D70s or D80?

[proton]

Hi all,

I'm currently with another system but am thinking of jumping to Nikon in the near future (very, very near). I had my eyes on the now-discontinued D70s but most people advised me to go for the D80 instead. While I know that the D80 is a newer model and has better features than the D70s, I could buy a used D70s AND a used 50mm 1.8 AND a used 18-135 (D80 kit lens) AND still left with some spare cash with the price of a new D80 kit (or used D80kit AND a used 50mm 1.8 with no spare cash).

Please advice me which is a better option. I'm thking of buying either one this month, after I have sold my current DSLR. Thanks in advance

[noruazumi]

1. forget about the 18-135mm lens. with the same price, you could get Nikkor 18-70mm lens which performs much better than 18-135mm.

2. get a flash if you have extra money. SB600 is quite affordable.

3. get D80. used or new is up to your budget.

[proton]

1. forget about the 18-135mm lens. with the same price, you could get Nikkor 18-70mm lens which performs much better than 18-135mm.

2. get a flash if you have extra money. SB600 is quite affordable.

3. get D80. used or new is up to your budget.

Just for clarification, Nikkor 18-70 performs better than 18-135 in what sense? Im thkg of the 18-135 because of the 135 reach, which could be handy when I need to shoot certain sports...

[mon-fro]

18-70, probably in terms of image quality and sharpness. I'm no expert but that's the usual sentiment. :P

[noruazumi]

Just for clarification, Nikkor 18-70 performs better than 18-135 in what sense? Im thkg of the 18-135 because of the 135 reach, which could be handy when I need to shoot certain sports...

1. 18-70mm gives better quailty in terms of sharpness and colors.

2. if u want reach, yes 18-135mm will give you the reach. but at 135mm, the photos will be soft.

3. you can always opt for 70-300mm VR. only VR version. don't get the cheap G version as it is soft at 300mm.

[seethoe]

i agree with zumi.... :)...

[ShaolinTiger]

18-70 is far far far far better than 18-135mm, which is actually a pretty bad lens.

You want to shoot sport with these kind of lenses you are gonna be in trouble anyway better start saving for a 80-200mm f/2.8.

I'd go for the D80, D70s is a fine camera but noise is an issue above ISO560.

[karheng]

at 135mm the reach isn't enough for sports. And at 135mm, f/5.6, sports indoors mean that ur shutter will be too slow coupled with lower ISO, means that it's hard to shoot at 1/200 or faster.

[noruazumi]

get 70-200mm f/2.8 VR + 1.4x TCII... 'nuff said.










:D

[ShaolinTiger]

get 70-200mm f/2.8 VR + 1.4x TCII... 'nuff said.


Nah that's for amateurs, get the 400mm f/2.8 VR!

:offtopic:

[proton]

yup, 135 is not enough but for certain sports like volleyball, netball, takraw, where I could actually get near to the action (means, not as a spectator but a volunteer photographer), 135 gives a pretty decent zoom. But then again, since the 18-135 seems really bad, i think i will give it a miss...and invest in a longer zoom with an f2.8...

anyway, thanks guys for the advice!

[gr2k]

1. Get a used D80 (i've seen some as low as RM 1850)
2. Stay away from the 18-200 VR / 18-135 crap. Get a used 18-70 (RM 600-650) instead.
3. Used SB-600 (RM 600-650)

honestly if you have the budget, just go for the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 right away and skip the 18-70mm...otherwise you'll end up paying double.

(Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 - RM 1000+ used, RM 1350 new)

[a_manson79]

1. 18-70mm gives better quailty in terms of sharpness and colors.

2. if u want reach, yes 18-135mm will give you the reach. but at 135mm, the photos will be soft.

3. you can always opt for 70-300mm VR. only VR version. don't get the cheap G version as it is soft at 300mm.

18-70 is far far far far better than 18-135mm, which is actually a pretty bad lens.

You want to shoot sport with these kind of lenses you are gonna be in trouble anyway better start saving for a 80-200mm f/2.8.

I'd go for the D80, D70s is a fine camera but noise is an issue above ISO560.



Guys... guys...

I can't agree more on your statement here (marked in red)...
I'm telling here not as an expert in the field, rather than a user...
I'm currently using a D70 + 18-70mm kit lens + 70-300mm (G type)...

Everything u guys marked in this page is a 'bull's eyes"!!:adore:

First D70 - noise at ISO 500 and above - agree!:D

70-300mm gettin' soft at 300mm - 100% agree... (I got it coz I wanted a zoom lens urgently, but not enough money). Collecting money to get the VR type soon...:D

On 18-70mm - no comment... I like this lens...

So my recommendation

Get D80 (got it for my pa)... he's gone crazy like a 5 yr old boy gettin a new toy...
on lens - get proper lens for what u want to shoot... also... get sifu's advise... They know better... For me, if u r lazy to bring couple of lenses around, get the 18-200...

