help me spend $$

[jdear]

Hi all.

Finally might have convinced the better half that I need a DSLR.
I have taken up my 2nd wedding for April, and would love to shoot it on Digital again (again thanks birdy for the loan of your equipment!)

I think I can have around $2500 max to spend. I have 2x 1GB card, 1x 512mb cards, so im more interested in a DSLR body.

I wanted a d200 but my wife asked wouldnt I want a lense also...
so I could buy a D70s + a lense. (24-120 ?)

I already have a F100, 50mm and SB-800.

So which body, and what lense?

getting excited... finally might be able to post something DSLR related!

Jonathan

[wendellt]

i'm getting excited too

perhaps a D70S with a 18-200VR lens
not sure if that combo would blow budget

otherwise D200 and maybe for now use your current F mount lenses on it till you can afford to buy a 24-120VR, although with such a high res camera i doubt that the 24-120 will give justice to the D200

my thoughts

[Glen]

I would say D70s + kit (18-70) as it is modestly priced in a kit and is known good quality where the 18-200 is unknown (and I am guessing wont be that good) or the D200. It depends if you will get a budget refill in the future or not, to buy a lens or two, and if you can work with what you have till then. Do you only have the 50mm? Has that been enough for you till now? If it has, it should be into the future (though you may want a 35mm F2 to give the same perspective).

[gstark]

IIRC, Jonathan, you also have some very nice wide glass.

I'd be looking at the D70s, maybe the kit or 24-120, and perhaps another 1GB CF card.

[jdear]

Do you only have the 50mm? Has that been enough for you till now?

I only have the 50mm in AF, I have a few MF Ais lenses. The 50mm has been good, it has simplified things alot.

One thing I wished I had last wedding was a wider angle than the 50mm I had on the DLSR. Taking photos of the bride in her room etc theres only so far you can move back!

I'd be looking at the D70s, maybe the kit or 24-120, and perhaps another 1GB CF card.

The D70s sounds the most sensible, and put some $$ into some more glass. (although the D200 will work with Ais)

Whats a D70s worth these days with & without the kit lens?

Many thanks for your comments,
Jonathan

[birddog114]

jdear,
If you're going to use the MF or AIS a lot, the D70s won't help you much and you'll shooting blind as guessing shutter speed, apeture etc....
The D70s won't meter with AIS or MF lens.

[Collingwood]

What sort of lenses do you have?
As mentioned above, if you do have a few manual jobs you will run into problems with a D70. The D200 may be the better option in this case. With the older lenses, you will get matrix metering and once a lens has been put into the cameras memory, it stays there.
Will make metering at weddings and switching lenses an easy task without needing to double check settings.
Just hit the wife for some extra cash. I told mine I need between 7-8k for a D200 so I could get all the extras I want. She doesn't know what the body sells for yet. I'll surprise her with this later after the fact I am purchasing has already been firmly decided!

[jdear]

What sort of lenses do you have?

Ais;
nikon nikkor 15mm 1:3.5
nikon zoom-nikkor 100-300mm 1:5.6
nikon zoom-nikkor 28-85mm 1:3.5 - 4.5
nikon zoom-nikkor 35-200 mm 1:3.5 - 4.5
nikon nikkor 20mm 1:2.8

and a recently acquired SB-16B (very impressive Speedlight for its age )

The WA's are lost on a DSLR with the crop factor

I think ill try and have a play with a D200 at a mini meet and see if these lenses give it justice.

MCWB has given me a generous offer on an alternative.

Jonathan

[Heath Bennett]

Grab a D200 (approx $2.3k from Poon?) and a second hand 18-70DX (<$300). Then you can use your AIS lenses with metering.

EDIT - Bjorn likes the 20mm 2.8 on D2x/D200

[Collingwood]

I echo the above. You have quite a useful range of lenses in a useful range of focal lengths. With a D200 you could make full use of them rather than put them into permanent storage.