I gave my old SLR 35 to my daughter when she took up photography in college (Ricoh XRP).

I wanted to go digital anyway, and naturally I'd now like to get some pics of my boat posted! I'm looking to spend about $500 on the base unit and would like the option of adding lenses later.

Any suggestions?

TIA - Scout

I wanted to go digital anyway, and naturally I'd now like to get some
pics of my boat posted! I'm looking to spend about $500 on the base
unit and would like the option of adding lenses later.


Scout, at that price point you really have one choice, but it's a good
one. The Nikon D50 sells for about 579.00 for the body. It's Nikon's
entry level camera, but image quality is basically on par with ANY of
the lineup all the way up to the D2X. More expensive bodies offer
faster operation and tougher build. With a reasonable lens, such as the
Nikkor 18-55DX, add another 100 dollars. If you want to shoot indoors
with better results, no built in flash in the world will do a good job,
so add the Nikon SB600 flash for another 200 dollars. I know we're well
above the 500 mark with this, but it's the way to go (if possible).
If you decide to spend more, the new D80 (999.00) (which I just bought)
is a nice step up along with the D200 (1699.00) (Which Mooron seems to
be happy with). Canon also makes a very good range of DSLR's, but most
agree that the ergonomics and durability are not on the same level as
Nikon. Nikon also has better lenses, such as the amazing (but hard to
get!) Nikon 18-200 VR AF-S (749.00).
Make sure you buy from a real dealer, and not one of the MANY real
looking websites with too-good-to-be-true prices. Ritz Camera,
Buydig.com and B&H Photo are all pretty good.
Good luck,


RB
35s5
NY

Capt. Rob wrote:
I wanted to go digital anyway, and naturally I'd now like to get some
pics of my boat posted! I'm looking to spend about $500 on the base
unit and would like the option of adding lenses later.


Scout, at that price point you really have one choice, but it's a good
one. The Nikon D50 sells for about 579.00 for the body. It's Nikon's
entry level camera, but image quality is basically on par with ANY of
the lineup all the way up to the D2X. More expensive bodies offer
faster operation and tougher build. With a reasonable lens, such as the
Nikkor 18-55DX, add another 100 dollars. If you want to shoot indoors
with better results, no built in flash in the world will do a good job,
so add the Nikon SB600 flash for another 200 dollars. I know we're well
above the 500 mark with this, but it's the way to go (if possible).
If you decide to spend more, the new D80 (999.00) (which I just bought)
is a nice step up along with the D200 (1699.00) (Which Mooron seems to
be happy with). Canon also makes a very good range of DSLR's, but most
agree that the ergonomics and durability are not on the same level as
Nikon. Nikon also has better lenses, such as the amazing (but hard to
get!) Nikon 18-200 VR AF-S (749.00).
Make sure you buy from a real dealer, and not one of the MANY real
looking websites with too-good-to-be-true prices. Ritz Camera,
Buydig.com and B&H Photo are all pretty good.
Good luck,


RB
35s5
NY

Thanks Rob,
I was actually thinking along the lines of the D50. I'm ok with extra
for flash and lenses so that would work. How much memory do they have
and are they usb compatible?
Scout

"Scout" wrote in message

I was actually thinking along the lines of the D50. I'm ok with extra
for flash and lenses so that would work. How much memory do they have
and are they usb compatible?

I believe it's the same as the DX200 I have Scout... Flash Card. Buy a min
512MB. They should be USB 2 compatible and should download directly to your
computer as does my DX200. The photos are awesome. Proof that a camera can
compensate for the shortcomings of the photographer. I find I use the 18-70
AF Nikkor Lens the most. I use the built in flash on mine for the time being
since any of the SB Flashes are so complex as to require a course in
operation. :-) [Plus I haven't forked out the $300+ to buy one... the DX200
was complicated enough]

I agree with Rob that you can't go wrong for quality with a Nikon D50.

Good Luck

CM

The D50 takes SD memory cards and I suggest a Sandisk Ultra II with 1
or 2 gig. I use a 1 gig card in my D70 and that's usually plenty.
For lenses I suggest:

Casual use and not expensive: Nikon 18-55DX or 18-70DX 100 & 300
bucks

Casual use and higher end: 17-55DX 1300 bucks

Casual use everything lens: 18-200DX VR 750 bucks

Macro: Tamron 90 DI Macro 450 bucks

Cheap Tele zoom: 70-300 G 139 bucks

Better Tele Zoom: 70-300DX VR (not released yet) 529 bucks

Best Tele Zoom: 70-200 VR 1700 bucks

Best Wide Zoom: Tokina 12-24 f/4 500 bucks

Best low light lens: Sigma 30mm F/1.4 375 bucks

Best deal on a lens: Nikon 50mm 1.8 for 100 bucks!


My current kit:
D70 and D80 DSLR bodies, SB800 (2 of them), 70-200VR, 18-200VR, Tamron
90mm, Nikon 50mm 1.8, Nikon 35-70 2.8, Tokina 12-24mm and so on.

Build up your lenses slowly and have fun!



RB
35s5
NY