New D50, please help!

[scdiablo]

Hi all!

I'm new to the Forum as a member, but i have been lurking for several weeks. Very helpful btw.

I have a couple of opinion questions. I have been reading review after review and i think i have scrambled my brain!

Ok... my wife bought me the d50 and a Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 LD aspherical macro Di II lens from Ritz camera.

Now I will be using this Strictly recreational.. landscapes/sports (kids). Maybe framing some decent pics, but nothing more than 8x10's (probably). BUT, after reading the reviews of all the lenses out there, i'm wondering if i should return the tamron and either purchase the 18-200mm VR lens OR go with a dual 18-70 (not sure of what kind) and the nikon 70-300mm VR OR should i keep the tamron and purchase a 55 (or so) mm macro with f/2.8 lens?

should i REALLY be concerned with the f/3.5-6.3? i do like taking night/dusk shots

Also I like the D80, but for me it really is only about the 10megapixels vs the 6 in the D50..should i think about the "future", and upgrade ?

sorry for all the questions. but i only have 15 days to return for upgrades.

thanks for any help!

[TNB]

Do you own a monopod, a tripod, or a flash yet?

If you plan to hand hold and take photos at dawn or dusk, slower glass may present a problem. The same if your plan is to take photos of action/sports in low-level lighting.

I purchased the D50, then I checked out both the D80 and the D200. I went with the D200 because it "felt" better to me and since I didn't believe I needed the many in-camera processing features of the D80--I simply believed that I would do such processing on a computer screen over a camera monitor screen. I also wanted the faster speed that was offered by the D200.

In retrospect, the D50 was a good camera to learn with, yet it still allowed me to put more money into lenses that could still be used on another body to be purchased later. After all, F/2.8 glass is expensive if that is where you are headed.

[scdiablo]

Thanks for the quick response.

I do not own a flash or -pod, although i will be purchasing those soon.

how much faster is a 5.6 vs 6.3 at 200mm?

[TNB]

Put another way: I couldn't really use my 70-300mm F/4-5.6 for the type of low-level lighting action photos I was taking most of the time since the lens wouldn't focus or took to long to focus. However, on a bright day, the lens worked fine.

[scdiablo]

Got it!

I am reading the lens buyers guide right now...very informative!

thanks again

[shoeytennis]

the 18-200 tamron is good but nowhere near as good as the 18-200 nikon according to mr ken.
and yes if are doing alot of night pictures youll either
A-need a good tripod
b-a super fast lens
or C-a super stable hand!
keep the d50 and send money on glass. when you feel like doing a real upgrade go to d200, if big prints is an issue i print off 11x14 wirh my d50 with cropped editing and such and they are perfect.

[scdiablo]

OK, after doing a ton of reading...eyes are burning!

i am thinking of giving up the tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 and getting 2 lenses.

1. tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
2. Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 ED AF-D

any opinions?? The one thing i am concerned with: if i'll notice not having something in the 18mm range, but since i'm new to this i'm not sure i will.

[shoeytennis]

you will want something in the 18mm range trust me.
buy the nikon 50mm f1.8 also cuz its a 100 bucks and sweet.

[scdiablo]

I'm LMAO right now!

I was just reading a review on the 50mm f/1.8 and have committed myself to at least that lens :)

Now at least i know one!

what is killing me: i know the lens my wife bought is about $389-400 and i would be willing to spend about $ 800 for either 1 "all-in-one" or 2 lenses, not counting the 50mm thats a gimme right now. I would hate to settle for the tamron and 8 months down the road realize it's OK, and then i'll want to buy a new lens because i'm not happy with the one she spent $400 on.

how about a suggestion for an 18-75 (ish lens)?? then i'll get the 80-200mm nikon with an f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.8

I'll be making a decision by thursday, Soooooo.. i'm taking the kids out to the park with their scooters and having a "photoday" with the tamron :) hopefully by tonight i'll know if i suck so bad at taking photos, i need a lens for dummies lesson, LOL!

thanks

[shoeytennis]

yeah the 50mm 1.8 is a must. I take alot of pictures of models, girls and such and i use this lens. stop it down to 1.8 and man you will be so amazed and glad you purchased it!
consider the 18-55 kit lens that is packaged with d50, it is an awesomoe lens and i think you can get it quite cheap!
-also once i get home form work ill show you a picture i took today with the the 50mm and the 18-55 kit lens at the 18mm point.
but if i were you i would get the
1. tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)-as you listed.
and if you need an 18-200 lens i would honestly go for the 750 nikon, ken rockwell says its his favorite lens and what ken rockwell says goes!

[jcon]

ken rockwell says its his favorite lens and what ken rockwell says goes!


Ummm, ok, whatever. LOL



In place of that Tamron 28-75, get the Sigma 18-50 2.8, its a better lens and will give you a much better wide angle end. Your idea to get the 80-200 2.8 and 50mm 1.8D are good ideas.

[JPRATT]

ken rockwell says its his favorite lens and what ken rockwell says goes!

:eek:

The man has some nice work, and a good site for info. But damn, when did he become god.. :D :p

Would you say the same about him if he owned any other camera besides a Nikon??? :confused:

[shoeytennis]

nothing im no nikon or canon guy im whatever i like!
here are a few pictures as promised
d50
18-55 kit lens
18 focal length
cloudy weather

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7544/adsc0024za1.jpg

d50
50mm
f1.8
a little not knwoing the camera is going off picture

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5309/adsc0122xp1.jpg

[TNB]

She looks kind of mad in the last photo....