Tax Cheque part 2

[aussichef]

Thanks too all for replies to tax cheque part 1 lol
I now have a new delema i have my cheque & its for more than my accountant predicted
Now i have a delema of do i get the 70-200vr & the 17-55 dx
or
do i get the D200 & the 70-200vr & sell my d50 on ebay or on here
my d50 is only 7 months old
and how much do you think i could get for it
I know some resposes i'm going to get is too much money not enough cents pun lol
to put things in perspective this will by all accounts be my last major purches for 3 + years so what i do now is it for that period for sure
warren

[Yi-P]

You're boiling me down in envy now


Back to the topic...


It all depends on what you plan to use this setup for.

From what you mentioned, the 70-200 && 17-55 together is the killer combo you might ever need to carry around in your bag, tho, its not light.

On the other hand, the D200 + 70-200 may get you plenty of other functional spaces on D200's features.

I cant decide for your needs. You may need to ask yourself a few questions:

- Is my wide-normal/tele zoom I have at the moment that BAD for my current or planned future use?

- Do I need extra stops for the low light f/2.8 capability? Or the DOF at f/2.8?

- Will I be using all the functions in the D200. Is the 10MP and 5fps + all other extra goodies for what I need?

Your choice of picking YES at #1 goes for a 17-55, picking YES on #3 takes you on a D200

Answering YES on all 3, just buy them all, simple as that.


For myself, I will always go with a better glass first then worry about the body. Some may not agree to me, but what Im saying is that, DSLR bodies are more affected by its age and use proportional to its resell value (depreciation loss). Whereas lens can be kept for long time and retains most of its reselling value if you ever plan to get something else or change your mind.

[gstark]

Warren,

Let's go back to basics for a moment. What do you like to shoot?

What sort of hardware do you need to achieve your goals?

And where is your current hardware cramping your style?


Let's even bring that back one level: what do you currently have, and what, if you sell the D50, would you also sell with that? Putting a more significant spin on that question: what would you keep from your current kit?

Let's work form those base points, and see where it takes us.

[fozzie]

Warren - if you have enough money, I would keep your D50 as a back up and purchase a D200 + Nikkor 70-200VR. Next year with your 'Tax Refund Cheque' get either the AF-S 17-55/2.8G (DX) or AF-S 28-70/2.8D.

[aussichef]

Warren - if you have enough money, I would keep your D50 as a back up and purchase a D200 + Nikkor 70-200VR. Next year with your 'Tax Refund Cheque' get either the AF-S 17-55/2.8G (DX) or AF-S 28-70/2.8D.

Keeping the d50 wont be an option i'm afraid
getting the d200 + 70=-200vr will be @ the extreme of the budget
Getting the 70-200vr & 17-55 dx gives me a cpl of hundred leyway
for the l plate for the vr to ballhead
its a hard decision one i will make in the next 24 hours & want as much input as i can get
warren

[aussichef]

Warren,

Let's go back to basics for a moment. What do you like to shoot?
Garry i like to shoot everything from my grandson to food @ short mm & in some cases low light landscapes & wildlife as well + cityscapes
I also like many members here belong to the zoo sociaty

What sort of hardware do you need to achieve your goals?
I know from borrowing Fozzies vr that i need & want that lens without doubt
Taking pics of my dinningroom @ work the other day i had 2 problems one my kit lens wasnt good in low light & my 50 prime wasnt wide enough 160 seat dinningroom so flash wasnt an option

And where is your current hardware cramping your style?
the 70-200vr is a must i think that goes without saying
weather i need the d200 i honestly am not sure
But seeing this will be my last purches for a few years i dont want to be left undermaned so to speak
i know you & others probably think this bloke has more money than cents lol pun
But working 60 + hours in split shits a week in a kitchen in a country tourist town ,when i enjoy myself which i do with photography i want to enjoy it fully & ihave enjoy the cpl of minimeets i have been able to attend so far & will be on the night shoot in october



Let's even bring that back one level: what do you currently have, and what, if you sell the D50, would you also sell with that? Putting a more significant spin on that question: what would you keep from your current kit?

Let's work form those base points, and see where it takes us.

[Oscar]

Does the 70-200VR have a moveable tripod collar like the 80-400? Does the ballhead you use have a position to allow the camera to be tilted into the portrait position? If so you may not really require the L plate.

I am envious of your choices which ever way you go!
Cheers, Mick

[aussichef]

Does the 70-200VR have a moveable tripod collar like the 80-400? Does the ballhead you use have a position to allow the camera to be tilted into the portrait position? If so you may not really require the L plate.

