Thomas Hanrahan , Jul 28, 2008; 02:35 a.m.
Hi - new to this forum and would appreciate any advice.. I have 2 (what I consider) very good quality lenses which I
used with my old 35mm SLR. They are both AF Nikkor - one a 50mm f1.8 prime, and a 28-105 f3.5-4.5D. I want to
buy a digital SLR body and would obviously like to match these lenses if at all possible. Any recommendations on
what body I should be considering? I am currently looking at either D80 or D300, but there is a large price diff and I
fear that neither lens would do the D300 justice as I may need to look at a fixed f2.8 lens rather (either 28-70 and/or
70-200) which will mean considerably more cost. Thanks for your advice.
David Chu , Jul 28, 2008; 02:54 a.m.
Both lenses will work as intended on the D80 or better (modern DSLRs). Just don't get a D40/x/60 and you should be set (D40/x/60 don't have an internal focus motor which is required to AF the lenses you have).
David Chu , Jul 28, 2008; 02:55 a.m.
(I'd spring for the D300 myself and upgrade the zoom later... mmmD300)
Rene' Villela 
, Jul 28, 2008; 03:23 a.m.
they will work on a D80 or D300 just as they did on your SLR. Of curse if cash is not problem D300 is the one to get but a
D80 is an excellent camera too. Also, we are all waiting for the D80 to be replaced (D90). We expect it to be a D300 in a
D80 body. If you are not in a hurry I will suggest to wait a few weeks or a couple of months. your lenses will work in that
model too, almost 100% sure! Rene'
Simon Hickie - Melbourne, Derbyshire, UK 
, Jul 28, 2008; 04:15 a.m.
I have both lenses & they work fine on my D80. I too am waiting for the D90 to appear (September??).
Lex (perpendicularity consultant) Jenkins 
, Jul 28, 2008; 04:32 a.m.
You're not very deeply invested in Nikkor lenses, so don't rely on that as a primary factor in choosing a camera. Get the camera with features you can grow into. That may very well be something like the D80. But don't let a couple of fairly ordinary lenses dictate your choice.
(Naturally there are exceptions. When I first got into the Nikon system it was for one specific lens, the 28/3.5 PC Nikkor. I bought the lens before I even owned a Nikon body. Everything else was built from that odd beginning.)
Thomas Hanrahan , Jul 28, 2008; 06:07 a.m.
Thanks for the input.
"But don't let a couple of fairly ordinary lenses dictate your choice."
If I went D300 then, these lenses be wasted on this body and a waste of time? If so what's the best all-round lens for getting the most out of the D300? - the 18-200 VR 3.5-5.6? or one of the fixed 2.8s?
Walter Schroeder , Jul 28, 2008; 06:33 a.m.
Best? D3 with 24-70mm.
To give you an answer that will really help you please give an idea about the total budged.
A possible start might be a used D200 with a used 35-70mm f2.8 Nikkor zoom. Excellent image quality at moderate zoom range.
Peter Hamm 
, Jul 28, 2008; 08:09 a.m.
You should consider an 18-70 or 16-85 if you get a crop sensor DSLR. 28mm isn't wide enough.
Frank , Jul 28, 2008; 08:20 a.m.
"I am currently looking at either D80 or D300, but there is a large price diff and I fear that neither lens would do the D300 justice "
Thomas
The happy Medium is the D200. It is more reliable and better equipped than the D80 and much cheaper than the D300. Though I use a D300 since last november I still use my D200 - and I am happy with its results. AF and high ISO are not as perfect as the D300's but IQ of the D200 is still top class. IMO even a second hand D200 is the better buy in comparison to a new D80.
Because of the crop factor I would buy a wide angle zoom with a reasonable price like the Tokina 12-24/4.
