[Jim]

since I think my camera bag is well and truely gone, Its time to start thinking about replacing my stuff bit by bit.
Stuff that I had:
D50 + nikkor 50mm f1.8 + tamron 17-50 f2.8 + nikkor 70-300.
Now I thought this was a good bit of kit, I was thinking of upgrading the body anyway. The main issues I had were
I wanted a slightly wider lens (about 15mm)
I wanted higher resolution pictures (ie greater than 6.1mp)
I wanted built in wireless flash control
I would like a macro lens for close up photos
I'm really not sure about all the new bodies, isn't there some sort of comatability issue with some of them?
Obviously I don't have a lot to spend and may be buying 2nd hand so a d3x is well out of the question before you start.
What do you lot recomend for replacing?
(obviously want to stick with nikon)

[Paul B]

I wanted built in wireless flash control

From what I understand you'll need to use compatible i.e. Nikon flashes to get the whole benefit of this setup. It looks versatile from what I saw recently but the CLS systems seems to come at a cost.

Alternatively you can get TTL triggers from a company called pixel relatively inexpensively or radio triggers from honkers (RF-602's are the favoured ones) for even less which have a greater range and will allow you to use older (cheaper or older and cheaper) flashes. You can also save even further by using optically slaved units but I'm getting boring now so I'll butt out unless I can be of any (further) use.

D90 looks good from where I'm sat.

[Paul B]

actually maybe the D90 does look very good as this is due to be announced next week and they're going to continue sales of the D90 until the end of the year... Although not doubt the D7000 will tempt you with its 1080 video 

Nikon D7000:

    * 100% viewfinder
    * Dual SD memory card slots
    * Magnesium-alloy body
    * 16.2MP CMOS sensor (DX)
    * Expeed 2
    * 1080 HD video @24p | 720 @30p (not sure about those)
    * 20 min video recording (up from 5min on the D90)
    * Save images from video (similar to the D3s)
    * AF during video
    * Stereo mic input for video
    * 6 fps
    * Virtual horizon (like the D300s)
    * One touch video and/or live view (similar to the D3100)
    * Improved ISO range: 100-25600
    * 39 AF points
    * Wireless flash
    * Weather proof (like the D300s)
    * New battery system
    * Expected price: $1199 for body only
    * Update: no swivel display

[dave]

If you want hassle-free native wireless flash control (i.e. for off-the-cuff family shit) for not $$$$ then get a second hand D80 (or D90 if they are cheap enough). You will then also have to get an SB600 second hand about another £150, but it will be the best ton-fiddy you ever spent.

Or like paul says get a cheap manual flash and some triggers, but it is more faff, and more stuff to carry. Does have some advantages other than cost though, like no preflashes to make a baby's eyes close etc. 

Depending what you want it for, the SB600 might be money better spent, I certainly never regretted getting mine. Also factor in that assuming you manage not to lose your shit again, at resale a looked after SB600 will still be worth what you paid for it, whereas a set of triggers and a no-name flash from honkers will be worth nothing.

For a cheap macro lens look at an old manual focus 55mm nikon, they're all good, plentyful on the second hand market, and give you decent reach on a crop sensor. Could double as a 50mm lens if you don't need the f/1.8 speed. Or a 105mm might be cheap enough too. Or play the quality control lottery with a sigma. A really oddball/cheap suggestion would be a tamron 90mm macro on an adaptall mount.

[Paul B]

or the cheaper D3100s

This is a break down of the main specs/features:

    * continuous AF in video mode/live view (yes, that’s right – it seems that the continuous AF I mention earlier today will first be introduced in the upcoming Nikon D3100)
    * new AF points configuration which should cover a very large portion of the viewfinder. Total of 11 or 12 AF points.
    * 10 MP CMOS sensor
    * HD video: 1080p/24 and 720p 30/24!
    * AVCHD video codec
    * In camera video editing capabilities
    * 3fps (same as D3000)
    * will be sold in a kit with the 18-55mm lens
    * expected announcement in “few weeks”
    * no swivel display

[NR] rating: 99%

[/qoute]

Dave, you can turn the pre flashes off can't you? I tell you that Mcnally vid really opened up my eyes to the value of CLS, it just looked a million miles quicker/easier dare I say repeatable than full manual.

Nikon SB prices are artificially high due to the Strobist site I believe but what Dave says is certainly true you won't lose anything on it.

[slackline]

Cheapr macro lens (manual focus only) is to get a 50mm f/1.8 and a reversing ring.  Not the best results, but an interim option.

[dave]

That is one option, maximum working distance is gonna be about a foot with that.

