Well I went and done it..

[Chenango Dave]

Well I just went out and bought a Nikon D80 along with the 18-55mm afs that comes as a package deal. Now this is my first SLR camera so I wanted to get a good combo to get started out with .
I ordered the 70-200 mm f/2.8 G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom to get me started. After I get the lens (should be here by Thursday) I plan on playing around with it and hope to decide if I should go right out and get the TC-20E Teleconverter.
What do you guys think of this setup for getting started? I'll mostly be taking just wildlife shots and landscapes. I'm not looking to be a pro or anything - just looking to get some decent pictures - probably like most of you.
If anyone has any pointers or recommendations about getting started out - I'm all ears.
Hopefully I'll be putting some pics on here this weekend.
Take care and wish me luck...

 

[Lan-Lord]

Dave congrats on the new cam! Sounds like you made some great choices on your hardware.
My advice for getting started is:

1. read the manual
2. just start shooting
3. repeat
   

Looking forward to seeing some of your shots

 

[betelgeuse]

Wooo Hooo!! Sounds like fun.

Ditto on reading the manual. There are some great explanations on
basic tecqniques in there.

 

[Hideandwatch]

Congrats on the new toy, oh yeah and read the manual!

 

[quailsroost]

Great choice, I have the D70s with a several lenses, I added the 80-200 2.8 not to long ago and I really like all of them. You might consider a carbon fiber tri-pod also, that 200mm will be a hand full to hold steady when it's fully zoomed out, I have the Feisol and for the money it's just fine, also a good ball head is a must when you do get the Tri-pod, for now get familiar with the camera and all it's function by using it all the time as often as you can, have fun.

 

[Kit Fox]

I have the lowly D50 with the 18-55mm lense. I can only imagine how much nicer the D80 images would be. The D50 continually "blows me away" with the photo quality that I get.

I think the key to successful digital photography (besides the camera) is the editing program that you use. I use Photoshop Elements 4.0 to manage my images, and I edit them with Photoshop CS2.

 

[clutchkiller]

Seems like a good set up to me, congrats! Try shooting in the Av mode, it's the easiest to use in the creative zone until you get the hang of things.

 

[wapiti]

Congrats on your new purchase. I have both the D50 and the D80. I suggest you increase the sharpening and contrast in camera to get a little more punch. The D80 requires more post-processing to get the best image.

You'll like the camera!

 

[wtnhunt]

Congrats on the new dslr. Have fun with it.

 

[leod]

Congratulations, and welcome to the EXPENSIVE, FRUSTRATING, and OH SO ENJOYABLE WORLD OF DSLR's

 

[5.9cummins]

Congrats. Im looking forward to the posts.

Between you clutch and myself I would say CNY or atleast NY is fairly well represented.

 

[Chenango Dave]

Thanks for the replies - Well I'm still waiting on the 70-200mm (should be here tomorrow) but i have been out with the small lens. Here is one of the first I took with the D80 - my dog Dobie. Sorry if the pic is too big - I'm at work and don't have a way to resize it here.

Have an ice fishing derby this weekend - will be getting some pics out on the ice.

 

[Shay Mann]

I have the D70S, great camera. You won't be disappointed with Nikon.