So, should I buy this Nikon outfit?

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So, should I buy this Nikon outfit?

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nikyvee

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I can't stand it any longer. I am just about ready to pull the trigger and buy a:
Nikon D90 body only, a 50 mm f1.8D AL lens, and a 18-200 mm 3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VRII lens.

Should I do it? Should I buy different lens? (Here is my thinking.)

I just can't wait any longer for the new/revised/updated D700 which is the camera that I REALLY want. So, I figure, go ahead and buy the D90 along with the 50mm and the 18-200 mm zoom NOW. Use them; get familiar with the D90; etc.

THEN, when the updated D700 comes out, buy it! Plus one or two really good lens, of undecided specs.

The 50 mm lens will automatically work with the D70, and the 18-200 mm Zoom will work, sort of. At least I will not have put out too much money for things that I really won't be using with the D700upgrade.

The zoom gives me a reasonable range of focal lengths, albeit not with a really good wide aperture lens. The 50 mm will give me a reasonable portrait lens when you figure in the crop factor for the dx frame size on the D90.

(I would hope to get the D700 upgrade in about a year or so from now; finances willing.)

This decision, btw, was prompted by comments Jonnyapple made a couple of months ago. I hope I won't regret it. Hey, if I do regret it, I can always blame Jonnyapple....

So, should I buy this outfit? Should I get some other lens combination? What do you guys think?

If you think it is a good set of products, I am ready to push the "buy" button.
I assure you that I am ready to do that today.

Thanks for any advice,
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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What's your hurry? Just buy the D90 kit already.

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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50mm f1.8D AF is a wonderful lens and I would recommend it.
As for 18-200 it is a DX only lens, if you are planing on FX upgrade soon enough you should consider 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR as an alternative, it is a bit sharper then 18-200, it is a full frame and it works very well on D700.
Or listen to what an old and wise guy like Niko has to say and go for D90 18-105 kit, very good value for money.

Posted 3 years ago #
bobwill

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I've never liked superzooms. So, I'd probably get something else.
Also, as was pointed out, the 18-200 is only designed to work properly on DX sensors. While you would be able to mount the lens on any of Nikon's full-frame bodies, you would not be getting good use out of it, as it will need to crop out about 1/2 of the picture.
How much do you want to spend on a lens. You could get one of the old Sigma 24-70 Macro lenses (not the HSM version) for maybe $600 new, or the HSM version for about $1000.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Bobwill: I am open to different lenses. I confess I am greedy and want the best, but can't afford it all the time. Given that I will buy the "new" D700 in about a year and a couple of good full frame lens then, I don't want to invest lots of money in lenses that I won't fully use in the future.

That being said, I know that I will keep the D90 body, and lens, and use them in certain situations and as backup/second camera situations. I would prefer getting lens NOW that would work on the full frame camera, but realize that I have to compromise now on price and so on. I will look into the Sigma 24-70 Macros, as that macro capability appeals to me.

Still, I know that I do want to have a nice pretty wide range zoom for walkaround shooting for the D90 AND be able to have some sweet spots (read: wide aperture) for a few focal lengths. Hence, I am getting the 50 mm f1.8, as that is really inexpensive and pretty darn good.

Right now, Amazon is running a "special" on the 18-200 mm zoom that gives you a $250 discount (down to about $550) for that lens. That is the key reason for looking at that lens.

Sigma, any of the Tokina/Tamron lenses be worth checking out, guys?

Nick V, "my buy finger is still itching..."

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Just get the Kit already! You can sell the 18-200 later if you don't like it.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Nikodoby: Right now, I don't think they are offering a Nikon kit that includes the 18-200 mm zoom. The only D90 kit that I have seen lately is the one that comes with the 18-105mm lens.

AND, right now Amazon is offering a $250 discount on the 18-200 mm lens; making it cost about $550, IF you buy it along with buying the D90 body OR D90 kit that includes the 18-105 mm. The body only is going for about $800 at Amazon.

I really don't see any advantage to buying the official "kit" as compared to buying the body only plus the zoom with the discount.

