighthouse (07/15/2008)

Hi,
I have the 18-200mm VR already (it's just heavy)... But it's a good thing that I don't have to spend anymore :-} Have a good day! Thanks again.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/24/2008)

hi everyone, I'm planning to watch the Macau Grand Prix, I currently have a 18-200mm lens, is that good enough to use or can anyone suggest a better one? thanks

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/24/2008)

Well, anything larger will require you to use a monopod to keep it steady. If that's where you want to go. I think it'll work fine. What you'll want to do, though, is practice panning with the action and keeping the camera prefocused. This will help for those quick action shots.

reply to this comment

calphix (09/24/2008)

thanks for the quick response, what lens would you recommend though? decent price nothing too expensive, i was looking into the 80-400 is that any good? or should i just stick to my 18-200?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/26/2008)

Wow, great thread. I don't know if you reall need a 400 lens. Nice if you have money to burn, but the larger the lens, the slower they get. which means you need to pay even more for the speed you lose to get the distance. And since you're waiting something not to expensive, and you're shooting high speed racing, I'd suggest sticking with the 18-200 and just finding a great camera angle to shoot it. And a monopod would definitely be needed due to that nasty camera shake.

reply to this comment

rprainbow (10/07/2008)

I'm new to SLR photography. Recently started with a D70 and a sigma 10-20 wide angle lens for real estate photography. The D70 has been dropped and the switch on the front of the camera got broken, now it won't work on auto. Manual only....... SO, I'm considering upgrading the camera body to either a D80 or a D200. Will my lens, batteries, Speedlight SB-600 all fit on the camera's I am considering? Thanks in advance!

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/08/2008)

Absolutely. You shouldn't have any trouble. One of the beauties of the Nikkor system is the lens legacy. But I'd keep the D70 as a backup though. A good manual camera is great for learning.

reply to this comment

calphix (10/13/2008)

hey James, regarding the macau grand prix that i mentioned before, do you think the 80-200 f/2.8 would work better? cause i went wakeboarding this weekend and I used my 18-200 to take photos and more than half of them were blurry, do you think the 80-200 would work better? thanks

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/13/2008)

If it has a faster f-stop rating, you bet. But just because it's faster, doesn't guarantee against blurry pictures. Are you using a monopod or handheld? With the lens wide open, was the shutter speed too long? Did you prefocus? Pan with the action? And remember, unless your lens is specifically 2.8 for the entire focal length (which is more expensive) the lens may be 2.8 at say 80mm and then go to 4.6 at 200.

But sure, it'll help.

reply to this comment

calphix (10/14/2008)

no when i was taking wakeboarding photos i was sitting in the speed boat, i had the shutter speed on 1/100 i believe, i had some good ones but a bunch of blurry ones, thats why i was looking into the 80-200 or the 70-200, one final question, i know that the 70-200 works with tele-converters, does the 80-200?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/15/2008)

Well, considering you're going over waves and wakes while running the boat, it's no wonder you had several blurry ones. That shutter speed is just plain too slow. At least 1/400. Better yet, set it for the sports preset. And fire off several in burst mode.

reply to this comment

calphix (10/16/2008)

ill give that a try thanks James

reply to this comment

hansfredr (02/26/2009)

I have been looking at the Nikon D80 recently and was pretty set on it until a friend offered me a Canon 30D in great condition for under $400 (no lens). I mainly shoot theatre for lighting purposes and need to upgrade to a more serious camera. I am torn, I am not sure if I should go with the deal or hold out for the Nikon. Is there any advice as to which manufacturer would be a better option. Thanks.

reply to this comment

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witch camera would be the best to buy the conon 30d or the nikon d80 i do a lot of in door sport shooting (JRE — 11/28/2006)

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (11/28/2006)

Hi,

Honestly, either camera would serve you equally well. The D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is a bit newer and a bit flashier in terms of features and whatnot, but it's really a minor upgrade over what the 30D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )'s got. My best advice here is to go to a store where you can get your hands on both cameras, try them out, see which one feels best to you.

reply to this comment

s (12/02/2006)

The Canon 30d is capable of 5 fps shooting while the Nikon D80 is limited to 3 fps. This might be a deciding factor since you're interested in sport photography. However, the Nikon D80 is a 10 MP camera and is also a little bit cheaper, compared to the 8 MP 30d. If high fps capability is not so important to you, I'd suggest going for the less expensive Nikon D80 and buying a decent lens to go with it.

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (01/07/2007)

The Nikon D80 is a clear choice for serious photographers, and here's are some raw facts why.

I have been following CMOS technology since late '90s when it was introduced in digital devices. The original concept for CMOS was to create a new photo imaging technology that would pack more megapixels in a chip and also make it more cost efficient than CCD. Well, they did just that, but the drawback to CMOS technology is, the same high quality imaging could not be achieved as in CCD technology. Even though CMOS produces a good quality, the CCD is still more superior. To compensate for some imaging weaknesses of CMOS, it takes up to around 25% more CMOS megapixels to bring the quality some where equivalent to CCD megapixels. So, for e.g. an 8 megapixel CMOS chip would be equivalent to around a high quality 6 megapixel CCD chip, or a 10 megapixel high quality CCD chip could be rated in comparison to around a 13 megapixel CMOS chip. This would mean that the Nikon D80 in a best case scenario is able of producing high quality photo images up to double the size than from the Canon 30D. These image results become more noticeable when printing large display prints or where certain detail is critical like in the lower 10% and or the higher 90% of RGB DATA. For brochure and web images either camera at full frame are generally over kill. Some Nikon D80 users have complained about the images looking a little soft, that's because there is tons of detail data packed in the image file which will appear soft looking when viewing an image at a lower magnification, but if you enlarge the image to a huge display print its perfect. The solution to this image softness is to just lower the resolution first before you decide to use sharpening option when you are using images at smaller size, because at full resolution the file size would be over kill for small prints.

Nikon was founded in year 1910. The top three major optics company in Japan merged together to form the Nikon Corporation, originally known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. Their expertise is based around high quality optics, originally with binoculars and microscopes, then progressed to nikon cameras and many other instruments that required the best optical quality. Nikon had about 30 years of optical expertise before the nikon camera came was introduced. That's why the Nikon razor sharp optics is and has been so famously known for. At the same time, optical detail can be degraded from poor supporting recording media, whether its film or digital. The high quality results of CCD technology is why Nikon will not stand down or compromise.

I have never come across any photographers that purchased a Nikon camera system for the reason of: cosmetic stylish looks, marketing trends and gimmicks, fancy packaging, cheap price, or because it was an alternative to some other higher quality camera system. They all purchased a Nikon camera system for the same reason, for the high quality. There is not one other major camera manufacture that can claim that. Around 1980 when Nikon introduced the great line of Nikkor AI lenses, a percentage of photographers did not like cosmetic look of these AI lenses and switched over to Canon because it was more attractive, regardless of how good the Nikkor lenses were. Around the same time, Canon introduced the fancy AE programming that attracted more non-serious photographers, "I REST MY CASE"

As far as making your final choice between the Nikon or Canon., they both have similar features that will do the job for your sports photography needs. The new 18-135mm Nikkor zoom lens that Nikon has packaged with the D80 and the D200 has to be one of the best versatile digital lenses available, "OUTSTANDING". The coverage from this zoom ratio will be more than likely the only digital lens most Nikon photographers will ever need. The auto focus motor is quick and extremely quite. The optics are razor sharp.

One final thought to consider. If you are at a professional commercial photography level, I would recommend looking into a Hasselblad digital camera system. The H1D offers a 22 megapixel CCD (medium format) camera or the H2D that offers a super high quality 39 megapixel CCD.(DSLR).

Good Luck!
Piero Foto

reply to this comment

Reinhardt Etsebeth (01/25/2007)

Thank you all for the extremely helpful advice. The advice given by Piero Foto was the most valuable, and based on this I will most definitely go for the Nikon D80

reply to this comment

andy g (03/12/2008)

The answer given by Piero Foto is ridiculous. Ever got to a sporting event an look at the photographers. Why are 90% using those "inferior image sensors" in their Canon SLRs. There is more than the amount of pixels that make a good camera. Noise is a very large concern as are other parameters.

If you ever see a H1D offers a 22 megapixel CCD (medium format) camera at a football game it won't be shooting the game. my guess it will be shooting the cheerleaders. A camera is a tool not an item of worship. Choose the camera that meets you needs and budget. Either of the 2 cameras you are looking for purchase are good cameras. I dare any one to look at a photo you take and frame on your wall to guess which camera you choose.

