Nikon D50 SLR w/18-55mm lens kit plus free 256mb SD $656 shipped @ Buydig.com

[drewdogg808]

Been following prices on this camera for past month or so..hadn't changed too much until last 4 days where it dropped ~ $35 from a reputable site.

Add to basket for $659 price.

d50 slr kit

EDIT: now $656.

 

[Morpheux]

I've been really wanting to pick this up from Ritz for $699. Would be my first SLR and a huge upgrade from my Samsung V3 PNS.

 

[drewdogg808]

this will be my first digital slr...can't wait to play with it. as much as i love my canon sd500, it just isn't quick enough to capture alot of shots of my 6 month old daughter like this nikon should. i was on the fence a long time between this and the rebel xt, but i like the size and feel of the nikon more.

 

[Ghettocowboy]

Such a good Camera maker and such a good camera, but one thing turns me down is that it is made in Thailand. I expect camera at this calibur to be made in Japan.

 

[tami]

the d50 is pretty good whether it's made in thailand or in antarctica. don't let that affect your buying habits.

buydig is great; i bought my d70 from them.

 

[dvdtrade]

Price for the D50 is now down to $639 at buydig. !!

 

[Morpheux]

Well, back up to $649, but the wife ok'ed my purchase for xmas (I know, something's up.....)

Ok, as my first SLR what other things should I be buying and should it be purchased online vs B&M?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Morpheux
Well, back up to $649, but the wife ok'ed my purchase for xmas (I know, something's up.....)

Ok, as my first SLR what other things should I be buying and should it be purchased online vs B&M?

I bought a D50 from Onecall ($700; sigh) just recently; I'm going to get Nikon's new 18-200 DX VR series lens when it comes out in a month or so ($675 or so), and have one good do-anything lens to keep on the camera most of the time. Plus I'm getting a bag (Nikon's equipment bag is $67 at Amazon, from Amazon, on sale right now, with battery). I also bought a 1GB Kingston pro/elite series SD card. That should do it for me.

Oh, and on the SAME RECEIPT be sure to get an Epson Photo Deluxe printer ($150 in rebates on that model; see Nikon WWW site).

 

[Morpheux]

There is also....
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G | $619
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NKD502880

The 28-80mm would give longer zoom, but with a shorter starting range than the 18-55mm, but is $30 cheaper.

Edit: Ah, I see. The 18-55mm lens has more features.

 

[Salvador]

Is Buydig a reputable and authorized dealer? This is the place that I used to take the super low price from to submit my BVG on my AMEX card.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Morpheux
There is also....
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G | $619
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NKD502880

The 28-80mm would give longer zoom, but with a shorter starting range than the 18-55mm, but is $30 cheaper.

Edit: Ah, I see. The 18-55mm lens has more features.

Be careful of what you're buying when you do comparisons.

Either buy the camera with no lens (and then buy a nice lens to go with it, perhaps the VR lens I mentioned, although it's pricey) or buy it with the kit lens (18-55, or 18-55 and 55-200; either kits are available), or, if you do buy a third-party lens, know *EXACTLY* what it is you're buying and realize it will always be cheaper than a Nikon (or Canon) lens.

It's my opinion that some (many?) third party lenses are crap, and are no bargains, no matter what you pay. You've paid $600++ for a great camera; stick a great lens on it now.

For Nikon:
G is the cheapest lens; D is a higher grade of lens.
DX means it's a digital-only lens and cannot be used on 35MM cameras or those high-end (presently) digital SLRs that have a full frame CCD.
ED means it has better glass on it to prevent chromatic aberrations (purple fringe) on the long end of the zoom.
VR means it's got shake-reduction - needed if you shoot without a tripod at the long end of the zoom.

Even the cheapest G lens will still be pretty good, and vastly better (and usually faster) than the point-and-shoot lenses - and able to shoot at higher ISOs with less noise, faster.

 

[bman46]

Originally posted by: Ghettocowboy
Such a good Camera maker and such a good camera, but one thing turns me down is that it is made in Thailand. I expect camera at this calibur to be made in Japan.

This is a joke comment right?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: bman46

Originally posted by: Ghettocowboy
Such a good Camera maker and such a good camera, but one thing turns me down is that it is made in Thailand. I expect camera at this calibur to be made in Japan.

