Entry level Nikon DSLR

ColinB147

ColinB147

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Colin
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Hi guys,

I'm looking for advice on behalf of a friend who is looking at buying a D60 as an entry level DSLR. I'm a Canonite myself and don't want this thread to develop into a Nikon/Canon debate, so given that she wants to go with Nikon, is the D60 the best value in that price bracket? I'm totally unfamiliar with the Nikon product range so I figure this is the perfect place to get advice.

Lens-wise, she has told me she would like to go to 200mm so a 70-200mm would seem logical, do you agree and what other lens would be best to complete the set?

Thanks in advance,

Col
 
I've had a D60 for 3 months, great but if budget is a factor don't discount the D40. Whats the budget for lenses, 70-200 nikon sooo expensive sigma version is a good choice( just got one from TP classifieds). The 55-200 is also a good option, I had the non VR version but needed a liitle extra length so I sold mine an got a 70-300 VR.

Do they need an AF-S lens or are prepared to manual focus?

Whats your friends favourite subjects?

:nikon:
 
i thought the d40 was better bang for the buck but im intrigued to see what others say as a friend is considering d40 or d60
 
There is also the D40, which is a bit cheaper than the D60, but only 6mp. Lens-wise, the 70-300 VR is a good match for the D60, at around £350-£400,the Nikon 70-200 VR now costs the best part of £1600 :bonk:
 
i had a D40 as my first dlsr and it was great, simple to use easy to learn
 
Thanks everyone!

Whats the budget for lenses, 70-200 nikon sooo expensive sigma version is a good choice( just got one from TP classifieds). The 55-200 is also a good option, I had the non VR version but needed a liitle extra length so I sold mine an got a 70-300 VR.
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I threw 70-200mm in there from my Canon experience...they have a range of those. 70-300 VR sounds interesting as she likes to photograph her son playing football.

Do they need an AF-S lens or are prepared to manual focus?
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Pretty sure AF is a must.

Whats your friends favourite subjects?
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General photography, no special interests other than football mentioned above.

Budget is an obvious question:bonk:, I'm trying to ascertain that!

Col
 
Okay, the budget for everything is c. £400, so given the helpful answers thus far I am thinking of advising as follows:

(a) Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera - Black (18-55mm Lens Kit)...£250
or
(b) Nikon D60 + AF-S DX Nikkor VR 18-55mm Lens (£349 after cashback)

plus either...

(x) Sigma 70-300mm APO f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Nikon fit Lens (£185)
or
(y) Nikon Af 70-300/4.0-5.6 G (£135)

Anything drastically wrong with those selections?

Thanks again,

Col
 
ColinB147 said:
(x) Sigma 70-300mm APO f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Nikon fit Lens (£185)
or
(y) Nikon Af 70-300/4.0-5.6 G (£135)

Anything drastically wrong with those selections?

Thanks again,

Col
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I don't think any of those lenses auto focus on the D40 or D60, and it's for this reason i don't like any of those Nikon cameras, i still to this day can't understand why Nikon made them like this, if i was in your situation with your budget i would go for a second hand D50-D70s or D80, just MHO though.
 
I'd recommend a D70s or D70, the only difference between them being the s has a slightly larger screen.
The D70 is an absolute beauty of a camera, plus it has an internal AF motor which means you have a wider range of lenses availible to use.
 
If you are going for a D60 with 18-55 VR kit lens try Costco. Last time I was in there they were a few pounds over £300 for the kit (that is with the £30.00 cashback.

Chris :)
 
having just started myself, i have the d40 and find it very easy to use, loads of the regular features and menus are nice n simple, good quality too, i like mine:clap:
 
ColinB147 said:
By inference the lenses autofocus on the higher spec cameras?
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TG. was only partially right - Sigma (x) that you mentioned won't autofocus but the Nikon (y) will. The reason being is that D40(x) and D60 cameras lack the in-camera AF motor so they won't be able to drive those AF lenses that have screw-drive type AF. They will work with all those AF lenses where AF drive is inside the lens (i.e. all Nikkor AF-S lenses and all Sigma HSM lenses). the Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6 G is an AF-S lens afaik so it will focus on D40/D60.

All higher level consumer SLRs and professional Nikon cameras have the camera AF motor so they will be able to work with screw-driven AF lenses.
 
I dont really see the problem, there are loads of lenses that autofocus with the D60and in any event manual focus is not exactly the end of the world - in some cases its even beneficial.
 
Hmmm... According to the Sigma website, the 70-300 f/4.5/5.6 APO DG Macro lens WILL AF on a D40(x)/60 while the (older, non VR) Nikon 70-300 f/4/5.6 G will NOT Af on those bodies. The current Nikon 70-300 f/4.5/5.6 g AF-S VR IF-ED WILL but is rather more than the £135 suggested by the OP.

My money would go to a 2nd hand D70(s)/50 rather than a new D40(x)/60. If she goes for the new option (D40(x)/60) then (to keep AF) she'll need either Nikon AF-S lenses or Sigma HSM lenses. Not sure what the Tamron equivalent is but a GOOD dealer (or even a knowledgeable Jessops employee) should be able to help. Due to the AF issues involved, I would definitely advise that she buys from a bricks and mortar shop rather than over the internet. OK, she may pay a little more but the advice and being able to discuss purchases will be well worth the extra expense.
 
Dave Pickett said:
manual focus is not exactly the end of the world - in some cases its even beneficial.
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Indeed it can be, but if someone is just starting out in the DSLR world i would definitely recommend going for something which will auto focus, just for the fact it can be a lot easier for focusing on moving objects ie sports shots, bird shot's, i would say manual focusing is something to be mastered and a skill in itself, just MHO though :)
 
Having bought an autofocus DSLR recently I have found that the autofocus itself needs to be understood. I find the multipoint on the D90 doesnt always choose the right point so I have gone back to single point and simply prefocus and recompose as required.

maybe I'm old fashioned having come from manual focus, and original external meters and preset diaphrams (anyone remember the Zenit E - best way to really learn photography!)

anyway Manual focussing really isnt that hard, we all had to do it before the Minolta Dynax came out and we managed!!!
 
Those were the days, when manual focus was made a damn sight easier with split screen focus aids if not multiprisms. Modern plain glass creens don't make manual focussing as easy as it used to be and (within its limitations) autofocus is pretty damned good!
 
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