Good luck on taking great photos.

AG

reply to this comment

edge28 (06/25/2008)

Piero Foto's post is very biased. His statement, "They all purchased a Nikon camera system for the same reason, for the high quality. There is not one other major camera manufacture that can claim that."

I started taking pictures on the streets of Vienna, Austria in 1946. I have shot with Leicas, Rolleis, Nikons, Pentaxes, Canons, Retinas and many others. I still have a Nikon F Photomic T with four lenses as well as a Leica IIIg with four lenses. Most all of the cameras I have used have been of quality at the time. The statement is really absurd. However, I would agree with his conclusion that either of the cameras would produce excellent results. Good advice and I admire his effort at the detailed explanations, but it all distills down to reading three or four reviews of each, going into a camea store and handling the camera, and then buying the camera. With the upgrades in cameras every six to eighteen months, they will be or are already overtaken by new features on new cameras.

reply to this comment

edge28 (06/25/2008)

My apologies, the quote I posted form Mr Foto was not from him but from Andy G. Good words Andy.

reply to this comment

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTI VS Nikon D80 (LHClll — 12/08/2006)

Nikon D80 with 18-70 F3.5-4.5 compared to Canon EOS digital Rebel XTI(with comparable lens). I will be shooting on a tripod and having 16X24 inkjet prints made. All available light. I'm interested in image quality and similarity to my Nikon F2. Also ability to focus closely(I use a 55mm macro lens now. I note the Canon can be had for approx. 500.00 less.

reply to this comment

Joe (12/08/2006)

I recommend the Nikon D80 by preference.

reply to this comment

Brenda P (12/08/2006)

I'm typically a Canon girl when it comes to digitals but this time I'm saying the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). And this is tough, because Canon has some great lenses out there... Nikon does too, of course, but I love Canon lenses. So I suppose if you really wanted to, if you were a lens lover, technically you could just buy the Rebel and spend all your cash on cool Canon lenses. That's an option. But here's why I choose the D80:

-Nikon D80= more solid, heavier-weight body, comfortable feel. Canon can sometimes be overpowered by heavy lenses.

-Nikon D80= more manual features! Just about any that you could possibly want- metering, bracketing etc.

-Nikon D80= faster shot to shot times, shutter lag, image processing, everything. Not by much, mind you- both are speedy- but it wins by a hair.

Basically, there's a reason the D80 costs more. Hope that helps.

reply to this comment

Which camera should I buy? (peterduong — 12/11/2006)

I am currently using a Canon Powershot S2IS. I am still learning on this camera but have recently decided to go back to school and study Bachelor of Arts, Photography. Considering that i will need a SLR once i start the course i have decided to buy a Digi SLR. Within regards to price range I would like to spend under $2000 for the camera, lens and flash. I wont be starting the course until 2009 so i would like a camera that could still happily use in a couple of years. Please help me with my selection with any advice you could give on camera bodies and lenses within that price range!

reply to this comment

Brenda P (12/11/2006)

With that price range, you're pretty free to look into whatever you want. If you're interested in buying lots of lenses and equipment, I would point you more towards the Canon Rebel XTI ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). In my opinion Canon offers better options in terms of extra lenses and flashes than the other manufacturers do.

The Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is pretty hardcore and offers more manual control than you probably ever realized you could have. It's quite an investment, but worth it provided you know how to use it.

Honestly? If you haven't already, I'd go to the camera store and see how the top DSLRs feel in your hands. When it gets right down to it any of them are going to fit your needs, and you should go with the one that feels best/ most natural to you.

reply to this comment

peterduong (12/11/2006)

reply to this comment

Cameras similiar to canon xti by other manufacturers? (celcer — 12/11/2006)

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (12/11/2006)

Hi Bernie,

The SLRs most similar to Canon's Rebel XTi ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) are probably:

Sony's Alpha a100 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )
Pentax's K10D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )
Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... )

They're all 10MP cameras, they all come with similar kit lenses, and they're all in the same general price ballpark. Good luck!

reply to this comment

I'm wondering which camera you would recommend, the Nikon D80 or Cannon XTI/400D? (UWdawgfan — 12/19/2006)

I'm not a professional photographer and want an easy to use camera for general purpose shots such as family pictures, basketball games, etc. I don't mind spending the money for a quality camera and lense that I can grow into. Using the LCD to frame pictures would be a plus, although I heard that you can't do this with the Canon?

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (12/19/2006)

Hi Jeff,

These are both digital SLRs, and no digital SLR has a live LCD preview. This is due to the way SLR cameras are constructed, and there's not much manufacturers can do about it. However, since they're serious cameras, dSLRs have great optical viewfinders--I'm sure you'd get used to shooting with them.

All dSLRs these days have very easy to use automatic modes, so I have little doubt that you would adapt to either of these cameras quite easily. However, if you step outside of the automatic mode, what you've got with a dSLR is essentially a pro camera with full manual settings options--lots of buttons and dials to learn about. Lots of camera to grow into, for sure.

Between these two cameras, I honestly can't make a quick recommendation. Pesonally, I feel the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... is a slightly better camera than the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... (stronger build, more pro feel) and in general it has slightly better user and pro reviews, but in truth all cameras at this level are pretty great and fairly comparable in quality. In addition, the 400D is significantly cheaper than the D80. Personal preference between one model or another usually comes down to how the cameras feel in your hand, how you like the way they respond, and the comfort you have with navigating their various menus and modes. I'd really recommend going to your local electronics superstore and trying to get your hands on each. There should be display models in full working condition with the kit lenses. I'd recommend Best Buy or some place similar.

Good luck!

reply to this comment

Looking to buy a new digital SLR camera, should I go Nikon D50 or D80? (Sam2345 — 12/26/2006)

I am looking to buy a new digital SLR camera and am trying to decide upon either the Nikon D50 or D80. Which one would be best for a intermediate level photographer...I will be using it to take surfing pics, landscape portraits as well as bringing it on my next African safari. What would you receommend as the best all around versatile lense to buy with the camera?

reply to this comment

Joe (12/29/2006)

This really comes down to how much you are willing to spend. The Nikon D50 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is probably the work horse of all DSLRs. It has been around for almost 2 years and people still love it, huge fan base of user suport. It is a great 6.1 MP mid level SLR, but compared to the [url=digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... 10.2 MP and advanced up to date features really set it above. But these upgrade are going to cost almost 800 bucks more.

If you are looking to be versatile I would suggest getting the D50 and spending the difference on lenses so you have a options on on safari. I know from experience that you are going to want a Long Prime Lens on safari and for surfing. A nice Zoom (60mm~200mm) lens would be great and incredably versatile too, and even a macro lens for real detailed shoots. As long as you are not planning on printing these stills much bigger than 8x10 you will not see much of a quality difference. And with a few lens you will have the options to get the exact photo you want.

Good luck.

reply to this comment

Sam2345 (12/29/2006)

Joe,
Thanks very much for your answer.

Would you recommend the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor for either camera (D50 or D80) as the best all-around use lense?

reply to this comment

Does the Nikon D80 have or need and Image stabilization system? (bowace — 12/30/2006)

reply to this comment

Andrew Skinner (01/01/2007)

Bob,

Most dSLR cameras do not have an internal image stabilization system. The Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is no different. With faster shutter speeds, this is not usually needed. You can purchase Nikon specific IS lenses ( digitaladvisor.com/lenses/i... ) if you are using slower shutter speeds or are zooming at high levels and want the extra stability. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew

reply to this comment

magnum (01/04/2007)

the SONy dslr's do have Image Stabilization built into the body of the camera so all of your old sony and minolta lenses will have that feature automatically

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (01/05/2007)

First I would like to mention that the image stabilization system is not in the Nikon body and is only available in some lenses.

Image stabilization is really only usefull in certain circumstances, all depending on your shooting needs. If most of your photography is based on studio still life, or wide angle focal lengths, or if mainly used on a tripod, monopod, or some type of steady apparatus, then there is no need to pay extra for an image stabilization lens. But for sports or capturing any type of action subjects with longer focal lengths then an image stabilization lens will be helpful which also depends on each individual of how steady they personally are.

Whether you are using a image stabilization lens or not, I would recommend using a monopod for any hand held shooting situation. Once you use a monopod you will wonder why you did not use one sooner, plus it will save you time by reducing your shooting ratio and money on the extra lenses.

