Nikon D users - need advice

[Not Afraid]

I'm considering getting a Nikon D series camera. There are many cameras in this series - D40, 60, 70, 90 (there may be more). Between all of the versions and all of the different offers of lenses, I'm completely confused.

The D60 seems to have a lot of deals in place at the moment. Costco has this one with 2 lenses and accessories: (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11466140&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=10&lang=en-US)

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Zoom NIKKOR Lens
55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S DX VR Zoom NIKKOR Lens
Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery
Quick Charger
USB Cable
Strap
Software Suite CD-ROM
Then there's this deal. (http://67.225.142.191/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4913&osCsid=406f67be48ebb9a93db29a862bf9ba8a)

So, Advice? Or just tell me what I should get.;)

[Andrew]

That Costco D60 package is what I bought last Christmas. It's great. I'm still learning about all the bells and whistles but even for a rank beginner it takes decent photos.

[CoasterMatt]

The one thing to keep in mind, the D40/40x/60 DON'T have an autofocus motor builtin- you have to use AF-S lenses for autofocus.

Granted, you can use AF lenses, but you'll have to manually focus.

I've been using autofocus less and less, and the lenses I've used without being able to autofocus (I've used a 50mm f/1.8 AF lens recently) have produced some spectacular results.

[Ghoulish Delight]

If you get the D60 from that 2nd link (sonic cameras for $399), you can get the 2nd lens that would come with the costco bundle elsewhere for ~$200 or less elsewhere (here (http://the-shutterbug.amazonwebstore.com/Nikon-55200mm-f45.6G-ED-AFS-DX/M/B001N848P6.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle), or ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-55-200mm-Af-s-DX-Vr-Zoom-nikkor-F-4-5-6G-Lens_W0QQitemZ230335175557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamer a_Lenses?hash=item230335175557&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) for example). That would save you $100 or so.



We should all find a digital photography class to take.

[CoasterMatt]

I've also got the Dummies Guide to the D40/40x if anybody wants to check it out.

Nikon has some great online videos that start with the ULTRA basics and go on to some pretty advanced features - The Nikon Digital Learning Center (http://www1.nikonusa.com/slrlearningcenter/index.php)

[Not Afraid]

We should all find a digital photography class to take.

Great idea! I was pretty adept with my old Minolta film camera which was all manual but that was many years ago. I'm going to have to re-learn the language.


So, which lenses are the ones to have?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I've got the 18-55 and the 55-200 VR. I also have a 55-200 non-VR that I need to sell (ooh, that'll be my good deed for the day, getting that on ebay).

[Not Afraid]

and VR stands for....? Chris suggests virtual reality.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Vibration Reduction. Image stabilization, as it's known more generically, VR is Nikon's term for it.

[Not Afraid]

Thank you.

[CoasterMatt]

well, my personal kit (at the moment) consists of an 18-55mm that came with the camera, and the 55-200mm VR lens.

I get to use a 70-300mm VR lens when I go to the lake sometimes, and I'm trying to get a Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF lens for taking pics with available light (i.e. inside dark rides) - that lens is usually about $150, and is a great traveler (small size) and great lens for portraits.

[CoasterMatt]

VR on Nikon cameras is handled by the lens- some other manufacturers move the sensor inside the camera around instead.

[Not Afraid]

OK, take a look at this package.

http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4918 (http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4918)

It appears to be the same as Costco only $250 cheaper.

But, are those lenses VR?

[Ghoulish Delight]

The Costco one is with the VR versions of both lenses. That is not the VR lenses. They are still excellent lenses, even without VR.

[Not Afraid]

Is VR worth the extra $250?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Personally I don't think so. And definitely not worth it for the smaller lens. You can get the 55-200mm VR for less than that $250 difference.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

The Nikon D is amazing. You will love it. So many of us have them now - you're right, we should do a collaborative digital photography effort!

[Not Afraid]

I decided on the D80 deal. (http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4448) It seemed to good to pass up. (Tax write-off too!)

[CoasterMatt]

YAY!!

:D