I am envious of your choices which ever way you go!
Cheers, Mick

I havent got the lens yet lol so i dont know i am putting the cheque in the bank in the morning so will place my order then
hence wanting advice tonight
warren

[Yi-P]

You will be able to remove the tripod collar 'legs' from the 70-200, and the tripod collar itself, is over 10x times better than the ones featured in the 80-400 without doubt. It can be rotated 360degrees for any purpose.

[gstark]

Warren,

Garry i like to shoot everything from my grandson to food @ short mm & in some cases low light landscapes & wildlife as well + cityscapes
I also like many members here belong to the zoo sociaty

Ok ...

In a nutshell, you want it all.

Let me throw you a curveball.

Taking pics of my dinningroom @ work the other day i had 2 problems one my kit lens wasnt good in low light & my 50 prime wasnt wide enough 160 seat dinningroom so flash wasnt an option

What sort of tripod do you have?

One way to shoot interiors is to use the same technique that you use for panoramas. Drop the camera onto your 'pod, use your 50mm and begin shooting slices of the room, rotating the camera on the 'pod to permit some overlap.

Use the overlap and stich the images togeter, and there you have it: a beautiful, highly detailed shot of the room, beauifully wide, and perfect for advertising the dining room as the best place in town for a feed.

So, your 50 will work for that, but ...

what about getting ...

D200
70-200VR

sell the D50 with the kit and the 70-300, keep the Nikkor 50 and the Tamron 90.

And perhaps look to getting the 24 2.8 - maybe second hand - to help you with the wider angles?

[Justin]

Sounds like your heart is set on the 70-200VR, so work around that.

However if you are taking dining room shots etc, where's your wide end? Your shortest is 50mm (75mm with crop factor)!

With the D50, a body upgrade is required.

But another spin is to get the D80 with the kit lens to give you the short-medium zoom

-or-

D80 body and a 12-24 (I'd recommend a Tokina which i got for under $600 last week)

[MATT]

If it was me... I wiould go the d200 and the 70-200VR..

But thats me.

Good luck

MATT

[aussichef]

Sounds like your heart is set on the 70-200VR, so work around that.

However if you are taking dining room shots etc, where's your wide end? Your shortest is 50mm (75mm with crop factor)!

With the D50, a body upgrade is required.

But another spin is to get the D80 with the kit lens to give you the short-medium zoom

-or-

D80 body and a 12-24 (I'd recommend a Tokina which i got for under $600 last week)

I was looking @ the d80 but wasnt sure if that was a good way to go or just a sideway step
warren

[Justin]

not from the D50 it isn't...

However... D200 is a big camera - I like the shots I take with it over the D70.

I haven't used a D80, just seen the reviews.

Read up on the D80 and the D200 at dpreview.com

[DStrom]

I was looking @ the d80 but wasnt sure if that was a good way to go or just a sideway step
warren

If you don't need the 5 fps or the weather sealing of the D200 the d80 is a good option, not to mention it uses the same memory as your d50.

otherwise you might want to have a look at <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/garykac/default.aspx">this</a> comparison.

[digitor]

Hi Warren,

I wish I had your problem!

If I did, I would invest in glass - there'll always be another body coming out - but good glass never fades. Which is why I'd not go for the 17-55 DX, but the 17-35 (not a DX lens as you may have spotted) and the 70-200 VR which you obviously have your heart set on!

I agree with you, the D80 wouldn't do you much good, if you must get a body, get the D200, but if it was me, I'd go for the glass.

Cheers

[aussichef]

not from the D50 it isn't...

However... D200 is a big camera - I like the shots I take with it over the D70.

I haven't used a D80, just seen the reviews.

Read up on the D80 and the D200 at dpreview.com

i Have read the reviews on both on dpreview which i am also a member of
i have read more about the d80 than the d200 & i like what i see with the d80
decisions decisions decisions
i dont need 5fps thats for sure 3 is more than enough for me
warren

[aussichef]

Hi Warren,

I wish I had your problem!

If I did, I would invest in glass - there'll always be another body coming out - but good glass never fades. Which is why I'd not go for the 17-55 DX, but the 17-35 (not a DX lens as you may have spotted) and the 70-200 VR which you obviously have your heart set on!

I agree with you, the D80 wouldn't do you much good, if you must get a body, get the D200, but if it was me, I'd go for the glass.

Cheers

Hi Ian
we have to catch up when i come to town with whatever i get lol
I am leanning towards the lenses
I think the 70-200 vr is a must I was even looking @ the sigma 18-50 2.8
I think the d50 will serve me well over the next cpl of years glass is probably the way to go
warren

[Justin]

D200 wasn't about the 5 frames per second for me. The weather seals came in handy when I spilt beer all over it...

It is a big step up from my D70 - awesome range of functions, especially now I have started using the various banks for control.

Oh well I am glad this is a choice I don't have to make!

