Entry Level DSLR Recommendation.


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If you are really tight on a budget..
you might wanna try getting a D60 from Audio House..
Just go to thier website and ask for a quotation..

I got mine for $888 with kit lens,4GB mem card,8GB mem card,UV filter,Cleaning Kit,Camera Bag...
 

for better noise performance pick d40 but at the expense of missing out the mp.
else want more mp, then pick the d60.

both d40/60 need sigma HSM or nikon AF-S lens to auto focus as the body does not include focusing motor.

d90 wise even the body alone is way out of your friend's budget...
 

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1) as u mention D60 has a missing autofocus module thus i would need to get lenses which has an in built motor in the lens ( AF-S or the HSM ) which is more expensive

2) the viewfinder( using penta-mirror) of the D60 is slightly darker compared to D90( using penta-prism) so D90 viewfinder is bigger and brighter. Makes framing slightly less strenuous.

3) presence of Live view on D90 does help when the needs arises tho not a necessity.

4) 3 focus points in D60 vs 11 focus points in D90.

5) the D-SLR movie option. it is nt really a necessity but having lil nephews ard in the house. it does help to capture their antics with it


But then again D60 is still a great camera to begin with: Light, user friendly, Fuss-free. in the end. the user creativity,skills and techniques makes the photo a winning photo rather than the equipment.

Cheers Mate
Shaz


The point of the D60 is that it's an ENTRY-LEVEL camera, targetted at beginners to DSLR usage.
Thus Nikon's marketing "geniuses" predicted that most D40/D60 users would simply use the supplied kit lens, or buy the additional AF-S 55-200 lens to complete their set.
Yes, it's limited by it's lack of a focusing motor, but for its intended market, it serves its purpose.
Your point is like saying the Toyota Corolla is not a good car because it doesn't have a 3.5L twin turbo engine that can be used for racing. It's a good car for its intended market segment.
 

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hi zerocoolastra

yes D60 is an entry level DSLR and serve it's intended purpose. i agree with u.

However my point is dont do the same mistake as i have done - buying a D60 and end up regretting due to its limit ( at least for me). lesson i've learn n now sharing.

like how a few of the clubsnappers have pointed out, do save a bit more n get a D90. a better investment in the long run.

but if time is an issue ( you really cant wait to try out photography n D60/D40 is all u can afford now), then pls by all means do get a D60/D40, a suitable camera to start off with; fuss free, user-friendly and light.

to TS, do advise ur friend accordingly. :)

btw. i've seen toyota corolla(modded that is) racing on the tracks.;)

Cheers Everyone :)
Shaz
 

if cannot afford the d90, having a 2nd hand d50 or d80 is also not too bad of a option, most importantly is both comes with the motor on board.
as for the d70, unless you can stand the noise performance, else is best to stay away from it.
 

hi zerocoolastra

yes D60 is an entry level DSLR and serve it's intended purpose. i agree with u.

However my point is dont do the same mistake as i have done - buying a D60 and end up regretting due to its limit ( at least for me). lesson i've learn n now sharing.

like how a few of the clubsnappers have pointed out, do save a bit more n get a D90. a better investment in the long run.

but if time is an issue ( you really cant wait to try out photography n D60/D40 is all u can afford now), then pls by all means do get a D60/D40, a suitable camera to start off with; fuss free, user-friendly and light.

to TS, do advise ur friend accordingly. :)

btw. i've seen toyota corolla(modded that is) racing on the tracks.;)

Cheers Everyone :)
Shaz

Bro, you make this sort of comment, I find it too dismissive.
There are many people who take brilliant photos with D40/D40x/D60 despite its limitations.
There are also many many beginner photographers who would happily use their D40/D60 and NEVER find the need to replace it with the D50/70/80/90 or above.
I think it's not fair to give this sort of advice without considering the purchasers intentions.
I have personally recommended the D60 to a number of my friends whom I have 95% certainty that they won't be purchasing another lens.
If you think that the buyer is really serious to acquire a lens arsenal over time, then it probably makes more sense to get the D50/70/80/90 and above.

p.s. For every 1 toyota corolla that's out there racing, there are 5000 that are driving around the roads in original factory spec.
 

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hi

zerocoolastra. guess you r right. u do give wise comment. guess im in no position to give my personal experience to others. my bad

to TS. do heed zerocoolastra comment.

Cheers mates
Shaz
 

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Actually I'm in a similar position as the TS. I wanted another entry DSLR that's affordable, small & light. Wanted the D40 but it was sold out @ the IT fair, am looking @ the D60 but then I realised that they need AFS lenses & I have quite a few D & even manual lenses....

Actually I was enjoying my ex-D80+18-200 more. I sold it thinking the D700 is better, it is better but too intelligent for me & if you can't set it right, you'll mess up everything..... well, I'm just a lousy photographer.

I might just get a used d80 again. The D90 does look tempting but then the weight & size....
 

