Nikon D5000 come on in

[gimumancer]

Hi,
Thanks for the link, interesting & quite an in-depth review. I think I have taken too much time on which DSLR to purchase…haha. It’s my 1st DSLR after all.
I have my thought here.
Since I don’t own any Nikkor lenses at all, I think it’s fine that D5000 do not support lenses that don't have built-in focusing motors.
Initially I wanted D5000 with the standard kit lens ((AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR) but I found out AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides a far more better coverage.
The price for D5000 with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, I think somehow could be closer to the D90 package.
I have downloaded D5000 & D90 manuals but I have not got the time to read them in detail. So I don’t know what important feature that D90 has but it’s not available in D5000. One thing, multiple exposure mode is available in D90 but not on D5000. I used to do film SLR, so I think it’s interesting to use this mode.
I also prefer most of the important settings be available as buttons & not on the LCD screen.
I think the positionable LCD display on D5000 is fine. I only hope that it is robust with all these twist & turn operation.
BTW, how useful is the commander feature on the D90?
Thanks!

there are a number of "convenience" features in D90 that d5000 doesn't have, here's a full technical side by side comparison:

http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Nikon-D5000-D90-Compared-to-Canon-Rebel-T1i-500D.shtml

aside from the 3 major factors that i mentioned, here are some of these "convenience" features of the d90 have that the d5k doesn't have : dedicated shutter/aperture dial (d5k has only one dial), more shortcut buttons (like metering mode,af mode,shooting mode but these settings are about 1-2 steps away from the "all in one" shortcut button in the d5k), top lcd for fast access on settings, more battery life, nikon battery grip (3rd party battery grip on d5k only), brighter viewfinder due to pentaprism design, depth of field preview button, multiple exposure mode..

here are some of the features also that the d5k have and d90 doesn't have, improved active d lighting, improved camera retouch menu, improved high iso performance, quiet mode, interval time shooting (you set camera to take pictures as preset intervals up to 999 shots, can use for stop animation, sky movement etc.. ), additional 19 scene modes, auto distortion control can be set to be applied on shutter release (d90 distortion control can be applied on menu retouch only), tiltable lcd, smaller and lighter build..

now i reckon that these d90 convenience factors will help me shoot my image "faster" but it doesn't mean my image quality will be better because they practically use the same processor and sensor, now the strongest and most influencing factor for me is the tiltable lcd and the smaller lighter build of the d5k (because of its relative compactness, I actually bring it everytime i go out and doesn't strain my neck if i have it hanging all day, I know i can't do that with the d90), i bought a very small bag (4 million dollar crumpler) and it can fit my kit lens, sb600, 35mm f1.8..

the multiple exposure in d90 btw is nothing but superimposing images, sort of like layering in photoshop, can be creative like for example you shoot an image of your house, then shoot an image of the moon then superimpose those 2, that's it

the built in commander mode of the d90 is useful for example when you want to use your external flash without attaching it to your camera, for example when you want the light of your subject to becoming from the left side, like mimicking the effect of the window light so you place your flash on the left side, you can also command more than 1 flash and place it in different area of your room, it can also be done on d5k but you have to use a more advanced flash like sb800 or sb900 or other 3rd party flash and mount it on as it will act as the "master" while the other flash as "slaves"

to make it easier for you i think it's best for you to try holding each cam first and feel its ergonomics, i think from there you'll already know which cam you'll prefer, for me the d90 is just big, i'm all for the size and portability, but that's me...

 

[Binzento]

Hi guys, i like taking photos of my friends and landscape but the photos i took of my friends or things at night are either kinda dull or too pale due to the inbuild flash, i'm considering getting a speedlight right now for my D5000, but i just can't decide on which one to get. SB600 seems like a good flash cause i heard its size is just nice for D5000, but it can't be use as a commander. SB800 is bigger and can use as a commander, but i call up CP, AP and MS Colour and they all say its no longer in production... Finally there is the SB900, i presume its size is very big, can use as a commander, but the price is expensive...