I am still interested in maybe some other 3rd party lenses that would be good; maybe as fullframe lenses in the future????

Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Get the body and the 18-200. What's the hold up? If you really want an FX then just wait. Why are you in such a hurry? You currently have a D70 right?

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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If you already have a D70 INDRC (If NikoDoby Recalls Correctly) AND are serious about dropping the cash on a D700 replacement I would, personally, wait.
If you have no body I'd get exactly what you outlined at first post. You'll likely lose $100-$150 reselling the 18-200 once you get a D700(s) and another $100-$150 reselling the D90 (Assuming a D90s doesn't come out the same day as the D700s).
IMHO $300 is cheap over the time frame you're talking.. Chalk it up to rental fee plus education. You're not getting any younger and not taking photos = wasted life. ;)

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Soaps suppositions are correct:
I do not have ANY body; well, my wife excepted... I guess I mean camera body.
And I AM itching to shoot; I have been using a premium Canon P&S and have learned from it, but definitely have outgrown it. Am fully ready for a "real" camera....

AND, I'm NOT getting any younger. In fact, I am getting older increasingly faster. I am not chronologically 69 years old; maturationally about 19.... (my wife says she likes that.)

so I Need a camera....soon!
I have never owned a Nikon DSLR or any DSLR for that matter. Decades ago I did own a lower level Nikon SLR film camera; used it with B&W film mostly.

Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Or, depending on your tolerance for used, get the 18-55 VR used, and the 55-200 VR used.
Then you're talking three lenses instead of two - but you gain four valuable things.
1 - You're talking $400 for ALL THREE lenses.
2 - You now have a setup using only 52mm filters.
3 - Lower distortion than the 18-200
4 - Less money lost @ resale when you move to FX.

What you lose (convenience) is obvious, so I won't say it. ;)

OR

Get the 18-55 VR used ($100-$125 on craigslist if you're in a decent sized town) AND get the 70-300 VR. The 70-300 VR is better than the 18-200 in many ways - and it works on FX.
(Two for sale currently in Ohio on craigslist for $450 asking price. One has been up two weeks which (in my mind) means a $400 offer will likely be taken.)

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Interesting advice Soap:

Let me add another OR:

Get the Tamron 70-300 for about $165 and get the D90 kit with the 18-105 lens.

OR: get the Nikon 70-300 VR for about $550 new from Amazon and if I don't like it, return it.

What do you all think?
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Hey, My lens costs have dramatically dropped in the last 5 minutes. when I went back to Amazon to check things, I found that the 50 mm lens has decreased in price by $ .12
Amazing Amazon...
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Nikyvee, for what you say you shoot (street, landscapes, and some macro and portraits) I would recommend these:
D90 & 18-105 VR $1025
50 1.8 $125
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 $730 (I wrote a review on this site, but read theirs and compare their sharpness charts to, say, the Nikkor 70-200 2.8)

Under $2000 and that is one of the sharpest and most versatile kits you will find. The 50 and the tamron are both full frame.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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A - I have no experience with the Tamron lens.
B - I don't like ANY of the 18-X Nikon lenses but the 18-55 and 18-200. If you don't get the 18-200 you're in a two lens setup already - so why go to 105 or 135?
THOUGH - 18-105/135 and 70-300 share a 67mm filter mount which is nice. I'm all about minimizing filter purchases.
THOUGH II - getting the 18-105 for ~$225 as part of the kit jonny mentioned means you lose little if you sell it off on its own.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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soap said:
I don't like ANY of the 18-X Nikon lenses but the 18-55 and 18-200.

I'm wont to agree with you, soap, but the 18-105 is exceptional. It's the best kit lens I've used. I've used 18-70, 18-55, 18-55 VR. The 18-105 is really an amazing value.
edit: I like soaps THOUGH II thinking. Try it and if you're not impressed, you can sell it for at least $225 (to me, maybe. It's really the next lens on my list—for handheld video since I don't have a single lens with VR right now.)
edit 2: They go for about $250-300 on ebay.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Hmmmm? Right now I am thinking of getting the D90 kit With the 18-105 and the
50 mm lenses. Play with those and think of getting a longer zoom, but not today. I really think I am going to buy something today.

