I know you’re reading the title and thinking “How do I even know YOUR needs and what subjects you like to photograph?” Quite simply, I don’t need to. If you’re not sure which DSLR to buy, the answer is a Nikon D90, so go ahead and add it to your shopping cart since I’ve done all your research. You’re welcome.
Not convinced yet? Well, since I have a math background I’m going to use the tried and true process of elimination and cross off the models as we go along. The current Nikon DSLR Models and “body only” (ie. no lens included) prices from B & H photo are the D3000 ($369), D5000 ($499), D90 ($849), D300s ($1529), D700 ($2449), and the D3s ($5199)
These are the main contenders when it comes to Nikon's entry level DSLRs. The D5000 and the D90
D3000/D5000: There are a few reasons as to why I feel the D3000 and D5000 fall short of the mark. Does this mean you can’t take a great photo with either? Of course not. But, they have a few limitations that I believe will hold you back enough that’s it’s worth spending just a few extra bucks for a D90. Both the D3000 & D5000 lack a built in auto-focus motor and cannot auto-focus unless the lens itself has a built in motor. This means they cannot auto-focus with the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens, and this is the lens I tell everyone to run out and buy. With a small price tag around $100, this lens is the first step to unlocking the power of your DSLR. If you have the D3000/D5000 and you want a 50mm lens that auto-focuses, you would have purchase the 50mm f1.4 AF-S ($429) instead. There goes the money you saved buying the D5000! I’ll tell you a few of their other shortcomings when I talk about the D90.
D300s: The D300s is a great camera, but compared to the features you’re gaining, it’s not worth the extra money. Is it a great camera? Yes. Is it better than the D90? Yes. Is it $680 better than a D90? Nope. The only instance where I would recommend a D300s is if you already have a few quality DX lenses and can’t quite make the full frame jump all at once and still maintain the quality in your glass. My thinking is, if you’re buying a D300s, you might as well be buying a D700 for $920 more—which brings us to the big boys…the D700 and D3s.
D700 & D3s: We can cross these two off the list pretty easily. How do I know you don’t need a D700 or a D3s? If you’re asking me what camera you should buy, you’re not ready for these!
D90: By the process of elimination we arrive at the D90… So, you ask, what do I like so much about the D90? Well, for the low introductory price of $849 (yes folks, that’s 3 easy payments of $283!) you get a camera that is capable of doing everything you need and can take you pretty far.
Here are cutouts of full resolution JPEGs (converted from RAW files) from both a D5000 and D90.
For me, the most important aspect of a DSLR is the sensor. There was a time in photography when the guy with the cheap camera could take the exact same photo as the guy with the top of the line camera, if they were using the same film and lens. But, times have changed and now the guy with the D40 can’t capture the nearly the same quality image as the guy with the D90 with all other things equal, because the sensor of the D40 doesn’t have the same capabilities. That means if you are shooting in low light and you want to turn your ISO up to 3200, your photo will have less noise with the better sensor. A quick point about ISO…Sometimes people make the mistake in thinking that just because two cameras can both be turned up to an ISO of 1600 that the images will look the same; this is absolutely not the case. Saying both cameras can go up to 1600 is like saying a Hyundai and Porsche both have a 5-gear transmission. Sure, they can both be put in 5th gear, but one will outperform the other.
The D90 at 3200 ISO will put a smile on your face every time you see the results. The D3000 & D5000 are good, but the D90 is just a bit better. Remember, it only takes one great recital, little league game, or dance performance photo to make it worth the extra money.
The D90 on the right has important settings like white balance and ISO front and center (or left) which make them a tad bit faster to access.
Another advantage over the D3000 & 5000 is that the major functions are on the body and do not need to be accessed via the menus. This means if you want to change ISO on the D90, you push the ISO button, turn the thumbwheel and voila! If you want to adjust white balance or picture quality, you can also do that without messing with the menus. This is more like what a professional expects when they are changing settings. If you want to become proficient in changing your camera settings, it’s not easy to have to search through menus every time. I rarely need to use the menus on my DSLR; I just use the buttons and look at the top of the camera. If you were to upgrade from a D3000 to a more pro body, you would probably still have the menu mentality for a while and not take full advantage of having the controls right at your fingertips.
You can see the last camera standing is the D90, and why it’s the only answer to the question “Which DSLR should I buy?” I’ve been telling my workshop participants to upgrade to a D90 and I’ve only heard great feedback from everyone who does. I even have one as back-up to my D700, and I would not feel limited at all if I had to put it into action. So go ahead and buy one; your research is done. You’re welcome!