This is a joke comment right?

1970's called. They want their joke back.

 

[McPhreak]

Originally posted by: Salvador
Is Buydig a reputable and authorized dealer? This is the place that I used to take the super low price from to submit my BVG on my AMEX card.

yes

 

[Dealster]

G is the cheapest lens; D is a higher grade of lens.

Not always true... G means it does not have an aperture ring on the lens and thus requires a somewhat modern body so the aperture can be controlled by the camera. A lot of recent Nikkor consumer lenses are indeed G lenses but so are the newer pro lenses like the 17-55 2.8.

Explanation of lens letter codes

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Dealster

G is the cheapest lens; D is a higher grade of lens.

Not always true... G means it does not have an aperture ring on the lens and thus requires a somewhat modern body so the aperture can be controlled by the camera. A lot of recent Nikkor consumer lenses are indeed G lenses but so are the newer pro lenses like the 17-55 2.8.

Explanation of lens letter codes

In practice, however, typically that also means G lenses are the lower end of the line.

Amazon shows this; the G series has no ED and is DX; the D series has ED and isn't DX.... look up both for, say, 70-300mm.

It's a marketing differentiation in that there's nothing inherent in just being "G" that means it's bad, but typically, that's how it works out.

 

[terminalmind]

Is there any reason to get the Nikon D50 instead of the Canon Rebel XT beside the fact that it is cheaper?
I am looking to get a Digital SLR to replace my ancient Olympus C-2020Z and I would be willing to spend more for the Canon Rebel if it is better than the Nikon.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: terminalmind
Is there any reason to get the Nikon D50 instead of the Canon Rebel XT beside the fact that it is cheaper?
I am looking to get a Digital SLR to replace my ancient Olympus C-2020Z and I would be willing to spend more for the Canon Rebel if it is better than the Nikon.
Thanks for any advice.

Happy with the Olympus? Get the Evolt E-500 w/2 lens kit!

 

[Morpheux]

Originally posted by: dclive
Be careful of what you're buying when you do comparisons.

Either buy the camera with no lens (and then buy a nice lens to go with it, perhaps the VR lens I mentioned, although it's pricey) or buy it with the kit lens (18-55, or 18-55 and 55-200; either kits are available), or, if you do buy a third-party lens, know *EXACTLY* what it is you're buying and realize it will always be cheaper than a Nikon (or Canon) lens.

It's my opinion that some (many?) third party lenses are crap, and are no bargains, no matter what you pay. You've paid $600++ for a great camera; stick a great lens on it now.

For Nikon:
G is the cheapest lens; D is a higher grade of lens.
DX means it's a digital-only lens and cannot be used on 35MM cameras or those high-end (presently) digital SLRs that have a full frame CCD.
ED means it has better glass on it to prevent chromatic aberrations (purple fringe) on the long end of the zoom.
VR means it's got shake-reduction - needed if you shoot without a tripod at the long end of the zoom.

Even the cheapest G lens will still be pretty good, and vastly better (and usually faster) than the point-and-shoot lenses - and able to shoot at higher ISOs with less noise, faster.

Thank you. I'm very new to the SLRs. I've always wanted to get into DF, but always been a P&S guy. I'm still not sure I need to spend $700 on a digital camera, but if I do, I want to get my money's worth.

Please continue to add/submit your comments and anyone else's too (post or PMs). I'm still learning and ready to do more.

 

[user error]

Originally posted by: terminalmind
Is there any reason to get the Nikon D50 instead of the Canon Rebel XT beside the fact that it is cheaper?
I am looking to get a Digital SLR to replace my ancient Olympus C-2020Z and I would be willing to spend more for the Canon Rebel if it is better than the Nikon.
Thanks for any advice.

I'm a former Canon (20D) user switching systems to Nikon (D200) and the best advice I can give on this is to go to a retail store (not BB or CC - they have anti-theft devices on them that make them hard to get a feel for the camera), go to a Ritz, Wolf, or if you're in NYC go to B&H, and pick both up, play with 'em see which you like better. I personally like Nikons build quality and feel over the Canon, but it really comes down to personal preference. Both lens systems are excellent and both with take excellent pics.