Happy Shopping!
Piero Foto

reply to this comment

I'm in the market for a DSL camera -- Nikon D80, Canon XTi or Sony A100? (sail34 — 01/15/2007)

I've had point and shoot digital cameras, last one being a Sony WSC-50, but disappointed in shutter speed and picture quality. Plan to get more into photography -- action, still, scenery. I'm leaning to the Sony with a 18-70mm lens for $800, which is the best price.

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (01/16/2007)

Hi Joy,

Of these three cameras, the D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is by far the best rated by pros and users. Of course, it's also the most expensive. For you, however, someone just getting into fully manual photography, I might agree with your choice of the A100 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). It is probably a better beginner SLR than the Nikon and roughly equivalent with the XTi ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). Additionally, it has the benefit of in-camera image stabilization, which will work with any compatible AF lens. You can use Minolta AF lenses with the A100, which means that you have a cheap source of new glass.

Hope this helps!

reply to this comment

sail34 (02/04/2007)

Thanks for your input. I bought the A100, mainly due to price, stabilization in the camera and it came with a better lens. FYI - I bought it at camera world where the staff is very helpful -- they really know the cameras. With the purchase I also received 18 free classes, and the cost of the camera itself was very competitive.

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (02/05/2007)

Joy,

Sounds like you got a heck of a deal. Hope it works out well for you. :)

reply to this comment

what digital camera do you recomend for a professional phototgrapher who is finally switching over from film? (marlene222 — 01/21/2007)

I am embarking on a wedding photography business.

reply to this comment

Ardi Ounapuu (01/21/2007)

Hi Marlene,

Since you are professional you must have at least one film SLR and all bunch of lenses? Then you should look for a digital SLR from the same brand. Because you will be able to use most of the lenses you already have. And you know that good lenses cost way more than a camera... So, for example if you have Nikon lenses then a professional DSLR would be D2Xs. In digital world the difference between "professional" and "amateur" is the same as it is in the film camera world. The really expensive professional ones are more stronger, bigger, have faster continuous shooting options and allow using bigger memory cards sometimes. The picture quality, however, is about the same as you get using "cheap amateur" one like Nikon D50 for example.

reply to this comment

Rich Watson (01/21/2007)

I assume that you have been using a 35mm SLR or even large format camera. If you have a 35mm Canon or Nikon system with an assortment of lenses, then I suspect you would want to go with the same manufacturer in the digital version. Obviously, you could then use the same lenses on the digital model.

Some of the expensive models have 16-megapixel sensors. I understand that that resolution now exceeds the resolution of 35mm film. I don't know this to be a fact, but gee, 16 million 'dots' is a lot of dots! So it sure sounds plausible.

The dSLR's start around $700, and go up and up from there.

reply to this comment

Kevin Greggain (01/22/2007)

If you are are coming from the Nikon Film world, and looking digital, my recommendation would be one of two cameras. The Nikon D200 or the Nikon D2Xs. The price differential is vast between the two, but if you used an F100, N90 or any of the pro body cameras, the D200 and D2Xs are going to feel familiar to you.

The D80 is a good camera, don't get me wrong, but the D200 has weather sealed features, and the D80 does not. The Shutter actuations on the D200 is rated higher as well.

I've held both the D2X (older D2X) and the D200 and they both have a solid and professional feel. The lenses (assuming you have Nikon film gear) are going to be compatible as well as long as your previous film gear was AF. If you used to use a manual focus film camera, I'm guessing without a lens adapter, you are going to be out of luck.

The D200 had some banding issues in JPG images in first releases, but this has since been remedied. The pricing of the D200 is in and about the 1399 range (body only, price from B&H), vs about 930.00 for the D80). I believe the difference in price is worth it.

Highly recommend no matter what you choose (either D200 or D80), to get the lower battery grip as this adds a bit more grip to the camera and as well offers a vertical shutter release button (great for portrait oriented images). On top of that, 2 batteries can be used for all day shooting.

In the film camera days you had to change film every 36 exposures.. While I miss that, It's also nice to put 2 batteries and a 12gb card in the camera and shoot all day without blinking an eye.

Good luck in your search, I think no matter what you choose you will be happy going digital.

reply to this comment

marlene222 (02/08/2007)

Thank you I appericate your time.

reply to this comment

Between the Xti and a Nikon d80 which is better choice for a standard SLR T70 user trying to just to the digital world (mikejk69 — 01/31/2007)

reply to this comment

Ben Keough (01/31/2007)

Hi Mike,

These are both very good cameras, and both have very solid feature sets. They're very closely matched in most regards. There are, however, a few differences.

The Canon has an automatic dust removal feature that keeps the CCD clean, a very nice 10MP sensor, and reverse compatibility with all Canon autofocus lenses. Unfortunately, your T70 uses the older FD mount manual lenses, so they won't do you much good with the XTi.

The Nikon ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), on the other hand, has superior build quality (just feels more solid in your hand--more metal, less plastic), offers spot metering (which the Canon doesn't--you'll have to use your live histogram), and has a brighter, clearer viewfinder.

Frankly, I think you'd be happy with either camera. If you've been happy with Canon products in the past, that might be enough to tip your hand here. You might, however, want to check out this comprehensive side-by-side comparison ( dcviews.com/reviews/Canon-R... ) of the D80 and XTi. It does a much better job than I could ever do of enumerating the pros and cons of each camera.

reply to this comment

Should I buy the D80 with one of the "in box" lenses or but the body an the 18-200mm VR AF lens? (ChrisJTC — 02/16/2007)

I'm currently looking for a DSLR and I have narrowed my body down to the Nikon D80. I'm now wandering should I get one of the out of the box lenses, or buy the body and the 18mm-200mm VR AF lens. Do either of the out of the box lenses do anything better then the 18mm-200mm AF VR lens?

Also what would be the best wide angle lens for the D80?

reply to this comment

Rich Watson (02/16/2007)

No, the 18-200mm would be the best of the three. 18mm IS WIDE ANGLE. Did you want a super-wide angle (under 18mm)?

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (02/28/2007)

Hi, Chris.
Both the 18-135mm and the 18-200mm lenses are excellent, I would say that the D80 and the D200 have the best digital lenses offered in box kits. Both lenses have an extremely quick and a very quiet auto focus motor, they also have a great balance between wide to telephoto.

Here are a few options:
1) If money is not an issue, then get the 18-200mm

2) For most photo shooting situations the 18-135mm(27-200mm 35mm equivalent) is generally all that photographers really need.
At full extended zoom its just long enough zoom ratio to maintain razor sharp images with out sacrificing to much depth of field. Its also a long enough zoom to get lens compression for portraits or general sports coverage and just wide enough for general interior shots with very minmal distortion. So save yourself the money.

3) Now at this point with the money you have just saved if you buy the 18-135mm, you can determine what specific needs you require for your second lens. If you do any type of interior photography where a wider lens than 18mm is required, then get an inexpensive short wide angle Nikkor zoom lens. A lens wider than 18mm, but not necessarily longer than 35mm-50mm, OR the other option is if you need a longer zoom lens then 135mm for wildlife, sports, and etc, then your second lens should be at least 300mm on the long side, but not necessarily much shorter than 80mm on the bottom end, so that you can keep the cost down.

I bought a nikkor 80-300mm digital lens recently for $125 dollars, I got it cheap because it was classified as imported, meaning that it was imported by a third party with out a warranty. Of all the lenses I have bought over the past 30 years, I have never had a lens that malfunctioned, so I took the chance and lens works great. Now I have an 18-135mm(27-200mm 35mm equivalent) and a 80-300m(120-450mm 35mm equivalent) for less than the cost of the 18-200mm. I am sure I can add a nice wide angle lens and still keep the total cost of all three nikkor lenses for around the same price as 18-200mm.

The Bottom Line:
If you need lenses for specialized shooting situations, then you will need to break open your wallet and pay what it costs.
If you get the 18-135mm zoom lens, you should be able to include a second and maybe a third lens for around the same price as the 18-200mm.
If you don't buy a digital lens longer than 135mm(200mm 35mm equivalent), don't sweat it.
The beauty of the 10 MP with the D80 is that you can crop your images and enlarge a portion of the frame with still maintaining a great image quality, especially with raw image files, there is tons of packed data information. If you used only around 50% of the frame by cropping your image closer to give you a simulation of a longer zoom ratio, you would still have no problem making nice clear wall prints at around 24"x36" or better. The D80 renders the pixels like continuous film tone, so you have mega back up pixels to work with.

I hope this info has been helpful in your decision of lenses.

Happy Shopping!
Piero Foto

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (03/19/2007)

Hey, Chris.
Just following up to see how and which lenses worked out for you!

If you still need any further advice just reply below.

