Those Quantaray lenses are SO tempting, because they are such a great price. I think all of the non-Canon/Nikkor lenses - Sigma, Quantaray, Tamron - will be a bit soft. Sucks, when you think about the money you'd save.

Maybe you can get some sort of guarantee that you can bring back the lens if you don't like it? I mean, the proper alternative will cost more money, but I guess it's a start.

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You know, the homeless make desperate, passionate lovers. But they will rob you blind.

That lens was a lot but worth every penny. I use to have a bunch of prime lenses, 20mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm but this lens replaced them all and has the same or better optics without having to take the lens off the camera. You can't go wrong with either the D60 or D80 but I think the D60 is a better package deal with the two Nikon lenses. Also with the money you save with the D60 you can pickup an extra battery and a couple of ND filters for the two lenses.

Ok I have to get back to work.

Thanks M, Arlee, and everyone else!

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olympics rule

I am now a proud owner of a d60 with two amazing lenses. He gave me an upgrade and included nikon VR lenses which are phenomenal!!! It wasn't even a selling point for me, but after a few seconds of use I am completely hooked on the new vr technology.

One more question. I now have two amazing lenses. The salesman said I should get two uv filters to protect the lenses. Made perfect sense-at first. But now I am thinking...I just bought two amazing lenses, but will be shooting through a quantaray uv filter. Won't that defeat the clarity of the nikon lens?

Thankyou to everyone...I probably would of gotten the D80 with the quantaray lenses without your guidance, but I can already tell the difference by using these nikon lenses!

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olympics rule

When it comes to those UV filters, the Quantarays are fine. I think mine are all Hoya and Tiffen.

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You know, the homeless make desperate, passionate lovers. But they will rob you blind.

Cool...thanks! I'm sure in no time I will be photographing circles around mpenn!!!!! Probably not, but I can dream can't I?!?!?!

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olympics rule

You never know.


BTW I haven't seen any difference between UV filters. I do know some picky photographers that will only use B+W filters.

Well for me its about what you plan to do with the camera-general use or get paid to for it. You may already no that both brands hold little value after the purchase. Like a American made car. Only the lenses hold value and they hold pretty well. Make sure that camera you get is adaptable to the pro cameras lenses unlike the Nikon D40 which not the same as the D80. These lenses are my favorite to work with: General use 18-200mm VR is a great buy, Making some money lenses 17-55 or 17-35 are excellent for parties,baby showers,events,modeling, its a fast lens that works for you (300 TO 400 shots a job. Now for serious affordable lenses fix zoom 50mm 1.8 , 85mm 1.8 a can't loose lens I love them. Also you need a speedlite Nikon SB-800. Sports is a whole other market and very expensive. I own a D300 & D70 FOR BACK-UP. HAVE FUN SHOOTING!

He already bought a camera.

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You know, the homeless make desperate, passionate lovers. But they will rob you blind.

Yep. Thanks for the recommendations canudigme, but I did already get a nikon.