BP - you should get either the d200 or d300 for the simple reason that they use cf cards. That way you do not need to buy all new sd cards. It's that simple!

Now, d200 vs d300. both are prob more camera than you need, but the d200 will prob be available for nearly as much as the d80 (actually that's the way it is now) so it wouldn't hurt to move up in the nikon echelon. You might want to consider the d300 too since, if you are moving to Oz for good, then you prob won't be in a financial position for a long time to pick up the newest prosumer cam from nikon. but then when you figure in lenses then it gets pricy. prob 165000-170000 for the body and then another 8man for the 18-200 vr.....

the dollar dropped halfway through the auction and I lost on the conversion. plus I payed a guy 4000yen to do the auction for me as I didn't want the hassle of setting up an ebay account etc. I came out with 73000yen.

The D40 is nice. Too cheap for you plutocrats though. It fits me.

SD???? The D200 takes no SD it uses CF

read the first line of my post again

I must've been reading it in American

hehehe. I think I'm settling towards the d200. Even if the tech is upgraded and the d200 becomes outdated by the newer cameras, I'm still getting a very good new camera which will last me years. Why did you sell that lense kuma?

it's up 300 posts

I know, that's why I asked again

i think it would be good for you bp.

I was just getting too many pro lenses and was never using it.
I mean, if I have a 70-200 f2.8 why would I use the 18-200?
I've also got a 35mm f2 and a 50mm f.14 and a 12-24 f4, oh and the 10.5 fish f2.8. I just hung on to it because I thought I would use it at some event ie a wedding or something. but then I found that I would rather pack 2 or 3 lenses instead.

oh, and sell your tamron lens

hahaha why not sell your Tokina too

got myself a 28 f2.8 to play with. Made in Japan, metal barrel. Nice smooth rotation.

why don't you look up the Tokina and see what kind of lens it is before knocking it?

gotcha. I like the look of that lens, so will have to save up some pocket money. The tamron has been more than fine for my purposes to now. If I hold on to the d70 as well as get the d200, then I may hang on to the tamron lens too. Will see. Thanks for the info

I don't need to. Nikkor research and development have got them innovations such as aspherical lenses, ED glass, silent wave motors, vibration reduction, super integrated coating and now Nano coating. You may think all this is marketing, but they have the patents and they are deployed in their products.

Why pay more for a Nikkor when third parties do it cheaper? See above.

this is super

Main Features

Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths

Enhanced optical formulas, engineered to produce exceptional sharpness, contrast and color, render outstanding image integrity

ED (Extra-low dispersion) glass elements minimize chromatic aberration to deliver stunning sharpness and contrast

Aspherical lenses including large-diameter PGM element eliminate various types of lens aberration even at the widest aperture

Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections, effectively reducing ghosting and flare
High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color reproduction, while minimizing ghosting and flare
IF (Internal Focusing) enables focusing without changing the length of lens barrel
Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet autofocus operation
Rounded diaphragm opening (9 blades) makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural
0.38 m/1.2 ft. closest focusing distance with focal length 35-50 mm
Filter attachment size of 77 mm
M/A mode enables instant switching from autofocus to manual focus, even during AF servo operation, with virtually no time lag
Dedicated flower-shaped lens hood effectively minimizes stray light
Lens barrel is built for comfortable holding while featuring a rugged design; zoom and focusing rings provide smooth operation
Engineered to Nikon professional D-SLR standards to effectively resist dust and moisture


Constant f2.8!!!!

My next toy or two.

pffff, come back and talk to me when you've used the lenses in question

Photographer friend of mine back home has a Hasselblad H3D-39. Now that is one camera!

Thinking of getting a decent one myself but need to start learning much more before taking the plunge.