Navymmw From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 257 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2082 times:
Hello, I'am about to purchase a Nikon D40 kit on ebay, I came across a Nikon D40 with a Nikon 18-55mm ED II AF-S DX Zoom Lens and a Nikon 55-200mm AF-S DX Zoom Lens for $620 including everything, Will this be enough to start spotting or should I pay $700 for the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S Zoom Nikkor and a Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor with a .45 wide angle lens.
PhilGil From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 249 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 2070 times:
Quoting Navymmw (Thread starter): Hello, I'am about to purchase a Nikon D40 kit on ebay, I came across a Nikon D40 with a Nikon 18-55mm ED II AF-S DX Zoom Lens and a Nikon 55-200mm AF-S DX Zoom Lens for $620 including everything,
You are aware that the camera is a refurb/demo? That's not to say it's a problem, just something you should note. Cameta Camera is a reputable dealer.
Quoting Navymmw (Thread starter): $700 for the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S Zoom Nikkor and a Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor with a .45 wide angle lens.
I would walk quickly away from this one. This camera looks like a "gray market" import - I don't see it stated in the ad that it comes with a US warranty. It's not that the camera will be different than a US model, but if something goes wrong it is my understanding that Nikon USA will refuse warranty repairs on gray market merchandise. In addition, most of the "extras" are inexpensive junk that camera merchants use to pad their auctions and make it look to the buyer like they are getting a great deal. Also, the feedback rating on these folks (98.5%) is actually not very good by ebay standards.
Re: your original question on whether 200mm is enough... That depends on your local airport and if you have airside access. From the perimeter of my home airport (PDX) you would need a minimum of 300mm to get a.net quality shots.
Navymmw From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 257 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 2064 times:
thankyou for the warning, and also does this look like a good lens?
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro?
Once again im a begening photographer so im looking for a good and easy to use lens.
PhilGil From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 249 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 2059 times:
The Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro is regarded as one of the better starter zooms (it is somewhat more expensive than the non-APO version, but is optically better). I have many shots in the DB taken with the predecessor of this lens (the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super). I found the Sigma’s image quality significantly better than the equivalent Canon lens, but the Sigma focused more slowly. I don’t know how the Sigma lens compares to the equivalent Nikon zoom.
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2025 times:
Quoting PhilGil (Reply 1): I would walk quickly away from this one. This camera looks like a "gray market" import
I feel you should save some more money and get the D80. It's just too good a value for that much camera. As for the Sigma lens for the price it's good but once you learn and improve you will grow out of it and need a faster, sharper one. If you do get the D80 and good compliment would be a 200mm zoom 2.8. You would have a nice combo there, though pricey the results are well worth it. Good luck and keep us posted.
DM From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 336 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1964 times:
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 4): I feel you should save some more money and get the D80
Yup, thats your best choice, IMO
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 4): If you do get the D80 and good compliment would be a 200mm zoom 2.8.
I'm agreeing with the D80 combo. Like Nick said, maybe something with 200mm and a 2.8. 70-200 f/2.8 is a real great lense. I personally have the D80 myself, but will be getting a D200 shortly. I can recommend a D80 to anybody though, no doubt its a great camera.
Also, with the D40 some of the higher end Nikkor lenses might not be compatible.
Navymmw From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 257 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1955 times:
what about the Canon Rebel XT? I cant afford the NIkon D80 since I'am only 15. Would the Canon Rebel XT be better then the Nikon D40?
PhilGil From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 249 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1948 times:
I completely forgot about the lens compatibility issue with the D40 – that could be a deal breaker for you. The way I understand it, older Nikon lenses use an auto focus motor housed in the camera body while newer lenses use a motor housed in the lens. In order to make the D40 as affordable as possible, Nikon eliminated the in-body auto focus motor. Thus, only Nikon AF-S lenses and some non-OEM lenses will auto focus on a D40 body. Here is a list of Sigma lenses that are compatible with the D40 – the 70-300 APO DG Macro is not on the list.
If you’d like to stick with Nikon you would probably be better off going with a refurbished D50, or consider the Canon Digital Rebel XT instead.
Ilikeflight From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 366 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1942 times:
I bought a D50 "factory demo" from Camtera and have had no problems I paid $420 for the body with a 1gb sd card I would go for something like that
Aseem From India, joined Feb 2005, 2042 posts, RR: 11 Reply 10, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1942 times:
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 8): Or even a D70 which is still a good camera.
agree with folks over here...go for used/refurbished D70s, if you cannot afford to have D80. Although, I'd suggest that you show a bit more patience and save money till you can buy D80. These things will only get inexpensive.
DM From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 336 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1942 times:
Quoting Navymmw (Reply 6): I cant afford the NIkon D80 since I'am only 15.
I can see what you mean though. I'm 14, but my dads bought me all my equipment.
Though, you can still get the D40 if you really need a camera for the time being and then upgrade up to the D80?? Or even better, spend a little time saving up your money and then get a D80.
But IMO, i think saving up for the D80 with a kit is better than buying a D40 and then saving up more money for a D80...
Plus, you'll be able to use all the high end Nikkor lenses if necessary.
Navymmw From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 257 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1937 times:
lol, im trying but most places have no positions avalible or they only hire at 16 , but I got a few more places to try, and also im not only focusing on a camera here, my dream is to be a Airline Pilot so flying lessons are my priority but Photography is a close 2nd and I mean a REAL CLOSE second so I dont want to go buy a $1000 camera when I can buy a alright $700 camera with 2 flying lessons and then when I get older upgrade to a D80, I dont know yet though, if I find a good deal and sell some things on ebay I might have enough for a D80 and some flying lessons.
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lol, im trying but most places have no positions avalible or they only hire at 16 
, but I got a few more places to try, and also im not only focusing on a camera here, my dream is to be a Airline Pilot so flying lessons are my priority but Photography is a close 2nd and I mean a REAL CLOSE second so I dont want to go buy a $1000 camera when I can buy a alright $700 camera with 2 flying lessons and then when I get older upgrade to a D80, I dont know yet though, if I find a good deal and sell some things on ebay I might have enough for a D80 and some flying lessons.
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