Thanks!

reply to this comment

Johnny Ugalde (03/24/2007)

I´m following you.
And this is just to thanks you guys for your criterias.
For me, three lens with a wider capacity for the same price is reazon enaugh!
JUV

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (03/26/2007)

Hi, Chris.
Digital advisors have noticed you have not selected an answer yet. Advisors on this site like my self take our own personal time and efforts on a volunteer basis to answer questions and help photographers like yourself with advice. If you still need any further advice, then just ask in the reply box below and we will be more than happy to respond, or if you have it under control then it would great if you can return the kindness and select best answer to close the question.

Thank you in advance.

reply to this comment

Chandrika (06/18/2007)

Hi Chris C,

I am also planning to buy D80, can you please guide me as to what's the price of just the body and what all do you need other than that?

Like the lens 18mm - 200mm how much would it cost?

Waiting for your reply desparately.

Thanks
CHandrika

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Johnny Ugalde (06/18/2007)

H.
I bought de D80 with de AF-S NIKKOR 18-135mm 1:3,5-5,6G ED
And it really works fine for almost all porpuoses.
Sharp, & clear, not too much lugage to carry, acceptable price.
I'm an architect and need to take interiors and exteriors photos (sometimes landscapes for fun).
Unless, you were a "papparazzo" ...

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ChrisJTC (06/18/2007)

Hey all,
Thank you for your responces. I ended up getting the body and a 50 mm f1.4 lens and ordering the 18-200mm vr lens. It took about 3 months to get here, but it was worth the wait. the 18-200 lens has become my standard lens, but, when shooting in low light or trying to force attention on a subject by bluring out the rest of the picture, I use the 50mm. I would highly recomend both of these lenses.

PS, I ended up paying the following:
Body: $840 (With tax)
50mm :$300 (est. I forgot the exact amount.
18-200mm : $790 (With tax) (I could have gotten it cheaper at Penn Camera.)
uv and polarizer for 50mm: about $100 (but if I have to do it over again I would only get the uv.)
uv and polarizer for the 18-200mm: $120 (both are good)

Once again, Thank you all.

Chris C

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Chandrika (06/18/2007)

Thanks guys.

The 18 -200mm sounds pretty expensive for me. I will try first with the 18-135mm. Hope that won't be this expensive.

Any more info please keep me updated on the same.

Thanks
Chandrika

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Piero Foto (06/19/2007)

The 18-135mm Nikor zoom lens should be around $399.

Happy Shopping!

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What is the most versitile lens for this camera - am. photographer (coozee — 02/26/2007)

I'm going on vacation and only want to bring one lens.

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bukit97 (02/26/2007)

For general photography, an 18-135mm nikon lens would be very useful.
This will give an effective 27 - 202.5 mm equiv. FOV on a DX format digital SLR.

If you like to have more zoom power, the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR will be a better one.
Nikon 18-200mm is hailed as the do-it-all lens. The only setback is the price, US$750.

Lastly, for something in between, Nikon 55-200mm at US$ 279 will probably fit most pocket, while giving the zoom power necessary to get closer to the object, it also provide a reasonable wide angle to include a lot of things in a picture.

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Piero Foto (02/28/2007)

Hi Catalina.
If you bought your D80 with the 18-135mm, then you should be very happy with that. The auto focus motor is extremely quick and very quiet, also its a very nice balance between wide to telephoto. You should have no problems with wide interior shots and still get some nice close ups. At the full extended zoom of 135mm(202.5mm) its just long enough zoom ratio to maintain razor sharp images with out sacrificing to much depth of Field. Its the best zoom lens sold with a DSLR within $1200.

If you have an 18mm-200mm that would be even better, but if you don't have either lenses and only have a zoom lens with not much more than 100mm, don't sweat it. Keep in mind that part of the beauty of the 10 MP with the D80 is that you can crop your images and enlarge a portion of the frame with still maintaining a great image quality, especially with raw image files, there is tons of packed data information. If you used only around 50% of the frame by cropping your image closer to give you a simulation of a longer zoom ratio, you would still have no problem making nice clear wall prints at around 24"x36" or better. The D80 renders the pixels like continuous tone film, so you have mega back up pixels to work with.

I hope this info has been helpful in your decision of lenses.

Have a great time!
Piero Foto

reply to this comment

Piero Foto (03/26/2007)

Hi Catalina.
Advisors have noticed you have not selected an answer yet, if you are back from your vacation we hope you had a great time. Digital advisors on this site like my self take our own personal time and efforts on a volunteer basis to answer questions and help photographers like yourself with advice. If you still need any further advice then just ask in the reply box below and we will be more than happy to respond or if you can return the kindness and select best answer to close the question that would great.

Thank you in advance.

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Digital School Portait Photography (Osvo — 04/10/2007)

I am interested in digital school portrait photography and favor Nikon products. What would one suggest in the 899.00 - 1600.00 price range. Also what would be a proper lens? - Thanks, Osvo

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Joe (04/11/2007)

I would recommend the Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). It has all the features you need; manual zoom and focus, various lighting condition options, high quality non-compressed images (RAW files), 10.1 megapixels. Includes a 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Mikkor Lens which is great for what you are looking to do. Plus it is a great price and check out the great user reviews.

Good Luck

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Looking for a good versatile camera to use in real estate sales. (a1raasch — 04/30/2007)

I believe that I need close up shots of plat maps, macro shots to view rooms within the home and a different lens for the overall outdoor shots.

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Ardi Ounapuu (04/30/2007)

Hi Allen,

Nikon D50 or D80 will easily do the job. You will also need two lenses. Example: Sigma 17-70mm 2.8 Macro for Nikon (around $350) and Sigma 10-20mm for Nikon (around $500). The first lens will let you to take pictures of the buildings from outside, also larger rooms inside and macros. The second one allows you to take very wide angle shots inside small rooms and also photograph whole buildings outside from small distance.
In addition you will need software that eliminates all the problems that are caused by wide angle lenses. Example: Image Align Pro (around $100).

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China Mark (04/30/2007)

Hi Allen,
I would take a look at the <A HREF="dpreview.com/reviews/compar... Lumix DMC-LX1 & LX2</A>. In the side-by-side comparison you can see the difference between the two. The LX2 costs a bit more, but you get 10MP as opposed to 8MP and a larger LCD for composing and reviewing shots.

I'm suggesting these because they both have 28mm wide angle lens, which is what you need for real estate to be able to fit whole rooms into the picture. They both also have macro settings so you can get those close ups of maps and floorplans. For outdoor shots they both have a 4x optical zoom to give versatility.

The same link has a link to customer reviews so you can see what others think of it.

Personally I don't see the point of investing thousands in a DSLR if the cameras is purely going to be used for real estate or work purposes.

Hope this helps,
Mark

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Has anyone used the Tamron 17-50 on the D80 (wclj — 05/12/2007)

Looking for a good lens to be used for a wedding.

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Ben Keough (05/16/2007)

Hi,

You might want to have a look at this article ( photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fe... ). It's a fairly in-depth discussion of that lens/camera combo (mostly positive, too!).

Good luck!

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I want a SLR camera for aerial photos - need good stabilization feature - do you recommend D80's stabilization. Any better recommendation? (lakeannaagent — 05/14/2007)

Looking at Canon Rebel STI and Nikon D80- which has better stabilization. I like a lot of the user friendly features of the Nikon, but can't find info on the stabilization of either camer. Any recommendation?

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steve mccall (05/14/2007)

hello mrs fox
have a look at these photos
flickr.com/photos/jadegordo...
they were taken with a panasonic lumix lz7
it is not a digital slr but it has a very good optical stabilization system

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mike bernardo (05/31/2007)

Neither the canon Xti or Nikon d80 come with image stabilization on the SLR camera body itself. Both companies though have a few SLR lens options that offer IS (image stabilization for canon) or VR (vibration reduction for Nikon).

I personally prefer the user friendliness of the d80 interface over the Xti, although quality of pictures are comparable. i think nikon offers more affordable lenses with the VR (i.e. 55-200 VR for 249US$, 24-120VR for about 400US$ or the all in one 18-200VR for about 700US$). Your best bet is to go to your local camera store and try the feel of each camera in your hands, and check if your budget can account for the available lenses in comparison to what you want to be shooting.

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D80 or D200?? (philomycus — 06/16/2007)

I'm coming out of the 'ice age' here too. I've got a film N55 with all nikon lenses. Went to the Galapagos, airport security refused to hand check all my film and it's all washed out in color :(

I consider myself a very serious amateur. I don't shoot sporting events- more wildlife. Is it worth the extra bucks for the D200? I read the image quality is the same between the two??? I've also never dropped a camera an don't plan on shooting in the the rain. Will the D80 suit me?