Cheers!

[ahhung]

hi,im going to get a d80 or d200(if budget allow)very soon......might get the body only n then get 18-70mm.....i belief each lens have their own pros n cons,which unfortunately 18-70mm have better credits in paper n practical usages........u can check out this site www.bythom.com by nikon "GURU" n n make a compare with ur favourite lens.

[hon910]

I have been using the combination of D80 + Tamron 17-50 f2.8 + SB600 so far, no regret.
And I got myself the Tamron 90mm macro f2.8 for close up or probably simple potrait, used to have a 55-200mm VR, but sold it as I don't need such long lens.

Hope this helps


1. Get a used D80 (i've seen some as low as RM 1850)
2. Stay away from the 18-200 VR / 18-135 crap. Get a used 18-70 (RM 600-650) instead.
3. Used SB-600 (RM 600-650)

honestly if you have the budget, just go for the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 right away and skip the 18-70mm...otherwise you'll end up paying double.

(Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 - RM 1000+ used, RM 1350 new)

[SushiMonster]

1. 18-70mm gives better quailty in terms of sharpness and colors.

2. if u want reach, yes 18-135mm will give you the reach. but at 135mm, the photos will be soft.

3. you can always opt for 70-300mm VR. only VR version. don't get the cheap G version as it is soft at 300mm.

hi, I'm a newbie here. Very interested to get a Nikon D80 and a couple of lenses. I've been considering a few options, from reading this thread, looks like the 18-135mm kit is out already. I probably have to find a D80 that comes with 18-70mm kit.

I wanted to ask... how bout the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G Zoom Normal-Telephoto ED AF-S VR DX ? price is around RM700-800 range new..... it's cheap and has VR but how's the performance?

[Jamesf]

I wanted to ask... how bout the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G Zoom Normal-Telephoto ED AF-S VR DX ? price is around RM700-800 range new..... it's cheap and has VR but how's the performance?

If you don't need a fast lens under low light, it is value for money. Go get it.

[SushiMonster]

If you don't need a fast lens under low light, it is value for money. Go get it.

I do actually.. but budget constraints....

D80 with 18-70 kit, is about RM3.3k , plus the 55-200mm tele another say RM700,already reach 4k. I've got a 3rd party flash,.. manual only no TTL. Would that solve the problem for low light shooting?

Or shd I get the D80 body only for RM2.5k , what lenses do u suggest I get? I'd like not to spend more than 4k ....

[Jamesf]

I do actually.. but budget constraints....

D80 with 18-70 kit, is about RM3.3k , plus the 55-200mm tele another say RM700,already reach 4k. I've got a 3rd party flash,.. manual only no TTL. Would that solve the problem for low light shooting?

Or shd I get the D80 body only for RM2.5k , what lenses do u suggest I get? I'd like not to spend more than 4k ....

It depends on the distance of the subject. If beyong the effective range (10-15 meter), the flash has little help. If you shoot indoor sport with fast action, you need a fast lens, else, with the VR of the 55-200 and/or tripod, you still can get satisfactory results with slower shutter speed.

Well, what lens to get is very much depend on what you want to shoot. Try the B&S forum as an option for your gear's budget also.

[SushiMonster]

It depends on the distance of the subject. If beyong the effective range (10-15 meter), the flash has little help. If you shoot indoor sport with fast action, you need a fast lens, else, with the VR of the 55-200 and/or tripod, you still can get satisfactory results with slower shutter speed.

Well, what lens to get is very much depend on what you want to shoot. Try the B&S forum as an option for your gear's budget also.

rarely shoot sports events, maybe like team building sort of thing. I'm more likely to shoot events, portrait, kids, scenery and macro.

thanks for the tips sifu.

[noruazumi]

SushiMonster,
I would personally skip 55-200mm and get a SB-600 instead. flash is an essential tool. get Nikon flash instead of 3rd party flash unit.

rarely shoot sports events, maybe like team building sort of thing. I'm more likely to shoot events, portrait, kids, scenery and macro.

u just covered almost everything that people use their DSLR for.
i believe D80 + 18-70mm + SB-600 would be a great starting setup for u.
don't worry bout getting more reach & doing macro at the moment.
macro required a lot of technical knowledge.
you can venture into it when u have become more familiar with your camera & flash system.
skip telephoto lenses at the moment too. u will barely use it for general ocassion.
i know 55-200 is rather affordable but just skip it for the flash for now.
you will need flash more than u need 55-200mm.

hope this will help you. goodluck!

[SushiMonster]

thanks!

how bout skip every thing and straight away get a fast lens? like 17-70mm or 17-50mm f/2.8 ?
:D

[ShaolinTiger]

thanks!

how bout skip every thing and straight away get a fast lens? like 17-70mm or 17-50mm f/2.8 ?
:D

Can, but you'd still need a flash for indoor shooting.

