D50 or D80? DX lenses or standard?

[Tony_V]

All,

I decided to take the plunge and purchase a digital SLR. I basically decided on a D50. I planned to spend around $550 for the body. While searching for a better price I found the D80 in the $700 range. I am wondering if the extra $150 to $200 is worth it. Beyond the difference in pixels, is there much difference between the 2? I went to my local Ritz Camera and looked at both but beyond a slightly different display in the viewfinder I couldn’t tell much difference. Of course I did not have much time with them either.

Also, I am a bit confused about the difference between the standard Nikon lenses and the DX series lenses. If I understand correctly, a digital camera will effectively multiply the focal length of a standard lens by 1.5. So a standard 28-80 zoom would be like a 42-120 on a digital camera. If that’s right, are the DX lenses the same or is a 28-80 zoom a true 28-80?

Tony

[shoeytennis]

id go with a d50 from what everyone told me when i was looking for a dslr they just said but the d50 and spend the extra cash on lenses.
I also had to make the choice a little whil;e ago and chose the d50. i havent been much happier saving the extra money and im going to spend it on a quality lens.
the other question im not sure of so hopefully one fo the regulars can help you.

[rawpaw18]

The crop factor has to be applied to all lenses. If you can swing it, the D80 would make a great choice. More features such as the commander mode for flashes, ISO of 100 and 3200 boost(if you have to). Reviews are showing better noise control.

Oh and if you are considering the 28-80 lens, it is an older film lens that usually lacks sharpness and with the crop factor may not be wide enough for you. You may look at the 18-55 kit lens if price is a consideration.
I believe the D80 kit has an 18-135 lens.

Or the option of buying a D50 and some nice lenses is a winner too!

[eduardofrances]

All,

I decided to take the plunge and purchase a digital SLR. I basically decided on a D50. I planned to spend around $550 for the body. While searching for a better price I found the D80 in the $700 range. I am wondering if the extra $150 to $200 is worth it. Beyond the difference in pixels, is there much difference between the 2? I went to my local Ritz Camera and looked at both but beyond a slightly different display in the viewfinder I couldn’t tell much difference. Of course I did not have much time with them either.

Also, I am a bit confused about the difference between the standard Nikon lenses and the DX series lenses. If I understand correctly, a digital camera will effectively multiply the focal length of a standard lens by 1.5. So a standard 28-80 zoom would be like a 42-120 on a digital camera. If that’s right, are the DX lenses the same or is a 28-80 zoom a true 28-80? you can check here in this site for the review of the d50 and d80 to see the differences.

Tony

Be careful, in the net too good to be true is a thumb rule, many stores that have those madly low prices are switch and bait stores, if you buy online go with www.bhphotovideo.com they are 100% trustful.

The D80 inherits many of the D200 features including, big and bright viewfinder, flash can work as commander, black and white mode, iso in 1/3 stop increment, and many things, the D50 is a great camera, but the D80 is a monster unrivaled in the level it competes for the price. IMHO go for the D50 and a good lens :)

35mm film lenses have a greater image circle than the DX, DX lenses are made so the image circle fits the aps-c sensor of nikon digital slrs which is smaller than the 35mm film size, you will get less vignetting or edge softness in 35mm lenses than in DX sized lenses (again cause the image circle projected to the sensor is bigger in 35mm lenses). that is the difference of course there are some great DX nikkor lenses :).

With the APS-C sensors you will have a field of view crop, in other words with a nikkor 50mm f/1.8 you will get the field of view of a 75mm lens but not the depth of field of that lens. this is regardless the lens being DX or Normal, the 18-55mm has a field of view crop of a 27-75mm lens, the 28-80mm will have a field of view crop of a 42mm-120mm lens. http://jimdoty.com/Digital/fov_crop/fov_crop.html this will give you the right explanation for this :)

[eduardofrances]

All,

I decided to take the plunge and purchase a digital SLR. I basically decided on a D50. I planned to spend around $550 for the body. While searching for a better price I found the D80 in the $700 range. I am wondering if the extra $150 to $200 is worth it. Beyond the difference in pixels, is there much difference between the 2? I went to my local Ritz Camera and looked at both but beyond a slightly different display in the viewfinder I couldn’t tell much difference. Of course I did not have much time with them either.

Also, I am a bit confused about the difference between the standard Nikon lenses and the DX series lenses. If I understand correctly, a digital camera will effectively multiply the focal length of a standard lens by 1.5. So a standard 28-80 zoom would be like a 42-120 on a digital camera. If that’s right, are the DX lenses the same or is a 28-80 zoom a true 28-80?

Tony

Be careful, in the net too good to be true is a thumb rule, many stores that have those madly low prices are switch and bait stores, if you buy online go with www.bhphotovideo.com they are 100% trustful.

The D80 inherits many of the D200 features including, big and bright viewfinder, flash can work as commander, black and white mode, iso in 1/3 stop increment, and many things, the D50 is a great camera, but the D80 is a monster unrivaled in the level it competes for the price. IMHO go for the D50 and a good lens :) you can check here in this site for the review of the d50 and d80 to see the

35mm film lenses have a greater image circle than the DX, DX lenses are made so the image circle fits the aps-c sensor of nikon digital slrs which is smaller than the 35mm film size, you will get less vignetting or edge softness in 35mm lenses than in DX sized lenses (again cause the image circle projected to the sensor is bigger in 35mm lenses). that is the difference of course there are some great DX nikkor lenses :).

With the APS-C sensors you will have a field of view crop, in other words with a nikkor 50mm f/1.8 you will get the field of view of a 75mm lens but not the depth of field of that lens. this is regardless the lens being DX or Normal, the 18-55mm has a field of view crop of a 27-75mm lens, the 28-80mm will have a field of view crop of a 42mm-120mm lens. http://jimdoty.com/Digital/fov_crop/fov_crop.html this will give you the right explanation for this :)

[Tony_V]

Thank you all for the replies. The information on the lenses was especially interesting. I wound up buying a D80 with the 18-135 lens. Circuit City had a 20% off deal on this kit yesterday. Reg $1299 with the discount $1039, I couldn't resist. Check out the "Picture of the Day" thread. I posted one of the first pictures I took with it.

Thanks again!
Tony

[tcadwall]

Congrats Tony,

D80 hands down for the money.

You'll have no regrets. I think that many D50 users would benefit more than they know by the upgrade that a D80 would be.

Again... not knocking the D50, but if you are looking at a small price difference, it is not that hard of a choice to me, even if it would mean saving up your money for another month (IMO)

[britkev]

Congrats Tony,

...
Again... not knocking the D50, but if you are looking at a small price difference, it is not that hard of a choice to me, even if it would mean saving up your money for another month (IMO)

Bit more than a month if you already bought the D50 ;) - but I'm quite happy with mine and the ~4,500 shots I've taken in the eleven months that I've had it.

[tcadwall]

D50 will take great shots and I have a lot of respect for it. The original post defined a $150 - $200 difference. For some that might mean another month of saving, for some that might mean more... Looking at the final cost, I see that it appears to be a bigger difference than originally stated... :(

Then again some of us might utilize a 0% interest deal and figure that we can get it now and save enough to pay it off before it is due. :eek: