oh and i have to disagree with awpollard in one point: the noise in the d50 is higher than for example in the 350d (rebel xt), so try not to use it too much on higher iso levels, i think 400 is most to get ok results.
you should have bought the d40 instead of the d50, the noise levels are amazing in this new nikon, a lot better than in the d50.
and for the lenses i can recommend the tamron 28-75 as an "allround" lens and the tokina 12-24 f4 for the wide angle, both are more than affordable and guaerantee really good quality. as a zoom lens, i heard the sigma 70-300 is best you can get for the price of less than 200$.
Did not know noise wasn't handled well on this particular model...my bad.
As to the Sigma 70-300mm Marco (can't remember the full nomenclature (there are several flavors...make sure it is the right one)) from what I have seen is the best budget lens in the xx-300mm range. My buddy picked one up and is getting great use out of it. He got his for 189US from Sigma-4-less, I am amazed at the detail and clarity of the shots he is getting.
Early on I bought a Quantaray (was told it was a rebranded Sigma) 70-300mm for @ 200US and it was the biggest piece-o-crap that I have ever seen/used. No detail > 250mm...just a useless lens.
The Tammy 28-75mm is an excellent lens that I would recommend to anyone, the price (and quality) does move this towards the top end of the affordable (quality) glass range.
Edit: There are some sleeper toys out there though. In the Canon world we have the 50mm 1.8 MKII all plastic but the glass is astounding, don't know if there is similar in Nikon-land. Another $70 lens that works quite well (don't drop it as it is all plastic as well) is the Vivatar/Phoenix/(another OEMer) 100mm 3.6 Macro, Cheap but gets the job done (if you need macro).
i heard the sigma 70-300 is best you can get for the price of less than 200$.
Yes, yes you did !
*bows down before the all-knowing Mephisto*
I can only aspire to your level of photography - maybe one day :D
there are two versions (maybe more but two major distinctions) make sure you get the APO version. the other one (which we had at first) is not as good. best thing you can do (after reading the manual) is to shoot ans shoot some more. When i have actually sat there shooting and really try to figure out cause and effect i have learned more.
Okay - I just want to gather you guys all up and take you with me when I go shopping !! You'll likely make, if not "better", at least more informed decisions than I will.
The new D50 raw files will gobble up a lot of hard drive space if you are going to shoot every day, so you may want to be looking at getting an external hard drive. The prices have come down a lot in the last 6 months, and it is an investment that will allow you to back up your images safely, and keep working space clear in your main computer.
When changing your ISO to get a faster shutter speed, don't forget to change it back down. You don't wnat to come back home with pictures that are all noisy or overexposed. Pretty sure every Dslr owner has done this multiply times.
It would be difficult at first to always compose with the wiewfinder compared to a camera with an EVF (Electronic View Finder). You might have to bend,lay low, stand on your tip toes, or just shoot and chimp.
The key to your new purchase is that you have a lot more control over what is in focus by upgrading.
The new D50 raw files will gobble up a lot of hard drive space if you are going to shoot every day, so you may want to be looking at getting an external hard drive. The prices have come down a lot in the last 6 months, and it is an investment that will allow you to back up your images safely, and keep working space clear in your main computer.
Try newegg.com for the hard drive. Some 250's are under $100 there.
I also have a Quantaray lens, I think it is 35/70 zoom. I bought a Nikon N65 at the flea market for $20 and it was on it. I never use it, and I can really tell that it belongs on a kid camera just by the way it feels.
I have a couple of Sigma lenses, both manual. One is a 400 I F, which is well built, but not as good as the Nikon for contrast and C A control (color fringing.) The other is a M F 15mm, which I am very pleased with, in image quality and construction. My best rated image was shot with the 15 for the "Entrance" challenge.
One thing to try and avoid is the equipment chase. Years ago when I bought my first SLR (a film Canon AE-1), I spent the first year buying lenses, filters, and accessories. At the end of the year I had a camera bag full of equipment that I barely knew how to use. I got caught up in the idea that I absolutely "needed" lens x if I was going to shoot y, or that I couldn't possibly shoot with my consumer grade lens a and get good results, so I had to spend the money and upgrade to the "pro" lens b in order to get anything good.
Instead of worrying about what new piece of equipment I "needed" to buy, I should have spent that first year shooting and learning to maximize the equipment I already owned.
If I were doing it all over again, I would limit myself to two lenses in the first year: one "really good" standard prime and one wide end zoom. I can't tell you which lenses those might be for your nikon, because I shoot canon, but I'm sure people on this list can give you good recommendations for them. (I'm thinking something like the Canon 50mm 1.4 for the prime and something that starts around 18mm for the zoom.)
Also look at Sigma and Tamron, as they are making some very good glass that seems to rival the proprietary brands in optical quality. For an all around lense, the 18-200mm Tamron I have isn't a professional lens by any means, but is impressive for what it is and people on this site have produced some very impressive shots with it.
Okay - hit FutureShop and picked up a 320GB drive for $150, and a 2GB card and reader set for $50.
Don't plan on an equipment chase really - most finances won't allow me to. I'll have the kit lens, and a 50mm 1.4. If I can get a good hand of them, I'll look at adding a more significant zoom lens next year. Sooner if I can find one cheap (used, etc).
I really appreciate all the suggestions I'm getting here.
Okay - hit FutureShop and picked up a 320GB drive for $150, and a 2GB card and reader set for $50.
Don't plan on an equipment chase really - most finances won't allow me to. I'll have the kit lens, and a 50mm 1.4. If I can get a good hand of them, I'll look at adding a more significant zoom lens next year. Sooner if I can find one cheap (used, etc).
I really appreciate all the suggestions I'm getting here.
didn't you say you were going to have the 50 1.8?
imho you should get the 50 1.8 instead of the 1.4, the advantage with that lens is not worth the money you will have to pay more compared to the 1.8
and then get yourself the sigma 70-300 for the money you save with that...;)