Check out fredmiranda.com good forums to search and great buy and sell area.

And do some research on DPReview and decide which has the features you want more.

edit - the 18-55 sucks so be prepared to upgrade asap, the 18-70 is a great all around lens and the 50/1.8 is an awesome cheap prime everyone should buy (my canon 50/1.8 was on my 20d 90% of the time)

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: terminalmind
Is there any reason to get the Nikon D50 instead of the Canon Rebel XT beside the fact that it is cheaper?
I am looking to get a Digital SLR to replace my ancient Olympus C-2020Z and I would be willing to spend more for the Canon Rebel if it is better than the Nikon.
Thanks for any advice.

I didn't like the feel of the Digital Rebel XT in my hands; it's too small, and some of my fingers had no place to rest.

Reviews have both neck and neck - those I read said the D50 was better, and I enjoyed using it, so I bought it.

I suspect most would never tell the difference in a million years concerning the pictures most would shoot with the stock lenses, so I focused on ease of use and how both 'felt', so I picked the Nikon D50.

I looked at the other SLRs (Konica-Minolta, Olympus, etc.) and I felt that the lens system, resale value, and lens market (particularly for the Olympus 4/3 lens system) just didn't measure up to what Nikon and Canon offered.

For example, with the Nikon lenses, I can use any made since the 1960s with manual-everything; I can use any made since the late 1970s and get autofocus. Sure, there are some new advances that I won't get, but the lenses will continue to work. Ebaying the lenses, and getting very good older lenses, is a very viable option, and any non-DX lenses would work with (just about) any Nikon bodies out there.

On the other hand, Olympus 4/3 lens system is brand new, and a total of 3 cameras on the entire market use it. It's too new, too unproven, and has too small of a market.

 

[TFM]

Thanks OP - got $ for a digital camera for Christmas and upon doing a search and seeing this thread, got the D50 for $639 w/no shipping or tax costs. Weirdest thing though is that when i tried to go back to the page to look at some details, it's as if they no longer carry the item (mine has already shipped out, so i'm not worried). Kinda weird though, isn't it?

 

[torpid]

The D70 is the competitor of the Rebel XT moreso than the D50. The D50 lacks many advanced options found in the Rebel XT and D70. It's still quite a good camera, though.

As suggested, you should probably try them out. The feel and interface is a big factor for many.

 

[dclive]

Aaagh! A Canon owner!

DPReview puts the D50 and Rebel XT in the same market and mindshare.... the D70 is quite a bit more and competes more with the 20D, IMHO.

From http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page26.asp:

Unlike Canon when they produced the EOS 300D (Digital Rebel) Nikon chose not to cripple their affordable digital SLR. Instead the D50 while lacking some of the D70's features doesn't compromise performance or photographic flexibility, most important for first time buyers who (surely) the manufacturers hope will progress to a more expensive D-SLR later.

The D50's sensor and image processing pipeline are clearly different to that of the D70/D70s, it exhibits fewer of the moire/maze artifacts but at the same time isn't quite as crisp as its 'elder siblings'. That said the D50 is more than capable of producing some fantastic results, and is tuned to deliver bright and colorful images from the first exposure. If this isn't to your taste you can of course configure the image processing to produce D70-like images.

We were probably the most surprised by the D50's noise levels, Nikon has clearly spent time since the creation of the D70 on design changes to keep noise down. The D50 has the lowest noise levels of any of the affordable digital SLR's we've tested (although they're all fairly clean, we're talking fractions here).

The nicest thing about the D50 however is that it just feels right, build wise it's a step above the Canon EOS 350D and Pentax *ist DS, it's also not too small, I'm all for making cameras lighter but there's a limit as to how small you can make an SLR before the hand grip feels cramped and controls begin to get in the way. The D50 feels as responsive as any film camera and is a pleasure to shoot with. The only change I would make would probably be a larger viewfinder view (like that of the Pentax *ist DS).

I'm quite happy to give the D50 our highest rating, Highly Recommended, there's little to dislike and for anyone looking for an affordable digital SLR it has to be seriously considered. My only advice would be to research lenses and decide if you want to go with the Kit or spend a little more on a slightly better lens.

__

Consider me biased.

 

[iroast]

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK70200AFSVR $1500

wow