New D80

[n692bc]

Ok it finally arrived, Yeh!! Now what to do with 300 buttons or so. Only kidding, I tried some pictures out of the box, and WOW, and thats WOW again. They look so great. Now to really learn the camera. In the next couple of weeks I'll try and post some photo's for you guys, but I got to say this is a really increadable camera. I'm sort of lost for words, sure beats a Minolta SRT 100!!!!!!!! And thats for those that remeber that far back (ie 1972).


Ross

[Tom K]

Good luck with the D80. .... Tom :)

[kimi_boo]

Ross... I am trying to learn all of the buttons myself. Do post some of your pictures. :D

[CalamityJanet]

Hi Ross,

Congratulations on the new camera! I just had to jump in and thank you for mentioning the SRT-100. That was my first camera and I loved it! It was eventually stolen and I've never had another camera that I enjoyed more. Over the years I've had several people tell me I was wrong about the model number "100", that there was never such a model, so I thought I must have been wrong. Now you're saying it did exist, confirming that I CAN still accurately remember small details from the early 70's.:D THANKS!

[billz]

Congratulations Ross -

I'm teetering on the edge of getting one. What lens did you get?? I'm looking at a 18 - 155. Good choice??

Looking forward to seeing some of your shots. Congrats again!

Bill

[Bob_Benner]

Congrats on the D80, great camera. Post some pics when you have time.

[Bob_Benner]

Congratulations Ross -

I'm teetering on the edge of getting one. What lens did you get?? I'm looking at a 18 - 155. Good choice??

Looking forward to seeing some of your shots. Congrats again!

Bill

Hi Bill. If you need a relatively inexspensive lens that covers the 18-200mm range check out the Tamron 18-200. I have had mine now for a few weeks and I have to say that I really like it. I was skeptical about it at first because I kept reading reviews that said "it's not a pro quality lens". I decided to give it a try and I am very glad I did. All the pictures in my gallery were shot using that lens. There are also many good reviews about it out there. And one more thing, it has much less distortion than the Nikon 18-200mm VR.

[kimh]

Yeah, another D80. Congratulations:D
Kimh

[billz]

Bob - Thanks for the lens tip ... I'll definitlely check it out. It looks like it has served you well.

Bill

[TonyW]

Bill: I see Nikon have just added another lens option - a 55-200 VR for a rather modest price (ca $250 I think). Not out yet and no reviews but if it's any good (and I really like the VR for long lenses) then the 18-55 plus 55-200 VR could be an attractive combination.

Tony

[n692bc]

In answer to the questions, I got the D80 with 18-135. I sort of wanted the 18-200 till I found out the price, as soon as I win the lottery I will get one:)

Yes, Claimity Janet you are correct they made a SRT 100. It was a scaled down version of the SRT-101 that every remembers. It lacked 1/1000 per second and couple of other things! I really loved that camera, it got stolen also. Must be a big market out there for low end SLR's.

I have gotten Thom Hogan's ebook on how to use the camera, it seems very good and I let you all know more about it when I finish reading all 700 pages. I hate getting old and forgetting how to study stuff;)

[Byron Gale]

Ross,

Enjoy the new toy!! There are several of them represented on this forum, so you should get plenty of responses to questions.

Byron

[kimh]

I am tempted to get the E-book but like to have a hard copy and that would take a lot of ink!
Kimh

[TonyW]

I am tempted to get the E-book but like to have a hard copy and that would take a lot of ink!
Kimh

Kim: It's not as bad as you might think. I printed out the sections I really wanted to browse and refer to. The latest version of Adobe Reader has booklet printing which prints 2 to a page, double sided and puts everything in the right order so you finish up with a booklet. Worked very well for me and didn't use as much ink as I thought it might.

Tony

[kimh]

Thanks, I will probably go ahead and get it in the next couple weeks.
Kimh

[PhilCro]

I remember back when I had the minolta 100. That was the first one I bought after I got married - Traded that for another minolta 5000. Loved it but then digital arrived. Had a few of them. Had really planned on geting the minolta DSLR but now glad I didn't.Don't see them around, think Konica and minolta went together and now I have seen their name with some other company. I have the 70s - 80 wasn't out yet. LOVE IT.

[n692bc]

TonyW

What ebook did you get? Mine is by Thom Hogan and is very technical:eek:

Ross

[TonyW]

Ross - that's the one I got and I must admit I like technical - it's certainly aimed at people who understand the basics and need the details for the D80. Another one (free) is here

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80/users-guide/index.htm

Also pretty technical but a good place to start.

