I'm actually posting a question topside

[Anonymous]

I'm tempted to purchase a Nikon D50.
I can purchase a kit for $550.00 that includes:


1. Nikon D50
2. Nikon 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Auto Focus Lens
3. 256MB Secure Digital Memory Card
4. Secure Digital Card Reader
5. Lens Cleaning kit
6. Full Size Tripod
7. Deluxe Camera Case
8. LCD Screen Protectors
Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera comes with:
• Li-ion Battery
• Charger
• USB Cable
• Video Cable
• Carry Strap
• Body Cap
• Eyepiece Cap
• Rubber Eyecup
• Accessory shoe cover
• PictureProject CD-ROM
• Users Guide

or the Macro package for $861.00 wich includes:

1. Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera with 6.1 Megapixel
2. 105mm f/2.8 Macro CloseUp AutoFocus Lens
3. Macro AutoFocus Ringlight Flash
4. 512MB Secure Digital Memory Card
5. High Speed Secure Digital Memory Card Reader
6. Deluxe Camera Case
7. Deluxe Lens Cleaning System
8. Full Size Tripod
9. LCD Screen Protectors Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera comes with:
• Li-ion Battery
• Charger
• USB Cable
• Video Cable
• Carry Strap
• Body Cap
• Eyepiece Cap
• Rubber Eyecup
• Accessory shoe cover
• PictureProject CD-ROM
• Users Guide

The Macro lens itself retails for $693.00.

So has anyone used this macro lens before? Would this be the ideal lens for macro reef tank shots?

The standard 28-80 lens retails for only $168.00 so I can pick it up later or maybe get a better price then.

I know the D70 is available and the D80 very shortly but this seems to be in my price range.
So what say you camera gurus?

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

Never mind.
I purchased the D50 with the Macro Lens.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[bleedingthought]

Let us know how it works out! Prefferably, post some pictures using that macro lens!!!

 

[Len]

I've had the 105mm 2.8 Macro. It's a very nice, sharp lens. You'll love it, especially with the macro ring light. It was recently replaced by the 105mm 2.8 VR AF-S.

You'll want a bigger memory card.

 

[Anonymous]

I've had the 105mm 2.8 Macro. It's a very nice, sharp lens. You'll love it, especially with the macro ring light. It was recently replaced by the 105mm 2.8 VR AF-S.

You'll want a bigger memory card.

I just canceled the order.
This place called me up and tried to sell me additional accessories even though they were supposedly included in the package (they claim they're not even though it says so in the description).
Everything out of the guy's mouth was that'll cost another $49.00, that'll cost another $149.00, etc. and then they wanted to sell me some crappy extend warranty.
I'll find another company to deal with.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[SnowManSnow]

what company ?

 

[Meloco14]

I've had the 105mm 2.8 Macro. It's a very nice, sharp lens. You'll love it, especially with the macro ring light. It was recently replaced by the 105mm 2.8 VR AF-S.

You'll want a bigger memory card.

I just canceled the order.
This place called me up and tried to sell me additional accessories even though they were supposedly included in the package (they claim they're not even though it says so in the description).
Everything out of the guy's mouth was that'll cost another $49.00, that'll cost another $149.00, etc. and then they wanted to sell me some crappy extend warranty.
I'll find another company to deal with.

Regards,
David Mohr

My dad had a similar experience when he bought his last camera. He asked me where to get the best prices and I told him B and H. He said he found a place about $100 cheaper than B and H and ordered from them. Then he got a call saying it didnt come with accessory A, B, or C and it would be a couple more hundred dollars. He cancelled the order and bought from B and H.

 

[Anonymous]

what company ?

I don't like to post company names but this place was bad. I sent them an email with my complaint so let's see if I get any response at all. Depending on their response I'll consider posting the name.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

I've had the 105mm 2.8 Macro. It's a very nice, sharp lens. You'll love it, especially with the macro ring light. It was recently replaced by the 105mm 2.8 VR AF-S.

You'll want a bigger memory card.

I just canceled the order.
This place called me up and tried to sell me additional accessories even though they were supposedly included in the package (they claim they're not even though it says so in the description).
Everything out of the guy's mouth was that'll cost another $49.00, that'll cost another $149.00, etc. and then they wanted to sell me some crappy extend warranty.
I'll find another company to deal with.

Regards,
David Mohr

My dad had a similar experience when he bought his last camera. He asked me where to get the best prices and I told him B and H. He said he found a place about $100 cheaper than B and H and ordered from them. Then he got a call saying it didnt come with accessory A, B, or C and it would be a couple more hundred dollars. He cancelled the order and bought from B and H.

B and H is out of stock as are many companies, I may have to buy this thing in pieces from multiple sources.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

It took me a few phone calls but I was able to piece a camera together; I just picked it up a couple of hours ago.

I picked up the D50 body $499.99
The 28-80mm f3.3-f5.6 Nikkor lens was $50.00 after rebate
I purchased a 50mm f2.8 Macro lens $159.00
A 1 GIG SD memory card $59.99

Now I just have to figure out how to use the thing. :wink:

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[bleedingthought]

Well,

Let us know how it works out! Prefferably, post some pictures using that macro lens!!!

 

[Anonymous]

These were all taken with the 50mm f2.8 Macro Lens. I'm still getting the hang of it. This is nothing like the CoolPix 950 I had years ago or the Sony I have now.

One of my four-legged critters

This is a photo of the 28-80mm f3.3-f5.6 lens

Empty camera box and 28-20mm lens again

I'll try to get some critter pics later.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Mihai]

Apparently there are tons of such companies on the web: they sell you the camera at an unbelievable price, then they charge you for the box, battery, strap, warranty and other things (e.g., memory card). If you don't want them, they don't have the camera in stock.

M.

 

[Ben1]

Thats a nice set!

I had a 50MM Marco for my drebel and didnt like it much. The pictures were very crisp but I regreted not getting a 105mm. With the fixed zoom it was difficult getting full mp shots of what I wanted in the tank. Outside of tank shooting it was great though.

 

[Anonymous]

Thats a nice set!

I had a 50MM Marco for my drebel and didnt like it much. The pictures were very crisp but I regreted not getting a 105mm. With the fixed zoom it was difficult getting full mp shots of what I wanted in the tank. Outside of tank shooting it was great though.

I wanted to buy and was asking the guy about the 105mm and he knew what I was using it for but he claimed that the 50mm would be better for macro shots than the 105mm because with the 105mm I wouldn't be able to get as close to the subject. There's a huge difference in price between the two lenses so he didn't have any incentive to sell me the less expensive lens. This lens doesn't appear to be as good as the macro lens as I had on my Coolpix 950 for closeups, though I'm still getting the hang of this camera and lens.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Len]

David,

Who made the 50mm macro? Nikon doesn't make a 50mm macro.

 

[Anonymous]

David,

Who made the 50mm macro? Nikon doesn't make a 50mm macro.

They did /do make 50mm zoom lenses though.
There are three companies making macro lenses for Nikons that I know of, Sigma, Tamron and Quantaray. Quantaray is a private label of Ritz/Wolf Camera which is the lens I purchased.
If this lens doesn't work out I'm looking at the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG:

though I want to campare it to the 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens:

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Len]

Ah.

Nikon has a 60mm macro ("micro") 2.8 that is the sharpest lens I use, going toe to toe with the nikon 50mm (not macro) in my bag. It should be tack sharp as it's purposely designed to capture fine text documents. It's my favorite/most used Nikon lens.

I plan to get the 105mm VR soon. With the AF-S and internal focusing (unlike the old 105mm nikkor I had), it would be terrific for fish photography. VR should be interesting too.

I strongly recommend sticking with Nikon/Nikkor lenses. They cost more, but with virtually no exception, they are of a superior quality. And the beauty of Nikon lenses is they hold their value supremely well. Think of it as a long term, very cheap loan. A $800 Nikon will ebay for about $700 3-5 years later.

That said, if you want a budget 105mm, consider the Tamron. Tamron makes very few lenses worth looking at, but their 105mm f2.8 macro is one of the best macro lens value out there. The Nikon is better, but it is $300-400 more (get the Nikon )