So now i'm like seriously cracking my head, on whether to go straight for the SB900 (burn a hole in my pocket) or get the SB600 and maybe in the future when i get better in photography get the SB900. I'm not too sure about getting 2nd hands flashes, as i don't know what to check or lookout for in getting one.

Any advice or suggestion for a newbie like me? And anyone has any photos of how a SB600, SB800 and SB900 will look like on a D5000? Also do you all feel that the price of SB600 seems to be going up or its just me?

 

[lsisaxon]

Hi guys, i like taking photos of my friends and landscape but the photos i took of my friends or things at night are either kinda dull or too pale due to the inbuild flash,

Don't blame the inbuilt flash. Try to understand the cause of the image result and see what you need to do to give you the image you need. If your techniques/knowledge is not correct, even an external flash won't do you good.

Most of us would be able to give advice but do post images so that we can give correct advice.

 

[oyebto]

bro...check out page 24 of this thread....someone already posted the grip...

dude! please see carefully! those pics with the grip are posted by me, but they are taken from another forum, i wanna see if your grip looks the same as those posted, tats my main purpose. ;p

 

[forward6666]

bro i dont wanna put u in more thoughts that you ara already in... but just want to share my opinion... and keep in mind i use D5000 and love it..but i still think D90 is slightly better camera... built in motor in the body is the biggest factor for me... coz the thing is later on when u want buy other lenses for your d90 lenses without motor are much cheaper than lenses with built in motor... so end up saving much more money on the lenses in the future.. which for me is a huge factor... when i got my d5000. d90 was very rare at that time... it was out of stock everywhere.. and plust the difference was like 400 dollars... so i couldnt wait anymore and just got d5000. but if u hv the luxury of choice between these two i would suggest D90 simply coz of the built in motor in the body. will save u lots of money on lenses in the future. thats a fact! (but i still love my d5000 just have to buy lenses with built in motor which cost more

Hi,
Thanks for the link, interesting & quite an in-depth review. I think I have taken too much time on which DSLR to purchase…haha. It’s my 1st DSLR after all.
I have my thought here.
Since I don’t own any Nikkor lenses at all, I think it’s fine that D5000 do not support lenses that don't have built-in focusing motors.
Initially I wanted D5000 with the standard kit lens ((AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR) but I found out AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides a far more better coverage.
The price for D5000 with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, I think somehow could be closer to the D90 package.
I have downloaded D5000 & D90 manuals but I have not got the time to read them in detail. So I don’t know what important feature that D90 has but it’s not available in D5000. One thing, multiple exposure mode is available in D90 but not on D5000. I used to do film SLR, so I think it’s interesting to use this mode.
I also prefer most of the important settings be available as buttons & not on the LCD screen.
I think the positionable LCD display on D5000 is fine. I only hope that it is robust with all these twist & turn operation.
BTW, how useful is the commander feature on the D90?
Thanks!

 

[oyebto]

one interesting thing is, i know ppl who sell their d5k very early to get d90, but no one that sell d90 for the d5k. i know ppl post b4 liao, but for me the main gripe is the hand grip which is way way too small on d5k; d90 feels much much better. and the LCD is a factor too: once u use tat high res which is also on EOS500d, ur d5k screen looks pathetic.

 

[forward6666]

agree with you on the small d5k grip, and thats exaxtly why i bought battery grip and love my camera even more... with battery grip d5k is much better grip, taking portairts is so much easier... love it

one interesting thing is, i know ppl who sell their d5k very early to get d90, but no one that sell d90 for the d5k. i know ppl post b4 liao, but for me the main gripe is the hand grip which is way way too small on d5k; d90 feels much much better. and the LCD is a factor too: once u use tat high res which is also on EOS500d, ur d5k screen looks pathetic.

 

[forward6666]

hey man the pic u posted looks exactly the same as mine... its 100% the same...
its phottix.... my advise is just ge the grip man... i got it couple of months ago and loving it...

hey post pics of your cam with grip thanks! me interested!

count me in for the outings too man.

 

[kel82]

if got $$ go for sb 900, if not sb 600 would be fine..who knows sb 1000 may be coming out...