Tony

[n692bc]

TonyW

Yep, I like technical to, "pulling out my plastic pocket procter I earned in engineering school:rolleyes: " but he sometime goes so technical I loose track and have to backup. But I got to say for the money he sure does give out an increadable amount of info, you really can't go wrong here. Sometime though I wish for a less technial explanation, but you get, what you get.

The reason I asked is there is another Ebook out there for like $49 and I have no idea what it is like.

I would recommend Thom's book if you already have a good background in photography, other wise good luck with it. As I continue through page 367.

Ross

[billz]

Well I just jumped in the D80 pool too. So far I've taken managed to take the requisite first photos of the living room from my chair! (They turned out nicely:))

Solved a couple little questions but have a million more. Next stop ... how to get the file numbering to not reset to 0001 each time. I thought I followed the instructions, but I guess not.:( Baby steps Bill, baby steps.

Hope to get out this afternoon and take some non-livingroom shots.

Bill

Wow ... my 1,000th post!

[Byron Gale]

Well I just jumped in the D80 pool too....Next stop ... how to get the file numbering to not reset to 0001 each time...Wow ... my 1,000th post!I am certain you will be happy with the camera, Bill!

To keep file numbering from resetting, press the Menu button, then select the SETUP menu (the "wrench" icon on the left). You have to change the top option (CSM/Setup) to full, if you have not already done so. Then scroll down the list to "File no. sequence" and change this to ON.

Congratulations on reaching the 1K post milestone... You should order your "Enlightened Elder" T-shirt now, before the rush!

BTW, what lens(es) did you get to start with?

Byron

[billz]

Thanks Byron - I got the 18 - 135 lens. I think I'm going to be really pleased with it.

I had done all of that for the file numbering but the preview screen just kept resetting to 0001. Turns out the files are actually being numbered sequentially, it's just the preview screen that uses the number of images on the card, rather that the file number.:confused: Just a bit different than I'm used to. Anyway, thanks for the response ... I'm up and running.

Bill

[mrod]

Ah, I love all this advanced learning...Thanks guys!

So Bill, the 18-135 looks to be an adequate, all-purpose lens with enough zooming for those, um..zooming situations (I have no clue what that means)?

Mike

[kimh]

Bill, do share some of your D80 experiences!
Kimh

[kimi_boo]

Oh Bill... so happy for you!! :D

we have so many family's within our family. ;)

Off to my camera class. It is pouring down rain and I have no camera bag. Has anyone seen a D80 with a big ass lens in a zip lock bag before?:eek: I have now. :D No way am I letting my baby get wet.

[kimi_boo]

Oh Bill... so happy for you!! :D

we have so many family's within our family. ;)

Off to my camera class. It is pouring down rain and I have no camera bag. Has anyone seen a D80 with a big ass lens in a zip lock bag before?:eek: I have now. :D No way am I letting my baby get wet.

For some reason my post did not post last. I am moving myself to the bottom.

[kimi_boo]

I give up. See above post.

[billz]

Mike - It seems zoomy enough. Both of these comparisons were shot without moving.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kfgNQy4XNM7qM6WEejLEJNtQjPdY1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kfgNQy4XNM7qM6WEejLEJNtQjPdY1)

On the top one you can see that if you wanted to spy on the fisherman it wouldn't have worked. On the bottom one, the hilltop is about 8 blocks away. Hope that gives you some idea.

Took a walk and got a couple nice shots and a bunch of lousy ones. I think I'll set it back on auto for awhile.

Bill

[mrod]

That's a great comparison, Bill. Thanks! That really helps me get an idea of its range.

That fisherman is my dad, by the way...:D

Mike

[Byron Gale]

Mike -- I guess we're waiting for YOU, now. ;)

[Debbie Z]

I have been shooting with a D50 and my DH decided he wanted a camera, so I gave mine to him (I am so very generous...!) and bought a D80! I am so excited and he is fine with the D50! I had been on a waiting list at the camera shop for the 18-200 VR since last fall. My sales guy mentioned that they had just gotten 12 in, so I asked him to check my position on the list. I was 2 down, but they had been trying to contact several people who were not getting back to them, so I came home with a new camera and a new lens!
Yay! Now to figure out the camera, it has several differences, but what fun!
Yesterday was definitely a great day!!!!

[kimh]

Debbie, be sure to share what you come up with.
Congratulations!!!
Kimh

[tbrannon]

Wahoo, you are one lucky lady.
Congrats on the new toys.
Post some pics for us to see. =)