d90/d5000 nikon

[old snake]

Hi all im currently thinking of investing in one of the above slr's. Im torn which one to get:confused1:. was wondering if anyone on here has any experience with either of them?

Went into the shop and the d90 seems slightly better built and feels a bit better in my hands. But im a total novice at photography and the d5000 seems slightly easier to use.

Any info greatly appreciated. Also any tips on lenses would help alot as that just looks a minefield to me!!!

 

Cheers all

[WeeDee]

Hi - I think you need to answer a few questions (to yourself - not me).

What do you want to do with the camera? What's it for? Holiday snaps, recording events, arb-related projects, school sport's day, weddings etc. - you know what I mean.

 

Then honestly assess if the camera options satisfy your needs. Do you actually need movie recording? 4000th sec shutter speeds? etc.

 

Assess what the camera feels like to hold, manipulate, use (without having to look away from your subject too much). People with big hands can't always operate their cameras very well - those finger tips get jammed between the grip and the lens body.

 

Both cameras that your considering are crackers - Nikon build quality - but you're right about the D90 being better put-together.

Remember that at the moment of capture the only things involved in the image are the sensor (CMOS stolen from Canon - top notch), the glass elements of the lens, and the software processing of the camera. In that moment, none of the other bells and whistles figure much.

Sensor size is also more than adequate - around 8 - 10 MP will easily print to A4 size. Both of these cameras have excess of 12MP.

And don't get carried away with having the fancier camera just because it can pee higher up the wall than the other one. If you opt for the cheaper one, the money saved could make a big difference to the lens (or lenses) that you can afford.

If my opinions have helped, good. If not, at least you weren't paying for it!

If you want some info on lens, let me know. All the best, Dee.

[old snake]

Cheers for the help and advice Dee. I am slightly leaning towards the d90 rather than the d5000,mostly because i can get my hands round it alot easier. I know which ever one i get it will be way above my skill level for some time to come and so should get my money's worth!! haha.

 

Regarding lenses would you say the standard kit lense be adequate to start with or should i shop about for a seperate one? I know it depends on what im shooting. Which is mostly landscapes,trees and the odd portrait type shot. I do also like to shoot close ups of fungi's and flowers.

 

Sorry for all the questions,haha

[WeeDee]

With regards to lenses, how long's a piece of string? Once again, set your ball-park budget first.

Many of the kit lens are only OK - that's why they get rid of them with the camera body. But this level of quality may be just what you're happy with. Without doubt, the dearer lenses are better lenses but twice as much cost doesn't get you twice the improvement in optical quality - it follows the law of diminishing returns.

The experts often advise several 'prime' lens - but they can afford several prime lens! Most photographers make do with, and get great results from, one zoom - maybe extending to another later on.

The greater the zoom range, the less likey you are to maintain optical quality ie. a 28-300mm zoom lens may not deliver the quality of a 28-70mm lens of similar price.

Nikon make excellent lens, as do Canon, but they are expensive. Alternative options might include Sigma (telephoto & portrait) and Tokina (macro) but there are many others that other people might recommend - I only speak from personal experience.

So there's a wee bit more to chew over. Get back to me if it helps.

[redmoosefaction]

I have found looking at relatives and friends camera's, that canon do really good digital camera's. I have a DSLR (Fuji finepix s9500) but I find the shape of the camera really awkward and hence don't take it out much, ( you can't stuff it in your pocket). Have a real good look at the Canon G10. It is really good but compact. Pricey, but you won't regret it for the next five years (maybe more)

[sean]

I have found looking at relatives and friends camera's, that canon do really good digital camera's. I have a DSLR (Fuji finepix s9500) but I find the shape of the camera really awkward and hence don't take it out much, ( you can't stuff it in your pocket). Have a real good look at the Canon G10. It is really good but compact. Pricey, but you won't regret it for the next five years (maybe more)

:thumbup: to the G10.......i have one myself and love it........some photo's in my album if you want to see the photos from it.

[Lyn Ed]

Hi old snake, im no expert in photography but ive just bought a D60, really easy to use and good quality pics.

[sean]

I have found looking at relatives and friends camera's, that canon do really good digital camera's. I have a DSLR (Fuji finepix s9500) but I find the shape of the camera really awkward and hence don't take it out much, ( you can't stuff it in your pocket). Have a real good look at the Canon G10. It is really good but compact. Pricey, but you won't regret it for the next five years (maybe more)

:thumbup: to the G10.......i have one myself and love it........some photo's in my album if you want to see the photos from it.

[john dawson]

Ive got a D60, its good. the main problem is finding lenses! any lense works, but half the functions are lost such as autofocus. not a problem on a shot when youve got the time to get a good picture, but if you want a bird flying at full focal lenght its not good.

I can only use AF-s or AF-I lenses (which are increasingly hard to find, and limited to focal length)

 

The D90 is the next model up (or it was till the D5000 came along!) Both good stuff!

[Brushcutter]

I have the D90. Truely fantasic camera but i'm quite a Nikon fan be my third Nikon camera.

 

I've not played with the D5000 as it wasn't out when i got mine. The move mode is a feature i don't really use but its nice to have when your doing nice fells and stuff.

 

It has a good point and shoot auto mode and auto with no flash which is really useful. Other pre programed settings such as landsacpe portrate ect. Good manual mode with easy to find settings. I tend to use either apature or speed modes.

 

Worth having as it you can grow into it as your skills and confidence in photography grows. The motor is also in the camera so there is no not having AF on lenses like the D60.

 

As for lenses i have 17-50 F 2.8 which is good, not used it much yet but it can make background blury realy well.

18-105 VR F3.5-5.6 this is my fave the VR is great. Did some ace pics at Duxfords Flying Legends this year with it. Covers the zoom ranges well. If i had one its what i'd get, well i'd fet 28-300 but thats a grand so this will do.

55-300 bit specialist i fiond. Good for wildlife and airshows but not found many uses for it yet.

Nikon 50mm 1.8 - fantastic for portrates and at 100 quid well worth having in the kit.