Help a photography newbie pic a camera

[Lunchbucket]

Yeah you guys hear this all the time but really can I get some love and help?

My cannon S2IS just gave my wife the dreaded E18 error that I guess (after finding MANY sites and one actually called www.e18.com) happens to almost all cannons. We heard it is pretty expensive and my wife has never really liked our camera so we were thinking about getting a new one.

We are thinking a Nickon D40 or D60. They have a bundle at Best Buy on the D40 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999105500050005&type=product&id=pcmprd105600050005) for like $550. B&H has the same kit I believe. Or they have a D60 for $599 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8721733&type=product&id=1200703005185) with the basic lens.

We really don't want spend a ton and $600 is quite a bit IMO but this time we want to get our moneys worth and have something nice that we can change lenses to help get some nice shots.

Any advice on what to get? Any add on lenses that might be a must?

I should post a trade in the trading forums for some a high end skimmer and ca rx for a nice digital camera :D :lol:

Thanks
Lunchbucket

[Lunchbucket]

Well after reading more someone said the 40 and 60 don't have an autofocus motor? So I should maybe do the D80 used?

Lunchbucket

[nickb]

The D40/D60 bodies do not contain an AF motor. However, most modern Nikon lenses have a focus motor built-in to the lens (AF-S). Hence, the lack of an in-body focus motor isn't as big a deal as you might think. Unless you plan to use older lens or some of the Nikon primes (e.g. the 50mm F1.8), you should be just fine. If you get the 'kit' lens (18-55 VR - not a bad lens), then AF will work just fine. Just make sure that any new lenses have the AF-S designation. If you want to take close-ups of corals, then a 100mm range macro lens would be a useful addition. The Sigma, Tamron and Tokina are all excellent and costs around $400.

Over in the photography forums, the D40 is still getting very positive comments.

[Robb in Austin]

I have the D40 and love it: small, light, takes great images.

If $600 is your budget, I think you can score the 2 lens kit for about that nowdays.

Otherwise, I think the next step would be the D90 as opposed to a used D80. It will cost more though.

[bmwardo]

I would not skip on a used D80, it is still a great camera, especially if you are looking at a D40. I used to have a D40x and I was so limited in the types of lenses that I wanted to use that I sold it within 6 months to upgrade to a D300. As much as I like my Nikon DSLR, I don't recommend the D40 or D60 for anyone that thinks they may advance further into the hobby.

With that said, if you don't think you will be making large prints, and you won't be using anything past standard kit lenses then the D40/60 are certainly enough camera for you.

[BlueCorn]

Luke. Read the sticky.

[Lunchbucket]

nickb - That has to be the best explanation or advice I have gotten yet! Helps me understand what it can and can't do.

I can get the "kit" of a D40 with 18-55mm DX Zoom-Nikkor lens and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S lens. Those are decent for my "normal" use usually set on auto, right

Think I'm gonna get this kit from best buy or something.

Lunchbucket

[Misled]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14239440#post14239440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Luke. Read the sticky.

:lol:


Did you mean to sound like Obiwan:

"Luke, use the force"

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[jthao]

personally.... I'd rather go with the d80 cuss the price of the d80 and the d60/40s now are about the same. I'd rather get a d80 body for $550-$600 than get a d40 kit for the same price.

buy a d80 body and just buy a jused 18-55 lens on CL for like $50 cuss you won't use this lense later anyways when you upgrade lense. you'll be happy you went this route instead. why spend the same amount for a d40 kit, when you can get a d80 for about $50 more?

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14237203#post14237203 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket


My cannon S2IS just gave my wife the dreaded E18 error that I guess (after finding MANY sites and one actually called www.e18.com) happens to almost all cannons.

You do realize that www.e18.com has nothing to with an error...Canon...or even photography right?:rolleyes:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14237203#post14237203 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
We heard it is pretty expensive and my wife has never really liked our camera so we were thinking about getting a new one.

Just turn your camera off and on and the error should correct itself. If not you probably dropped the camera, got dust and/or moisture in it, or something along those lines. An E18 error means the lens didn't extend or retract from the bottom of the camera correctly. If your battery is low it may not have enough power to preform this operation resulting in an E18. As you can see, there are 1,000 reasons a fully automatic lens may have trouble popping out of the body.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14237203#post14237203 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket

We really don't want spend a ton and $600 is quite a bit IMO but this time we want to get our moneys worth and have something nice that we can change lenses to help get some nice shots.

Be advised that D60 for $600 is not going to be the end of your costs. That $600 is like an empty reef tank without skimmers or pumps. You will have to buy lenses for it, each one probably costing as much or more than the camera itself. Some of my lenses cost 3x what that camera costs. So $600 is not getting your moneys worth in DSLR terms. Perhaps you should look into a different (better) point and shoot camera for around $600?

I'm just being honest here, if you want a DSLR expect to spend at least $2000. This is a conservative estimate. If you are going to buy the cheapest lenses and other accessories you can, you may be under $2000, but in the end you would have been better off with a Canon G10...so there isn't any point.