Hi guys, i like taking photos of my friends and landscape but the photos i took of my friends or things at night are either kinda dull or too pale due to the inbuild flash, i'm considering getting a speedlight right now for my D5000, but i just can't decide on which one to get. SB600 seems like a good flash cause i heard its size is just nice for D5000, but it can't be use as a commander. SB800 is bigger and can use as a commander, but i call up CP, AP and MS Colour and they all say its no longer in production... Finally there is the SB900, i presume its size is very big, can use as a commander, but the price is expensive...

So now i'm like seriously cracking my head, on whether to go straight for the SB900 (burn a hole in my pocket) or get the SB600 and maybe in the future when i get better in photography get the SB900. I'm not too sure about getting 2nd hands flashes, as i don't know what to check or lookout for in getting one.

Any advice or suggestion for a newbie like me? And anyone has any photos of how a SB600, SB800 and SB900 will look like on a D5000? Also do you all feel that the price of SB600 seems to be going up or its just me?

 

[kel82]

wahahaha ya lo..must contain it for now..

hahaha, u got bitten by the virus...

waiting for u to arrange lo..

been waiting for a D5K outing... when will it happen..??

nice...how long were u there??

Some pic I took during my turkey trip, used D5k+Sigma 18-200mm for the whole trip
#1

#2

#3

 

[LiuLangMao]

my thots for D5K vs D90.....I had a choice to choose both when I buy my D5k..and budget is not a problem as well.

I like the tilt LCD, and I do not have any old lens to think about (this is my 1st DSLR),
as for future purchase of more expensive lens, I am the 1 lens goes all the way type, brought the sigma 18-200mm and happy with it. This will see me thru many years. maybe the next lens I will get is a macro.
I have read many many reviews on both cam and got confuse with it. thats when I feel enough is enough, I fall back to my initial urge to get a DSLR,which is I just need a good camera and will not be huanted the urge of non-stop changing of lens. that is when I decide on the D5k.

 

[LiuLangMao]

nice...how long were u there??

its a 10day trip, but need to minus first and last day on the plane.

 

[e69087]

Hi,
Thanks for your feedback.
Is there a Nikkor AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II lens?
CP quoted me D5000 with this lens for about S$2k, that’s even more x than the D90 package (perhaps D90 kit lens is AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR & not the II version?).

I have briefly handed both models, I prefer D5000 due to its lighter weight. Initially I’m disappointed with the lack of a battery grip but now that’s OK with the 3rd party grip. I only wish the grip can also take in AA batteries.
I’m not sure will I expand my lenses collection. Roughly what’s the price difference between lenses with built-in motor & lenses without?
One of the most important factors for me is the picture quality, seems like D5000 has a slight edge over the D90 based on my brief research on the web, is it true? This is also why I drop another model from the other major competitor.

 

[gimumancer]

one interesting thing is, i know ppl who sell their d5k very early to get d90, but no one that sell d90 for the d5k. i know ppl post b4 liao, but for me the main gripe is the hand grip which is way way too small on d5k; d90 feels much much better. and the LCD is a factor too: once u use tat high res which is also on EOS500d, ur d5k screen looks pathetic.

maybe these people have the same reason as you, it's because of the grip and size and ergononomics, that's why i advise people torn on these two to try out first both cameras and select which feels much better..
To those people who are still torn maybe you can list down all the qualities that are different and look at it objectively by assigning a point system based on YOUR importance for better quantitative analysis, for example, this is my point system:

d90:
1. Built in motor -3 (Not a must have for me since I only see myself owning 3-4 lens at MOST in my lifetime and I plan on buying 3rd party lens, I also don't have a collection of non AF-S/AF-I lens, I plan on buying only DX lenses as I am after smaller and lighter lens, I do not plan on upgrading to FX)
2. commander mode - 8 (nice to have but not a must have)
3. 3 inch,900k dots lcd - 8 (this i envy but would not trade for tiltable function)
4. top lcd,more shortcut buttons, dedicated dials, DOF preview button - 8 (nice to have but not a must have)
5. bright pentaprism viewfinder - 8 (nice to have but not a must have)
6. longer battery life/ nikon battery grip- 5 (battery grips add weight, rather have backup battery)
7. ergonomics, build - 3 (too big for me, i want to be discreet, i don't want to be seen with big camera attracting attention, frankly i didn't even consider d90 at first coz of it's size, i was actually selecting between d5k and canon 500d)
8. other itsy bitsy stuff like, 0.5 fps faster, more custom settings, etc - 3
TOTAL=46