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Actually I'm in a similar position as the TS. I wanted another entry DSLR that's affordable, small & light. Wanted the D40 but it was sold out @ the IT fair, am looking @ the D60 but then I realised that they need AFS lenses & I have quite a few D & even manual lenses....

Actually I was enjoying my ex-D80+18-200 more. I sold it thinking the D700 is better, it is better but too intelligent for me & if you can't set it right, you'll mess up everything..... well, I'm just a lousy photographer.

I might just get a used d80 again. The D90 does look tempting but then the weight & size....
D700 has P-mode which work well for most situation and with the Auto-ISO.
It will gives you a better picture then D80/90. :)
 

The point of the D60 is that it's an ENTRY-LEVEL camera, targetted at beginners to DSLR usage.
Thus Nikon's marketing "geniuses" predicted that most D40/D60 users would simply use the supplied kit lens, or buy the additional AF-S 55-200 lens to complete their set.
Yes, it's limited by it's lack of a focusing motor, but for its intended market, it serves its purpose.
Your point is like saying the Toyota Corolla is not a good car because it doesn't have a 3.5L twin turbo engine that can be used for racing. It's a good car for its intended market segment.

chill chill. dont compare cars here. we are all here to give our own opinion. its up to the thread starter to accept.

the main point we are just giving advice on both d60 and d90. both good however it has it limitations.

first things first, Nikon Dxx series is for entry level photog. Dxxx for semi pro and Dx is for pro. ok?

On the d60. its true what u say, d60 users with kit lens do produce better images then those using high grade cameras. I seen it myself. All means buy the D60 if you just want to try.Its true that the geniuses at Nikon predicted that consumers would simply use the kit lens. I nv doubt that. but we nv know what their business intentions.

we here as friend would want to give advice and experience for those who had used D60 before and give it to the thread starter. Its just basically to his own choice. A D60 do not have an in built motor so lens choice is lesser. D90 has a built in motor so, more variety. So if there is no intention to upgrade, ok lah no need to think abt lens. but what if he decides to upgrade? invest more on AFS?
 

Actually I'm in a similar position as the TS. I wanted another entry DSLR that's affordable, small & light. Wanted the D40 but it was sold out @ the IT fair, am looking @ the D60 but then I realised that they need AFS lenses & I have quite a few D & even manual lenses....

Actually I was enjoying my ex-D80+18-200 more. I sold it thinking the D700 is better, it is better but too intelligent for me & if you can't set it right, you'll mess up everything..... well, I'm just a lousy photographer.

I might just get a used d80 again. The D90 does look tempting but then the weight & size....

get d90 or d300 then. this 2 not bad.
 

D90 for the win!

BTW, lets not bash around here . firstly we must see what is the intention of getting a dslr. if the person is seriously in this photography line, they would think properly and invest properly too.

Yes its true that there are people who take nice shots with the most simplest and basic stuff (d40/40x/60 included) but most would prefer the better bodies for manual as well as more advanced settings not found on the entry level dslrs.

the d40/40x/60 was meant to be for beginners. it's quite idiot proof and the twin kit lens is basically enough for consumers who use PnS to migrate easily. why? We are so used to having 3X or 5X or 10X optical zoom. the twin lens "offer" that alternative. it was meant to be marketed such that " Hey, dslrs aint so hard after all. I still get my XX zoom , though i just need to change lens only."

and soon, these consumers would get tired of having to change lens, thats where the 18-200 comes in.. and consumers would then get it . Then they will discover the body limitations when they talk to their "photographer or more knowledgable friends" who will recommend a body upgrade and then they will get a newer body to try out etc.

Thats how Nikon makes money. That's how its operated in the business world. Its up to individuals HOW and WHICH path they want to go. ..
 

cool it my fellow member...... i hv been reading this forum (mainly Nikon) for awhile den decided to register as a member... i hv most likely decided to get a D90 in a couple of months time... but before i get my very first DSLR.. there alot to learn about basic Photography... ...Q to all Basic entry level user on D90 wat are the basic len to get... ie normal len... wide angle len and macro Len(do we really need it)... my compact digital Camera got opt to choose macro mode... does normal len able us to soot close up...
 

cool it my fellow member...... i hv been reading this forum (mainly Nikon) for awhile den decided to register as a member... i hv most likely decided to get a D90 in a couple of months time... but before i get my very first DSLR.. there alot to learn about basic Photography... ...Q to all Basic entry level user on D90 wat are the basic len to get... ie normal len... wide angle len and macro Len(do we really need it)... my compact digital Camera got opt to choose macro mode... does normal len able us to soot close up...

it depends what you want to shoot. dslr lens have thier special abilities to capture what you want. thats the beauty of it.

Sports for example, you end up using AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED orAF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED as you need the distance and the speed to capture the fast motion

Landscape you would likely use like Sigma 10-20 or nikkor 12-24 to try to get a wider view of the landscape.

