Finally upgrading to digital, could use some advise

[pafindr]

Hello everyone
I'm new to the forum and have been looking around quite a bit. I've gleaned a lot of info and want to thank everyone for their contributions.
I put together a shopping list and would like it if you could give some advise on what I want to purchase. I don't know a lot about digital so any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
What I'm using now:
Nikon N70
Quantaray 28-80mm f/3.5 - 5.6
Quanaray 70-300mm f/4 - 5.6
I do mostly do nature/wildlife/landscape but would like to slowly get into portrait.

My shopping list:
Nikon D90
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
Nikon MB-D80 Grip
an extra Nikon EN-EL3e battery
Nikon SB-600 Speedlight
2 - SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III 30MB/s


Now, Adorama has a grip that costs a bit less but I don't know if I should "go cheap" on it
http://www.adorama.com/INKMBD80A.html
Is the speed light ok or should I spend the extra money and go with the 800, 900, or something totally different?
I don't know a lot about memory for digital cameras so help there would be great too.
Should I add a diffuser to the list? If so what type would be good?

Thanks a lot for your help!
pafindr

[Frog]

Welcome to the forums!

Looks like you've covered your bases pretty well in my limited experience.
Be aware that your quantary lenses will also work on the D90 so whether you want to keep them or not is up to you but you have all their ranges covered with your list and I'm pretty sure the lenses you plan to buy are better than the quantarys.
I have the sb800 and am happy with it but don't use it enough to justify what I paid for it.
Many use the sb600 and are very pleased with it.
I use the Gary Fong diffuser and it works very well but a lot of people just make one out of an old milk jug or something.
You've got plenty of memory there unless you're shooting constantly for long periods.
On a 2gig card, I get 165 raw files so you'll be getting over 300 on each of those cards.
Happy shooting and stick around and show us your stuff.

[Franglais]

OK that sounds good. Just a couple of points to add.

You might find you need the flash less that you expect. I have the D300 which has a very similar sensor to the D90 and 3200ISO is quite usable. If you want to use the diffuser thing a lot then remember that one comes with the SB800 which might make you prefer it over the SB600. Stick with a compatible Nikon flash - the Nikon system is really sophisticated and you can't be sure that other manufacturers flashes are really compatible.

For your memory cards - remember we're talking about SDHC here, not Compactflash. I wasn't aware that SDHC class 6 could do 30MB/sec but then I don't use Sandisk

[Grandpaw]

Personally I would leave off the grip. My D80 goes forever on a single battery and weighs much less than it would with the grip added. I don't find it useful myself but I know others will disagree, Jeff

[pafindr]

Frog
Thanks for your input!
I want to upgrade my lenses because the Quantaray's aren't as good as would like them to be. And it's time to have better lenses
I feel that the SB-800 would be overkill for me because I do a lot more wildlife and nature than indoor or portraits. I think the SB-600 would be good to start out with and if I find that it doesn't do the job in the future I can upgrade later on to something better.

Franglais
Thank you for your input too!
When I was looking at memory I didn't know that I couldn't use Compact Flash and you helped me avoid a big mistake.
This is what I found for memory http://www.adorama.com/IDSSDX34G.html

Is Sandisk good for photography or would I be better off with something else. I use Sandisk for most of my mini memory needs and I've never had any problems with them.

Grandpaw
Thanks for the input, I'm going to put some more thought to the grip. I'll need more input too.

[Singletracklovr]

Welcome pafindr,
I agree with frog, try the lenses you have before replacing them. In my wildlife shooting I have found the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR not good enough at 300mm and had to spend another 500bucks on a 300 f4.

What about a nice tripod with pan and tilt head, monopod with ballhead, RF shutter release and a CPL filter.

hth

[Franglais]

Franglais
Thank you for your input too!
When I was looking at memory I didn't know that I couldn't use Compact Flash and you helped me avoid a big mistake.
This is what I found for memory http://www.adorama.com/IDSSDX34G.html

Is Sandisk good for photography or would I be better off with something else. I use Sandisk for most of my mini memory needs and I've never had any problems with them.

You can't go wrong with Sandisk. You can certainly find a cheaper manufacturer but SDHC cards are already pretty cheap. The one you indicate is Class 6 which is the fastest. Modern DSLR's have a huge internal buffer to store a burst of shots and it's unlikely that you would ever need the speed of the card - except if you're shooting a long video.

[pafindr]

You can't go wrong with Sandisk. You can certainly find a cheaper manufacturer but SDHC cards are already pretty cheap. The one you indicate is Class 6 which is the fastest. Modern DSLR's have a huge internal buffer to store a burst of shots and it's unlikely that you would ever need the speed of the card - except if you're shooting a long video.

So would a SDHC like the SanDisk 4GB Ultra II that has a 10 MB/s be just as good as the one with 40 MB/s. I'm not interested taking video so I'm not worried about that.

[pafindr]

Welcome pafindr,
I agree with frog, try the lenses you have before replacing them. In my wildlife shooting I have found the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR not good enough at 300mm and had to spend another 500bucks on a 300 f4.

What about a nice tripod with pan and tilt head, monopod with ballhead, RF shutter release and a CPL filter.

hth

Singletracklovr
Thanks for your input!
The reason I'm going with the two lenses is because they are coming in a kit for $1589.95. http://www.adorama.com/INKD90K70.html
If were to buy the lenses separately it would cost a few hundred more.
Will I not see much difference in the quality of the pictures with the Nikon lenses?

[Singletracklovr]

Singletracklovr
Thanks for your input!
The reason I'm going with the two lenses is because they are coming in a kit for $1589.95. http://www.adorama.com/INKD90K70.html
If were to buy the lenses separately it would cost a few hundred more.
Will I not see much difference in the quality of the pictures with the Nikon lenses?