d5k:
1. ergonomics, build - 10(must have,i want portability, i share this cam with my wife, fits good on both our hands)
2. price - 10 (i'm on a very tight budget,d5k with kit lens 18-55 is the most bang for the buck bargain you can have since the d5k is being retailed together with the 18-55, it'll cost more if you buy the body only or if you exchange for a diff lens, 18-55 lens is very good lens)
3. additional 19 scene modes - 5
4. time interval - 5
5. tiltable lcd - 10 (must have, very useful when taking videos, low and high angle shots, candid shots)
6. improved active d lighting, improved camera retouch menu, a bit better high iso performance - 3
7. quiet mode - 5
8. other itsy bitsy stuff like graphical menu (aperture illustration), screen tilts also when in portrait mode, subject tracking in live view - 3
TOTAL=51

 

[Binzento]

Hope i'll have a chance to join you guys in the future for any outing, to learn more about photography from you guys.

Don't blame the inbuilt flash. Try to understand the cause of the image result and see what you need to do to give you the image you need. If your techniques/knowledge is not correct, even an external flash won't do you good.

Most of us would be able to give advice but do post images so that we can give correct advice.

Hi Isisaxon, tks for your advice. Will go and take more shoots first and analyze them. Will try to post some images here in the future for you guys to C&C.

if got $$ go for sb 900, if not sb 600 would be fine..who knows sb 1000 may be coming out...

Hi Kel82, think SB600 would be better for my pocket :bsmilie: But i think for the time being i'll just take more shoots and read up abit first and maybe hope the price of the SB600 and SB900 will drop :bsmilie:.

 

[e69087]

I have to agree on this after checking out the price of the non-kit lens (AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR).
How I wish there’s an option for this lens to be part of the kit. Then I’ll probably don’t have to upgrade my lens for a much longer time.

price - 10 (i'm on a very tight budget, d5k with kit lens 18-55 is the most bang for the buck bargain you can have since the d5k is being retailed together with the 18-55, it'll cost more if you buy the body only or if you exchange for a diff lens, 18-55 lens is very good lens)

 

[Binzento]

Think i have been making excuses not to post any image cause i'm afraid of embarrassing myself if others feel they are badly taken. But the hell with it. I'll never be able to learn and improve if i don't post and get C&C right? So these are the better taken photos i took at Asia Auto Salon with my D5000. The first pic is taken in manual mode, as for the other 3 they are taken in portrait mode. C&C are welcome.

1)

Manual Mode, ISO200, 1/5s, F/4, +1.0EV


2)

Portrait Mode, Auto ISO800, 1/60s, F/5.3, 0EV


3)

Portrait Mode, Auto ISO800, 1/30s, F/5, 0EV


4)

Portrait Mode, Auto ISO450, 1/30s, F/4.5, 0EV

 

[oyebto]

your ISO no need scared, can pump to 3200 one for this cam. and it tends to underexpose so try to compensate. suggest u sharpen the photos in picture controls. last pic got red eye do smth bout it u have in cam red eye removal.

 

[oyebto]

took this outside my home just now. stitched with cs3.

 

[LiuLangMao]

for pic #1
1. personally I feel can set the fstop higher(smaller aperture)...get a better DOF for the whole car........since u cant get a good bokeh...might as well take the whole car in.
can push the ISO higher so that your can have a faster shutter speed when ur aperture is smaller.
2. shd siam the sign board on the left side, its distracting, got nothing to do with the car.
3. compose the whole of the "stand" and logo on the wall in the right side of the pic ....if cannot siam, might as well compose it all in, rather than leave it half half there....of course if can siam than better...
me also newbie...hope u dun mind....just my 2cents worth.