nikon d80....?

Question

If i bought a nikon d80 .. now...

Would it still be classed as a good camera in 2-4 years time??

i am desperate for it, but i'm starting a 2year-photography course in 2 years time.. not sure whether to wait and get one then...

or buy it now.... but i don't want to have to buy a new/better one halfway through the course.....?

Will it last??

Answer 1

It'll be a good camera but if you start the course in 2 years I suggest you wait about 18 months to buy a new camera...no telling what will be available then and hopefully prices will have dropped drastically....


until then buy a decent CHEAP digital camera to get the feel for working with digital images and getting the most from your equipment

Answer 2

The D80 will be a fine camera today, tomorrow, and in the year 2012, if you keep it properly maintained. Yes, a better camera will be out by then. Actually, a better camera is slated for release by Nikon in Fall-Winter 2007.

But that doesn't mean that it necessary to upgrade. If your '95 Mazda is still running well, getting good gas mileage, is fun to drive, and has few repair issues, would you buy a new car just to have a newer car?

The D80 will continue to suit your needs unless your needs change. And the only people that honestly need more than a D80 are professional photographers or extremely serious enthusiasts, both of whom can afford a D200 or higher. For many professional photographers, most upgrades come in the form of lenses, flashes, and other accessories, not newer cameras.

Answer 3

If you maintain it properly the camera will work for very long time.

Years ago I was asking the same question. A very wise photographer told me a thing. There will always be a new camera with better feature launched to the market. But the one decide it's a good photo or not is not the camera but the person who took the photos.

I have a D80 myself unless you need to have high speed burst this camera have everything you need.

Check the site I give you. You will see most of the higher rating photo actually taken by not the latest hitech camera.

Oh and you need time to learn about the camera and all the function so it's good to have camera early and learn it by taking photos

Answer 4

Lisa,

Get the D80 now and learn the workings of this camera inside and out. 2, 5, 10 years from now it'll still be a great camera if you have taken care of it. Start your Lens collection (Nikkor Glass) and start adding to it. Your lenses will eventually be the most important piece of your photography set up. I have a D200 and love it. You can't go wrong with the Nikon. Check out their forum site here http://www.nikonians.org/ and see sample photos here http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/d80 Enjoy!!!

Answer 5

There is no way to tell what will be going on in 2 years so you should buy it. If money is a concern, you can always look at the D50. The most important thing is to buy the best camera today that your budget will allow.

PS- I do think the D80, the D50, and the D40 will be perfectly fine 1 and 2 years from now, good luck.

Answer 6

Assuming that you take care of it, yes, chances are it will still be a good camera. Newer models sporting newer technologies will always follow, but that doesn't make today's model "bad".

Having taken several photography courses in the past, I've never known anyone failing because of old equipment. Some of the best photos I've seen come from "ancient" equipment. In the end, it's the person behind the camera that makes the photo. :)

Answer 7

In 2 years it will probably be outdated by a new model but it will still be a good camera. Just not new. Most people have cameras from 4 years ago and they are still really good cameras, you just have to take care of it.