Marco lens usually allows you to focus the subject at a closer range.

what else? hm..:dunno:
 

Ok all is cool... :) No problems!

I was just trying to make my point that there ARE a number of D40/D60 users who have been using their cam for over a year now, and still see no reason to upgrade.
So it's not wise to IMMEDIATELY dismiss the D60 as though it isn't even part of Nikon's line-up.

If a newbie were to ask me:
"hey, what Nikon DSLR would you recommend? I'm a beginner to photography, though I have some older AF Nikon lenses from my dad at home that perhaps I could use."
Straight away my answer would be "Can try to go for a D90 body if you can afford, if not then get the D80 or D70 or D50"

Different strokes for different folks.
 

Actually I'm in a similar position as the TS. I wanted another entry DSLR that's affordable, small & light. Wanted the D40 but it was sold out @ the IT fair, am looking @ the D60 but then I realised that they need AFS lenses & I have quite a few D & even manual lenses....

Actually I was enjoying my ex-D80+18-200 more. I sold it thinking the D700 is better, it is better but too intelligent for me & if you can't set it right, you'll mess up everything..... well, I'm just a lousy photographer.

I might just get a used d80 again. The D90 does look tempting but then the weight & size....

You selling your D700???? ;p

actually D80 body vs D90 body.... There isn't much weight difference. Seems like there's a huge performance difference though!
 

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chill chill. dont compare cars here. we are all here to give our own opinion. its up to the thread starter to accept.

the main point we are just giving advice on both d60 and d90. both good however it has it limitations.

first things first, Nikon Dxx series is for entry level photog. Dxxx for semi pro and Dx is for pro. ok?

On the d60. its true what u say, d60 users with kit lens do produce better images then those using high grade cameras. I seen it myself. All means buy the D60 if you just want to try.Its true that the geniuses at Nikon predicted that consumers would simply use the kit lens. I nv doubt that. but we nv know what their business intentions.

we here as friend would want to give advice and experience for those who had used D60 before and give it to the thread starter. Its just basically to his own choice. A D60 do not have an in built motor so lens choice is lesser. D90 has a built in motor so, more variety. So if there is no intention to upgrade, ok lah no need to think abt lens. but what if he decides to upgrade? invest more on AFS?
hi TS,

yes. i agree with the above clubsnapper post, we are not immediately dismissing D60 in anyway. we are just giving our point of view from a ex D60 user. in other words. our personal experience. So to bro TS. as u would know buying a camera is an like getting an investment. so do advise your friend wisely and accordingly.

Cheers TS
Shaz
 

I'm sure many ppl has different opinions or experiences to share with noobs or new into photography...

I am getting 1 of my own soon, and i have my own dilemma - to get D60 or D90....

i'm new into photography, thus many things i need to learn from scratch...

Financially, i can afford D60.. i have to eat bread and drink plain water for a long while if i were to get D90..

I have a friend who told me "get the D60 first, and learn the basics using this, then you know wht you want, and can upgrade accordingly - if you use D90 so soon, you wun know wht you really need."

Thus i guess i'll get D60... :)
 

I believe it all matters on what kind of interest will the user be. I am very new to photography and I've been using Nikon D40 for nearly 8 months now and at the moment I have no intention in upgrading to a newer or better version of DSLR, as my likings are not that extreme as a photography hobbyist but a simple person taking meaningful pictures thus, I really like my D40 the way it is (don't see the problem about it yet) and the only matter is -how much passion you put yourself into this photography line.

I have a friend paying $1400 over a DSLR just because someone told her is good and more versatile than any other models/brands but sadly, she didn't bother to learn or to gain any knowledge on her own gadget. Wasteful don't you think.

You know yourself on what you want exactly and as advised by the members here about getting a D90, why not if you have the money or else D40/D60 will do just fine for it. :)
 

I believe it all matters on what kind of interest will the user be. I am very new to photography and I've been using Nikon D40 for nearly 8 months now and at the moment I have no intention in upgrading to a newer or better version of DSLR, as my likings are not that extreme as a photography hobbyist but a simple person taking meaningful pictures thus, I really like my D40 the way it is (don't see the problem about it yet) and the only matter is -how much passion you put yourself into this photography line.

I have a friend paying $1400 over a DSLR just because someone told her is good and more versatile than any other models/brands but sadly, she didn't bother to learn or to gain any knowledge on her own gadget. Wasteful don't you think.

You know yourself on what you want exactly and as advised by the members here about getting a D90, why not if you have the money or else D40/D60 will do just fine for it. :)
hi,

again i agree with the above clubsnapper post. like what she said. it is up to the user itself. the user creativity,skills and techniques makes the photo a winning photo rather than the equipment.

you can use all the latest tech. but if u cant fully maximise the potential of tech. then it defeats the purpose to get the latest tech.

Cheers
Shaz
 

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