Nikon D40 with 18-55 & 55-200mm Lens or D60 with 18-55 Lens

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Hi guys, i'm about to take the DSLR plunge within the next 2 months and have yet to make up my mind. It will mainly be used for aviation photography with the odd party pics. My budget really is no more than £380 and i'll doubt i'll ever own a super dooper lens (not until the kids grow up and move out and as they are all under 3 thats a way off lol), so my question is will the 18-55 be fine for aviation pics or do i really need the 55-200mm lens to compliment the 18-55 even though it will be an old camera?

Location : South Yorkshire

Evening Chef_uk,

For static shots of aircraft at airshows or museums for example, the 18-55 will be fine, however for flying aircraft and aircraft at a fair distance you will need a bigger lense like the 55-200 or a 70-300.

I bought a D60 around a year ago with the standard 18-50 VR lense and for an extra £100 Jessops had an offer on for a Tamron 70-300, with both lenses I can do pretty much everything I want to with the camera, whether its for taking photos of aircraft in the air at airshows as well as statics and also when I visit bases like Waddington or Coningsby. I can even get half decent shots sometimes! Roll Eyes

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If your getting a Nikon D60, or even D40, try and get a Tamron 70-300 lense to use with it. I have had some very pleasing results with the Tamron even if it is an entry level lense. If you want any further advice or photos to see what you images you can get with the 70-300, give us a shout, I will be glad to help Smile

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Regards,

Joe

For shots at an airshow, or spotting, the 55 will be quite a long way on the short side. Best thing to do if you could stretch to it, would be to do what Joe describes, and get a 70-300. I'd recommend the Sigma 70-300 APO version (NOT the non APO, that seems to be a bit soft). Its not too expensive and a reasonable lens as well.

If you have no attachment to Nikon, it might be worth having a look at some of the older second hand Canon models (there are more of them) like the 350D or 400D. These are great cameras and the prices just keep getting lower.

My main point is just really to get yourself a 300mm, it'll set you up for pretty much any aviation situation Smile

Ben

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Cheers guys, more to think about hmm. No mention of the 200mm so i guess its a pointless lens for what i want and as you have both said the 300mm will be more suited.

I'm not exclusive to Nikon but my budget is actually due to having to use Argos and their 6 months interest free option. So to that end would i be ok in going for the D60 for £379 over 6 months, then next April go for the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6DG MACR IILens Nikon for £169 with a Nikon bag for £40 thus getting another 6 months interest free or am i veering off track?

Link

http://www.warehouseexpress.com do interest free options... not sure if they have anything in your budget but might be worth a look.

Location : Glasgow

Chef_uk wrote:: I'm not exclusive to Nikon but my budget is actually due to having to use Argos and their 6 months interest free option.

you can't beat link for value & the D60 uses the same sensor supplied by Sony.
Imo the A200 is the better camera anyway.

Pick up a Tamron 70-300mm LD Di for ~£120 from somewhere else ....

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Thats a really tempting price Heidfirst, hadn't realised it was that cheap, could have sworn i saw it for £299 a few weeks ago on there. Hmm another option to consider now lol. Any drawbacks with the Sony that i may come across?

Location : Glasgow

Not really - build quality isn't upto that of higher models (A700 & A900) but neither is the D40/D60.
You get stabilisation in the body, wireless flash ability, built-in vertical grip option over the Nikon & there are more lenses (incl. s/h) that will work fully & AF for it than for the D40/D60 which need ones with in-lens motors.
It also shares the same battery & storage medium with Sony's higher models (iirc as you move up Nikon they switch both) for when you upgrade.

Sony's jpeg engine isn't the best at high ISO but just shoot RAW & post process.

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Thanks, i think i may be sold :)

Would the Sony A 75-300mm lens be as good as the Tamron you mention?

Link

I know its more but as the saving over the Nikon is alot, i would be able to spend this much on the 300mm lens, again it would have to be through argos 6 months jobby.

Location : Glasgow

Chef_uk wrote:: Would the Sony A 75-300mm lens be as good as the Tamron you mention?

they are broadly on a par but you'll be able to find the Tamron a lot cheaper. http://www.parkcameras.com/11880/Tamron-AF-70-300mm-f4-5-6-Di-LD-Macro-1-2-Sony-fit.html?referrer=Froogle&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid11880

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Ok, sold :) Will hopefully pay off the Lawnmower at the end of this month so i should be good to go next weekend :) Will update as and when. Thanks alot, appreciate it.

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Has the A200 been discontinued? Stock seems to be low everywhere and nothing has changed on Argos with regards to updating its status. Am i a month too late?

Location : lincolnshire Spotter Watch Member : no

Hi Chef_uk just had a quick flick around Argos and they have 2 left at Fakenham if you don't mind travelling, It's the nearest i can see to Sleaford.
Hope you get sorted.

Cheer's

Skeggy.

Location : Oxfordshire Spotter Watch Member : no

Quite an interesting topic because I’m looking at getting a Nikon d40 or d60 to upgrade my Sony a200. My reasons are mainly because of the ridiculous focusing issues on this camera. Focus on flying objects with a blue background and a red hawk is near on imposable at speed as well as focusing on static aircraft and even plants and things. Also when it comes down to picture quality it really isn’t the best. I have spoken to a few other Sony a200 uses that also have the same problem. On the plus side the battery life is amazing at nearly 1000 shots per battery

Sorry to put that negative point in.

Mellow

Joe

Location : United Kingdom Spotter Watch Member : No

Flipping hell, mine only cost £244 from Amazon, now it's £385 second hand.

Park Cameras will do the camera & lens for £329 (The Sony Alpha a200 + 18-70mm kit is no longer available. However, you can purchase the Alpha a200 and 18-70mm lens seperately. Simply click here for the body, and here for the lens, and we will discount it to £329.00.)
http://www.parkcameras.com/8572/Sony-Alpha-A200-18-70mm-Lens.html?referrer=googleadword&gclid=CMrn2Jmz1pwCFc0B4wodyDtJIg

Argus are doing a 2 lens offer but you might need to check your local stores stocks: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/catalogId/1500001801/partNumber/0561408.htm

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Skeggy, thank you :) reserved, should hopefully drive out and get it tomorrow afternoon. 124 miles there and back (total).

Joe, it will be my first DSLR so any pitfalls won't really be that much of a neg for me, especially at this price.

Location : Nr Sleaford Spotter Watch Member : No

Woohoo

charging the battery up as we speak (although its a return as it has been taped back up with a new sticker showing its been checked by a member of staff but doesn't seem to have been used).

Left at 2pm and was home by 6:30pm. Wife wasn't all that happy though, main reason was she had to come with me and so too our toddler and twin babies. Unfortunately i hadn't factored in the signature required by the argos card holder, ie my wife Embarassed

As for the 4 hour 30 mins time for a 3 hour 30 mins time was due to the address given on the argos website not coming up on the satnav so i hoped to sort of get near enough to find it Opps

Anyway home now and still charging, just as well cause i have some groveling to do for the foreseeable future.

Thanks again for all your help and input, much appreciated and won't be forgotten.

Location : lincolnshire Spotter Watch Member : no

Great stuff Clap

, Hope the wife will let you out now Whistle

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Anyway's, Happy hunting Thumbs Up

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Cheer's

Skeggy.