Better Lenses Vs Better Body (~£700)

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wombar

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Hi All,

I'm having a bit of trouble deciding on what to spend my budget on which is ~£700 at absolute max (give or take £20). Firstly, I'm a beginner at photography but have been doing LOTS of reading over the past few weeks in preparation for buying my first DSLR.

However, I have a tricky decision to make and I was hoping for some advice that would make my future upgrade path easier. My main question is:

With a budget of £700, am I better off buying better lenses or a better body?

I simply don't have the money for both (wish I did) and I just don't know what is going to be a more sensible upgrade path. I'm looking at doing a good spread of photography from product shots for my websites (just basic shots, nothig too intricate) to wildlife shots in my local woods.

I can get a brand new D40x + 18-55mm kit lens for £310 after the £40 rebate and a discount my brother can get me (providing it's still in stock, otherwise a D60 or similar when it's released). That leaves just enough for something like a Nikon 18-200mm VR lens, which is obviously a lovely lens. However, I worry it's too much lens for the camera and would be a waste on me considering my lack of knowledge (though I learn fast).

Alternatively, I could get a D80 with an 18-135mm lens which would give me a better body (though bulkier and not as portable) but not as good a lens (as far as I understand).

So, what is the best choice in your opinion? Should I get a D40x, sideline the extra money until I'm a bit more certain about what I want to do, or just get the D80 which means no lens upgrade for a long while and a bulkier body, but greater compatability with AF lenses.

I must admit I'm leaning towards the D40x at the moment because it's a camera more suited to my skill leve (for now), but a D80 is mighty tempting. I have access to a very nice Manfrotto tripod, a Nikon flash (SB800 I think) and other bits and bobs, so it's really just the core kit that I need to think about for now.

What do you lot think? :)
 
Well they do say good glass will last you forever.
 
wombar said:
Alternatively, I could get a D80 with an 18-135mm lens which would give me a better body (though bulkier and not as portable) but not as good a lens (as far as I understand).
Click to expand...

You're right about that lens - its probably Nikon's worse
wouldn't have one as a gift,

The D80 with 18-70 is about £650 on the net if you shop around but try your local Curry's, they are on clearance at the Curry's near mine for £570

You can get a SB400 from here http://www.digitalfirst.co.uk/productsDA.asp?DepartmentID=130
for £80

That should leave you £50 quid, enough for a decent tripod :thumbs:
 
I have been in the same boat, wanted D80 but could not afford.
I have gone for second user D50 as this has 5 point focus and not the 3 i think the D40x has it also has internal focus motor so not so limited on lenses mine came with 2 kit lenses 18-55 and 55-200 non VR and i want more lenses especially the sigma 10-20.
They always say lenses rather than body as its the Len's that gives you the shot the body just records it.
Having got my camera I'm glad i made the decision and in a year to a half dependent on finances and how i have progressed i hope to get the D300 and then ill stop i think and concentrate on just lenses.
just My thoughts,
But i feel you will be left wanting better glass and that will be a bind waiting to raise the finances.
The other camera i also was looking at getting was the D70s but the D50 turned up and I'm happy.
Another point is if you fancy a bit of Ultra violet shooting the older cameras are better for this as the newer models have much more restrictive ultra violet filters.
Welcome to the addiction that is photography and the Forum
 
Are you not looking at any other brands? With the budget you have, I would suggest playing with Canon, Olympus and Pentax bodies as well as Nikons, as they may feel better. Then make your decision on glass/body balance. Steep is right, though - glass is a much better longer term investment, and the right choice will last you through several body upgrades.
 
I would suggest that digital bodies are pretty much worthless. Even a D3 will be obsolete in 3 or 4 years the way sensor technology is going. There's no point in spending so much on a body (but you will need one!), and for that money it's tough to get top quality lenses you will use forever.

Perhaps then the best is to get a good broad range of tools. Something like a D40, with 18-55 lens and 55-200 lens. It covers a very wide range, with built in flash. Total cost about £350 (see below) which gives half you money saved for the future, or for off-camera flash, bag, filters, tripod etc.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-D40-18-...ryZ31388QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

One thing I would say is that anywhere you CAN afford something really high quality, BUY IT. If you enjoy photography, at some point (soon!) you will want to upgrade that cheap tripod for a really good one, cheap filters for good ones etc. So a cheap tripod is £30, but it's much better to spend a little more and get one that will last a lifetime.

99% of the equipment you already own - your eye and brain - so go out, explore and enjoy it!

Edit : The 18-200 isn't always a great lens. It's a superb lens as a "walkaround do-everything compromise", but it is a compromise. Far from as sharp as Nikon's best, far from as cost-effective as the 18-55 etc. If a walkabout one size fits all is the goal, it's perfect. But it doesn't sound like one that would fit your needs (being expensive for what it does).
 
What is your current kit? I've tried skimming through but not noticed if you have anything in there.
Have you thought of second hand?
I got a nice D200 body for less than 500 and that'd leave you 200 for a lens. maybe 220?
 
