Here we go again... which camera/lens combo? :-)

[Tucson T4R]

Every few months this subject comes up. Sorry to bring it up again but I finally got into a position where I can invest in my first real DSLR. I want this new set up to last me awhile.

I need something with good optics and a camera that will do well in low light conditions. I also have to shoot night High School Sporting events but it’s primary use will be landscape and wildlife type shots.

I'm currently leaning toward a Nikon D300 but I'm open to suggestions either Nikon or Cannon. I'm looking for good advice on the right quality lenses I should go after. It seems like most package deals don't have the best optics. I have read many times that a big chunk of the investment for a good set up should be on the optics.

The budget for this should be as close to 2K as possible but could be a bit more if say, the right lens pushes it up a bit.

What say you experienced photographers? What combo would you recommend if you only had 2-3K to spend in today's market?

 

[Tucson T4R]

22 views and no suggestions? You guys are going to let me wonder down a slippery slope and fall into the swamp.

Maybe not the D300, then possibly the D90 with nicer lenses??

Or go for the D300 but go used to save some bucks??

I know you have opinions. Let's hear them. :sombrero:

 

[justfred]

D60, 18-200, 50

D90 should be fine, though personally I'd get a D60. It's easier to handle, and digital camera bodies are now disposable items, in a few years you'll want a new one.

I have the 18-200 VR lens and it's been great. You probably already know this but you should be changing lenses as seldom as possible to avoid dust; the 18-200 is big but it's very versatile.

I'd also pick up their new 50 lens; or a F/1.4 or F/1.2 if you can afford it. The older 50 doesn't autofocus on some bodies (not sure about the D60).

 

[Michael Slade]

d90 should be fine, though personally i'd get a d60. It's easier to handle, and digital camera bodies are now disposable items, in a few years you'll want a new one.

I have the 18-200 vr lens and it's been great. You probably already know this but you should be changing lenses as seldom as possible to avoid dust; the 18-200 is big but it's very versatile.

I'd also pick up their new 50 lens; or a f/1.4 or f/1.2 if you can afford it. The older 50 doesn't autofocus on some bodies (not sure about the d60).

+1

 

[7wt]

I too would like to get a D200 or a D300 but right now I can't justify it. I did the next best thing and bought an upgrade lens for my D40 that would be a great general lens for the new body if I ever get around to it. I decided what fit my style and needs best was the 16-85 VR. I am pumped, I can't wait till it comes.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks guys. Keep it coming. :wings:

 

[tdesanto]

Every few months this subject comes up. Sorry to bring it up again but I finally got into a position where I can invest in my first real DSLR. I want this new set up to last me awhile.

I need something with good optics and a camera that will do well in low light conditions. I also have to shoot night High School Sporting events but it’s primary use will be landscape and wildlife type shots.

I'm currently leaning toward a Nikon D300 but I'm open to suggestions either Nikon or Cannon. I'm looking for good advice on the right quality lenses I should go after. It seems like most package deals don't have the best optics. I have read many times that a big chunk of the investment for a good set up should be on the optics.

The budget for this should be as close to 2K as possible but could be a bit more if say, the right lens pushes it up a bit.

What say you experienced photographers? What combo would you recommend if you only had 2-3K to spend in today's market?

Brad,

As you stated, the optics are more important.

For low light and sporting events, I'm thinking that the 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S VR would be a good lens for you. It's expensive though, but would work great on a D90. I have used mine with my D70 with lots of success. Maybe you can find it used or something similar, like an older 80-200 f/2.8 used at KEH or Adorama.

For landscapes, you could consider the Tokina 12-24mm f/4. This is a great lens as long as you don't point it directly into the sunlight.

After you use those two for a while, you might consider picking up a midrange zoom. If you need to use this one in low light as well, then look at the 17-55 f/2.8. But, all three of these lenses and the D90 all at once will blow your budget. That's why I was recommending the 70-200 for the night time sports shots and the 12-24 for your landscaping needs.

Spend more on the glass and less on the camera. The D90 has most of what the D300 has.

 

[Rob O]

Brad ... you mention the D300 and D90 as options you're considering, and both are excellent choices offering Nikon's latest technology. One alternative you might consider, so you can focus limited resources on glass, is the D200 which Costco is currently offering for $599 (body only). That's a pretty solid deal despite the model's age. Worth looking into anyway.

Good luck ... your budget is plenty to get started but it's a slippery slope from there. ;-)

 

[RocKrawler]

I recently sold my Rebel XTi to get the new D90 because I really want the HD Video capability, and am planning on doing what everyone else suggested and buying the body alone, then going with the 200mm lens for versatility

 

[tdesanto]

Brad ... you mention the D300 and D90 as options you're considering, and both are excellent choices offering Nikon's latest technology. One alternative you might consider, so you can focus limited resources on glass, is the D200 which Costco is currently offering for $599 (body only). That's a pretty solid deal despite the model's age. Worth looking into anyway.

Good luck ... your budget is plenty to get started but it's a slippery slope from there. ;-)

Wow, that's quite a deal. Brad, this is the camera that I use. I woudn't worry too much about age. It's quite fast, has a magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, and excellent image quality. Damn, I paid almost $2k for mine just a couple years ago. $600 is a steal.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks for all the input. I'll check out the Costco deal on the D200 body and do some shopping for the good lenses. Sounds like a great set up that would give me all I need for at least the near future.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and knowledge and helping to keep this noob out of the swamp. :elkgrin:

 

[Tucson T4R]

I checked Costco online but could not find the D200. The only Nikon separate body I saw was the D300 for $1549. :-(

 

[nwoods]

I'm not a pro, nor am I very expereinced. Take everything below with a big grain of salt. Also, I don't know the Nikon lineup very well, but the earlier models were reputed to have very noisy high ISO (low light) issues, but the new ones are supposed to be fantastic.

In the Canon lineup, a fairly inexpensive 50D or the much more expensive 5D will do what you need. The 50D has the benefit of being able to mount the inexpensive but fabulous 10-22mm non-fisheye wide angle. Both bodies can handle high ISO well, and mounted to a 70-200mm F2.8 L lens, which is widely regarded as Canon's best lens (and that's saying something!), you will have the equipment neccessary to capture what your eye imagines.

I have an older 20D, and shooting indoor sports really maxed it out. I definately pushed the limits of what the camera can do. Frame rate, shutter speed, and useful ISO limitations were laid bare before me. For that reason, I don't reccommend going with cheaper cameras like the D60, D40, etc...They are great dSLR's, but they won't do what you need well enough to consistently get you the shot you are looking for. I wrote a short write-up on my expereince: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=54

Here is a photo:

The 10-22mm is really a great lens, lots of fun. There is an awesome collection of images on POTN that showcase what this lens can do. The forum thread is 149 pages long and growing, but there are some amazing photos, many of them are architecture & landscape related. If you get a chance and want to kill an hour or so, I encourage you to cruise through these images. Here are a few:

 

[Rob O]

I checked Costco online but could not find the D200. The only Nikon separate body I saw was the D300 for $1549. :-(

my bad ... it's at Best Buy. Sorry.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=269688&t=1206449

 

[MattScott]

I'm using a D60 + 18-200 VR; I love it.