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent pots and sums up this critical decision perfectly. I’m very glad that after my extensive research ( before your class
that I bought the D90. Great camera. Now I need some higher quality glass and I’ll be set for awhile.
He is right folks. I bought a D5000 precisely because I wanted to move up from point and shoot to a more advanced way to take pictures. The D5000 is a fine camera, it’s just that it is really still set up for point and shoot in a lot of ways. If you are serious about being an advanced amateur photographer (i.e. taking your camera off of pre-program modes and using the aperture or shutter priority settings where you will need ready access to ISO), I would also recommend the D90. The point about the built-in lens motor is huge. The lens available for D5000 users are rather limited once you do a little research, and usually end up costing more because you have to purchase a lens with a built in auto-focus motor. This is not the case with the D90. I will be upgrading as soon as I can convince my wife that I need to spend more money on another camera (i.e. not anytime soon). Until then I will still pay more for lens and be less nimble in taking pics of my newborn.
I want to thank you again for telling me to buy the D90 !it has almost been a year now and I love it!
Thanks Gina! Time flies… it has been a year. I did your workshop at UPenn. Glad you love the D90 and it’s still the best value out there a year later.
Thanks for the great explanation. When I took your class about a year ago, I had the D300. I am happy to now have the D700 with a Nikkor 24-70 f2.8 mounted on it. This is basically my main but I still have the D300 as my backup. How does this compare with the D90 at high ISO? I’ve got the Nikkor 18-200 f3.8 mounted on my D300 but not very happy with its performance at high ISO. Is it because I am comparing this to my D700 or will a D90 give me a better result at high ISO? I read somewhere that the D300s performs better at high ISO than D300. Is this the case? Also, at what instances do you primarily use the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens! Sorry I had to ask multiple questions – just contemplating where I should upgrading/downgrading/spending any extra cash.
Hey Brinsly, I’ve never tested all first hand at the same time. I previously owned the D300 and have the D90 so from owning both I would say the D90 is a bit better than the D300. From what I’ve read I would put the D300s ahead of both of them but not by much. You really shouldn’t compare D90 results with D700 results because you’ll always be disappointed at higher ISOs. Remember the D700 has about the same amount of pixels, but on a bigger sensor so there isn’t as much interference. Now if you compare the results with an 18-200mm lens on a smaller sensor vs a 24-70mm 2.8 on a larger sensor they’re not even in the same league so don’t do that! It’ll only want to make you toss the D90 and lens which isn’t the case.
As for the lens, I use my 50mm f1.4 for a lot. If I don’t feel like carrying a big setup I’ll grab that and my D700 and just use my feet to zoom. With the low light capability I know that I won’t need to rely on flash too much. At weddings I would use it on detail shots at wide apertures. It will also serve you pretty well as a portrait lens on your D300 since it’s a longer lens on a DX sensor. Every photographer should have a 50mm (I have 3!) so don’t hesitate to go buy one.
Great article. I bought D5000 and regret little bit about not able to use AF-D lenses like 50mm 1.8 and direct buttons on the camera. However, I am not looking into upgrading to same old DX sensor D90, but rather wanna upgrade to the FX like D700. I’m not sure if I should keep my D5000 as a backup or just sell it and use the money to get D700. Also, I’m little afraid that since it’s been 2 years since D700 came out, that the new D700s or D700x will come out. Should I wait?
Ahhh, the age old question. Should I buy a (PC, Mac, iPod, DSLR) or wait until the new one comes out. This question will be asked until the end of time so don’t waste your time agonizing over it. The quick and easy answer is buy what is available now. If you wait and plan things around Nikon or Canon it’ll just lead to frustration. If we wait for the D700s or D800 we don’t know when it’s going to be released, how much it’ll cost or how much better it will be. The D700 is available, we know how much it costs and we know how good it is. See where I’m going. Always buy what is available and ignore rumors. Otherwise you’ll feel like your camera is holding you back and you will miss out on 2, 3 or 10 (who knows!) months worth of D700 images. So let’s say it’s in the middle and you miss out on 5 months worth of D700 images. They’ll still be great images when the new one comes out. Let’s say you saved $500 on a D700 since now everyone is getting rid of them for less now. Are those 5 months worth of higher quality images worth $500? I would hope so or you weren’t using it enough (or you should have taken my workshop!) Sorry, shameless plug. So just think of this simple equation. Is the frustration you’ll feel + the photos you’ll miss out on worth the money you save? Or will it be worth the extra camera you’ll have and the extra money you’ll pay when they’re flying off the shelf at top dollar? Don’t forget the latest greatest will be selling for MUCH more.
