dilemma ~ D90 or D300s or ??


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Thanks chngpe01, Isisaxon for the replies.
Actually I am using the telescope (80mm objective X 600mm FL X f7) for digiscoping on birds. Apart from weight issues, am I able to use the 51 AF points since I have to manually adjust the focus? What about the quality of the pics compared between D90 & D300s? I am currently using a pns camera coupled with a adapter which did not give the sharpness, DOF and speed I was hoping so the idea of a DSLR. Hope to learn more from you guys.
 

Thanks chngpe01, Isisaxon for the replies.
Actually I am using the telescope (80mm objective X 600mm FL X f7) for digiscoping on birds. Apart from weight issues, am I able to use the 51 AF points since I have to manually adjust the focus? What about the quality of the pics compared between D90 & D300s? I am currently using a pns camera coupled with a adapter which did not give the sharpness, DOF and speed I was hoping so the idea of a DSLR. Hope to learn more from you guys.

Oh, it's for terrestrial. That makes life easier. You'll need an adapter and an F-mount T-ring for sure. The digital rangefinder only works for apertures f/5.6 or faster. You may (depending on lighting and contrast conditions) be able to get some focus indication using the centre AF point. The rest of the points are probably useless.

What will be useful is the LiveView. You can zoom in during LiveView to aid you on the focusing since from my understanding digiscoping is mainly slow tripod work. This is a disadvantage of digiscoping with a DSLR. With a good PnS and eyepiece adapter, you could actually get some AF and decent quality shots. You could even get some zoom with the zoom function on the camera provided the tube has allowance.

Nikon website actually have some info on digiscoping but not sure if it's entirely useful though.. ;p http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/dsystem/index.htm

Remember though, that the magnification you get for prime photography may not be as high as what you would get with a PnS and eyepiece adapter. That has an effect on the effective aperture as well so the exposure time would be different for both setups. A DSLR would have some advantages in the image quality at higher ISO, but whether it is advantageous to you or not, you'll have to try it out yourself. But shutter lag on a DSLR is definitely shorter, so you get to capture 'the moment' which a PnS requires some anticipation and luck.

Quality of pics of D90 and D300 is similar. The tonal gradations from a D300 looks better than that of a D90 but D90's images looks cleaner, ISO for ISO. I have not evaluated D300s but I guess it may be only slightly better that D90 or D300.

If you have a weight consideration, get the D90. If you want a more reliable weather sealing and metering with your scope, get the D300. However, even if you don't get metering with your scope on D90, you could always take a test shot and evaluate the metering from the histogram of the test shot and adjust accordingly, so it's not that big of a deal.
 

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Thanks alot Isisaxon for the detailed explanation. Really appreciate your time and effort in helping me understand.

Cheers & enjoy your weekends and public holidays.
 

you know you want a D3!! :devil:

:bsmilie: :thumbsup:

I've also been facing the same dilemma, but I'm leaning more towards the D300s.
Now I just have to wait and see if I strike 4D (maybe then I can even get a D700!). :bsmilie:
 

:bsmilie: :thumbsup:

I've also been facing the same dilemma, but I'm leaning more towards the D300s.
Now I just have to wait and see if I strike 4D (maybe then I can even get a D700!). :bsmilie:

If strike 4D won't get D700 already. Will get this one already. Big lens can see into the universe.
 

If strike 4D won't get D700 already. Will get this one already. Big lens can see into the universe.

For that think 4D wont even get u a piece of it~ Think u need to rob the US federal reserve or somthing~ :bsmilie:

To TS: D90 -> D700 or Leica M9
 

For that think 4D wont even get u a piece of it~ Think u need to rob the US federal reserve or somthing~ :bsmilie:

To TS: D90 -> D700 or Leica M9

Fed reserve not enough. Have to rob Fort Knox and take all the gold bars. LOL.
 

For that think 4D wont even get u a piece of it~ Think u need to rob the US federal reserve or somthing~ :bsmilie:

To TS: D90 -> D700 or Leica M9

A piece? of the solar panel? Or just the aluminium foil that prevents damage by cosmic radiation? ;p
 

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