What is the major advantage of the D200 over the 80 in my situation? The weight of the D200 turns me off a little too.

Are these 10 mp cameras better quality than 35mm film?? But to "access" that ability, don't you have to use a digital lens?? So if I'm using my old lenses for my film cameras, is the image quality going to be the same??? Thanks!

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Brenda P (06/22/2007)

Hi Alana,
I wanted to link you to this question:
digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...

for a discussion of the D80 that just came up that might explain why you may choose the D200. Go to the link provided in the answer to that question and read the discussion there; I think you'll find it interesting as an argument against the D80 (although it is also a matter of preference).

In terms of quality, I wouldn't say that a 10mp digital is going to be better or worse than film. The properties of the photo are really just so different. Plus, when talking about photo quality, so much of it depends on the processing of the photo post-shot that it's hard to say specifically which one records a better image. As a film fan myself, I consider this a wash. In technical terms there's probably an answer about which one records more detail, but to me it's a matter of apples and oranges really.

In terms of using old lenses on digital SLRs, though, you MAY run into a few minor issues now and then that might affect your photo quality, and this is because the properties of how the digital sensor records light are different than how film works. I suppose I can imagine a few issues cropping up particularly with wide angle lenses, where the direction of the light is so important. But even that is really arguable.

Less of a problem than image quality, just think about compatibility with old lenses on a digital cam. Sometimes you can't use Auto Focus and other features. But the fact of being able to use old lenses on DSLRs at all is, to me, a major argument for buying a DSLR if you've got a ton of great glass sitting around!

<a href="photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fe... is an interesting discussion about a 'myth' re: using old lenses on digicams.

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Bottom line: is a D80 sharper than 35 mm film?? (philomycus — 06/19/2007)

Are the pics the same as a film or better than film (if you use the digital lenses)?

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by James DeRuvo (06/19/2007)

Well that's a religious question, I'm afraid. There's a great treatise on digital vs. film here ( clarkvision.com/imagedetail... ).

The bottom line is, that there are many factors when it comes to film. Film speed (ISO), being one of them. Aperture settings. Lighting conditions.

I honestly don't think any digital development will be better than film. But the technology has developed to the point where the arguement is really moot. Digital allows you to do much more and it's alot easier more affordable than developing and printing film - having to pay for bad pictures, etc.

In the end, film is an end use technology now. The future is digital. But beware, according to recent surveys, only 20% of digital camera users actually PRINT their pictures!

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What is the best choice? A Nikon D80 or PentaxK10D? I am not a professional just an everyday user? (BJSmith — 06/21/2007)

Narrowed it down to these 2 to purchase.

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Brenda P (06/22/2007)

OK, this is tough. I usually try to come down on one side or the other, but with DSLRs it's a little different. When you're dealing with cameras of DSLR calibre, whatever one you purchase is going to be nicely built and will give you good options and fantastic photos as long as you learn to use it. At this level, the quality issues that you run into with smaller point & shoots don't exist as much.

With that said, at this level, the quality of the lenses and accessories available is important. And although it's largely a matter of preference, I prefer Nikon lenses and so I'd go with the D80 here. In fact, I'd kill to own a D80. =)

I'm assuming that although you said 'everyday user,' you're pretty proficient with cameras to be considering DSLRs. I would strongly suggest going to a camera shop if possible and handling both of these. At DSLR level a big part of the purchase is just plain 'which one feels better to you.' And there will be people with strong opinions on either side.

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is the matrix metering unpredictable and is claimed to overexpose and requires a lot of exposure compensation which needs to be done for every shot (safari — 06/21/2007)

the above according to many people on the d80 forum and Ken Rockwell

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Brenda P (06/22/2007)

For what it's worth, I've heard of this issue too, along with many people arguing it and saying that a lot of it depends on where you 'expect' the camera to do the metering:

photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fe...

As someone states in that discussion: "The D80 meter favors shadow areas more than highlights. This is the main difference between the D200, which favors highlights. Many people call this a "defect" but it is by design."

Not really answering your question, but an interesting discussion regarding it.

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safari (06/22/2007)

thanks for the reply it confirms what I have read, is it better then to buy a camera that exposes for highlights than shadows as it is easier to improve shadows in PP, whereas if highlights are blown they cannot be recovered

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Brenda P (06/22/2007)

Exactly right. As a darkroom user I couldn't have explained it better myself.

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safari (06/22/2007)

Thankyou again for replying so soon, I will probably upgrade to the D200 Nikon as this appears to have many features I like and the metering appears to be better than the D80

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philomycus (06/22/2007)

I've read the D80 is better on recording reds and greens than the D200....found it somehwere on the net and I guess it's all realitive.....decisions, decisions!!!

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safari (06/22/2007)

Alana thankyou for the information,I went to the camera store and the 200 seems very complcated, maybe there is a way to compensate for the manner in which the D80 meters. any suggestions from anyone will be appreciated.

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IS THE Opteka Battery Grip for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera JUST AS GOOD AS THE NIKON MB-D80? THEY CLAIM ITS MADE AT THE SAME PLANT! (JAC1981 — 07/02/2007)

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Kevin Greggain (07/13/2007)

I have an Opteka battery grip for the Sony Alpha and have seen the Nikon version as well. I certainly would not call the quality of this grip identical to the Nikon. The rubber grip area from my grip started to peel (bad glue) in under a month of use. It's not junky, as it works as expected, but your question was whether they were just the same, and I say, they are not.

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what is a one lense "fit-all" for everyday indoor-outdoor use? (gregorykappa — 09/10/2007)

I'm buying a D80 without a lense, adn this is my first slr camera!

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j. armijo (09/10/2007)

Hello Greg , We all wish there was such a lens. But as Your first SLR camera a good choice would be the nikon AF-S DX 18-135 mm lens. It is a fast and quiet lens. you will have the opportunity of closeup photos as well as zoom and any where in between . This lens will be a good indoor as well as outdoor lens choice. Like the rest of us you will always find another lens you must have . But this Is a good choice as a first lens.This lens is about 300.00 list. If you are buying this camera new see if it is available with the lens and at what price. sometimes they will give you a break when you buy them as a set.

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gregorykappa (09/12/2007)

Thanks for the prompt response! I found a wedsite that is selling the D80 alone without the lens and flash for $387. This sounds unreal, or is it? I'm going to contact them tomorrow for more info...Is it worth taking this route and then supplementing the missing parts from somewhere else? Their package deal is around $1000, which comes with extra "freebees," like tripod and cleaing kit. AsI said before, this is my first, and I want to make the right choice.

Thank you in advance .

G

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j. armijo (09/12/2007)

HI Greg , I went to mysimon.com and found camera and lens for $ 849.00-$ 1099. I would find out more info. on this dealer,or any dealer that the price seems too low just to be sure. Lenses are going to be the biggest expense with any camera. I like the web site dpreview.com they review lots of cameras. I personally bought the pentax k10d, which on this web site the nikon D80 is one of the cameras used as a comparable in the review. The price was more in my range , plus I had older lenses that will work on this camera.

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Can any f-mount lenses be used with the D80? I don't mind manual focus only. (paxm — 09/28/2007)

I am considering a D80 as my first dslr, however I would like to know if any lens with F mount system will work for it. Thanks in advance.

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by James DeRuvo (10/01/2007)

More than just manual focus. You'll probably have to go ALL manual. And you may have to use an adapter, which will involve some light loss (about a stop).

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paxm (10/01/2007)

Hi James, thank you very much. I have a few lenses (but they are m42), so was wondering if those ebay adapters would work until i can get nikkor ones. Cheers!

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by James DeRuvo (10/02/2007)

Honestly couldn't tell you since I don't know who makes them.

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paxm (10/03/2007)

hey James, thank you. I will most likely place an order for the adapter and jsut try. Cheers!

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I just purchased the sb800 speedlight for my Nikon D80 and need help setting it up. Thanks Paula Sullivan at paulaksullivan@peoplepc.com (lovinphotography — 10/21/2007)

I recently purchased the Nikon D80 and just purchased the SB 800 and need to know how to set it to take indoor photos that are not dark or any info to help me learn to use it.

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by James DeRuvo (10/23/2007)

The manual ( nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/Sp... ) states that you can start in the camera’s exposure mode to Programmed Auto (P). The Flash should be in TTL mode, which, based on the exposure control information, the camera
automatically controls the flash output level to give the correct exposure.