How will you rate Canon EOS 550D in comparison with Nikon D90 ?
Hey Amit, I just bought a Canon T2i and I can say it’s a pretty good camera. Aside for a couple of Canon annoyances the ISO looks like it’s ahead of the D90 from a just playing around a little. There tends to be some leapfrogging when equipment comes out and Nikon is taking a long time to get some new pro and advanced amateur bodies out. I can only hope that this is because they will do some serious leapfrogging ahead of Canon, but only time will tell. If you were looking at a T2i, go for it.
I started out with the Canon EOS Rebel XT for my first DSLR. I sold it with plans to upgrade to a 40D, as of yet I have yet to make that purchase and have read most of these articles and I like what you’ve had to say and how you are somewhat fair to Canon even though you are a Nikon man. My question to you is, considering I am currently putting a business plan together to open my own studio and want to get the right gear to start with. Should I go with what I believe will be the most optimal camera, the 7D, or go with the camera that will be more inclusive and get the 5D to start off. I know over time I will probably end up upgrading again and eventually plan to have a T2i for those everyday needs, just looking for a little more input as I have been doing quite a bit of research and I’m sure doing what you do you have heard about all sorts of exepriences and lessons to learn from first hand. Thanks ahead of time!!
Hey Oscar, thanks for posting. As of tonight, 3/29/2011 I would say to go with the Canon 60D. It’s a little lower in price now and I just picked up one myself ($899) for some class screen shots and to play around with. It’s a great value and a better buy than the T2i considering the upgraded features. Also, I don’t think the 7D is $700 more camera (or however much more it is at the moment) As far as the 5DMII, I would hold off on that until the III comes out. Then you can buy the III or get a II for a steal. Even if you want a full frame, there’s no reason to do it now. If you can’t do it with a 60D or even an XT for that matter, you can’t do it with a 5D. Let me know what you buy!
OK, Alright… I changed my mind. I will get a D90!!!!
Amazing, yet again I agree with every thing you say here, but come to different conclusion. And if you spent enough time with an Olympus E30, 12-60mm f/2.8, you might might change your mind too. Not everyone is concerned with high ISO performance. To landscape photographer DOF may be more important, to a travel photographer, size and weight. You have found truth, but not the only truth.
All of the older tools still work and still take great photos. Remember, the people I’m speaking to are the ones that are getting the blurry photos of their kids or aren’t able to take shots in the high school gym. To them, ISO matters. Most people don’t want to carry around a tripod; those are my customers. I’m thinking I better not do any reviews of the Panofix. I’ll get in trouble! lol
The D90 is great ar its pricepoint.
However, why not continue to save
for something that will provide supetior results: Canon 7D or 5D Mark 2.
Chuck, all of that extra time saving is time you’re wasting without a camera that you could be well spent learning. Why not buy something even if it’s a D40 and then step up to a D90 and you can keep going up if you want. It’s better to know what you’re doing once you do get that expensive body. Just like you wouldn’t buy a Porsche for your first car, you wouldn’t buy a 7D, 5D or D700 for your first DSLR.
Of course I had to respond since I own a D90 and all the lenses you suggested before I took your workshops so your workshops were really inexpensive!! LOL!
I had a D60 and upgraded to a D90 and have no regrets. I’m much happier with the body having the auto-focus motor and the stock lens that came with it (18-105) is actually pretty decent. It’s a great camera to learn on and I highly recommend it.
Ok, ok….you’ve convinced me…..I am going to buy a D90! I will always love my first DSLR, an Olympus E-300, but I see now where it is holding me back.
Thanks for a great workshop, BTW!
Hi there, Great article! I’m in process of upgrading to FX camera. I found very well taken care of used D3 (46k actuation) for $3000. The seller is telling me that he serviced the D3 at authorized Nikon dealer to clean sensor and check everything.
This is very tempting and confusing because I know I can get brand new D700 for $2500 from B&H.
I do love shooting sports related (like dancing) and 9fps and 100% clear viewfinder of D3 tempts me and among other things like dual cf cards and etc. I do know that D700 and D3 are the same sensor and expeed processor, which will yield the same image (quality wise) and same ISO performance.
