to save you looking up a photo review site, here's a paragraph from thom hogan (www.bythom.com) writing about the D80

What I think is interesting about the D80 is that it essentially replaces the D70s even though Nikon currently says it is an "addition to the lineup." Personally, I see no reason to buy a D70s any more. The D50 produces better JPEG images than the D70s at a lower price, and the D80 outfeatures the D70s in so many ways at not much more price that it becomes the new high-end amateur camera to get in the Nikon lineup (the D200 would be a prosumer camera; you really don't need anything in the D200 that the D80 doesn't have unless you have some specific higher-end need, like speed for sports shooting, use of older high-end manual focus lenses, etc.). That has implications. If I'm right and the D70s goes away, then look for the D50 to go away with the next consumer camera. In other words, within 12 months down the road I expect a D40 to replace the D50. Take a D80, remove some of the features (DOF preview, Func button, Front Command dial, multiple exposures, wired remote, optional battery grip, simplify the AF a bit more, slow it down by a fps or so) and put a renewed firmware emphasis on squeezing out some more JPEG quality and you've basically got a D40. Something else would have to give to get some more margin, so perhaps the shutter and/or viewfinder will simplify. But basically, a D40 would be to a D80 what a D50 was to a D70.

yep, definitely. If you can get a warranty, then no hassles.

Didn't know that about the d50. The d70 is due for retirement anyway soon. It was(is) a great camera when it was released, and still stacks up pretty damn well. Anyway, that d80 looks nice mate...

ken rockwell reviews the d50:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

thanks guys good info

just don't get a silver one!!

ok, now I'm looking at a 17-55mm f2.8 nikon lens.

Kuma, what are you currently using, and why are you looking at that one?

is it made for digital or are you basically getting a 27-55mm?

yes it's a dx lens so made for digital. btw it would work out to 25.5-82.5

I have the d50 with 18-55 kit lens but I am selling that next week and will eventually get the d80 (body only).
I'm looking at the 17-55 because the 18-55 I had was the perfect range for my everyday shots, and I'd like to get into the pro glass. I had been considering the 18-200vr which is 10man so switching over to a used 17-55 seems feasible (and better glass).
btw I am selling a 30man video camera so that will give me some capital for the big purchases
any advice/comments are welcome though as I am not 100% decided

I see. Stepping up a rank or two in the photographer world eh! Nice.

what's the nikon's clarity like at its widest range? i have the canon and it is a little weak around the edges when i try to max the wide angle.
i pressume that to be one of the reasons for the pro glass interest?

hey kuma what other glass do you have? I assume that your interested in shooting shredding. If your gonna spend the money the most common used lens for snowsports are 70-200 and fishes or super wides, the range of 17-55 is not very commonly used, i almost never use that range. Just something to consider. If your dropping the doe with winter around the corner.

I've got a nikon 70-300 ed 4-5.6
I was just going to use that for shred shots, and buy a 17-55 for everything else. then eventually replace the zoom lens with a better one. fish would be nice but that's later.
how would u shoot shredding with a superwide (ie the 12-24, right?) -- you'd have to be right up close ie rails or a under a cliff drop, right?

so like i said, I've got the 70-300 and I'll have about 2grand to drop on the nikon d80 and one lens.

while we're on the topic, I'm looking for a camera backpack that will fit a probe and shovel. my burton zoom is hopeless and it looks like the dakine sequence will only fit a minishovel and miniprobe.

i just remembered that I'll have another 500 from selling my d50. so make that 1500 for lens

burton zoom is the bag.... it holds tons gear, all avy gear lunch and fluid. and all tightly.

do you have a recent one? I've got one from 04 and there is no place to put the probe or shovel handle? Did they fix that?

Ianbc what's in your gear bag? (ie lenses)

i have the older one that is blue in colour, you hook your probe with your board carry straps, through the probe loops.

as for gear...on snow I bring 70-200 film body, digi body a fish and 16-35. for any thing else like mtb I usually bring much more like lights and more glass.

ah, I see. I want one where the probe and shovel can be inside where there's no chance they'll get ripped away.

see, you've got a 16-35, that's why I was going to get the 17-55 2.8 (more range than the 17-35). and see if I make money, then sell the 70-300 4-5.6 and get a 70-200 2.8 and fish.
that way I don't drop 2 grand and have no non-zoom lens.

my shop has ordered the dakine sequence so at the end of October I'll be able to try sticking my avy gear in it

Will be in Japan this winter and am definately planning on taking a shitload of photos. Can get a Konica Minolta Dimage A2 for about 250EUR. Camera GET or should I rather wait until I get there and buy new?