Manually, Press the MODE button to set the flash mode.
• Display TTL BL on the the LCD panel.
2 Confirm that the main subject is within the flash shooting distance range.

Note, that every time you press the MODE button, the available flash mode icon changes. Refer to “Icons on the LCD panel” (p. 13 of the manual).

Nikon has a Speedlight Techniques Guide ( nikonusa.com/pdf/SB800_tech... ) you can download which may be of help.

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lovinphotography (10/25/2007)

Thanks, I'll try that over the weekend. Can I use my camera without turning the speedlight on even if the speedlight is still on my camera but turned off? Do I need to use the speedlight with ever picture I take leaving it on the camera and on all the time. Also I have the circular polarizer, when is the best time to use it?

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by James DeRuvo (10/25/2007)

Sure. But you run into the danger of breaking it off the hot shoe when not in use. If it's a 1A Skylight the answer is ALL the time! If not, you should get one anyway. Best insurance policy you can get. I can't tell you how many times I have trashed a skylight filter but saved my lens! If it's a darker polarizer, it's best in very bright days.

But these days, absent the 1A, you don't really need a filter. Everything a filter does can be fixed with something like Photoshop. And better because you don't change the original image permanently like a filter does.

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lovinphotography (10/27/2007)

Thanks, I'll get a skylight next time I go to town. Do you use rechargeable batteries for your flash or not? Which ones work best and about how long do they last?

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by James DeRuvo (10/29/2007)

Rechargable batteries are always a good idea. Better for the environment. And although it used to be that they wouldn't last as long as regular disposable batteries, the technology has advanced in the last 20 years.

Because of the high power requirements of a flash, I recommend getting batteries with a higher mAh - like around 2500mAha. Also, you can try this ( batteryspace.com/index.asp?... ).

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lovinphotography (11/02/2007)

Thanks, I just bought some regular batteries,but I'll consider this next time. Where is the best place to find a skylight? I was getting one at town but couldn't find one. (d80)

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by James DeRuvo (11/02/2007)

Wherever you can find camera filters. Any camera store should have em. Or search online.

reply to this comment

Number of images? (ckinsella — 10/29/2007)

I've just purchased a Nikon D80. The manual says that the number of images available should be showing in the right corner of the display. Mine just says 1.0 and it never changes no matter how many photos I take. How do I make it display the number of images I can take?

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by James DeRuvo (10/30/2007)

First thing I would do is reset the camera. This is a fairly easy procedure which involves either going into your setup menu and choosing "reset," holding down the menu key for 5 seconds, or, removing the batteries for a few minutes. It may be that the firmware loading got corrupted and the camera just needs to be "rebooted," which is something that turning it on/off won't accomplish. But after which, you should have the camera reset to factory default settings.

Another tip is to go to Nikon's website and look for firmware updates. Download and install them.

How large is your flash memory card?

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ckinsella (10/30/2007)

It's a 4 GB card

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by James DeRuvo (11/01/2007)

Well, it largely depends on the size/quality of the images you're shooting. You should be able to get anywhere from 216 (at RAW) to 4500 for small, email sized JPEGs.

Another thing could be the settings you use. I know that on certain auto settings on my camera I can't shoot at RAW and as such, it's greyed out. Also, check and see if you've accidentally engadged the write protect switch on your card. This could also affect it.

I'd also try reformatting the card.

There is a firmware update ( support.nikontech.com/cgi-b... ), BTW.

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thomas (11/10/2007)

I am goin on for months trying to find good price d80...there are are selling with low price and when you call then they say not available...is that true the camera come as china version vs us...I really want to buy it...safe and right price and warranty too..

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by James DeRuvo (11/12/2007)

Often with those bargain basement companies, they say their not available because they're trying to trap you in the old "bait and switch" scheme. And often, extreme low prices are a result of it being "grey market" ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_... ) merchandise.

If something is grey market, it means that - although you may have gotten a great deal on it - it doesn't come with a warranty that will be honored here in this country. Which means if something goes wrong with the camera, you'll either have to send it to China to repair or pay to have it fixed yourself.

Be warned.

Sticking with a good reputable company, like Amazon or Circuit city is your best bet, even if you end up paying another hundred or so, IMHO. You'll get what you pay for.

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Larry (12/23/2007)

Cathy,
Did we get your problem solved? If not, let us know so we can try again. If so, you would want to award the points for the best answer. Thanks, Larry.

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hobbang (03/28/2008)

It should have a k next to it meaning that is has about 1.0k or 1000 pictures.

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i am trying to decide between the D80 or the D40X... help (tracyanndavis10 — 11/25/2007)

I am trying to decide between the Nikon D80 or the Nikon D40X.
Can you tell me the differences in these two camera and help me choose the best one.
thanks

reply to this comment

Andrew Skinner (11/28/2007)

Tracy,

Both cameras have 10.2 MP resolution, the D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.shopping.c... ) has a slighty faster frames per second rate, and will have more exposure control options with temperature control. It will also let you manually adjust the flash settings. Those are not huge differences, but they are differences. I think the bigger question is how much you want to spend. I have a friend that owns the D40 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) and she loves it. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew

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skylark8503 (12/04/2007)

Tracy,

The major difference I can point out is that "the D40X doesn't have an built-in focus drive motor which means it can auto focus only with lenses which have their own drive motor (AF-S and AF-I lenses). The lack of a drive motor can be seen by the missing mechanical focus drive pin on the lens mount."

The D80 has the motor, so it can focus lenses that do not have the motor.

As Andrew Stated, They both have the same 10.2 MP resolution.

I believe that the D40X is more of a consumer camera, and the D80 is a professional/semi professional camera. The D80 will give you more opportunity to adjust the pictures in the camera, but you will be paying more for it.

reply to this comment

tracyanndavis10 (12/05/2007)

Both are great answers, thankyou so much. I am goin with the D80

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tracyanndavis10 (12/05/2007)

The Buiilt in focus drive is what swayed me to purchase the camera. Thankyou.

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smitjel (12/05/2007)

Unless you've got a bunch of older AF lenses you're trying to reuse with your new Nikon, the lack of drive motor is pretty much a non-issue because almost all the new DX lenses ( nikonimaging.com/global/pro... ) are AF-S now (especially the VR ones, which are the ones you definitely want).

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I really like the D80 but I am unsure if it is the right camera for my needs (vthokie — 12/07/2007)

I want the D80 for the purpose of taking pictures of hardware (knobs and pulls for cabinets/furniture) that will be put on the internet for sell. Currently, we are using a Canon Powershot Pro I along w/ a photobooth w/ 2 Tri-Lite Fluorescent bulbs. We are looking to improve the quality of our photos on our website and are hoping that the D80 is the answer. Is the Nikon D80 a good pick and if so what lens should I choose?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (12/08/2007)

Well, obviously you're looking for a good macro lens. The D80 will do the job nicely, even if it's slightly overkill. You're using a good setup, but you may also want to consider investing in a good quality RING LIGHT. This will eiliminate shadows and give your subject a nice even glow.

reply to this comment

In sports mode, how do I change aperture opening, shutter speed and iso for action shots? (watswife — 01/22/2008)

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (01/29/2008)

Your best bet is to rely on manual for those changes on the fly. Sports mode will prechoose an ISO setting and then choose from a set range of aperture and shutter speed settings.

Going to manual puts you in complete control. You could also rely on either aperture priority or shutter priority which would enable the camera to automatically choose one while you adjust the other.

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watswife (01/30/2008)

Thanks so much for the reply - I really appreciate it - but I don't think I was very clear. (I thought I needed to limit my wording and so I think I left out important info.) My concern in using manual is that I won't have enough time to change all the settings I need to change on the fly. I guess I'd really like to know what combination of settings are most useful to use most of the time and then I could go from there. If I set it in sports mode, doesn't it prevent me from changing some on the other settings or from using the flash? (I remember having problems when trying to change it in the preset modes other than auto.)

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by James DeRuvo (01/30/2008)

It can. But it largely depends on your conditions. As for flash, I point to the pros who seldom use a flash when shooting sports pictures. this is mostly because it can interfere with the action. That's why what I would do is use shutter priority. You set the shutter speed on the fly and let the camera do the rest.