[noruazumi]

thanks!

how bout skip every thing and straight away get a fast lens? like 17-70mm or 17-50mm f/2.8 ?
:D
if u skip everything and get 17-50mm f/2.8, u cannot use that lens also. coz u already skipped D80. so cannot use-lah the lens. too bad. :(






haha.. on the serious note, can also. but like ST said, u still need flash. flash IS important. u will see the differences when using and when not using flash when shooting indoor. or differences when u are using pop-up flash or the flashgun.

[seethoe]

flash is the next thing to get after a body and a lens, unless u r 100% outdoor shooter. of course if u hv d300 or d3 and now d700 with a fast lens, u may not need flash:)

but if its a d80 or even d200, u would sometimes need flash for indoor event shoot even with fast lens. I sometimes use flash for outdoor as fill-flash to overcome shadows on the face. so my take is, buy the sb600 or even better the sb800 or even so much better the sb900.

[ShaolinTiger]

flash is the next thing to get after a body and a lens, unless u r 100% outdoor shooter. of course if u hv d300 or d3 and now d700 with a fast lens, u may not need flash:)

You will need a flash even with D3 or D700, high ISO can't fill unsightly shadows.

Especially for events you have to control the light yourself cos the ambient is all over the place.

[SushiMonster]

ya skip everything EXCEPT the D80 of course hahahaha....

ok noted noted... **busy taking notes** flash important

I was hoping to be less annoying and take some "stealth" shots without ppl noticing a big flash every time I click.

[noruazumi]

I was hoping to be less annoying and take some "stealth" shots without ppl noticing a big flash every time I click.
u may want to try 600mm f/4 VR (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2173/AF-S-NIKKOR-600mm-f/4G-ED-VR.html) if u plan to be "stealth". put on 1.7x tele-converter to be more "stealth". then u might also want to try ghillie suit (http://www.ghilliesuitsource.com/) to add more "stealth".









HAHA! but really, concentrate on your basics first. don't rush. if u really want telephoto, get a real telephoto such as Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR. Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 is sufficient.

[SushiMonster]

those are indeed my dream lens to get. I have handled an 80-200mm f/2.8 on a D300 before, .. what can I say.... love it to bits. It's poisoned me to come to this point,.... shopping around for dslr. :D:D:D

[gr2k]

you don't really need lenses to cover the entire range from 12mm to 200mm..

*just get what you need and improve on that :) there are other ways to be stealth..lol

[SushiMonster]

my amateur shot with the 80-200mm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2614756494_c6c399b4da.jpg

sorry bout the yellowness, forgot to tweak the WB to compensate for the yellow lights.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2614754522_b0a34a1bb3.jpg

and this guy certainly didn't notice me shooting him.

[SushiMonster]

guys, is dust cleaning feature critical? I mean a D60 has dust cleaning while D80 does not.....

[noruazumi]

guys, is dust cleaning feature critical? I mean a D60 has dust cleaning while D80 does not.....
whatever on-board sensor cleaning system that any camera models offered, it just not working as we wish it should be.

[MinTze]

guys, is dust cleaning feature critical? I mean a D60 has dust cleaning while D80 does not.....
not really critical,my fren.it is useful if u change lens frequently,but some "hardcore" dust still need to clean by our own hand.

[kiankheong]

guys, is dust cleaning feature critical? I mean a D60 has dust cleaning while D80 does not.....

After all, sensor clean by Nikon is free and it takes only less than 20 minutes.

[SushiMonster]

right ok... thanks for the feedback, that helps me a lot.

Clean by Nikon if there is a Nikon service centre here in Penang rite.... Canon is here, but I don't see Nikon other than the authorised dealers hahaha...!

[noruazumi]

right ok... thanks for the feedback, that helps me a lot.

Clean by Nikon if there is a Nikon service centre here in Penang rite.... Canon is here, but I don't see Nikon other than the authorised dealers hahaha...!
got.. i think it is at Boon Siew tower or something.
but they will send your camera to Nikon PJ anyway.

[SushiMonster]

got.. i think it is at Boon Siew tower or something.
but they will send your camera to Nikon PJ anyway.

then that's not 20 minutes job any more.. more like 20 days hahahaha!

[noruazumi]

then that's not 20 minutes job any more.. more like 20 days hahahaha!
if you learn how to clean your own sensor, it would not be a problem at all.
and u also need to learn how to properly change your lenses to avoid dust from coming in and stick to your sensor.

[SushiMonster]

if you learn how to clean your own sensor, it would not be a problem at all.
and u also need to learn how to properly change your lenses to avoid dust from coming in and stick to your sensor.

err care to share how?

[ShaolinTiger]

err care to share how?

Stay on topic please, and GFGI :)

[SushiMonster]

oh yeah ,sorry for hijacking the thread. Back to D70 and D80....