A friend wants to buy his first DSLR, help.

[Electromen]

He and his wife want it to shoot their son wrestling in a gym.
He's looking at a D40 kit with 18-55 and 55-200 lenses for $799
I looked for a D40 body and a better lens but it must only come as a kit.

His budget is $1,200 US max.

What would you suggest?
He's also looking at a Sony DSLR.

thanks,

 

[lbhs_rwb]

Well, I don't know how experienced they are, but if they are amateurs, then in a D40 kit, I have both of those lenses, i think that the 18-55 lens would work great for them. They don't really need a 55-200 though, they can always crop. I'm guessing you guys were looking at cameta (they have that kit, for that price). And if you weren't, then do look over there. There really aren't many lenses that are sold in kits, but like I said, the 18-55 is a decent lens.

 

[lexiticus]

Wrestling is always indoors, So I would say to buy a used D50, And get a 50mm f1.8 to start off, And see what they need after that, They aren't going to be satisfied with a lens that requires them to be at f5.6 for 90% of their shots.

Also if they need more reach a 85mm f1.8 can be found for quite a decent price, In total he could spend less than $1000 and get great indoor pictures still!

 

[haze2]

My D80 came with the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses and they are great if you are outdoors. But when I shoot my daughter playing volleyball in the gym they just don't cut it. I would try to get a Nikon body and buy an 85/1.8.

 

[lbhs_rwb]

My D80 came with the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses and they are great if you are outdoors. But when I shoot my daughter playing volleyball in the gym they just don't cut it. I would try to get a Nikon body and buy an 85/1.8.

I just put that lens on my wish list Do you have it?

 

[KrysiaG]

That lens is on my wish list as well!!!

 

[Dave]

Make sure you let them know that if they get the D40 then the 50 f/1.8 and 85 f/1.8 (and most other primes) would be manual focus only with the D40 body. This might not make a difference to some, but for someone just getting into DSLR photography, this might turn them off. I'd look for a good used D50 (there are a lot on the for sale section here at this forum) or even a D70s if you can find one. That way you can use any lens that Nikon makes and it will auto-focus.

 

[craig.martell]

You can get a D80 w/ the 18-55 lens on Amazon right now for $1039. With the 18-135 for $1135.70. One of these might be the way to go to get started.

Also, they could get the D80 for $899.99 and then buy the 50mm f/1.8. That's a great first lens, and much better than many kit lenses.

Starting at the D80 makes a bunch more sense to me than the D40/40x.

Craig

 

[eng45ine]

If these folks are planning to shoot wrestling indoors, they are going to need a camera that handles low-light very well. They are also going to need fast glass, consumer lenses aren't ideal for shooting sports action indoors, f/2 or faster. Lastly, they are going to need a very good flash.

 

[seafoxfla]

You can get a D80 w/ the 18-55 lens on Amazon right now for $1039. With the 18-135 for $1135.70. One of these might be the way to go to get started.

Also, they could get the D80 for $899.99 and then buy the 50mm f/1.8. That's a great first lens, and much better than many kit lenses.

Starting at the D80 makes a bunch more sense to me than the D40/40x.

Craig

I too would go for the D80 18-1355mm