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Whoa...I don't know if it would be a good idea to jump right into something like the D300 right away.
Yes, that worries me a bit as well. What I would hate to do, OTOH, is get her a D80 to start and then later regret not spending the extra $ to go all the way to the top of the heap (or at least pretty close to the top!).
Yes, that worries me a bit as well. What I would hate to do, OTOH, is get her a D80 to start and then later regret not spending the extra $ to go all the way to the top of the heap (or at least pretty close to the top!).
Even the D80.
I think she may have more fun with an all-manual film camera, at least I do.
If you want to start her in digital, I'd go with the D40. Ken Rockwell has said that he really only uses the D40 and D300 (or something along those lines).
Headphoneus Supremus: Videographus Supremus: Makes audio cables using super-advanced materials, like "some clear tape" and "some not so clear tape."
I'd get D80 or used D200 and various lenses. But it depends what kind of situations and photography she's into so you should find out. I like D300 because it's more rugged, better ISO, lens tweaking, and live view but unless you need those, it makes no sense to get.
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lan's Head-Fi International Meet 2008 "CanJam" High Definition Videos! are here
lan's Head-Fi Meet 2007.Nov.10 High Definition Videos! are here
lan's Head-Fi International Meet 2006 High Definition Videos! are here
My advice to you:
- Use your own ears as everybody's hearing and preferences are different.
- Try to audition as much equipment as possible to find your sound.
- Buy used to save money.
My wife wants to get deeper into photography, to go beyond her decent point and shoot. She's got a good eye for composition and is super motivated to learn. I am thinking of getting her a D300 ...the 18-200 seems a logical choice.
You should find out how she feels about the weight of a camera. The feel of the camera can make a big difference to women. A D300 with an 18-200 might feel solid to a man, but it might be like carrying around a brick for a woman. I would suggest getting a D40 and a smaller lens to start, and then get an 18-200 if she expresses interest in it.
Money is best spent on glass. The differences in different models of camera bodies is more a matter of build quality (read weight) and some features she might not even use. The only one I can think of between the D300 and D40 is the live view.
A D300 and good lens........ I see money is not much of an object for you.
In that case, there really is no reason to get anything short of the D300 (assuming she likes the feel and weight of it). For all those saying start simple........ nah........ jump right into it and have the most flexibility. It'll pay off.
It's great when you don't have to go through menus to change certain functions, all you do is flip a switch.
Ok, as for lens.
17-55 is more on the wide side. It would be tough to get a tight closeup of a person when you are far away. The 'people' zoom lens is the 24-70mm, or older 28-70mm. Sadly, neither of these have VR, but they are beautiful lenses.
On the other hand, like you mention, you can consider the 18-200VR for a fraction of the cost. The pluses? It's smaller, lighter, more inconspicuous, does have VR, has a wider zoom range. The cons? It's not Full frame (though that doesn't matter on any nikon digital except the D3), aperture not as fast as the 24-70mm, images perhaps not as crisp, but close.
I'd start off with the 18-200. The added flexibility of the zoom range is a big help, especially when first learning the shots one can get on the SLR. The smaller size and weight are also a great thing. That and a D300, golden!
You asked about aperture speed vs. VR. If you are taking pics of moving subjects, VR does not help! VR is good for static images. For serious people pictures, the faster aperture is preferred.
If she plans on taking a lot of indoor pictures, consider one of the SB speed lights soon. Much better than the built in flash, and it opens up the option of bouncing the flash.
Boy, what a valentines day gift! It'll be a wonderful camera that she'll enjoy immensely.
i recently purchased a D40 for my girlfriend as a christmas gift and she loves the camera. in the past, she has done some point and shoot photography but the camera held her back.
now with the D40, she's starting off slowly and mainly using the P setting. i think if i had purchased something like the D300 for her, all of the functions that would be convenient for seasoned photography enthusiasts, would intimidate her.
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A D300 and good lens........ I see money is not much of an object for you.
In that case, there really is no reason to get anything short of the D300
Boy, what a valentines day gift! It'll be a wonderful camera that she'll enjoy immensely. Keep us posted on how it goes.
Money is always an issue, but she has been so unfailingly supportive of my audio addiction, I felt it was about time to pony up with something truly special just for her.
Present thinking is that I will get the 18-200 and, either immediately or after, get the 50mm or 85mm prime lens, probably the 1.8 (not 1.4). That way, she can have the best of both worlds. Great indoor, low-light portraits of kids and dogs, uber flexible 18-200 for everything else.
I'm even planning to enroll her in an upcoming 8 hour workshop on the D300 put on by the folks at nikonians later this month.
Headphoneus Supremus: Videographus Supremus: Makes audio cables using super-advanced materials, like "some clear tape" and "some not so clear tape."
If you truly want a do it all camera, the D300 is an excellent option! I'm not really that excited about the 18-200VR but it'll at least show you what range you like to use the most on the camera and plan the next lens upgrade.
__________________
lan's Head-Fi International Meet 2008 "CanJam" High Definition Videos! are here
lan's Head-Fi Meet 2007.Nov.10 High Definition Videos! are here
lan's Head-Fi International Meet 2006 High Definition Videos! are here
My advice to you:
- Use your own ears as everybody's hearing and preferences are different.
- Try to audition as much equipment as possible to find your sound.
- Buy used to save money.
If you truly want a do it all camera, the D300 is an excellent option! I'm not really that excited about the 18-200VR but it'll at least show you what range you like to use the most on the camera and plan the next lens upgrade.
Actually, I am not totally sold on the 18-200 either, but I felt that its versatility and Vibration Reduction might make it a good starting point. I would probably prefer one of the Pro lens, maybe the 17-55 or even the wicked pricey 24 (or is it 28?) - 70.
As you say, we could always upgrade later. Just what the family needs . . . two expensive hobbies
It's not that bad, probably better than you expect. It is bested by nikon's best primes, but not by much.
Just a few examples (sorry 56'ers):
All taken with the 18-200VR and my D50.
Not bad I would say. Again, not quite as crisp as my 50mm fixed..... but very close. They look lovely printed. I've done an 10x15 of the butterfly and really love it! Easily could have gone larger.
Nikon seems to have used a lot of aspherical lens elements on it to try and increase sharpness. It worked. A downside though, is it's hard to get good bokeh. I can't really get a tight DOF with it or very soft bokeh.
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