What do you think? Should I get used D3 for $3000 or get D700 for $2500 (even cheaper if used d700, $2000). One thing I like about D700 is that it has the self sensor cleaning feature.
Can’t decide
From Philly
p.s. Please come back to philly area!
I feel like Dear Abby now since you signed it “Cant decide From Philly” Well, “can’t decide”, I hate to do this to you but that’s YOUR decision to make and if I were in your position I would have to make the same tough decision. The best part is, there is no wrong answer. It depends on what kind of person your are. Some people feel better knowing they have a new body and the guy before them didn’t drop it and some people don’t mind so much. I fall under the don’t mind so much to a certain extent. I own four bodies at the moment and only one was bought used. I own 8 lenses and only 2 are new and those two are because I couldn’t find one used when I needed it. If I were making your decision I would probably go for a used D700 and use the extra money (funny saying extra, huh?) for a quality lens. DSLR technology is moving fast and as long as the D700 was taken care of, it will serve you well until you upgrade. Something will be coming out soon that will make you run out and buy the newer version.
Hi, I just stumbled on your site and I am interested in taking your workshops. I do have a question. How does the SONY A550 compare to the Nikon D90.
Let me tell you why I am asking and I apologize if this gets too long. I would say I am above average amateur. At the beginning of the summer I lost all my equipment (Camera, 3-Lenses, etc). I was always a Minolta person and then a SONY person because my father was and i was given his old cameras. Anyway since I lost everything I thought I could start from scratch and research Nikon, Cannon, etc. to see what would work for me. My research brought me to the Nikon D90. I do a lot of different picture taking from my daughters sports to landscaping, Nature etc. and this looked like the camera for me. Two things changed that. 1. a month ago i said let me check on my old lenses (some not working) and I found one or two that actually work. 2. A week after that I visited my Father in Florida and I mentioned my losing my equipment and he said take my equipment. He said hI can take his old Minolta Maxxum 8000i with 3 lenses (50mm, 70-150mm, 100-300mm) and an external flash. He hasn’t used it in over 10 years. Now I have 5 lenses and a flash that may not be ideal for a new SONY but still works with them. So my next search brought my to the SONY A550. Hence my question.
Thank you for your time.
Hey Gerard, sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. I would say take those lenses to the store with you and see how well they work with the Sony body. Also play around with a Nikon or Canon and their lenses and see what you think. If the AF works, is fast enough and all seems OK it might be worth buying the Sony. Now if you’re asking Sony vs. Nikon, the Sony is up there, but I’m a fan of sticking with the big two. Canon or Nikon. DSLRs involve a lot of R & D and it’s expensive for companies to keep up with the big two and If Sony were to drop their DSLR lines they probably wouldn’t miss it much. Canon and Nikon are in it for good. You know they’ll always be around and the resale for all of the equipment is always higher. Good luck!
I have a D60 and I am a beginner.
Should I invest in lenses or should I get a D90 master?
Hi Shankar, the answer is yes.
You don’t have to “invest” in lenses just yet, because just buying a 50mm 1.8 for $80 on craigslist will put you ahead of the game in some respects. The big BUT is you can’t use that lens on a D60 so I would say to buy the D90 or wait a bit and buy a D7000 and a 50mm lens. That combo will take you really far. As you get comfortable with that lens perspective and speed you will be able to make better lens decisions going forward. If you invest in a fast lens, you have ONE fast lens, but if you buy a faster body (ie you can turn your ISO higher with better results) then you’ve make ALL of your lenses faster.
Okellod,
I’m weighing my options for my first DSLR right now. I’ve heard great things about the D90 from a lot of different sources. But what are your thoughts on the new(er) D3100?
Hi Scott, The D3100 is just a D3000 with a little gold spray on it. It still won’t autofocus with all lenses and it’s a consumer camera. Stick with the D90 or the D7000 if you happen to find a little extra cash lying around. They’re both great cameras with very few limitations unlike the D3000, D3100 and D5000. Good luck!
Hi Okellod,
I am new to DSLR world, and a friend of mine who attended one of your workshops sent me the link to your website as I was looking for some classes. I am planning to attend your workshop on 2/3 in Tyson’s corner as the classes for first week of January are full.