[Oscar]

The 70-200VR has a rotating tripod collar mount (as Yi-P said) and thus you probably don't need the L plate - that saves you a bit there.

The option Digitor suggests sounds good to me - get the 70-200VR and the 17-35. The 17-35 is also a little cheaper.

As also said there is always another camera coming out shortly and good glass is always a good investment.

[adam]

If I was in your position, I would get the 70-200 VR and 17-55 now
Then wait for next year's tax return before thinking about getting another body. Then perhaps 17-55 on one body, 70-200 VR on the other
but you said that keeping D50 isn't an option? o.

My body is considered entry-level and I've had it for more than 2.5 years, but, it's still working well and does most things I need it too, so my current GASing is on things other than bodies hee-hee

Goodluck! and keep us updated

[aussichef]

I

but you said that keeping D50 isn't an option? o.

M

Sorry what i ment was if i get the d200 i wouldnt be keeping the d50
But i have decided to get the 2 lenses & keep the d50
it does all i need & well i feel compfy with it
haveing better glass is the best option for now
warren

[sky]

It seems that tax cheques are the flavour of the month! Like Warren, I'm up in the air about spending my cheque - it's been burning a hole in my pocket ever since it arrived.
But, because I earmarked it for a Nikon as soon as my accountant told me the grand total I had my heart set on the d70 (as discussed in previous posts).
I was almost ready to put my money on the counter, after months of research for twin lens kit d70s $1899, when the darn d80 pops up and steals my attention.....
Hmm, sacrafice the big lens (Tamron 70-300) and pay a few extra bucks to get the new camera...? I want it for NZ trip in November, so I can buy 30 days before leaving to get the GST rebate at customs, not sure if the camera will be on the shelves then.
Does anyone know what availability is like?

[Pa]

if you have a look in bargin section you'll see it there.you have to be a member i think to bye from this section sky.
cheers pa

[sky]

Thanks Pa, I'll keep looking. I did have a brief look before but couldn't see it in the bargains section. What title is it under...?
I was planning on buying through either Camera house or Diamonds though, coz I want the peace of mind of paying for a 5 year extended warranty - it's my first camera purchase, though it will be tax deducatable at next year's tax time coz I'm a photo journalist (normally just use the work cameras for work, but want one of my own to play with!!)

[Yi-P]

You must become a full qualified member here before having access into the bargains section.

[Glen]

Sky, as Yi-P says you need 50 posts up before you can see it Rest assured it is available in HK right now. I would suggest the D80 and wait for the 70-300, you often see members selling them from $100 upwards when they upgrade to better glass. In Nz most photos would be taken at the wider end anyway for landscapes etc

[sky]

Thanks guys, will be calling Diamonds to get on their reservations list for the d80.
The lady said I can get my deposit back no worries if the camera doesn't arrive before I go to NZ, or if the camera comes in and I don't like it, so that sounds good. If it doens't come in before I go to NZ I'll try Duty free at Melb airport too in the weeks beforehand

[Oscar]

Sky maybe you could look at this site: http://www.hksupplies.com - this is a link to Poons shop and they are highly recommended by forum members. You may save more and then be able to get better glass. You could also purchase an aftermarket warranty (try Mack).

[aussichef]

Ok all
I have ordered thru this site & payed for
Products ordered :
1 each: Nikon 70-200 VR Black @ $ 2020.00 $ 2020.00
1 each: Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC @ $ 600.00 $ 600.00
1 each: Kenko Pro 300 DG 2.0x nikon @ $ 195.00 $ 195.00
Total Amount $ 2815.00
So i think i better take the bride somewhere very nice for our 25th wedding anniveresery in November lol
Now the wait for them to arrive next week
I think thats the hardest part waiting
I have the equipment now i have to justify it by taking some great shots
warren

[PiroStitch]

congrats on the new toys warren. man i wish i could have a tax return like yours

[adam]

Congrats on the new gear Warren! A great selection of gear I'm sure you'll be happy with

[aussichef]

Well
I decided to go for better glass than another body
I havent use the D50 to its fullest yet
Ofcourse now i will have to get a better tripod lol
it never ends
when not cooking i have 3 things i like to do & none of them cheap
sailing ,4x4ing/camping & ofcourse Photography
Cant wait for the night shoot minimeet & pick up some my pointers from our wealth of infomatin & talent we call fellow members
warren

[digitor]

Hmm, the waiting begins! I bet you're looking forward to your anniversary trip in November!

The 70-200 is a legend of course, but I don't know much about the Sigma 18-50 - if it works well, it's a real bargain at 600 bills. I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

Cheers

[DanielA]

Congrats Warren,
Enjoy your new equipment. I look forward to seeing your output.

Daniel