Camera or Lens?
Oct 22, 2017 09:05:11 #
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
Oct 22, 2017 09:20:33 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
IMHO, camera body. Though its a good camera and capable of producing some fine images, the D80 is rather old technology. Sensors have come a long way, even someone on a tight budget looking to upgrade their photography kit nearly any entry level camera would be a large step up in IQ. You might find a body w/lens kit in your budget regardless of brand or if you'd want to stay with Nikon get an entry level or better body and keep your kit lens for now and invest in good glass later. Just my two cents, good luck and happy shooting.
Oct 22, 2017 09:24:37 #
Anyone looking to upgrade image quality should look at the glass first. Ultimately, it's the glass that is projecting the image. If that image isn't the sharpest, no camera is going to make it sharper.
--Bob
--Bob
shuck wrote:
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
Oct 22, 2017 09:27:48 #
shuck wrote:
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
It wold be good to know which kit lens.
Oct 22, 2017 09:32:17 #
My first DSLR was the D80 with a kit lens. Since you mentioned 8x10 and often cropped, I would go with a new body. If you went with a D7100 or newer in that line, you will have more room to crop and that kit lens is not bad. Then I would look to add a lens or two as needed and budgeted.
Oct 22, 2017 09:34:56 #
From your message I would assume you are a beginner. So to answer your question IQ or image quality is more than just sharpness, it's also color, contrast, and distortions. And sharpness is not always what a photographer will always need. For instance sometimes you want a slightly off sharp or blurry object to as to the mystique of an image, there's often something called Broken. But the number one thing has to do with the lens and not the camera. You need to read reviews on lenses and talk to friends who are experienced photographers and think it over. Hope this helps.
Oct 22, 2017 09:40:29 #
ltcarizona wrote:
..For instance sometimes you want a slightly off sharp or blurry object to as to the mystique of an image, there's often something called Broken.
Did you mean bokeh?
That has to do with the quality of the blur in the out of focus areas, not just that they have shallow depth of field.
Oct 22, 2017 09:48:31 #
Your "head room" for cropping is rather limited from your 10MP D80. But, to answer your question requires knowledge of your lenses as well as whether you're working from a budget.
Oct 22, 2017 09:55:23 #
Oct 22, 2017 10:09:05 #
shuck wrote:
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
The Nikon D80 is a rather old 2006 10.2MP DSLR. Probably great camera in its day, in fact I've hear it was. But even Nikon entry level consumer models like the D3300 are far beyond it. And any lens today or even most in 2006 would have far higher IQ than that D80 camera. Today you might consider a D7200, D7500, D5500, or D5600 Camera.
Oct 22, 2017 10:14:41 #
shuck wrote:
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
Glass makes the difference; but, you need a new camera first.
Oct 22, 2017 10:14:51 #
Oct 22, 2017 10:17:40 #
I concur, although I have not used the D80 (so maybe I don't qualify to quote lol) You can get a D5500 (cheaper than D5600 and basically same camera) with kit lens and the "nifty fifty" 50mm 1.8, as was recommended above, for less than $1K. I am so happy with my 5500 I know I will not be upgrading anytime soon!
lamiaceae wrote:
The Nikon D80 is a rather old 2006 10.2MP DSLR. Probably great camera in its day, in fact I've hear it was. But even Nikon entry level consumer models like the D3300 are far beyond it. And any lens today or even most in 2006 would have far higher IQ than that D80 camera. Today you might consider a D7200, D7500, D5500, or D5600 Camera.
Oct 22, 2017 10:25:43 #
shuck wrote:
I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I get the most IQ bang for the buck? News camera or better lens? Seldom larger than 8X10, but often cropped.
Easy Peasy... Glass is where its at !!!! Just like the fairer sex; bodies come and go but the eyes of a good woman last forever.
Oct 22, 2017 11:00:24 #
Time for a new body. If the D80 still works ok, keep it as a secondary or a backup camera. What you can get today for under $1000 is light years ahead of the D80 in technology and ability. To get the best bang for your buck you may want to consider refurbished gear. Certified refurbished gear is every bit as good as new and in some cases even better. A refurbished D7200 is going for around $740 and with the money you save over new, you could get a nice refurbished lens, all for about the cost of a new D7200.
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