 BetterPhoto Member |
Nikon D50 vs D80 I'm considering upgrading from my Nikon D50 to a D80. Has anyone else done so and were you happy with your decision? Thanks.
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Kimberly C. Lewis |
I'm thinking about doing the same thing. I am very upset to see that Nikon does not even make my D50 anymore. I feel like I got beat buying the camera.
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John P. Sandstedt |
You both got trapped and it's your own fault. You didn't read any of the reviews in the major magazines or even the reviews in PB. Manufacturers need to sell - they need to upgrade - they need to entice buyers and you took the bait. I bought the Canon 30D against the recommendation of a friend who owns a 20D. I just happen to use the spot meter a lot. When my son expressed interest in buying a DSLR, I recommended the 30D knowing full well that the 40D was very close to introduction. Frankly, every new "introduction" must be viewed with regard to need. No one NEEDS more than 6 MP; no one NEEDS most of the great features offered in today's DSLRs. To go from from the D50 to the D80 makes no sense to me. Jump all the way to the D200 or forget it.
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Kimberly C. Lewis |
Well put ;-)
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BetterPhoto Member |
John, why would you say I got "trapped" or "took the bait"? And how do you know I didn't read reviews. I read as many reviews as I could find for cameras in that price range and I purposely chose the D50. I'm not complaining about the camera. It's a fine camera for the price. I'm just considering going to something a little better with a little newer technology without going broke. The decision to purchase the D50 was mine and it was an educated decision that I do not regret.
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John P. Sandstedt |
The TRAP is that you're even considering the D80. Check out some lesser known publications like "Photoshop CS2 for Dummies," in which the author despoils the need for anything in a DSLR greater than 6 MP. You've been hoodwinked and, unless your not concerned with cash flow, you really don't need to upgrade. That's my point. Oh and if, in fact, you have a cash flow issue such that price range was important at the time, it probably is now. Learn to use what you have - exhaust its possibilities before you waste any more money on a camera body. The D50 probably has more capability than anyone needs, though I'm a Canon and not a Nikon user. Remember it's not the camera, it's the photographer what makes the great picture.
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BetterPhoto Member |
You chip in the extra 600 bucks or so and I'll skip the D80 and go for the D200. :)
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John P. Sandstedt |
Either you can't read or don't choose to - I actually said YOU DON"T NEED TO UPGRADE. Take a look at your pictures versus those in, say, the PSA website [Photographic Society of America.] If you think yours measure up, you DON'T need to upgrade your camera body. If they don't, it's probably not the fault of the camera. If you can't afford to go all the way, why short-change your current situation in the first place? I grow increasingly despondent with folks like you who think the camera makes the image.
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BetterPhoto Member |
Thanks for your input, John. If there is anyone out there who would like to respond to the ORIGINAL QUESTION, feel free.
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Pete H |
Hello Patrick, Exasperating; isn't it? I think by the lack of specific answers to your question, IS an answer in itself. It appears few have "moved" from a D50 to the D 80. Notice I didn't say upgrade. The word itself might need more definition. You may not like John's responses, but they are pretty much on track. Lacking skills in diplomacy should not discount one's opinion. Often the answer we WANT is not always the right answer. It sounds to me you are seeking "justification" to buy a new camera. If I'm wrong, well I'm wrong. Many responders to questions like this (myself included) see the underlying root of the question. No; we are not psychologists; but we have seen this type of question many times. Generally this question is really "will a new camera make my photos better?" You may not like that; but it is probably 95% of the time true. Real answer? Upgrade? If improved feature sets is what you desire, then the D 200 is for you..or the D2Xs if you have the bank acct to support that.
Pete
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BetterPhoto Member |
Thank you Pete, for the civilized response to my question. Perhaps I should have said that I was considering "moving" from the D50 to the D80 instead of saying "upgrading". I realize there isn't a lot of difference between the two cameras, but there are some features of the D80 that I like. Examples.... D80 can go as low as ISO 100 where the D50 can only go to 200. The viewfinder is larger and brighter and the display screen on the back is larger than the D50. There are more megapixels on the D80, even though I already knew that beyond 5 or 6 there won't be much of a difference. And since my budget is pretty tight and money is hard to come by, the D80 is quite a bit easier on the pocketbook than the D200. I can't even afford to dream about the D2X. LOL Thanks again for your input. I appreciate it.
