New DSLR setup suggestions?

[Dominic49]

I have been looking into getting a DSLR for awhile, seeing as how I have been borrowing frieds eos 10d and rebels... now its time to get one for myself... Budget being around 1500 for body and lenses... I shoot lots of motorsports during the sunny days and occasionally the night time photoshoot.... Just wondering what y'alls opinions are on these cameras....


Bodies only.... all prices from amazon....

cannon eos 10D $685.00 (refurb with factory warranty)
cannon eos 20D $989.00

Nikon D50 $578.89
Nikon D70s $692.95

Side by Side (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos10d%2Ccanon_eos20d%2Cnikon_d50%2C nikon_d70s&show=all)

[Nemesis]

My recommendation? Get the D70 and invest in a high quality glass.


If you're used to Canon, then get a Canon. Personal opinions aside, that is what I would say.

[Dominic49]

I am in a jam.... I have been using Nikon film slrs for awhile... and when i went to digi my friends all had cannons so that all I have ever used in the digi slr relm is the cannnons.... even though I am a little nikon biased....


how about glass.... any suggestions?

[Dominic49]

also on the 70 the ISO kinda concerns me... does it really only go down to 200?

[YokotaS13]

if you go with a rebel Kit, for around 800 or so, that will leave you with enough dough for hte canon 15-30 (or somethign likethat) wide angle for stand still shots, and a 55-200 USM telephoto.....

and your filters also

I have under a grand in my camera now with the rebel body kit lens nad 55-200 filter

[Dominic49]

my gribe about the rebel is its size and plasticy feel thats why it didn't make my final cut... even though if i find a great deal on one my mine might be changed....

[CodyW]

the D70 does only go down to 200 but you can still get some incredibly crisp shots with that. i've never had any complaints about mine only going to that.

the only issues i've had with my D70 however are 2 fatal errors (once was something electronic, the second had to do with the shutter freezing up) that have required sending back to nikon for complete overhauls, both which took about 3 weeks (they were covered under warranty, but it was still a huge pain). i haven't really heard of any other D70 users having any of these problems though (i did get mine quite soon after the release of them a couple of years back which might play a part of it), but just something to know about. i'm still pretty happy with it for the most part, but if i had to do it again, i would've saved a bit more and gotten a 20D (or now days, a 30D).

[A.P. Photography]

my gribe about the rebel is its size and plasticy feel thats why it didn't make my final cut... even though if i find a great deal on one my mine might be changed....
Once you put the battery grip on it then it becomes a different story. I have no complaints with mine. I shoot with the 350D.

[Dominic49]

the D70 does only go down to 200 but you can still get some incredibly crisp shots with that. i've never had any complaints about mine only going to that.

the only issues i've had with my D70 however are 2 fatal errors (once was something electronic, the second had to do with the shutter freezing up) that have required sending back to nikon for complete overhauls, both which took about 3 weeks (they were covered under warranty, but it was still a huge pain). i haven't really heard of any other D70 users having any of these problems though (i did get mine quite soon after the release of them a couple of years back which might play a part of it), but just something to know about. i'm still pretty happy with it for the most part, but if i had to do it again, i would've saved a bit more and gotten a 20D (or now days, a 30D).


are you using the d70 or the d70s?

[Dominic49]

how does this look? Let me know if there is anything I am missing or if there is something that i should change. Just looking for some input.

Nikon D70S 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009I4VE4/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1LD8YQ23K3G6J&v=glance)$699.00

Sigma APO 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000A7V2DC/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)$184.95

Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002P19XK/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1LD8YQ23K3G6J&v=glance)$399.00

Sigma 50mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002P19Q2/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A3SPLR0MSOYZ8O&v=glance)$248.99

Subtotal: $1,531.94


(all prices grabbed from amazon... just to make it easy for now, I will shop around and find the best prices later on when the time comes to actually make the purchase)

[CodyW]

D70, i have heard better things about the S though

[Nemesis]

how does this look? Let me know if there is anything I am missing or if there is something that i should change. Just looking for some input.

Nikon D70S 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009I4VE4/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1LD8YQ23K3G6J&v=glance)$699.00

Sigma APO 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000A7V2DC/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)$184.95

Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002P19XK/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1LD8YQ23K3G6J&v=glance)$399.00

Sigma 50mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002P19Q2/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A3SPLR0MSOYZ8O&v=glance)$248.99

Subtotal: $1,531.94


(all prices grabbed from amazon... just to make it easy for now, I will shop around and find the best prices later on when the time comes to actually make the purchase)



Buy a kit D70s with the 18-70mm kit lens (which is one of the sharpest glasses Nikon makes, the ED glass) and use the money for a high end telephoto with at least an F/2.8 . Trust me, you wont regret it. I dont see why you would need two prime lenses.

I must say though, I really love my D50, and Im planning keeping it as a back up for a long time to come. Oh and dont forget to factor in the cost of memory cards. You can purchase a few 1 Gigs, and utilize a photobank. I take my photobank with me on my belt and I have up to 80gigs worth of storage on the fly.

[Dominic49]

what do you recomend my kit be then? ( i already have 2 super fast 1GB CF cards but the pocket photo dumper things would be nice to have...)

[Nemesis]

Circuit is the only one I see that offers the 18-70 kit lens. Its way better than the 18-55 lens offered, and in my opinion dominates the kit lens department. It's a really sharp glass out of the box, and a lot of Nikon users hold on to this even when they upgrade.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Nikon-D70s-Digital-Camera/sem/rpsm/oid/124752/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

After that youll have around 600 to work with. Are you wanting a telephoto?

[Dominic49]

yes telephoto

[dean]

I agree and get the D70 Kit package. You will save some extra money by going that route. And why the need for the:

Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
and
Sigma 50mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

I can understand to get the 70-300 but I see no need for the 105mm and you can get the Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens for $100 brand new vs dropping $250 on the Sigma one.

A few examples on how sharp the Nikon 50mm is. A steal for only a measly $100.

http://www.europeanwerks.com/Nikon/50mm/cuda1.jpg

http://www.europeanwerks.com/Nikon/50mm/cuda2.jpg

[Dominic49]

so something like this?

Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009JKH50/sr=1-2/qid=1150318659/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=photo)

and this?

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_11_1/102-7075546-5645714?%5Fencoding=UTF8)

[dean]

Check out http://www.bhphoto.com That is the camera mecca. Everyone I know pretty much buys all of their shit from their. I buy accessories and other nick-nacks from them. A good place to buy the camera body or kit package would be http://www.buydig.com or http://www.beachcamera.com. They are authorized Nikon Dealers. I got my D70 Kit package and (2) SB flashes from their. My tripod, camera bag, light stands, umbrellas etc... I got from BHP.

If you wanna save some cheese you can always go and buy a used camera and lens. This company is local and is located near Atlanta/Smyrna/Vining's area.


http://www.keh.com

[Dominic49]

used lenses I am cool with but used slrs... I already got all my umbrellas tripods monopods flashes and shit like that I will everneed from my fathers and my days of 35mm SLRs

thanks for the links

I am gonna hit up wolf camera or something tommorow so I can get a feel for the 70s