Nikon F55 SLR ----- Digital next step?

[dan1981]

Hi All,

I've had a "normal" slr for quite a few years now, a Nikon F55, but i'm now thinking of moving digital rather than film.

I already have a normal digital cam but now want to purchase an DSLR.

I'm happy with my f55 so somewthing with similar features / methods of use etc.

Do like nikon too. Also will i be able to use my old lenses with a new digital? so coudl i just buy a digital body?

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Dan

[Simpo Two]

If you like the Nikon ergonomics then you should be able to pick up a Nikon DSLR and use it pretty much straight away. The physics are the same, the controls are very similar; the only new thing to learn will be digital imaging.

Your lenses will fit and if they are <10 years old should autofocus and everything else. The only exception is if you choose the D40 as that needs AF-S lenses to autofocus. Not sure if the new D60 is the same. However unless you're planning on spending £3K+ on a D3, your lenses will appear 50% longer, so you may find that they all go on eBay very quickly and you start again with more suitable focal lengths.

I'd have thought the obvious camera to look at is the D80 - go and see one

[Don]

Simpo: Isn't a D3 a FX sensor - same size as a 35mm? Thought it was the D2Xs/ D300 that were DX size still...

So a D3 would be a perfect camera if you have a collection of lenses for use with 35mm??

[GetCarter]

Don / Dan

As Simpo says, the only Nikon digital body that will reflect the true mm from a lens is the D3

But It does mean that images from your telephotos will become 50% 'closer'

But your wides will become similarly narrow.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 12th March 16:13

[dan1981]

i don't have a wide selction of lenses (2 infact) so am quite happy to have to start afresh with lenses.

Just looking for a similar camera to the f55 really. I don't photograph seriously for work or anythign its just ahobby that i enjoy so don't want to spend a fortune. I'm more than ahppy with what i can do with the f55 but woudl like to go digital now.

[Simpo Two]

Don said:

Simpo: Isn't a D3 a FX sensor - same size as a 35mm? Thought it was the D2Xs/ D300 that were DX size still...

Correct.

Don said:

So a D3 would be a perfect camera if you have a collection of lenses for use with 35mm??

If you wanted to spend £3,200 just so your old 28-85mm (worth £95) can give the same field of view, yes. However that's not what Dan's trying to achieve.

So Dan, stick the lot on eBay and start again - it really is the best way My suggestion: D80, 18-70, 70-300.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 12th March 17:42

[CivicMan]

Seconded for a D80 - you should be able to get a body off Ebay for under £500 and that'll do everything you want it to.

[beano500]

Might you be interested in starting with a D70?

Edited by beano500 on Wednesday 12th March 23:17

[nelly111s]

My recommendation (going from F80 to D80 myself) would be to keep your current lenses if you're happy with the sharpness of them anyway, just get a body and take it from there. I use two of my "film" lenses with the digital and have got one specific (DX) digital lens for the D80. A new lens is only really necessary if you take wide angle shots at present and you could get a short range (focal length) zoom specifically for that when you wanted, keeping your current lenses.

HTH

Nelly