Nikon D50 Package - which one.

[xxxbadfishxxx]

allright, i have around half the money for a Nikon D50 package and have my choices down to a couple of packages, all have there pluses and minuses, but i think im leaning towards package one. Let me know what you guys think based on accessories, lenses, and overall price.

Package One (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Lens-1GB-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ7581544883QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)

package one has the 18-70mm lens, that the D70 lens, and i here this is a quality all-around lens.

Package Two (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7581344609&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1)

has wide angle lens, filters, tripod, hard carrying case. How is the 28-80mm comare to the 18-70mm lens, or to the stock lens that the D50 kit comes with?

These are the two packages that stick out the most to me, what are your opinions?

Thanks,

Jeff

[xinumaster]

I would wait for D200. And that's what I'm doing right now.

[aural]

ok first off - waiting for a D200 when you are in the market for an entry level DSLR is a terrible idea. Secondly - there is no waiting involved. the D200 is available. you just have to order it and wait for the order to be filled.
When someone is interested in a $700 camera body - dont suggest they get a $1700 camera body. (and soon you will learn that the body isnt what makes great photos)

Now to answer the question - I personally would get the first package for 2 reasons.
First, the Nikkor 18-70 DX lens is a fantastic everyday lens. you will not be dissapointed with it. It was specifically made for digital and is tack sharp.
Second, I have delt with the seller - Cameta Camera before. I bought my D70s package from them and they were great. They are an official Nikon Internet Retailer so you will get the full Nikon warrantee for both the camera body and the lenses. always a good. thing. :)

[xinumaster]

Price for D200 is not really that far from D70. I used to have the canon A6 then changed to rebel then I upgraded to coolpix 8500 in just a year, now I want the D200. If you can get the D200 you wouldn't have to upgrade again for the next 5 years

[llpoolej]

They are getting a D50 and not everyone wants a semi pro camera. Xinumaster, buy the D200, but I promise it will be just as obsolete in 5 years(less) as a computer is.

Camera bodies are akin to computers these days. Invest the money in excellent glass. The bodies will become semi disposable soon. Technology keeps moving on.

I would go for the first package. Most of the stuff in the second package is really not anything great. I am not even sure what the "wide angle" lens is that is shown. Though the other two lenses look nice enough

[patsan]

You'll be very happy with package one.
I also got my D-50 from this place. I really don't know why they sell online with ebay only, as they're a large camera store not too far from my house....and just down the road from Nikon Headquarters.

[aural]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6527251#post6527251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Price for D200 is not really that far from D70. I used to have the canon A6 then changed to rebel then I upgraded to coolpix 8500 in just a year, now I want the D200. If you can get the D200 you wouldn't have to upgrade again for the next 5 years
First off if you actually read this guy's post you would know that he is after the D50, not the D70 but regardless there is a HUGE difference in price between the D70 and the D200 (and an even wider difference between the D50 and the D200)

*all info from www.bhphoto.com*
Nikon D50 Body Only - $569.95
Nikon D70s Body Only - $899.95
Nikon D200 Body Only - $1699.95

So the cost difference between the D70 and D200 is $800. That is almost twice as much.
The difference between the D50 and D200 is $1130.

So please refrain from making comparisons on things you obviously know nothing about.

Badfish - You will be extremely happy with the D50. Get your feet wet, get yourself some nice glass and some excellent experience with that camera. llpoolej is right - Camera bodies come and go, but as long as you stick with a manufacturer - your lenses will last you a lifetime and grow with you as long as you take care of them.

[Automag928]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6528312#post6528312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aural
Badfish - You will be extremely happy with the D50. Get your feet wet, get yourself some nice glass and some excellent experience with that camera. llpoolej is right - Camera bodies come and go, but as long as you stick with a manufacturer - your lenses will last you a lifetime and grow with you as long as you take care of them.

Absolutely! Get the D50, get good glass, and then if you want to upgrade camera bodies when you feel the need, you still have great optics to use!! I would also recommend the 1st package with the 18-70 lens from the d70. Excellent glass, teamed with a pretty good dslr body!

[gho]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6527251#post6527251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
...then I upgraded to coolpix 8500...
You call that an "upgrade?"

$1K may not be a lot of money for you, but it's an awful lot of money for me :/

[xinumaster]

aural, sounds like you have owned a D50. But owning a D50 does not make you an expert. I might not be an expert too, but owning 3 camerals in just a year does not mean I know nothing. When you were comparing D50 and D200 you were just comparing the price. Technically there are more in D200 that the D50 is not capable of.

