Camera or Lens?
Oct 23, 2017 08:42:00 #
"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.
Well, the kit lens and I assume it is the 18-55 VR, is pretty good. For 8x10 enlargements you do not need more than the 10 Mp. of your camera assuming you do not crop to the extent of reducing the quality of the images.
There are other lenses from Nikon that are of better quality than your present lens and the 18-140 VR comes to mind. I use the 18-200 VR and I am satisfied with its performance.
Well, the kit lens and I assume it is the 18-55 VR, is pretty good. For 8x10 enlargements you do not need more than the 10 Mp. of your camera assuming you do not crop to the extent of reducing the quality of the images.
There are other lenses from Nikon that are of better quality than your present lens and the 18-140 VR comes to mind. I use the 18-200 VR and I am satisfied with its performance.
Oct 23, 2017 10:05:17 #
Oct 23, 2017 10:13:40 #
One of the rare times where I come down on the side of new body. The D80 is ok for 8x10 uncropped but cropped, not so much. A new body will give you much more flexibility.
Oct 23, 2017 10:28:26 #
Oct 23, 2017 10:41:02 #
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.
Its difficult to make a sensible recommendation without knowing your skill level. Since you are asking I suspect it could be improved (no insult intended). We all start somewhere and only improve through lessons and practice.
First
Learn the subtleties of your camera especially the focusing and exposure modes. The is no substitute for a well exposed sharp image. Most kit lenses do quite well if stopped down one or two stops. Use auto ISO (if you have that feature), and set the shutter speed manually on the high side and for the type of subject. As fast shutter speed will correct for poor technique and stop action. Set the aperture manually for DOF. Down load a DOF calculator and learn to use it.
Next
Post processing is easily as important as the camera and lens and good editors are usually far less expensive than gear and many are free. I have been down this road many times and spent a good deal of money needlessly. The most significant improvement in my imagery came from learning how to process raw images subsequent to the capture.
Hope this helps.
Oct 23, 2017 10:51:49 #
You should always upgrade the weakest link. If your camera is better than the lens, upgrade the lens. Your camera body is a few generations old, so it is more likely the camera is the weak link unless your lens was never too good to start with. That said, some earlier (and some current) kit lenses are not very good, so you may have a dual weak-link system.
Oct 23, 2017 10:52:48 #
If the kit lens you have is a good lens, then I’d say keep it and move up to a newer camera body. I have to agree that while a D7100 or 7200, even the D3xxx and D5xxx series have 24mp sensors and produce outstanding images, a smaller density sensor, such as the 12mp sensor on the D90 also produces very good images. The D90, while still older technology, is a very good camera, and you can find them used and refurbished for very reasonable prices. Just don’t expect a huge print from it to be as crisp and sharp as one from a 24mp camera. Otherwise, I’d recommend jumping up to a D7100 or 7200. Then see if your current lenses work well with it. By the way, I have the Nikon 18-140 lens on my D7200, and it stays on there 95% of the time.
Oct 23, 2017 11:01:19 #
Jeffcs wrote:
Op never noted what "kit lens" they are using .....
Someone (that would be you, Jeff) didn't read beyond the first page before answering.
Oct 23, 2017 11:25:04 #
camerapapi wrote:
"I have a D80 with kit lens. Where would I ge... (show quote)
If the camera was purchased in 2006 like mine then the original kit lens will be 18-55 non vr. The vr version was built starting in 2007 at some point. Be sure if you get a new body that the non menu controls on the body are to your liking. It is a pain in the neck to shoot fast in manual mode on a 3000 series nikon. I know as my wife has one.
Oct 23, 2017 12:16:12 #
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 23, 2017 12:16:28 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
Glass makes the difference; but, you need a new camera first.
Oct 23, 2017 12:27:47 #
As others have pointed out, without knowing what kit lenses you have it is hard to advise you. But a general guide that I use when addressing where to put my money wth regard to the camera body and lens is, “Date the body, marry the lens.”
Oct 23, 2017 12:31:09 #
rmalarz wrote:
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
Oct 23, 2017 12:37:47 #
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.
Putting budget aside, I feel an upgrade of both the camera and the lens would be your best investment for the future. You wouldn't replace only one battery when 2 are needed. You will be at the top of your game if you upgrade both.
Oct 23, 2017 13:03:58 #
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