Hi All,

My word there's lots of replies, gotta love this forum. Thanks everyone :)

Okay, my current kit is zero. I'm literally just starting out which means I'm not restricted to any of the brands at the moment. However, I'm leaning towards Nikon because my Dad has a D200 and I can borrow some of the extra stuff like the flashgun (SB800) that goes with it when I need to. I've also held the 400D and it just felt a touch too small in my hand. I should be going to buy on Monday, I'll give the Canon 400D a second look when I'm there, but the reports I've read about the stock lens haven't been great.

I spoke to my Dad tonight and funnily enough, he's looking at the 18-200, so I may opt for the D40x and steal the lens when he's out of the country on business which seems to be quite often at the moment. It would certainly help me decide whether I need an all in one lens, or a selection.

Bags, memory cards, tripods etc I'm not worrying about and will just buy as I need them or borrow them to see whether I will make use of them in the long term. I know they add up, but I won't be buying stuff unless I actually NEED it. Most of my work will be done fairly locally or in the house initially, so I won't spend money unless I feel it's going to be worth it.

I borrowed my Dads D200 last week, and quite frankly that is just too much camera for my very limited knowledge (though thanks for the offer vecsri). To begin with, I want some preset profiles to get me started and I can look at upgrading the body when I think it's the equipment holding me back.

I'm not opposed to second hand, but I am literally the most unlucky person you are ever going to meet with things going wrong (not that I mistreat things, I just have one of those "auras"). Any electrical or mechanical seems to wince when I come near it :) I think I'd best avoid second user equipment for my sanity.

At the moment I'm thinking that I'll get a D40x (can't argue at £310 all in), see if I take to photography as a hobby and then invest in better glass as I need it. An 18-200 would just be wasted on me initially and I'd like to investigate where my photography takes me.

As long as the D40x isn't likely to restrict me too much in the first 12 months, it seems like that may be the more sensible decision.
 
Sorry, i didn't mean it to come accorss i was selling the D200, i just meant i got one for less than 500.
 
I'll see what happens next week and hopefully I'll be able to pick up a D40x and go from there. I think that I'll just earmark the money for a future purchase which gives me some time to find out what kind of lens(es) I will actually make use of. I just wasn't sure whether an 18-200 would be overkill for the D40x body.

Thanks for your advice everyone.
 
Fancy a D50 with 3 batteries(2 generic),remote,hand strap, sigma 18-125mm,Nikon 50mm 1.8 ? £395 Plus p&P?

and It leaves you funds left over for that 18-200 VR or 70-300 VR

Let me know
 
Thanks for the offer Chickadee, but I think I'm going to stick with the D40x. The 2 year warranty from Nikon will put my mind at rest should I have a problem in the first couple of years.
 
I think you are making a good choice to start off with, remember when you grow out of your body, the one you are choosing will make a great back up so you will have a good back up in future years. Just make sure you shop around and get the best price you can, don't be afraid to ask for a deal, the worst that happens is that they say no lol !!
My view is that I buy the best glass that I can, and eventually I will be in a position to spend some more funds on the body I want.

Dean
 
Thanks for the advice guys, that's put my mind at rest. I'll see what sort of direction I take before I spend too much on lenses, once I've got a clearer idea I can spend the money on a lens or two (or three or four ;)).

Don't worry, I'm not afraid of asking for a "deal" ;) I can get the D40x plus kit lens for £350 (with some discount vouchers my brother is getting me) and then £40 cashback from Nikon plus whatever else I can get thrown into the deal. After that I'll just buy things as I need them rather than having a bag full of stuff I never use.
 
Definately agree that good glass is worth spending money on, but I wouldn't class the 18-200 in that category. It' is a good lens especially considering it's a 10x super zoom but ultimately it is a consumer lens with a slow lowest aperture F3.5-5.6 IIRC. Lenses that last and keep their value are the Pro quality ones (usually with an f2.8 widest aperture), they are built far more solidly than consumer lenses (to withstand pro mistreatment) and in amature hands go on for years.

Personally I think you'll be better off with a D80 with 18-70mm and save whatever you don't spend for some good glass later; the D80 has the AF screw needed to drive the older lenses - I just bought a 35-70 f2.8 and a 17+ year old 80-200 f2.8 for £450. Ultimately the D80 gives you more room for the future than the D40x. But that's just my view on it. Utimately you need to make a choice that's right for you. :thumbs:
 
Got my D200 with the standard 18-70mm and am well pleased with the lens - best kit lens I've used for ages. The D80 with that lens would be a great start kit and at a good price these days.

You WILL want a better camera once you start taking shots, that's a given. Buy the 'most' camera you can afford now and you won't be left wanting later on when you want more creative options.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I went and looked at the cameras today and opted for the D40x with 18-55 kit lens, will end up costing me £310 all in after cashback and discounts. This leaves me with £400 to spend on lenses/accessories at a later date once I've got a better understanding of what I need.

Basically, I looked at the D80 and for my purposes, it was just too big. Certainly at the moment I just need a basic, small camera that will get me started, and I can look at upgrading to something a bit more substantial in a year or so should I need the extra functions. Also looked at the Canon 400D but just didn't like the feel of it in my hands, was a touch too small and fiddly for my liking.

Just waiting for the battery to charge now and then I can finally start taking some shots. Can't wait ;)
 
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