Frustrations with first time DSLR

[Joshuashaw]

So at the moment, I'm debaiting whether to buy from Digital Rev in Hong Kong or Jessops in Manchester. Just wrote down advantages & disadvantages of both. Jessops own unfortunately.

I am definitely after a Nikon D80, with the kit lens 18-70mm lens as advised, but I am in debait with myself over buying an extra lens I understand it might be rushing into buying something and with limited money supplies after the money for the D80 has been spent. The type of photography will be very unrestricted, personally I'd like to do scenery/landscape, concerts & gigs & sports, but as I've taken photography at college it will be used alot then.

Could I quite possible buy the D80 body which Jessops do for £500 leaving me £250 for a lens and then buy a much better lens than the 18-70mm which will suite me better for a variety of diverse types of photography?

I was considering buying the D80 with the kit lens and then maybe a cheap macro lens which I could take photographs with just around the house etc?
One like this; http://www.jessops.com/Store/s19693...rtBy=RelevanceDESC&IsInStockOnly=False&comp=y

Any help much appreciated.

 

[pxl8]

That isn't a macro lens :shrug:

 

[Steep]

Check that your photography course uses digital cameras, many still expect you to use film.

 

[Sgt_Major]

get the D80 with 18-135mm

Done me great for about 14 months, and I still use the lens everyday. I only upgraded to the D300 because I had an unexpected cash bonus.

 

[StewartR]

Why Jessops, when several other real shops (eg Wilkinsons, several locations in Lancashire) are considerably cheaper?

 

[Joshuashaw]

I've been advised on the 70mm because of sharper image, might consider the 135mm as my Dad owns the 70mm one also for the Nikon D80 too. Why Jessops? Always used them and have done me good deals because I've bought 3 or 4 expensive cameras from them. Wilkinsons do DSLR cameras?

 

[Ian T]

I wasn't too impressed with the 18-70 myself. Personally I'd buy the D80 body only, then look for something like a 24-70 F2.8 - might be a better all-round lens. Then if you want wider/longer, look for something else later. But I think you'd find something like that a good 'everyday' lens. So much so in fact, that I have no excuse for not either a) buying one or b) retrieving the charger for my Ricoh GX-100 compact, which measures up about the same!!

 

[Joshuashaw]

18-70 or the 18-135, which would people advise? I know people favourite the 70mm as it has a metal mount and it handles better.

 

[Slapo]

I haven't used the 18-70 or the 18-135, but from what I've seen on photozone.de, I'd go with the 18-135. Sharpness is very similar and it's range is more versatile.