Our 1st digital SLR camera : Nikon D80

At the time of posting this blog entry, I am still reading the first few pages of The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with the D80 DIGITAL CAMERA. So, everything is still very new and you really need to fully understand the basics and principles before you begin to appreciate using D80's full features.

HOW WE COME TO BUY a Nikon? ...the short story version

How to end up being first time novice photographer using Nikon digital SLR model D80, 10.2megapixels, 3 frames/second continuous, shutter speed 30 to 1/4000 sec, ISO 100 to 1600, kit lens AF-S Nikkor 18-135mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED and boxed set.

Chicken feet upside down, Jong's favorite dish, just tenderly cooked but too thin? (Auto mode, 1/250, f8, 18mm, ISO 100)


After our climb of Mt Kinabalu/SABAH on July 29, the photographs taken by compact cameras were found to be not very good quality. Thus begun the plan to buy digital SLR camera. The following 2-3 weeks in August, we asked around, searched the internet for reviews and comparisons, then hunted around town to check on brands, models and prices. click 2 links below

www.hardwarezone.com's August 2006 (Most value for money award)

www.dpreview.com's Nikon D80 Review, September 2006

Immediate buyer : Jong, Alfred and myself. (Pei Li : planning to buy).
Hint : Chua currently owns a Canon EOS 350D but Pei Li has sold off Nikon D70 set.

With a budget of below RM4500, available choices I searched for reviews are Canon EOS Rebel XTi or 400D, Olympus E-510, Pentax K100D, Nikon D40 and 40X, Nikon D80. Shops around town carry stock only for Canon EOS 400D, Olympus E-510 and Nikon D40 and it was found that only one unit of D40X in stock but which was already sold.

Although Jong/Alfred/myself did check out Canon EOS 400D, Olympus E-510 and Nikon D40 set, there was no chance for us to see the actual D80 except by catalogues. But it was decided that D80 would be the camera to buy. Best Value for Money?

Out of control, going to pee here, nice spot! Drink plenty of water, it has to cycle naturally? It's National Day, sing NegaraKu please! ( Auto mode, 1/200, f7.1, 18mm, ISO 100). Actually, Alfred tries to get close to shoot the fence geometry.


It so happened that on my trip to Sibu on 20 August 2007, I saw a D80 displayed at the windows of 2 different shops across town (they carried only 1 display unit boxed set), and it was a great chance for me to hold and look at it. Both shops selling at fixed price of RM4500 without memory card, tripod or bag. I decided there and then that D80 would be the choice, considering the reviews read and physically viewed the camera.

But there would be no stock in Kuching, you would have to order, place deposit and wait for 2-3 weeks delivery!

Street lamp against the blue sky backdrop. Testing AF focus points? Corners a bit darker blue! (Auto mode, 1/400, f5.6, 135mm, ISO 200)


FAST ACTION!

It was Friday morning, August 24, 2007, I received a call and Alfred informed that Nikon D80 kit is selling RM4300 in Kuala Lumpur with free 2GB SD card, bag and tripod. A few moments later, stock for 3 units is confirmed available. I made a fast call and Jong agreed to buy. Alfred had insufficient cash and credit card use would be charged 5% extra. A few calls later, I went down to the bank and wired money to a bank at Sg Wang Plaza for Alfred to collect cash and to buy the cameras. Cash RM12,909.87 inclusive of bank charges wired. Money transfer must be done today (it was Friday) and bank would close for the weekend.

After 2.40pm, message by sms came to say that the 3 units of D80 were safely brought to the hotel room in Bukit Bintang area. Alfred thus had good opportunity to use D80 for KL shots. The next day, another shop's sale price : RM4199. Too bad. Could have saved RM101. #!$@#!$#%!

I requested that battery to be charged and all units tested before bringing them back. Done. The cameras were flown into Kuching by free messenger service on Sunday August 26, 2007. I went to airport to collect from Alfred's special delivery by Sunday evening, after the afternoon trek at Mt Singai with Jong, Hoe, Eve, Joseph.

Nipah trees against blue sky backdrop just tesitng contrast. Shades of blue and green. (Manual mode, 1/320, f3.5, 18mm, ISO 100)


Compare the photos taken on 31 August, 2007 (Malaysian National Day) by Nikon camera models Coolpix S4 vs D80. Can you detect any difference in the output of the same object like tone, color, hue? The skin tone and cloud patches looked different? Color tone of wood, water and green?

This photo by Coolpix S4 compact camera of 6.0 megapixel (Note: Date should read 31.08.2007)




This photo by Nikon D80 digital SLR of 10.2 megapixel. Same frame for comparison sake. (Auto mode, 1/60, f8, 24mm, ISO 100)