Signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 3610 times:
I guess the title says it all! I'm looking for a good Digital SLR, suitable for a beginner in the SLR world. Budget is +/-£300. This camera has been recommended by a colleague, so is it a good buy?
Dvincent From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 1719 posts, RR: 12 Reply 2, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 3547 times:
AVOID. The D40/60 lack the Nikon internal autofocus motor, rendering many lenses unable to focus on your camera.
Mjlewis From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 3492 times:
Its decent. If you want to deal with trying to find lenses for it (Nikkor versions are "AF-S") and off brand companies are now finally coming out with lenses that will work with them. They may be a little more expensive but are gradually being released.
SEAchaz From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 214 posts, RR: 9 Reply 5, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3463 times:
If you are new to the SLR world make sure the body and choice of lenses will do what you want. If you get into it you'll likely end up buying lenses over time thus more or less committing yourself to that system - be it Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc. - so make sure you go to the store and play with all the competitors before taking the plunge if you haven't yet. That said, for the price the D60 is a great camera IMHO.
Quoting Dvincent (Reply 2): The D40/60 lack the Nikon internal autofocus motor, rendering many lenses unable to focus on your camera.
A few years ago when the D40 came out this was issue, now I don't think it is. Unless you are wanting some fancy (and usually spendy) primes. For just starting the only lens you'll miss out on is the 50mm f/1.8.
These are all the Nikon lenses you CAN use with the D60:
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4879 posts, RR: 44 Reply 6, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days ago) and read 3448 times:
D80 is a better bet - and you might be able to force the price down with some tough talking (ie, because it is a older camera).
But it's still quite decent - and you can use those wonderful older non AF-S lenses without losing the autofocus. Cheap way of getting quality glass - and even though some of the older lenses are looking a bit dated, they still have perfect optics and will give very sharp images if used properly.
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, RR: 15 Reply 7, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 3420 times:
I have bought myself a D80 with an 18-105 VR lens, plus a 50/1.8D. I want to start shooting planes though I'm not sure if the 18-105 is good for this purpose. Is there any chance that i could might use the 18-105 for shooting at closer distances, and for taking cabin shots?
I usually stand on the threshold of the runway, so is it possible to get any good shots with the lens, that way?
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
Mjlewis From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3403 times:
the 18-105 can be very usable for photographing planes! however, typically you may want something more in the range of 200mm+
Nwc100 From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2004, 98 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 3302 times:
Hi I was recently in the same position as you reagrding the D60, My budget was around the £400 mark and i really struggled to find the D60 for that price with stabilised lenses, Most of the time it worked out around the £460 mark and that was excluding buying any memory!!
In the end I purchased a sony A200 the body and 18 - 70 lens cost £274 with £30 cashback from sony meaning final cost was £244, I also got a tamron 80 300 lens for £100 and a 4gb compact flash card for £19.
So all in a paid £393 I think from Jessops in Enfield and they where giving away a camera bag for nothing so I'm really quite pleased with the deal i got for this.
I know next to nothing about which camera is better or worse i'll leave that for others to argue about, What i do know is I first picked up the D60 and liked it because i have quite small hands and it felt quite comfortable, The sony which is a little bigger did'nt at first seem as comfy but after some use i really like the feel of it, As a first time DSLR user i felt up pretty much every camera in my budget and a few that were'nt!! I think its worth doing this as you may find something else you like too.
Like i say I know nothing about the cameras really but I do Know about shopping to that Budget!!
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