I don't know if the Nikon lenses will be better for you than what you have.
I will guess they are better than off brands and they have VR which is very nice. How much better will depend on what you shoot.

1589 is not bad for that kit.
With just a quick google price check I came up with.
The d90body going for ~899 (B&H) free shipping
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html
the 18-105mm ~299(B&H)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._6G_ED_VR.html
and the 70-300mm ~500(new at ebay)

disclaimer: I'm no pro, just a guy getting into dslr for wildlife shooting like you.

[pafindr]

So do you think that I should stick with both Quantaray lenses and spend some money on a 50mm lens to start on portraits?

[Singletracklovr]

So do you think that I should stick with both Quantaray lenses and spend some money on a 50mm lens to start on portraits?

If I were you I would buy the d90 and try your lenses.
Since there's no developing you will instantly see your results. Post some up here for friendly feedback and check others user galleries to compare your pict quality. You might find the lenses you have are fine. If so you have more budget to expand your lens choices. If your not happy you can find the VR lenses at very good prices. B&H is a great place to shop.

The nikon 105mm f2.8 might be a good portrait lens to lookin to and you get the macro feature to boot.
Outdoor Macro shots really spices up your photo album IMO.

This thread from Didache has some of the best advice I have ever found when I was researching camera gear.

15 Truths about Photography

[Frog]

How old are y9ur Quantarys? Thet aren't maximized for digital.
The Nikon lenses you list get good reviews...I'd go with them and sell the quantarys.
Also remember the 1.5 crop factor. Your 18-105 will be equivalent to a 27-150 and the 70-300 to a 105-450.
Maybe look up reviews for the quantarys but I'd be willing to bet the Nikons are substantially better and if you don't get the lenses wit the kit its going to cost you a bubdle more.
You can get a 50mm f/1.8 ais D for a hundred bucks which is less thanb what you'd lose not buying the kit.

[pafindr]

How old are y9ur Quantarys? Thet aren't maximized for digital.
The Nikon lenses you list get good reviews...I'd go with them and sell the quantarys.
Also remember the 1.5 crop factor. Your 18-105 will be equivalent to a 27-150 and the 70-300 to a 105-450.
Maybe look up reviews for the quantarys but I'd be willing to bet the Nikons are substantially better and if you don't get the lenses wit the kit its going to cost you a bubdle more.
You can get a 50mm f/1.8 ais D for a hundred bucks which is less thanb what you'd lose not buying the kit.

The Quantaray's are both AF and about 10 years old.
I've taken pretty good care of them and I could use them if I had to, although they could use a really good cleaning. The reviews that I've seen for them are pretty mixed. Some people swear by them and some say they are the worst things ever made. These are a couple of pictures that I took a few years ago.

[Franglais]

So would a SDHC like the SanDisk 4GB Ultra II that has a 10 MB/s be just as good as the one with 40 MB/s. I'm not interested taking video so I'm not worried about that.

The II generation would probably be just as good as the III generation when you're taking shots, especially if you're shooting JPG. However it would be slower to copy the files to your computer. These things are relatively cheap. I would go with the best.

BTW you haven't said if you're shooting RAW or not. If so, you'll need a RAW editor.

[pafindr]

I found Transcend 4 gb Class 6 for $10 so I think I'll go with that.
http://www.adorama.com/TSSD6HC4G.html

I'll be shooting RAW and I do have a program for it. (Corel Photo-Paint X4)


I really appreciate everyone's help with this so far.
Thanks you so much for taking the time to help

[Franglais]

I have been using Transcend products for years. No advertising, marketing or fancy software, just the product that performs the way it's supposed to.

I use Nikon NX2 to treat my RAW files. You can do all sort of adjustments - or undo them - and keep working on the NEF file. The ones I use most often are exposure adjustment and D-lighting.

I advise you to check out the compatability of Corel Draw X4 with the D90 - it looks like you need a patch for it to be able to open the files. I can't open them on my Paint Shop Pro 12

[pafindr]

I just checked with the Corel site and I just need to add the service patch for it. But if it still doesn't work then I keep Nikon NX2 in mind.

[pafindr]

Okay after everyone's help so far and a few tips that I found on the site I've modified my list.:thumbsup:

I'm sticking with the Nikon D90 and the two lenses, SB-600, and the extra battery.
Instead of spending the money on a grip and the Sandisk memory I'm going to invest in:
a Nikon 50mm 1.8D AF lens
a light diffuser for the SB-600
a Hoya Circular polarizing filter for the kit lenses
two Transcend 4GB class 6 SDHC
and a wireless remote for the D90

What do you think?:idea:

Thanks again
Hector

[Frog]

I seldom use it but wouldn't be without my wireless rf remote so I think that's a good idea.
The rest looks good to me.
You have a tripod?

[pafindr]

Thanks Frog.
Yes I do have a tripod.

[pafindr]

I just got my D90 in and am really excited.
Unfortunately the memory is on back order!
I think I'll be going out to pick up some memory at a local store so I can start shooting.
For now I can charge the batteries and read the manuals

[Singletracklovr]

i'm happy for you. Your going to have a blast.
That sucks they BO'd the memory.

[Frog]

Congratulations. If you have a Walmart nearby, they usually have memory for cheap.
Also, be sure to use the digitutor site......it's easier to use than the manual
Nikon DSLR "Digitutor" Links

I'd really like to see some of your shots, too.

[pafindr]

Thanks!
There is a lot to learn about this camera. So many bells and whistles.
The Digitutor is going to be a big help. Thanks for the link!
I looked at Walmart online and they have memory but it's class two and it's more expensive than the class 6 that I'm waiting on.
I guess it's better to have lower class memory than none at all. And I can use it as backup memory once the others come in.