[gho]

Not to diss your recommendation or anything Xinu, but the OP currently only has half the money for the D50 kit, so it would seem that the budget is tight for that poster.

Anyways, the D200 is not all that. If you're going all out, you should seriously consider the D2x, it's not that much more than a D200.

[xinumaster]

gho, I'm in the market of buying a camera too. And thanks for your recommendation. The camera I'm looking for is something that fits between the advance and pro users. The D70 and D200 fits this category but I'm gearing more towards the D200. The D200 price also fits my budget.

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Hey Everyone,

thanks for all your comments. They are all really appreciated, i didnt think this would turn into a debate. I do appreciate all your comments. A D200 would be nice, but i think a D50 would be a better camera for me. Let me say, as others may know from other threads, i am new to SLR, this will be my first SLR Camera. The D50 is also more in my price range then the D70 or D200. I know nothing about lenses, and thats why i posted this thread, i am learning slowly though. I thought most of you would say to go with package 1, but just thought i would throw it out there. I think i might just get it, and worry about paying the other half later, treat myself, i can barely wait.

Thanks Everyone,

Jeff

[llpoolej]

That is what credit cards are for. :smokin: Get the first package and enjoy it. I also bought my camera for a great deal from Cameta. Very nice and a great seller

[xxxbadfishxxx]

ahhhhhhhhh, im just sitting on ebay waiting to push "Buy it Now". I have a funny feeling i will be buying a new camera tonight. I have decided to stick with a package that has the Nikon 18-70mm AF-S DX Nikkor lens, and contemplating the second lens, either the The Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 AF Zoom Lens or Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens. I want something that is better overall, and i want one of the lenses to take pretty decent macros. Which lens should i choose as my second.

[llpoolej]

If you want a lens for macro work, I would suggest a macro since they focus closer.

If you can afford the 105mm macro, get it, if not, I think I have read the 60mm is a very nice lens.

I will leave the real lens recommendations up to those that use Nikon. I think GHO shoots Nikon and can probably help you in this area.

Don't skimp on the glass to begin with, as you will end up buying twice(aka you will not be satisfied with the quality and upgrade later)

[xxxbadfishxxx]

thats why i am going with the 18-70mm, just wasnt sure which secondary lense would be better overall.

Thanks for your help,

i will give people time to chime in until the end of the night, then i will order.

[cjpacitto]

Hey xinumaster,

Don't waste your money on the D200. Step up to the plate and buy a D2X. It is MUCH better than the D200 in every way.

[this is me]

Get a camera and start to invest in good lens. Camera comes and goes(dont flame me please), but a good lens stick with you for awhile.

[vthondaboi]

I have a D50 as my first DSLR and it's working out very nice for me.

After reading many reviews I purchased the 90mm Tamron Macro and it takes amazing close-ups. Some sites say it's body is lacking in durability but ain't no way in hell am I dropping it.

[xxxbadfishxxx]

well i bit the bullet and ordered it. Hopefully it will be here early next week. Any good sites i can look that have tutorials?

Thanks,

Jeff

[aural]

CONTRATS BADFISH! You are going to have some major fun with your camera!

GHO has compiled some REALLY great lessons on DSLRs and photography in general. you can check em out here
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Wow, that website is AWESOME, Nice job GHO. I like your little photoshop tutorials as well, there cool. I was just gonna ask if anyone had any good photoshop sites, but hes got that too.

[xinumaster]

So, here it is. After waiting a few months for D200. I finally got mine last saturday. Now if I could just figure out where the power ON switch.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/85119nikon-d200.JPG

[VoidRaven]

Um, I have to ask this....sorry....where exactly were you focusing? I think you might have had the sight a little beyond the actual camera. Could we get another shot? I'd like to see a couple views of the camera.

[xinumaster]

You're right. You know my 6yr old son does a better shots than I do. I'll ask him this time to shot it for me.

[tibbs2]

I bought my camera from cameta camera. I bought a Nikon D50 package with a 18-55 Nikkor lens and a 70 -200 nikkor lens. They have good prices and I'm happy with the lenses.

And the reason why you have to call them to pay is they want to sell you the UV filters and an extended warranty of course!

I bought the UV filters because I actually wanted them but passed on the warranty because I hate those things.

Now I just have to figure how to get the filters on my lenses.

[tibbs2]

I think he was focusing on the candle stand in the background. Good clear picture of that! :)

[hyacinth]

That's a nice camera Perry. Now you need a Nikkor Micro (Macro) 105mm f/2.8 to take shots of your fish and corals. : )

[xinumaster]

Okay here is a better shot of the d200.

It's exactly the same camera that you have, Hyacinth. You're right, I need to get a macro lense. Any other recommendation for a macro lense? Any book you can recommend too?

