Camerajunkie
11-09-2006, 12:12 PM
Hey all! I'm here to pick some brains, learn a lot, and hopefully end up with that I need to know to find the camera I'm wanting. I have a Nikon N65 and have basically been using it as a point and shoot for the last couple of years. Sinful, I know. Finances have kept me from getting beyond the basic lens it came with and I haven't played with it near like I should have. *Sigh* Now they're looser and I'm in the market for a new digital (I take way too many pictures and have rolls upon rolls of developed film...) I do a lot with pictures. I have them all over my house, I scrapbook them, etc. I am very much a picture junkie too.
My first question, if anyone knows, is do the lenses for the N65 also work with the D80? I've been eyeing the D80 a lot, though I'm not sure if I will get one. It may be too much camera for me. Next, I'll answer the questions provided so you all know what I'm looking for. Thanks so much!
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
~~I've very much looked at spending $1500 for the D80 (kit). I am not opposed to that. I want to make sure I'm getting the best camera for my needs and not overbuying.
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
~~I like the size of the dSLRs. They feel right when I hold them in the stores. If I went "lower" then I don't mind the standard "point and shoot" feel. The ones that are designed like dSLRs but not would take some getting used to but I'm pretty flexible.
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
~~I want to be able to print 8x10 or even 10x13s and have them look GOOD. So I'm thinking that translates into at least 6. That would be low end for me.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
~~Above a 3-4x zoom. So I guess Ultrazoom.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
~~8-9
Do you care for manual controls?
~~ I would like some manual controls but since I have my N65, it's not a do or die thing. I would love to play and learn how to become a better photographer. I'd love to do pictures as a hobby for my family and friends and family.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
~~General usage will be snapshots of the family. I would like to move into doing more "professional" pictures (you know, where people pay me) but I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon or not.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
~~Provided they're good enough I'd like to be able to print at least an 8x10. Possibly larger.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
~~Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
~~Not sports at all, just moving children.
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
~~I like my Nikon a lot and am partial to them but will change brands for the right camera. There aren't any that I just can't stand.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
~~Been thinking of the D80. If I don't go that route I'll probably knock it down and do a point and shoot variety instead of a dSLR.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
~~I'd love to be able to do wide angle but that's a perk not a necessity. Same with the hotshoe. Perk but not necessity.
I'm willing to clarify if needed.
Thanks again,
Camerajunkie
My first question, if anyone knows, is do the lenses for the N65 also work with the D80? I've been eyeing the D80 a lot, though I'm not sure if I will get one. It may be too much camera for me. Next, I'll answer the questions provided so you all know what I'm looking for. Thanks so much!
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
~~I've very much looked at spending $1500 for the D80 (kit). I am not opposed to that. I want to make sure I'm getting the best camera for my needs and not overbuying.
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
~~I like the size of the dSLRs. They feel right when I hold them in the stores. If I went "lower" then I don't mind the standard "point and shoot" feel. The ones that are designed like dSLRs but not would take some getting used to but I'm pretty flexible.
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
~~I want to be able to print 8x10 or even 10x13s and have them look GOOD. So I'm thinking that translates into at least 6. That would be low end for me.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
~~Above a 3-4x zoom. So I guess Ultrazoom.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
~~8-9
Do you care for manual controls?
~~ I would like some manual controls but since I have my N65, it's not a do or die thing. I would love to play and learn how to become a better photographer. I'd love to do pictures as a hobby for my family and friends and family.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
~~General usage will be snapshots of the family. I would like to move into doing more "professional" pictures (you know, where people pay me) but I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon or not.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
~~Provided they're good enough I'd like to be able to print at least an 8x10. Possibly larger.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
~~Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
~~Not sports at all, just moving children.
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
~~I like my Nikon a lot and am partial to them but will change brands for the right camera. There aren't any that I just can't stand.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
~~Been thinking of the D80. If I don't go that route I'll probably knock it down and do a point and shoot variety instead of a dSLR.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
~~I'd love to be able to do wide angle but that's a perk not a necessity. Same with the hotshoe. Perk but not necessity.
I'm willing to clarify if needed.
Thanks again,
Camerajunkie