Volk350

iTrader: (3)

i just purchased a nikon D60 today with the stock 18-55mm VR lens on it....was wondering when it comes to you guys that already have the cameras and the experience, which wide angle lens, fish eye lens, and zoom telephotos are the best(id like to purchase one of everyone of those type of lenses eventually)? i have been researching all day and found a couple lenses i like, but wanted to see first if anyone had any first hand experience with theres that might be able to help me out...i really want a something like a 70-300mm lens...found one made my phoenix...but never heard of them...let me know ..thanks

ps...i take alot of photos of nature, cars, models, and family portraits are a very important things too...thanks

gr?

Return it and buy a Canon. j/k lol

Practice with the lens you have now before investing too much $$ right away. Once you learn a bit more, then start looking at better gear.

I'm not familiar with the Nikon glass, but Tokina makes several ultra wide angle zooms (12-24, 11-16); Sigma also has a 10-20. Between the two, I prefer the Tokina 12-24 - better value for the money.

As far as tele zoom, stick with either the Nikon 70-200 2.8 or Sigma 70-200 2.8. They're $800+ but worth every penny. Most of the less expensive tele zooms are very soft, poor AF, and have small apertures at the longer focal length. You'll end up regretting your purchase down the road.

Nismo370z

+1 on return it and get a canon.

Right now, you can get a canon xsi (18-55 lens) + 50-250 mm lens for $755 from amazon
How much did you pay for d60?

kaminariZ

iTrader: (3)

Nikon is an amazing camera!! don't return it.

cheshirecat79

iTrader: (9)

The D60 is a great camera, but I'm personally a Canon person.

How much do you know about actual photography? It's kind of hard to point you in the right direction if we don't know your level of experience.

Volk350

iTrader: (3)

im not a professional but im not a complete newb...did the whole photography thing in high school, almost 5 years later, and just now got to the point where i want to turn it into a hobby again...plus taking pics for the family are better then having to go take picutres every year at 600 dollars...did it once and i will never do it again ( professional pictures came with frames too) but anyway....yea...i did research quite a bit on this camera, and honestly it came down to what i trust and have had in the family before, so i went with the nikon, canons are very nice cameras but im a beginner, so i dont think i will notice the difference between them until i get good , and know how to operate and tweak the cameras to its fullest....my cousin in law is a model for cutie court, so i take pictures of all her and her model frineds alot, on cars, by themselves, and the cars alone...scenery, animals...basically everything ( small hobby turning into a big one) anyway...bought the camera for $612 for the D60, the 18-55mm VR lens kit, and a 4 gig memory card...so not the most expensive, but not the least ....entry level

Nismo370z

Amazon has it for $550 w/o tax.

Xsi is a better camera compared to D60 IMO and it's for beginner too. Like I said, paying 600 for the camera + paying 150-200 for the lense, you r better off taking advantage of current discount being offered by canon (camera + 50-250 mm lense for 755)

darnelled

iTrader: (1)

Nikon vs. Canon debate is over (both make great cameras, it's a matter of your preference). He bought the Nikon and want advice.

Take a couple of hours to thoroughly read the owner's manual. Use the camera's features as you go. The do it again and again until you are familiar with all of the buttons, menus and various functions. Otherwise you'll keep it fully automatic mode and miss out on 99% of the features.

I have a 18-105mm lense that I keep on at all times and is about all I've needed. Buy some filters to protect your lense and I'd recommend an extended warranty. I bought a 4year warranty on Amazon.com and have used it twice (right after the regular warranty ran out of course).

jubes

iTrader: (22)

From a Nikon owner to another...

Phoenix is crap, which I believe you're looking at the white telephoto lens that they market... I think that stuff is only used for surveillance by law enforcement and stuff where they don't really need quality.

You're pictures will come out with quality when you utilize a quality type lens. Nikkor (which is basically Nikon) is obviously going to be your top pick in quality, but Sigma, Tokina and Tamron make decent lenses also.

I can't remember correctly (but correct me if I'm wrong), but d60's do not require motorized auto focus lenses, which gives you a larger quantity in options of lenses versus a d40 because you have the motor built into the camera, where the d40 requires a motorized lens to use the AF.

Volk350

iTrader: (3)

yea jubes i think your right on the motorized rule with the d60 VS the d40...im not worried about buying packages with different lenses because i dont know what type of lenses i would prefer yet so packages arent really a big deal, and for 620 bucks i got a 2 year no questions asked warranty and a 4GB memory card, so i did pretty well for now, and yea, as far as lenses i for sure dont want to go cheap and regret it later on, another lens i was looking at was the nikon 70-300mm....its not a VR but its got great zoom to go along with the other stock lens i have...anyone have thoughts on that lens and going with a VR lens VS not going with a VR lens? and yes i want to protect my lenses, are you talking about like UV filter lenses?

boardjnky4

iTrader: (4)

I have a 70-300mm with VR

It is a serious business lens. Have you ever used a 300m lens without VR. If you shake even a little bit you're pictures will be blurry as hell.

I would not get VR on EVERY lens I buy, but you will definitely want it on that one.

The canon/nikon argument is RETARDED. They both have the POTENTIAL to take award winning pictures. Whatever your preference is, is up to you.

Volk350

iTrader: (3)

yea i would think with those type of distances the 70-300 without VR is like trying to zoom in on something with your 2000x zoom camcorder...no matter how still you are, it still shakes....unfortunately that lens you have is like 700 dollars lol...so i might just opt for a mega wide or fisheye lens first, then get that one later on, and yea canon nikon, i think a good photographer if he or she knows what they are doing they can take amazing photos that most people would think are from 5000 dollar cameras

jubes

iTrader: (22)

I have a Tokina 70-300mm lens and I have to use a tripod in order to use that lens... going in distance, you'll want to use a tripod or monopod even with VR.

gr?

A tripod or monopod isn't needed at 300mm with sufficient lighting. The rule of thumb is to keep the shutter speed at 1/focal length without VR. On a sunny day, getting shutter speeds of ~ 1/500 is not a problem, even with a CPL or ND.

I've handheld down to 1/15 at 200mm with IS (Canon's VR version). IS/VR is generally good for 2-3 stops of light, though.

Volk350

iTrader: (3)

hmm...so from what your saying, i could get the 70-300mm Nikon lens thats a non VR...and i could prob have just as good turn out of photos if i use a tripod...and possibly decent ones by hand in the lower range MM....?

Volk350

iTrader: (3)

couple pictures of my dog and the daughter and a random shot i took real quick with the D60 and all these pictures are on auto by the way, i havnt learned the controls yet so i havnt tried anything

candyman7

iTrader: (2)

i have this camera and i love it. looks good watch the focus and try taking photos without the flash and use the natural light

boardjnky4

iTrader: (4)

yeah, a tripod or a sunny day should be ok for ya without VR. In low light conditions though, forget about large focal lenths. I know it's expensive, but it's an awesome lens.

simonfencer

I'd definitely recommend a tripod, and if you get one don't skimp on it, as like good lenses, they last forever.

You mentioned liking Nature photography, any specific types like birding, wildlife or macro?