Purchase Help

[LeeQueBee]

Hi there,
I am new to your forum and have had fun and learned lots by checking out the forum and thought I would post a question.

I am currently the happy owner of a D70s, but have a friend who is keen to buy it from me as I mentioned that I was considering upgrading. I am looking at the D80 and my question is what do members here think would be a good kit. I was initially thinking of a 18-200mm VR lens, but it makes it more expensive than I initially intended on spending, there is currently a kit which comes with an 18-135mm lens, but I really wanted a VR.

Can I please get some thoughts or advice, I'd really appreciate it.


Many thanks
Lee

[ELAY]

The 55-200 VR is a consumer lens, but pretty good for that, and a good deal at $220 or thereabouts. You would be without a lens at the short end (unless you have something already?), but you could combine it with the 17-55, and you would be set up for a while.

If you don't have an investment in AF lenses, and if you aren't planning to use a lot of primes (no AF-S primes yet...), you could look at the D40 or the D40x (if you want 10mp) as well. Image quality-wise it will be an upgrade from your D70 (same sensor as the D80), though you are losing the top LCD, the internal AF motor and a couple of other things. Depending on what kind of photography you do and what kind of photographer you are, this might not entail any real element of compromise.

If you drop down to the D40 range, and throw in the cost of a lens or two you were going to have to buy for your D80, and maybe the 18-200 falls into your budget range.

EL

[LeeQueBee]

Thanks for the reply, I am still researching, and there is so much info out there!

Appreciate your advice

Lee