Nikon DSLR? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/20/2009 10:59:48 AM · #2

Best advice I can give you is to go visit your local camera shop and hold and feel the different models, see which feels right in your hands. Don't be afraid to try them out, get the saleman to try a few different lenses and see what you think.

Good Luck and enjoy whatever you choose:)

11/20/2009 12:51:58 PM · #3

The D90 is a bit above entry level, but I'd say the best choice for the price. It's what I'll be moving up to from my current D40 sometime in the spring. It's been recommended to me over the D300s (which is double the price), and is a WAY better deal than the D300. The D40, D40x, D60, D3000, and D5000 are, as far as I know, entry level. The D80 and D90 are a step up from that.

*BOLD=current

ralph

Nikon Z9

11/20/2009 12:52:10 PM · #4

D90 will support your AF-D lenses
so it would be a good choice for a start ..

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

11/20/2009 01:17:11 PM · #5

Originally posted by ralph:

D90 will support your AF-D lenses
so it would be a good choice for a start ..

Right... the "entry level" ones don't have a focus screw for AF and AF-D lenses, so they can only autofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses. That and a few other "extras" make the D90 not entry level.

gwsallen

Nikon D300

11/21/2009 08:59:41 PM · #6

i just upgraded from my D70s to D90. I am loving it and can't wait to take more pictures. //www.amazon.com/Nikon-D90-12-3MP-Digital-Body/dp/B001ET5U92/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258872937&sr=1-2

Shooting at ISO1600 with D90 = shooting at ISO400 with D70s ~ it is just awesome in handling noise.

HarveyG

Nikon D800

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon

11/21/2009 09:48:53 PM · #7

I'm using D90's and 1xD80. No regrets at all. Uses all old and new lenses as George917 explained. Handy for getting 'older' (but not inferior) glass at better prices than new. Handles well. Solid. Image quality is as good as what you will get on a D300. It is definately NOT entry-level. On paper its the same as a D300 except for the 51 point AF, 7fps as opposed to 4.5fps and Titanium Body and a few minor other differences that were not important to me. Can be bought from B and H new for about USD $800-00 atm with free USA shipping.

Message edited by author 2009-11-22 02:57:31.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/22/2009 01:51:31 AM · #8

it may be worth noting that the D90 is getting a tiny bit long in the tooth and might be looking at getting updated in Feb or so.

It is an excellent camera, but it's worth knowing that its successor will soon be on its way.

When the successor does come out, you could either scoop a cheap D90 or pay about the same and get the update.

Expect the updated version of the D90 to be much of the same, possibly with a flip and twist LCD and almost definitely with much improved movie mode.

You may not care about the movie mode, in which case, you might find it more worthwhile to scoop a deal.

I've used the D90 and I have nothing bad at all to say about it.

11/22/2009 04:59:46 AM · #9

Originally posted by eschelar:

When the successor does come out, you could either scoop a cheap D90 or pay about the same and get the update.

Are you sure it's gonna be "about the same price?" I'm thinking it'd be around $1000 for the successor (a successor would also have more megapixels), unless the successor is just a D90s or D90x ("update") or something like that.

Originally posted by eschelar:

Expect the updated version of the D90 to be much of the same, possibly with a flip and twist LCD...

That would be awesome.

Message edited by author 2009-11-22 10:00:14.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/22/2009 07:54:10 PM · #10

yes. in fact, the trend is often to see a small drop in opening price.

the d90 is around the same price as its predecessors, the d70, d80 etc...

the d90 is getting old and competition is heating up.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/23/2009 02:17:16 AM · #11

Sweet! So I can go out and by the AF-S 70-300mm VR, and then wait for the D90's successor to come out :D. I was planning on buying both the lens and the camera anyway; now I know to buy the lens first :)

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

11/23/2009 02:51:03 AM · #12

D90 is a good choice! But, I'm just saying this, for a few dollars more you can get a nicely used D300 ;) Anyway, you can't go wrong with the D90, and I don't think an upgrade will be that more interesting. A nicely used D300 is, though ;)

But as someone said! Go to your local camerastor and hold and feel it. Pick up a D300s as well as the build is more or less similar to the D300. Good luck!

snaffles

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/23/2009 03:13:32 AM · #13

I've had input from a few people on my next camera (currently shooting Nikon's entry-level DSLR, the D40), and the D90 comes out on top. But try both out and see what you get. Good luck!

HarveyG

Nikon D800

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon

11/23/2009 03:22:10 AM · #14

Just have a look at the used camera's shutter releases inside the Menu.
D90 is rated to 100,000
D300 is rated to 150,000

Ask what the price is of a shutter mechanism replacement before you take the plunge in used gear...a few dollars saved on 2nd hand might not be worth the cost of replacing a mechanism, especially if it's at 50% or more of its useful life. Yes there will be some who have gotten more than 100k or 150k shots out of their camera's but you are the one spending the clams...replacement after petrol, time, etc etc and the unit can be close to $300-00 dependant on the dealer you go to. I'd rather pay $800-00 for a new D90 and get the 100,000 shutter guarantee, and even if you arent taking 100,000 shots a year, you can add a 2nd year warranty at time of purchase for about $100-00.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/23/2009 07:39:08 AM · #15

Originally posted by Magnum_za:

I rather buy a new camera than a used one myself, but every once in a while you stumble upon a bargain when it comes to used equipment. I saw an add just now from one guy that's "selling a hardly used D300 becuase it is "hardly used" ". He lives within driving distance, so if I were to buy a camera from him I would meet him and check out the camera first. I'm just mentioning it =) But nevertheless, I almost got the D90 myself when I was upgrading. Was a hard choice, but I ended up with the D300 because of its focus system and solid build.

eschelar