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digital slr Anonymous
Okay /p/, I've finally decided to make the jump to buying a digital SLR. I've done some reading and it seems the lens has more of a factor in the image quality/final product than the actual camera. I've had my eye on the newer Nikon D80 (my cousin has one and I was messing around with it and it seems to be pretty good), but the higher price than other entry-level DSLRs is somewhat unappealing. The D70s and D50 seem to have practically the same features, and I was hoping you guys could help me decide on a camera. I'm mostly into macro photography & nature shots. From what I've read the Nikon DX VR 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6G Zoom lens is a great all-purpose lens that would complement whatever camera body I decide on, but maybe you guys could suggest something in the way of lenses too.
>> a digital slr darkhorse Anonymous
Take a look at the Pentax K10D.
The K10D is well spec'd for a 899 dollar body.
It has the same sensor as the d200 but has 11 point AF with 9 cross sensors (D200 has onecross sensor)
22 bit A/D processing (D200 is like 12 or 14 bit)
also in body Anti-shake, can be used with any lens, big viewfinder and screen
weather sealed too
it's a nice body

The d200 is faster though.

If you don't know already, a wonderful site to find out about cameras in-depth and photography in general is dpreview.com. It should help you tremendously.
>> Anonymous
The K10D seems like a very nice body (probably the best body around for that price), but if you're serious about getting into photography, lenses matter more. There simply isn't as much glass to choose from with a Pentax system.

D70s
+ Best metering out of the three, IMO.
+ Very good kit lens (18-70).
- Small viewfinder.
- In-camera JPG not so hot.

D80
+ Biggest brightest viewfinder.
+ More megapixels.
- Tends to overexpose. Sometimes by a lot.

D50
+ Smaller than the other two
>> Anonymous
>>32216
Your point about pentax is just plain untrue, in fact there is more glass in pentax K-mount avaliable than for any other dslr, because pentax cameras can use older, pre-autofocus lenses, which opens up a world of possibilities for cheap used lenses. I have a K100d, an excellent camera, and recently picked up a 50 f2, 24 f2.8, and 135 f3.5 for a grand total of $130, you have to manual focus, and on the 135, manually meter, but you can't beat that price not to mention pentax's old glass is excellent, even compared to newer lenses.
>> des
>>32220
and sometimes, especially compared to newer lenses :P
The super tak lenses I've used have been amazing in colour, clarity, finish and focus-feel. They're also ridiculous cheap for the ones that aren't rare. If I had more money for toys, I'd seriously consider a K10D.
>> Anonymous
>>32220
My mistake then, I was just looking at AF lenses that can be purchased new.
>> Anonymous
>>32220

True, but the D200 will meter and check focus with AI manual focus lenses too. The D50, 70, and 80 will mount AI lenses but will not meter with them.

The K10D does appear to be a nice camera, though.

The one thing about the Pentax that I don't like so much is the battery life. They report 500 shots per battery under normal conditons, where the D200 is supposed to get around 2000 per battery. I have a D200, and that number does not seem unrealistic to me. When I had a Canon 20D and a Nikon D1x, I always had to carry several spare batteries. With the D200, I've quit carrying a spare since I've never run the battery dead in the course of a day.
>> Anonymous
I highly doubt I'll shell out the cash for a D200. Looking for something cheaper
>> Anonymous
>>32234


That wasn't a problem with the *istD. I loved that I could use AA batts. The move to Lion for the K10D is very nearly a deal killer.
>> Anonymous
The Nikon D80 is glorious.