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watswife (01/30/2008)

Thanks so much for your suggestion. Will try it asap...sounds simple enough!

reply to this comment

Dr. Mike (04/30/2008)

In shutter priority, if you select a shutter speed that is too fast for the lens, does the camera automatically change the ISO to compenate or do you have to do that manually as well?

reply to this comment

How to het out of histogtam mode (shepparde — 02/28/2008)

reply to this comment

Andrew Skinner (03/02/2008)

Erica,

To turn off your histogram in review mode, you can press the multi-selector up or down to rotate the display or rotate the sub-command dial to cycle through the display types. This is also referenced in your user manual ( nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/no... ) on page 62. I hope this helps.

Andrew

reply to this comment

is Nikon D80 flash (built in & optional) have to fire 2 times always? or it has a setting to fire the flash once only? (ericreyes — 05/21/2008)

my nikon D80 built in flash and optional flash at any settings like red eye, slow, rear etc. fires 2 times always, but when i press the FV ( flash exposure lock) it fires only once. is it always has to fire 2 times? or there is a setting for it to fire the flash once only? sorry for my english..im from philippines...thanx a lot guys....eric reyes

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (05/27/2008)

Have you tried to reset the camera to factory default?

reply to this comment

ericreyes (05/28/2008)

thanx so much James. shamefully I haven't thought about it....yah thats it!. i'll do that and post my question again if it didn't work. more power to u James and Digital Camera HQ

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (05/29/2008)

Happy to help, Eric. Thanks for posting it.

reply to this comment

What does the Nikkon D80 Kit include (gurachi — 06/01/2008)

Hi
I am looking at buying this :
digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...

Need to know the items included with the product & the actual price .

Thanks,
guru

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (06/12/2008)

Prices vary and in the upper right hand corner there are prices that will give you a basic idea. What's in the box:

there are two kits available for the D80. Here's what you'll find in each:

* The Nikon D80 camera body
* F3.5 - 5.6, 18 - 135 mm Nikon DX zoom lens [note this is for the lens kit only]
* EN-EL3e lithium-ion rechargeable battery
* Battery charger
* Body cap
* Eyepiece cap
* LCD protective cover
* Shoulder strap
* USB cable
* Video cable
* CD-ROMs featuring Nikon PictureProject
* 149 page camera manual (printed)

reply to this comment

Hi ! What Nikon lens can't work with Nikon D80 body ? (chacchet — 06/05/2008)

Can I use my very old Nikon lens with D80?

reply to this comment

Andrew Skinner (06/11/2008)

Tran,

The Nikon D80 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) uses a Nikon F mount type lens. If your older lens is compatible with this mount, then you can use it. If not, some lenses work without auto focus or can be used with an adapter on the newer cameras. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew

reply to this comment

Is it OK to use Vivitar 283 with a Nikon D80? (cw4usa — 07/19/2008)

I have a Nikon D80 and all the info that I have read (all from Nikon) state that I MUST use a Nikon Speedlight with the camera for additional flash power. The Vivitar 283 which I have had for years seems to function well with the camera. Is there a danger that I will cause damage to the D80 using this flash?

reply to this comment

Brenda P (07/20/2008)

The problem is going to be sync voltage, I think (if there IS a problem). The Vivitar 283, depending on when it was made, might have a voltage running into the 230-300 range. If your flash is fairly old it probably has a higher voltage like this (newer ones are designed more for electronic cameras and may be a different story, more like 5 volts or something). The Nikon D80 is rated for flashes up to 250 volts. It might operate fine but depending on the voltage it might also fry your camera. Do you happen to know the voltage of the flash?

Here's some more info:
botzilla.com/photo/strobeVo...
acecam.com/photography/2108...

reply to this comment

Should I purchase the D80 now or wait until its successor arrives? (dagalee — 08/20/2008)

I have narrowed my field down to the Nikon D80 and the Canon D450 (xSi) and I am leaning toward the D80. But the xSi is the new successor to the xTi and the D80 has been out for two years. Is there much to be gained by waiting for the new D80, based on how camera manufacturers improve their product with each upgrade?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (08/21/2008)

The bottom line is that there will always be a successor on the horizon. So you could wait forever taking that tack. You could wait until January to see what deals you can get during 1) Black Friday (day after thanksgiving) and after CES where new models are announced and prices drop on previous ones.

But to just wait for the next big thing? You'll be waiting forever.

reply to this comment

dagalee (08/25/2008)

Thanks James. Your point is very well taken and I realize that whenever I commit I will be behind the leading edge. January is the longest I would wait and I am only looking at the D80 successor. What is CES? When is it?

Thanks again, advice well taken.

Lyle

reply to this comment

dagalee (08/27/2008)

Once again thanks for your advice, James. The D90 has been announced and it looks like it was worth the wait. I clearly will not have to wait until January for it to hit the stores.

Lyle

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (08/29/2008)

CES is the Consumer Electronics Show. It's in Vegas right after the first of the year (January). Think of it as Disneyland for Geeks. Everyone comes out and announces new product including cameras, tvs, computers, camcorders, the works. There's also PMA ( pmai.org/index.cfm/ci_id/32... ) which is photo centric. That's in March, Vegas.

Same kinda thing, though not as vast.

reply to this comment

dagalee (08/31/2008)

Once again thanks James, for the great information. Thankfully I will not have to wait that long as the D90 has been announced. I will wait until I can read a review or two though. Novices like myself are lucky to have experienced people like yourself who are willing to take the time to give us advice.

Lyle

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/01/2008)

One thing you wanna pay attention to is if it is partial or full frame. The D80 was a partial frame, and therefore, had a smaller image on the chip. Whereas the D60 is full frame and most who were tempted by the D80 went with the D60 for this very reason. So keep an eye on that and enjoy!

reply to this comment

dagalee (09/02/2008)

Wow, James, I had not considered that. I thought onlt the pro models D200, D300 were full frame models. I'll check into the D60 and see how it reviews. While the 1.5x crop factor is helpful on telephoto it loses ont he wide end. Thanks for the great tip.

Lyle

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How good will my slr lenses work on the D80? (I have 2 Sigma AF lenses) (Sahara — 10/31/2008)

I got the lenses with my F65, details: Sigma (AF & MF) 28-80mm, F3.5-5.6 and a Sigma 100-300mm F4.5-6.7 DL

reply to this comment

bukit97 (10/31/2008)

The autofocus one will not be able to work as such because it is similar to <a href="bythom.com/n65.htm"> AFS </a> type of lenses.
You probably will have less problem with the manual focus lens.

D60 might be a better match.

reply to this comment

Sahara (11/01/2008)

The guys at the camera shop said it should work and the AF worked on my friends D200?

reply to this comment

bukit97 (11/01/2008)

Mounting is not a problem, as Nikon F mount is a standard feature.

For focusing. traditional Nikon body has a built in motor and focusing is done through a pin that fits into a hole in the lens.
Take a look at the lens and see if the hole is there. That's the best way to confirm whether it will work with D80.

F65 takes on AF-S lens. see <a href="bythom.com/n65.htm"> Thom Hogan's report </a> If your Sigma works on F65, it is possible that it has a built in motor which D80 is not able to operate.
Problem is only you can tell because you might have bought a Sigma lens without a built in motor. So check for the hole in the lens and see if it is there.

reply to this comment

Sahara (11/02/2008)

Thanks, I'll check it out!

reply to this comment

Do I buy the Nikon D40, D60 or D80? (amyg2008 — 12/17/2008)

I have had a film Nikon SLR for about 10 years and mostly use auto focus. I want a new Nikon and am wondering if the D80 is worth the $150 more than the D60 if I won't be taking advantage of all of it's features. Which camera should I buy if I am very interested in photography but am a beginner and don't yet know much about photography?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (12/24/2008)

IIRC, the D60 has a partial shutter frame size whereas the D80 is a larger shutter frame. You may have trouble using your lenses on the D60.

Go with the D80.

reply to this comment

My Nikon D-80 will not record the photo on the memory card. (thyden — 07/21/2009)

The camera focuses and allows you to take the photo, but does not record the image. I have tried numerous cards, but none of them will record. I have also tried resetting the camera, to no avail.

Thanks for any help. I have tried everything I can think of.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (07/22/2009)

Have you tried formatting the cards?

reply to this comment

pnoyxtrm (07/31/2009)

james Deruvo is right, try to format the card on the camera not on pc or laptop.

reply to this comment

Nikon D80 (Lens Included) Reviews

4.49689440993789 out of 5

Rating: 4.50 of 5
(322 user reviews)

Nikon D80 (Lens Included) Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users

5.0 out of 5

Excellent camera (pnoy — 07/30/2009)

I just got this about 2 days ago ( used ) and I can't let go of it. I really like the shutter, it's so fast and the pixels is awesome. my lens is not 18-55, I change it to 55-200 DX ( not VR ).

