Lenses for Nikon D200

I'm upgrading from a Canon PowerShot A620 to a digital SLR camera in

preparation for some digital photography classes I'm taking this year. I

figure that I have around a $1500.-$2000. budget right now and I'm looking at

either a Nikon D200 or a Canon EOS 30D.

 

I have an old Nikon 4004 35mm camera with the following lenses:<br>

 

1.) Tokina AF210 II 70-210mm F4~5.6 for Nikon;<br>

 

2.) Sigma 28~70mm 1:35~4.5 AF-6 for Nikon;<br>

 

3.) Sigma 170-500mm 1:5-6.3D AF-MF APO lens for Nikon.<br><br>

 

I'm primarily interested in landscape and nature photography. My questions

are:<br>

 

1.) If I buy the Nikon D200 can I use the above lenses? (If so, I would think

it would make the Nikon more attractive over the Canon. I can't remember how

much I paid for the lenses, but to buy comparable lenses made for digital

cameras sounds like it would be way over my current budget.)<br>

 

2.) If I were to buy one lense made for a digital Nikon D200 for landscapes,

which would you recommend?<br><br>

 

Thanks for your help. I've admired so many of the photographs shown on

photo.net and I'm excited to learn more with a new camera.

"If I were to buy one lense"

 

If you were to buy one lens, with your interests I may be inclined to go for a 120mm or a

150mm lens.

 

The 150mm lens has a medium focusing range and is good for full length portraits and for

landscape. It will set distracting backgrounds out of focus for you.

 

The 120mm lens is for macro and will give you 1:1 ratios. This is good for head and

shoulder portraits, landscapes and most applications. Its a tough decision but easy if you

know what your priorities are.

I'm not sure I understand Jennifer's answer-Nikon does not make a 120 or a 150 lens-sounds like advice for a new Hasselblad owner.

 

I own the D200 and the 17-55 and 70-200VR lens. For a one lens system you could not do much better than the Nikon 18-200VR, which gets pretty good reviews and has a great deal of versatility. Another advantage is that the D200 can be bought as a kit with this lens, saving you some money.

 

Randy

1) yes,

You can also use those lenses on a Canon with an adapter and still have stop down metering. You will lose autofocus however.

 

2) You will probably want a wider lens like a 12-24 for landscapes, but those are pretty pricy and will put you out of budget. You should either get the 18-55 or the 18-70 or maybe even the 18-135 lenses and look toward upgrading to a super wide later.

 

Image quality won't be that different with a D40x or D80 than a Nikon D200 or Rebel Xti and the 30d.

 

For $2000 dollars. You can get the Nikon D80 with 18-135 for 1100. Tokina 12-24 for 499 and a Nikon SB600 flash for 200, Nikon 50mm 1.8d which is the same cost as buying a Nikon D200 and a cheap lens.

i will suggest the D80. As far as i know it has the same guts of the D200. It uses SD cards and is compatible with all AF nikon lenses. You can buy th D200. More rugged and made to last longer, and not to forget that is weather sealed. But the D80 will give you more pictures per bat battery charge. I have taken about 2000 pics with a single battery as the D200 its about 800; and D80 is lighter. But you can use your nikon F mount lenses on any nikon body. I suggest you go to a camera shop and ask them this questions and take your lenses and try them there. I bet they are will be more happy to help you choose a good camera and a lens.

I think I'll get the D80 and use the rest of my budget for lenses. Thanks for all the advice.

Davey