Just uncertain about what lenses beyond those two. I would probably buy a third lens by Christmas. Hey, I deserve a good lens...

Yes guys. I have already purchased nice gifts for my wife. ya know, you have to, if you are bringing in great stuff for yourself.

Ok, Nikodoby, I am really hot to buy....
Nic V

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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soap said:
If you already have a D70 INDRC (If NikoDoby Recalls Correctly)

TGSATA (There Goes Soap Assuming Things Again)

I wasn't recalling anything. I was asking since in this thread Nikyvee mentioned a D70 and D700. I wasn't sure if he meant he had a D70 and wanted a D700.

nikyvee said:
The 50 mm lens will automatically work with the D70, and the 18-200 mm Zoom will work, sort of.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Just to clarify - the 18-55 really is the crappiest feeling lens Nikon has ever made. Worst ergonomics of any AFS lens, hands down.
But it's cheap cheap cheap, and performs quite well.
(and it has the 52mm filter of your 50mm) ;)

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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I think you should do it, Nick. 105 is pretty long on DX, anyway. [jonny waits for the birders to attack him personally for saying that]
Didn't you say the D90 felt too small for you a while ago? Are you sacrificing because it's a temporary thing, then?

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I think he just has Buy Now Fever :^) ,but just get the kit jonny suggests nikyvee and just go from there.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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JA: you are right, I did say that the D90 felt a little too small for my hands, in a past posted thread.

However,it isn't too small AND it would serve my needs by being a somewhat smaller camera for those shooting situations where I don't really want to be using a large and really obvious pro-like camera. Plus, as a senior citizen, I am sure that there will be times when the weight of a smaller camera and lens will be appreciated. Right now, I don't have any trouble carrying a large camera, with bag and extra lenses, but I can see in the future the value of having the D90.

I definitely am planning to keep the D90 as a second body, whenever I get the D700 upgrade.

But Yes, I am impatient and want a good camera and am willing to sacrifice some comfort. Actually, the smaller body isn't "uncomfortable", it is just more apt for me to mishandle some of the buttons. I am now mishandling my Canon P&S as it is. It is MUCH smaller than the D90, so the Nikon will be a great improvement. But, I'm impatient...
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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nikyvee said:
But Yes, I am impatient and want a good camera and am willing to sacrifice some comfort. Actually, the smaller body isn't "uncomfortable", it is just more apt for me to mishandle some of the buttons. I am now mishandling my Canon P&S as it is. It is MUCH smaller than the D90, so the Nikon will be a great improvement. But, I'm impatient...
Nick V

I was worried about the D90's handling, too, when I bought it—specifically I thought I would have trouble finding the button for ISO. Now I prefer the location on the D90 to the D300 because I don't have to move my left hand to get to it. In fact, the D90 handles better for me than the D300 did, except for being just a hair small but not uncomfortably so. I like the info button, like the live view button, like the 'LCD backlight and info' setting for the power switch, love that the Fn button can be assigned to the top My Menu setting (why can't they update the D300's firmware for something like that?!), and like that my nose doesn't change the focus spot, but miss two things the most: 1. I can't see both ISO and shots remaining in the viewfinder or the top LCD (I choose ISO and check the info screen if I need to know shots remaining) 2. I miss the exposure meter on the top LCD for when I'm setting exposure with the camera off my face (now I have to check the info screen while I do that).

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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I would go for 35mm instead of 50mm, gives You a more natural angle of view on DX sensors.

nikvee - if You think d90 is too small for Your hands, just get a grip - MB-D80 or any alternative (alpha digital is making great ones)

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Joined: Aug '09
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Hmmm? More food for thought.
You are right about the 35 mm lens, however, as I really want, and intend, to get a fullframe body (D700 replacement), I think the 50 mm lens will have more value for me later on.

I am interestd in a bunch of lens but do realize that I have to limit myself to my budget which won't be too big. Although my budget seems to be stretching with all this conversation.
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #

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So, should I buy this Nikon outfit?

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