New To Nikon DSLR...which to buy??

[ricchng]

Well, in my opinion, D90 would be great if you consider spending less on lens for a start. The kit len of 18-105 may be sufficient for a newbies to play for a while. Other option like 450D normally comes with 18-55 len which I think it may be a little short and tendency is that you may be looking to get a longer zoom. This may increase your investment compare to the $300-$400 you are going to spend more on a D90. Additional consideration is that you may get a slightly better price in any case if you decided to call it quit in a year or so as D90 will likely fetch a better price since it will still be a relatively new model.

There are many permutations in getting a SLR, the brand, the model, the lens, new or pre-owned etc. so it will be tough to say for sure which is ideal. It all depends how deep is your pocket, how much you r willing to invest and how far you think you will go with your interest. Do enjoy the research and the fun when you deicded and get your hand on one.

That's my 2 cents worth.

 

[blue_quartz]

Additional consideration is that you may get a slightly better price in any case if you decided to call it quit in a year or so as D90 will likely fetch a better price since it will still be a relatively new model.

IMHO it's more than just a new model, the D90 has radically changed the mid-range playing field with its wholesome 3" 920k screen, D-Movie mode, good ISO noise performance and a "sweet spot" 4.5fps continuous shooting mode (in between the 3/3.5 fps of 450D/D80-class DSLRs and below the 6/8 fps of the 50D/D300 ones). There will definitely be a hypothetical "500D" to fight the D90 on features and price - if you were to ask me I say the 50D is only fighting on specs. What remains to be seen is if Canon were to raise their stakes and throw in features uncomfortably close to the 50D, just as how the D90 is to the D300, for a much lower price. So D90 is a good option purely for its performance/price ratio.

Disclaimer: I own a D90.

 

[lsisaxon]

IMHO it's more than just a new model, the D90 has radically changed the mid-range playing field with its wholesome 3" 920k screen, D-Movie mode, good ISO noise performance and a "sweet spot" 4.5fps continuous shooting mode (in between the 3/3.5 fps of 450D/D80-class DSLRs and below the 6/8 fps of the 50D/D300 ones). There will definitely be a hypothetical "500D" to fight the D90 on features and price - if you were to ask me I say the 50D is only fighting on specs. What remains to be seen is if Canon were to raise their stakes and throw in features uncomfortably close to the 50D, just as how the D90 is to the D300, for a much lower price. So D90 is a good option purely for its performance/price ratio.

Disclaimer: I own a D90.

Nikon is able to have a distinction between the higher end bodies and the lower end even while maintaining the other features because they can put in lens backward compatibility as an option for the higher end bodies. ;p

 

[KenBit]

Ok. You may have heard this before. Go down to the showroom or shops, test test, feel feel, molest molest the cameras you will know which you want. For me I went the Nikon way because their cameras are of excellent build So as the case for the D90 as well much better than the 450D and the LCD screen is fixed all the way to the left on the 450D which is something I don't really like. Nikon's flash system is too definitely better.

 

[Pokka]

My advise? Go to the camera shops and try out the camera physically. You'll be surprised to know that 1 of the most important feature of the camera besides its spec, is how it fits in your hands.

I prefer a Nikon over a Canon because of how it fits in my hand. It feels more sturdy. You won't be buying a camera just based on the specs alone. How it fits into your hand is 1 big factor.

 

[steven68]

My advise? Go to the camera shops and try out the camera physically. You'll be surprised to know that 1 of the most important feature of the camera besides its spec, is how it fits in your hands.

I prefer a Nikon over a Canon because of how it fits in my hand. It feels more sturdy. You won't be buying a camera just based on the specs alone. How it fits into your hand is 1 big factor.

You can't go wrong with a Nikon D90, the feel is good and the capabilities of shooting at low light is excellent with it's new 18-105mm VR.

I have tried the 18-105 VR & 18-135mm at home with D90 at low light, I shot the object at 105mm with ISO800 & 1/8 for both lens. I'm happy with the 18-105VR result, but 18-135mm cannot make it.

 

[luntut]

You can't go wrong with a Nikon D90, the feel is good and the capabilities of shooting at low light is excellent with it's new 18-105mm VR.

I have tried the 18-105 VR & 18-135mm at home with D90 at low light, I shot the object at 105mm with ISO800 & 1/8 for both lens. I'm happy with the 18-105VR result, but 18-135mm cannot make it.

any photos to upload to verify that the 18-135 really cannot make it?

me interested to have a look at the difference.

 

[steven68]

any photos to upload to verify that the 18-135 really cannot make it?

me interested to have a look at the difference.

I will try to upload tonight. Both hand-held shots.

 

[steven68]

18-105mm VR 1/5s f/5.6 ISO800 105mm (Handheld)


18-135mm 1/5s f/5.6 ISO800 105mm (Handheld)

 

[blackdrakes]

18-105mm VR 1/5s f/5.6 ISO800 105mm (Handheld)


18-135mm 1/5s f/5.6 ISO800 105mm (Handheld)

Unfair, 18-135 no vr leh..
Must use tripod. :sticktong

 

[whkoh]

Yup, well, it shows VR on the 18-105 works... and nothing much else.

 

[NormanTan]

yo ppl...i have jus brought a nikon D300... its a dope camera... i currently have no regret.. and it is also very easy and simple to use..i am oso a 1st time user... and i don face much trouble using it... HAHA

P.S:Nikon D300 is dope

 

[steven68]

Unfair, 18-135 no vr leh..
Must use tripod. :sticktong

Yeap. VR does make the difference. It gives new buyers a thought or two whether to get the D90 Kit or not.

 

[Pokka]

Yeap. VR does make the difference. It gives new buyers a thought or two whether to get the D90 Kit or not.

VR is good to have no doubt, but nonetheless, the fundamentals of photography has to be learned.

at 105mm, the minimum shutter speed set shld be at least 1/105 of a sec. No doubt what you've shown is just that VR works. At an equivalent and fair shutter, both lens produce good results.

 

[PhotoProZero]

Hahahaha, ok...Canon 450D; Sony Alpha 350 are out. Dont like the grip.

So will have to start molesting D90. hahahahah but thanks everyone for your kind input!

 

[KenBit]

Hahahaha, ok...Canon 450D; Sony Alpha 350 are out. Dont like the grip.

So will have to start molesting D90. hahahahah but thanks everyone for your kind input!

Don't like the grip of which? D90 with grip makes it look like a monster. (in a good way!)

 

[jlpk007]

I just started out and got myself a D60. It's a nice camera but if I can turn back the clock, I might wait for the D90. Mainly coz of the lens restriction D60 have. But I am still happy with it. Price has dropped a fair bit for the D60 and can be a good consideration.

If you just wanna try it out, maybe get a second hand body? Like the D70/80 are a nice start that are not too expensive. Or even the D200 body.

But if you have afford the D90, it will be a great set to begin with.

p/s: me newbie also, not a pro, just sharing how I feel

sorry, what do you mean by lens restriction?I cant just use any nikon lens on this body?

Thank You

 

[blue_quartz]

sorry, what do you mean by lens restriction?I cant just use any nikon lens on this body?

Thank You

The D60 cannot AF on older AFD lens. Not a problem if you're just going to stick with kit lens and other AFS ones.

 

[jlpk007]

The D60 cannot AF on older AFD lens. Not a problem if you're just going to stick with kit lens and other AFS ones.

cannot AF..but can mount and use MF ?

 

[blue_quartz]

cannot AF..but can mount and use MF ?

Yup, that's right.