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/85119nikon-d00.JPG


My son is more excited on this camera more than I do. He emptied a 512mb cb in just one day at 5.1mb size.

So, let see what this beast can do.:confused:

[aural]

if you need a macro lens, look no further than the Nikkor 105mm. that lens (along with the Canon 100mm) set the standard in 1:1 macro photography.

how do you like your D200? was thinking about upgrading from my D70....

[xinumaster]

I love it. But I want to replace the 18-70mm DX lense with the 18-200mm DX lense to get a better close up shots of my son when his playing soccer.

[xinumaster]

Hi hyacinth, so the 105mm macro lense is good? Why can't I just barrow yours:D :D :D

[aberg12012]

Ok, I dunno if any one else caught this... but the second package on Ebay that you linked to looks like a quack. (In the least, very mis-leading.)

First of all, they show the Nikkor 17-55 lense on the camera body... then list that the kit includes a "wide angle lense." Nothing more on that lense... I assume they are refering to the Nikkor 17-55? In the photo down on the page, it looks nothing like the 17-55, and more like a screw-in type lense you would use on a point and shoot? (Hard to tell.) BUT HAY - it's got a nice fancy wooden box in the photo! :D

Then later say the kit comes with a Nikon 28-80mm, but the photo of that lense is CLEARLY an older Sigma 28-80mm Super Macro. Notice the word "Aspherical" in gold, and the Normal/Macro focus limiter button on the left of the lense. It's just like the one that I got with a N75 kit that I bought 2 or 3 years ago. And surely it's not worth $309 like they claim the MSRP is! (Well, MSRP's are usually high... but still.)

But now I look at the photo of the entire kit... It shows it includes the 17-55, Sigma 28-80 (mis-labled as Nikon), Nikon 70-300, that misterious "wide angle lense" and of coarse the other items.

I'm glad you steered clear of THAT deal! :)

[BeanAnimal]

YUp typical eBay scammer. Notice the number of negatives are rather low, but he has TONS of neutrals (means that they buyer was afraid to post a negative for fear of a retaliatory negative in return). Also notice quite often that the feedback has been mutauly agreed upon to be removed. This is eBays new way of helping scammers keep a good feedback rating. It is also the only likely result even if you pay a lot of money to have square trade arbitrate a problem with a seller.

Use eBay to buy used items that joe up the street is selling, stay away from "retail deals" becuase in most cases they are scams of some sort or another. Grey market goods, returned merchandise, RMAd merchandise, refubished merchandise, all sold as new stock. Illegal in retail but not on eBay. Look at the top 500 power sellers on eBay and you will find that most are shady at best. eBay loves them and will defend them to the last day.

Bean

[aberg12012]

Well... in looking at other "Professional Shooter's Kits" that this Ebayer sells... anyone would be silly not to catch the obvious B.S... for example check out the photo of the "18-70mm" lense in THIS (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D70S-2500-2-LENS-PRO-SHOOTERS-KIT-NEW-IN-STOCK_W0QQitemZ7596423875QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem) listing... Duh! HELLO?!?!?!

If your going to scam me, at least apply a little graussian blur to the white lettering on the lense where it clearly says "28-80mm" not 18-70mm!!! :lol: Is this seller just that stupid?

And every listing they have... the photo of the entire kit always has a photo of some OTHER lense than what is described. In one listing, of a Cannon get-up, they listed a 70-300 IS USM, and the photo is clearly a Sigma 70-300 Super Macro/APO or whatever. (And mind you, I know nothing about cannon or even what their lenses look like... and I caught it at first glance.)

I hate to cut down consumers that buy from this merchant and don't catch this before hand, but heck... do a little research before buying. Usually scams arn't so obvious... so it really bothers me when a scam is THAT obvious and people still don't catch it!

[katchupoy]

Badfish... any update? did you end up buying?
Because of your thread, I endep up pulling my hair to decide what camera, and bought the D50 outfit with two lenses from Cameta store.

Really nice experience. The only hardest part is the waiting time.

so whats up? did you buy it?

thanks

[xxxbadfishxxx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7141305#post7141305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katchupoy
Badfish... any update? did you end up buying?
Because of your thread, I endep up pulling my hair to decide what camera, and bought the D50 outfit with two lenses from Cameta store.

Really nice experience. The only hardest part is the waiting time.

so whats up? did you buy it?

thanks

Yup, brought the two lens kit from cameta and love it. No regrets whatsover. Im a little jealous now that my uncle is getting the D200. Good luck with your new camera, i know i love mine.

Jeff