oo...but i've got an offer from a member here,selling genuine nikon D60 kit + some accesories at RM2k...so it is worth the deal? or if D3000 is RM2k as well then which is better?

Im budgeting less than RM2k for the lens

Btw..what do you meat by all rounder - like 18200/18250/18270? all-in-one lens?
like this ?
All-In-One Zooms

AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro = RM1050
AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro = RM1640

Does it meant we can zoom and macro ?

Planning to get a std prime lens and zoom/macro kit

Actually 55-200 is not bad..still considering either 55-200 or 18-135..


This post has been edited by xcrue: Sep 3 2009, 03:57 PM

is it new? ap set or nikon malaysia set?

d3000 is better...tell him u can get d3000 at the same price...

is it d3000 available at the market rite now???

erm...he said that the warranty is given by nikon malaysia...1 year...ok i'll tell him that..thx ^^, but im still looking for one below 2k...any suggestions?

I just dropped by at Fotokem, Bintang Maju and Best Denki at Mines yesterday on my way home, none of them have D3000 yet. I just saw D5000 at all shops in which really tempting me to get one. Budget-wise, i need to wait another couple of week, most likely D3000 will arrive. Raya will come soon too! ayya...

You guys, any preferred shops to go shopping for this photography thingy in terms of good customer service, reasonable price?

im a newbie in dslr. I just got myself a D5000. So far i love it. Simple to use for a noob like me.

what is the price for 55-200VR lens?? where can i get this lens??

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Added on September 3, 2009, 11:46 pmbetter check ur cam at nikon for confirmation of call back batch.. i just sent mine today, and everything is ok..yehaaa

This post has been edited by arm4102: Sep 3 2009, 11:46 PM

why wait? regret later, buy now

theres alot of camera shop at bb plaza

u could try the photo shop at lot 10 @ ground floor.
photo bilion or photo plus. cant remember though
got my D5000 from there

1. Yes, all in one zooms would make travelling easier/lighter because you dont need to carry a lot of lenses, but the negative side is that all in one zoom lenses have reduced IQ (image quality) and do not have a fast focus lock speed.

2. DO NOT BELIEVE all the "Macro" markings on lenses like tamron and sigma. IT IS NOT A TRUE MACRO! Newbies and even some seasoned photographers that i have met are tricked into believing that their lenses with "Macro" on it can do real macro. It is just a better close up lens and that's it. A real macro lens would cost a lot more and macro lenses are basically "Prime" lenses with fixed aperture. e.g Nikon 60mm f/2.8, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 and the famous Tamron 90mm f/2.8. Real macro lenses are not zoom lenses which like the 18-200mm, 18-55mm etc.

3. For a budget of around RM1.9K you can get a 2nd hand Nikon 18-200VR f/3.5-5.6. Notice that at the tele end, 200mm that the nikon has a faster f/5.6 rather than the slow f/6.3 of Tamron & Sigma. The Sigma/Tamron 18-200mm lenses are not impressive at all as it doesnt have VR, lower IQ and slower with f/6.3 at tele end compared to Nikon 18-200mm but of course it is cheaper.

4. With a shorter zoom lens like the Nikon 18-105VR, 55-200VR and 70-300VRii you will get a higher IQ (image quality) and have a faster focus lock speed. The Nikon 18-135mm (D80 kitlens) is not that good compared to the Nikon 18-70 (D70 kitlens) & Nikon 18-105VR (D90 kitlens)


BOTTOM LINE - Decide whether you want to have versatility over IQ & focus speed OR vice versa.
If you want versatility/lightweight, decide on an all in one zooms.
If you want IQ and focus speed, decide on a standard zoom.
If you want much better IQ, decide on a prime lens + a standard zoom.

Tell me what u want & i can give a much better solution.
My suggestion for now:
1. Nikon 18-105VR / Nikon 18-70 + 55-200VR (IQ Wise)
2. Sigma 18-200/18-250 HSM + Nikon 35mm f/1.8 (Versatility wise)

ps. these are some that i would recommend because of their performance and AF with bodies like D5000/D60.

Nikon AFS 55-200mm VR - RM 9xx (New) RM 6xx (2nd hand)
Nikon AFS 18-105mm VR - RM 11xx (New) RM 700-RM850 (2nd hand)
Nikon AFS 18-70mm - RM 11xx (New) RM 700 (2nd hand)
Nikon AFS 70-300mm VR - RM 19xx (New) RM 13xx-15xx (2nd hand)
Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM - RM 23xx (New)
Tamron 18-270 VC - RM 23xx (New)
Nikon 35mm f/1.8 - RM 8xx (New) - Prime lens
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 - RM 15xx (New) - Macro lens

This post has been edited by alpha_company: Sep 4 2009, 08:05 AM

I have used Sigma 10-20mm, Tokina 12-24mm f/4 and now Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

IMHO, Tokina has the better build. The sigma is only sharp wide open. When you stop it down to even f/11, the sides are significantly softer than the center. I think you may have mentioned you don't like distortions. So, that leaves you only once choice, which is the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

May I know the continuous drive/ burst buffer size for D40 raw? Is the rate 2.5 fps for its raw?

Is it worth to get a used D40 now? Thanks.

alpha_company,thanks for the long yet useful info,really appreciate it

anybody using Tokina AT-X 124 PRO DX II here? since it has built in motor for D5000 and lower end model, how the comparison between this lens and sigma 10-20 HSM? iinm, this is only the 3rd party wide angle lens that can be af on non motor body.am i right?

I heard that tokina 11-16 f/2.8 is the best wide angle lens but unfortunately it cannot af on my d60

Thanks lot Alpha
Appreciate your details explainations and guide man . Will use it as a bible or guide for my lens upgrade
I think IQ option is much better ,maybe i will go for Nikon 18-105VR / Nikon 18-70 + 55-200VR (IQ Wise) + either Nikon 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 primelens


This post has been edited by xcrue: Sep 4 2009, 09:11 AM

I would like to present a different opinion. To me, I would go straight for the 18-105VR and forget about the 18-70/55-200. The newer 18-105 is more than a match for the 18-70 optically only loses in build quality and the 55-200VR micro motor doesn't do much good for the AF. If you are getting the 35 f1.8 forget the 50 f1.8 unless you have budget constraints.

Yeah mine's using the 18-105VR and personally it offers me a good balance.

Regarding the 35mm, should I go for that or save up for the 50mm?
(got poisoned the other day)

I tot 55-200 is running on SWM?

btw,d3000 is already available in market