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Giordano |
John, I'm curious. Why you say "No one NEEDS more than 6 MP"? Gio
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John P. Sandstedt |
Gio - At one point in time, National Geographic refused digital images. Then, of course, reality and "The Times" set in and NG began to use digital images in their various publications. At that time, the largest chips were, perhaps, 3 MP. Some really great pictures were produced and published. Times changed as did the size of chips [the sensors.] Cameras have grown to the ~20 MP of the Canon 1Ds Mark II [III?] Most of the manufacturers produce an DSLR at the 10 MP stage [almost standardizing as it were.] But, in many cmaera reviews you can fine statements like, "...the 10 MP sensor is not a significant improvement over the 8 MP chip it replaces." In the current issue of either Pop Photo or Shutterbug, there's a long article on "pixel packing." Reviews of cmameras like the Pentax K100D provide raves about the images produce [6 MP.] I quoted the author of Photoshop CS2 regarding not needing more than 6 MP above. I've made 13X19 prints from an image shot with a 3 MP Minolta Dimage 1. I've made them from images shot with my Canon 30D with 8.2 MP sensor. In general, it's very hard to see a difference. It's true that there have been technical improvements to sensors and, maybe, some person with a very expensive magnifying glass might be able to see a difference. But, if a shooter is focused on placing images on a web page or sending e-mail with photo attachments, s/he really doesn't need a sensor larger than 6 MP. And, since the bulk of us amateurs and advanced amateurs are using inkjet printers and making 8.5X11 prints, we really doesn't need the larger sensor either. The folks that NEED the larger chips are the camera manufacturers . . .
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Giordano |
Thanks. Gio
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Pete H |
"Examples.... D80 can go as low as ISO 100 where the D50 can only go to 200. The viewfinder is larger and brighter and the display screen on the back is larger than the D50. There are more megapixels on the D80, even though I already knew that beyond 5 or 6 there won't be much of a difference." OK..Let's tackle these one at a time. 1) ISO 100 Vs ISO 200 I still have my D70..great shooter in my opinion. It is a 6 MP cam w/ iso 200. 2) View Finder Size: Well; I'm not sure about other people, but I do NOT use my view finder as a guide insofar as color accuracy, exposure or focus. Every so often I will look at the histogram, and even then I question the accuracy. So a larger viewfinder may be ok if you need to show others the shot you just took, but in a real world setting, I don't think it should be a deciding factor in choosing a new camera. Never had one on my old F-5. LOL 3) 6mp Vs 8mp: This question has been beaten into the ground. Once and for all; there is NOT..NOT enough difference to have any "REAL" visible effect on quality. Period! The math alone justifies this statement. Going to 12mp? Sure..Now you DO have a real increase in resolution and color accuracy..a "noticeable" increase. On a positive note; the D-200 should soon be coming down in price with the introduction of the D-300. I've already seen them for $1,200-$1,300 new! This should be your next logical step if you desire a camera that operates seemlessly with the photographer. Are the images that much better than the D-70, D-80 or even the D-40? Nope! So why get one;right? My best advice? Save your dollars for a little while longer..The D-200 isn't really that much more than the D-80..and with the price beginning to plummet; it is a bargain! I've said this many times.."Tiger Woods would destroy me on the golf course on his worst day with a set of $100 K-Mart clubs. I paid over $1,000 for my clubs. Go figure. LOL All the best, Pete
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BetterPhoto Member |
Thanks for your thoughts and input, Pete. Just to set the record straight, the viewfinder is where you look to compose the picture... not the screen on the back of the camera. :)
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Pete H |
Ummm..Yep..LOL Typo. ;)
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Oliver Anderson |
there is someone interested in selling a d200 above you...for a great deal.
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Kimberly C. Lewis |
List your price! ;-)
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BetterPhoto Member |
Kimberly, its in this thread: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=30673 Personally, I would never purchase a used camera from someone I don't know. That's my personal view on the matter. :)
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Oliver Anderson |
I've bought 2 Canon 1Ds MarkII used and they're great! One had only 700 photos taken (confirmed by friends at Canon Irvine)...there are some great deals out there. I did meet and exchange cash/camera gear in person. Thinking of buying a 40D today off Craigslist after I test one at the camera store. The one thing about buying High Quality camera gear is that the equipment is usually well taken care of.
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BetterPhoto Member |
Glad you made some great deals, Oliver. It is possible. And you are right when you say that high quality camera gear is usually well taken care of. I know mine is. I "baby" whatever equipment I have!! LOL
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Oliver Anderson |
If I treated my GF the same way they'd never break up with me....thank God I've got my priorities straight.
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BetterPhoto Member |
LOL
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Robert Valenzuela |
hi kimberly wellmy advise if your going to get a new camera wait and get the d200 it is a great camera and its true the camera doesnt make the pictur your eye does but it does help to have a good camera or even the d40x thats why I kept my rangefinders lol:)
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Bernard |
who am I... where am I... why am I... Op! it didn't work, I couldn't remove my name!
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