4.0 out of 5

AF (patrick — 05/17/2009)

The long range focus on this camera looses the object requiring you to go to another setting. This has caused me to loose many photos.

4.0 out of 5

10,000 fine photos, 50 bad ones (Eric Braun — 03/21/2009)

I've had consistently fine results with this camera and would highly recommend it to advanced amateurs and serious enthusiasts. The few bad shots have been entirely my fault.

5.0 out of 5

D80 (David Vevia — 03/04/2009)

I think that the camera is great for people who are starting out but want to go all in and also great for experienced photographers who want a second camera.

4.0 out of 5

Main Camera (Julieanna Crynolyn — 02/13/2009)

I love this camera, it takes gorgeous photos. But.. after only a year; the built in flash deos not click down anymore. Memory cards may or may not stay in the slot, I'm using a peice of athletic tape to make them stay. And the original lens has a loose piece of aperture in it. ( I've been using a different lens.) I have an extended warranty at Best Buy, but they say it could take 2 weeks to a month before i would get the camera back ! I can't live without my camera for that long ! I do really love this camera though. I would recommend it.

5.0 out of 5

Camera of the year 2007 (Thomas — 01/22/2009)

After being rated "Camera of the year" I bought this camera after obsessing about wanting the best. I mostly take photos for fine art projects that stress creativity. Has a lot of manual settings that I love. I have taken some world class photos and took 6 classes with this camera. The professionals likeed the D80 for a camera with a ton of in camera editing features. The auto focus lens is a different story. I am waiting for the 2 ed Nikon lens to be repaired. Great clear glass but Auto focus broke on 2 lens so far. The auto focus motor breaks easy with no trauma.

4.0 out of 5

nikon D80--Great Camera (mike bain — 06/07/2008)

I purchased it to learn about photography as it has the top mounted led screen w/ a lot of info always right there. It has not let me down yet. Very nice pictures---wider and brighter than my PAS old Olympus (which still takes awesome shots at 4 mp). I just wish the lenses were cheaper.

5.0 out of 5

Canon D80 is an excellent camera! (Ernest Damaso — 04/27/2008)

I just bought a canon D80 and I am very happy and contented with its total performance. The quality of pictures is excellent. It surpassed my expectations; for sure buying a D80 is worth the investment.

5.0 out of 5

Great Buy (Josh — 09/19/2007)

I recently purchased the Nikon D80 and I am really glad I went to the DSLR line of cameras. This camera is really fast, has a ton of options, and really makes you feel good about photography. I recommend getting an instructional dvd if you buy this so you can use the camera to its full capabilities!

If you are on the fence in deciding on this DSLR, buy one. You will be glad that you did.

5.0 out of 5

Great camera! Excellent Shots (Robert Jung — 02/03/2007)

Great camera! Excellent Shots, Perfect for Wedding, etc. Amazing 10.5mb captures

5.0 out of 5

Nikon D80: "Incredible Images" The best all around digital SLR camera and digital zoom lens combination with in $1200 (Piero Foto — 01/06/2007)

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE NIKON D80 DSLR SYSTEM TO ALL PROS AND ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS:

I have been using the D80 camera now for about 5 months. Originally, I was trying to decide Between the D200 and D80, but do to budget, I chose the D80. I have absolutely no regrets with the D80 in any way, in fact, I am thankful I did not spend the extra money for the D200. The CCD chips are identical, but the only difference between the two is a slight shift in color profiles. The D80 color profile is actually better in the reds and greens than the D200. Besides that, the D200 is slightly bigger in size and has a few extra features. The D80 more than covered my photography needs. The Nikon D80 is action packed with more features and functions than even your average professional photographer would ever use, it just falls short of making you breakfast. The fact that it has so many options, it makes the D80 with the superb 18-135 zoom lens a very versatile DSLR system for any photographers shooting style,

I have been professionally shooting digitally now since 1995 and I am going to say that digital photography has come a long way. The CCD 10 megapixel chip in the D80 is amazing.
Since 1997 have been working with a professional digital camera back that produces digital files up to 150MB(RGB) or 200MB(CMYK) per image. That would translate to a 50 megapixel camera. After seeing results of a 10 megapixel picture file from the D80, I am impressed. I have taken RAW files from the D80 and magnified them a few hundred percent with out any sign of pixel break up, it looks like continuous film tone, now that's very impressive.

The CCD chip in general is with out a doubt Superior over the CMOS chip, its a fact. I would claim that it takes approximately up to 30% more megapixels for a CMOS chip to be comparable to CCD technology. Have you ever wondered why CMOS chip devices offer more megapixels for the same or less money. CCD chips are more difficult and more expensive to produce. The D80 CCD chip produces excellent results in the shadow details, very clean and un-noisy. The CMOS chip usually has more difficulties in this area.

There is something I need to clarify about image detail and sharpness. There have been some D80 users writing negative reviews of the image sharpness. Well, here are the facts in simple terms. If the picture seems a little soft in a high resolution image, then its a good sign of an excellent quality image file. The higher the resolution the softer the image will seem at a lower magnification.. Not many people have yet seen image files of this caliber. The more you attempt to sharpen an image the worse the image file gets for bigger enlargements. The first thing is this, if you are serious about best quality then you should not be applying any sharpening or any type of filters to an image in the camera. It should all be done in post production like photoshop. I also recommend using a RAW image file for best quality. In post production you can then apply any filter to enhance your image without damaging the original file data, because every time you apply irreversible photo filters to an image you are throwing away data image information. Its like trying to adjust your negatives before developing them, its a bad idea. If you take this so called soft image from the D80 and enlarge it a few hundred percent magnification on your computer screen you will appreciate Nikon's technology. The larger you blow up an image from the D80 the less sharpening(unsharp mask) is required, that's why Nikon limits in-camera sharpening. Have you ever noticed that the photoshop sharpening filter is called an UN-SHARP and not a SHARP mask, some other photo programs call it a sharpening tool so to not confuse people. In order for an image to appear sharper when its used or viewed at less than 100% actual pixel size, some of the image detail data has to be removed, because the more detail data that gets packed in a smaller area the softer the image looks. So in conclusion, a high quality image focused correctly that looks a little soft means its packed with tons of image detail. The Nikon D80 does just that...

Final words on the D80: If I was to make the purchase over again, I would still end up with the Nikon D8O with the excellent Nikkor 18-135 for being the Best DSLR system with in $1200.

Enjoy the D80...
Piero Foto

5.0 out of 5

IMPRESSED (DSLR — 12/30/2006)

Bought this baby 2 months back. I now use it more than my Canon 1D.

3.0 out of 5

kick in the teeth (Christopher Martins — 12/22/2006)

I had a canon 20d and a nikon d50 for 2 years ,that pleased me . But wanted more pixels so came the 10 mega pixel D80 .Its image is amazing ,handling is ok ,editing is useful .Leaving competition way back in every area.Lens that came are the 18-135mm that are more than enough for most users .Lets be honest way need more.

5.0 out of 5

Amazing! Worth the hype! (Bella — 12/20/2006)

I have only had this camera for a couple of weeks but I have taken the most brilliant pictures ever with it. I have not tried its predecessor so I can only comment on this and not compare to the earlier models.

I have had nothing but clarity with the D80, and breath taking pictures when the flash is not in use. The only issue I ever have had with blur is in low light and the slower shutter speed (obviously). When mounted on a tripod this was no an issue.

It started up fast and was not bogged down by not having the highspeed SD card they recommend/insist you must have. I have no complaints, its been wonderful. The menu is easy to navigate and the shortcut buttons are great. If you are new to this series read the manual, its very easy and useful.

Enjoy!

2.0 out of 5

All Hype, no substance (Fred Dunas — 12/10/2006)

Really disapointed with the D80 it was slow to start and the images were blurred, Canono 5D was much better, but the replacement was no better, even the seller of the camera was very disapointed> Did'nt buy th 5D but very tempted keeping my D50, until the D200 is improved.

5.0 out of 5

HAPPY (Matthew Stone — 10/05/2006)

Very happy with this camera. I upgraded from a D50 to this camera. Without boring everyone to death here is what made me jump to a D80. Faster Autofocus, Better Histogram for exposure .. all channels not just the red channel, More pixels to play with, Lower ISO (100 for D80 and 200 for D50)for clearer shots, 3fps and also a wonderful grid in the viewfinder that you can turn on or off to sake sure you are shooting a vertical as a vertical instead of guessing

Nikon D80 (Lens Included)

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