Another option is pick up an old 105 or 200mm lens (like a 10mm 2.8 series E) cheap and get hold of one of the nikon 52mm closeup lenses. Or one of the now-very-rare 62mm closeup lense which. You can get very good results with these, even on any old zoom infact.

Or chuck some third party extension tubes behind a 50mm or longer. You can get some with contacts for the lens so if using an AF lens you don't lose metering.

[Paul B]

I tell thee, full time auto focus during video mode has got to be a good thing. Now all they need to do is stick it on as full frame to tap the 5d MKII market.

[Jim]

tbh, I don't really need the built in wireless flash or the macro.
I could really do with a body with better mp than the d50 and a half decent lens to keep me ticking over until I find some wonga for as close to fuck all as possible.
have just re-read all the nikon dslr thread again and would love a d90 but just can't afford it atm

[Paul B]

It looks to me as that in the current lineup they start at 10 ish MP and go up to 24 MP so that'll pretty much be a given.

You could always buy an M42 mount adapter and then pick up an old Macro lense for a total of about 10 fuck-alls. The M42 mounts are well served. For instance this was shot wide open and I think the quality is certainly alright given the money. The focussing is a little bid of a fiddle but for macro work if you're using liveview I can't see it being an issue.

[Jim]

what are peoples thoughts on a d60 if I could get one cheap enough?

[dave]

Be aware that M42 mounts on nikon lose infinity focus for the lens, cos the nikon register is longer than m42 is. Not a problem relaly for macro only, just when you want to use the same lens for general use etc.

D60 should be decent, but it does burn your bridges as far as native wireless flash goes, but if that's not important it should be a winner.

[Paul B]

doesn't it have some AF limitations as well?

(I was only suggesting the M42's as cheapy fiddle with macro lense...)

[Jim]

well I might start bidding on a d60 on ebay with a kit lens to get me going again, if any one see's a good deal or something similar thats also a good deal then holla.
word

[Paul B]

well I might start bidding on a d60 on ebay with a kit lens to get me going again, if any one see's a good deal or something similar thats also a good deal then holla.
word

The D3100 looks like a lot of camera for the money.

[tomtom]

  owning a perfectly fine d5000 that sits between the present d3000 and d90 - This sounds like a good deal... (it was the liveview & vid that sold me on the 5000 instead of the 3000 - and this new one has all this shizzle and more.. arse.)

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/Nikond3100/

[Jim]

well the d3100 looks very tempting, major problem is it isn't released yet which means not only can I not own it now, but it'll be a while before I can get one relatively cheaply second hand and I really need something in the meantime. Might just get a d60 and then upgrade to a d3100 or whatever in a few years.
mmm decisions decisions.....

[slackline]

I upgraded from D50 to D90 earlier this year and am very happy with it.

[Paul B]

well the d3100 looks very tempting, major problem is it isn't released yet which means not only can I not own it now, but it'll be a while before I can get one relatively cheaply second hand and I really need something in the meantime. Might just get a d60 and then upgrade to a d3100 or whatever in a few years.
mmm decisions decisions.....

as someone has duly pointed out, the LCD isn't that great.

[Johnny Brown]

Jim, if you're looking for a bargain go second-hand. What's your budget for the body?

[Jim]

I could probably scrape together a few hundred quid but I need a lens as well. I've still got my 18-55 afs kit lens that came with my d50 but I think the autofocus is fuct (had it fixed a while ago and think it went again) maybe push to 300 clams at a real push but I need a camera in the very near future and seeing as the d3100 isn't released till the end of the month and then waiting till they come onto the second hand market isn't really an option.
The d60 look like a good deal as they are going with the vr kit lens on ebay for around £150-£200 and it certainly is a step up from the d50

[205Chris]

I've got a D60 which I'm pretty happy with but as Paul B suggested the D60 doesn't have an in built focus drive motor which means it can only auto focus with lenses with their own drive motor (AF-S and AF-I lenses).

Depends if this is likely to be a problem for you or not.

[Jim]

not really cos i haven't got any lenses either and all the new nikon dlsr only autofocus with the afs lenses so looks like I'll just be buying afs lenses.
Whats the problem with the lcd Paul?

[Paul B]

Whats the problem with the lcd Paul?

I was referring to the D3100 screen, its fairly poor resolution. Out of interest I went and fondled a D90 today for interest sake and couldn't get on with at all. Maybe it's just because I've had canons for a couple of years but the Nikon menu system seemed like a labyrinth.

[Johnny Brown]

A second hand D60 kit for £150 will be sound for now.

Maybe it's just because I've had canons for a couple of years

Definitely - I find Canon's menus retarded. That Direct Print button is a real boon though.