The first thing that caught my attention on your website was your advice not to buy a DSLR kit. I ordered a Canon T2i kit from Costco that includes a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens and a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens. At $899, I thought it was a good buy. Should I return this kit and just buy the body only?
Hi Mahipal, No need to return it. There’s a growing process that you go through when you get into photography. Those lenses are fine to start with, but as you grow you will see the benefit of other lenses. I always use driving analogies so I will say that if you want to race cars, but have never driven before, there’s no need to buy a race car just yet. You can buy something that you would never race in, but it will certainly be enough to learn how to drive and then you can think about moving up.
okellod the D3000 & D5000 is not a good camera for you or me having D3 -D700 but those 2 cameras are more than enough and capable to produce fantastic photographs .
I have try the D90 and for the money I Cant see nothing great i prefer the D5000 smaller viewfinder but so what ? quality is the same with less money . I can take amazing photographs still with my D200 and never find to stop me in terms of image quality .
I love the metering system of my D3 and I really really hate the metering system of the new DX nikon’s like the D90 ,D5000 ,D3000 . Always those DX cameras having overexposure issues and the midtones are not there .
I love my D3 for low light and sports fast moving objects but for something normal a camera like D5000 will be just fine for me .
The only thing I hate also from the D90 that I can’t use my manual focus zeiss ZF lenses or other older lenses , WHAT A shame .
My advice for new photographers is get a cheap camera like the D5000 /D3000 and a GREAT lens like the new AF-S 50mm 1.4 .
Everyone, please don’t listen to George’s advice. George, please take my class.
Okellod, I have the D3100 (D3000 with gold spray). I am new to DSLR and would love to take your class whenever you do make it to Atlanta. Can I get this low cost lens 50mm 1.8 and enjoy the benefits even though it will not autofocus. Is manual focus very difficult for a newbie?? Can’t justify a more expensive lens to the hubs until I can show significant progress.
Hey Leslie, D3000 with gold spray… That’s pretty funny. I forgot I said that. lol Well… I don’t like manual focus myself (too much work!) and one of my friends (I told him to buy a D90, but he didn’t!) bought a D5000, took my class and then bought a 50mm f1.8 and realized it wouldn’t autofocus, but told me something to the effect of “it’s no big deal. I don’t mind autofocusing.” A few days later he returned the f1.8 lens and bought the expensive 50mm f1.4. It’s tough to autofocus with stationary objects let alone moving ones. In your case maybe you can find one on craigslist for $80 or $90 and take a few pics to show the hubs you got what it takes, then you can sell it on craigslist for $90 and roll that into the 50mm f1.4, but if you really impress him you sell the D3100 and pick yourself up a D7000!
Okello,
I just got my D90! But I bought it body only off craiglist. Can you recommend a good lens for potraits as well as indoor fast moving shots? Santa bought me the 50mm lens and an external flash SB600 but I was wondering what if any should be my next lens purchase? I own the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR already and I tried the lens that came with my D60 (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR) but I am not really liking it. There has got to be a good lens thats in between that I should be owning. Once I get it together and get some time I plan to take more classes from you. Probally April timeframe.
Hi Okello,
I’m planning to attend your workshop in NY in March, after reading your article i’m planning to get a D90, now the only thing that i need an advice is the lens. Since you had mentioned the kit lens that comes with is not as good, I’m thinking just get the body only and get a 50mm, is that good enough to start with? Thanks.
Hi Joyce. It’s definitely good enough although I’m not going to pretend and say you won’t miss the zoom a bit. You will, but after the class and some practice, you’ll be able to make a better informed decision when it comes to buying a zoom lens. Glad you found me and look forward to meeting you in NY. Don’t forget to mention that you were the Joyce that posted on my blog!
And now the obvious question………d90 or d7000 ( if you can get one )?
Either. It just depends on your budget. If you have a little extra laying around, grab the D7000. I was lucky enough to find one on craigslist a couple of weeks ago. Ever read my Craigslist article? If you can find a wife on Craigslist, you can certainly find some photo equipment.
I am looking to upgrade my t2i, I already own a series of canon based glasses.I know your a Nikon man. What do you recommend for upgrade? I am creating a mobile photography business so a second camera would be ideal.
thanks for your time.
Hey Andy, for now my stock answer for Canon is the 60D since I think it’s the best value for the average person. Take a look and see what you think. If you already have a T2i, the user interface is a bit different on the 60D so you may want to stick to another T2i to avoid having to have to changes your settings two different ways. The differences aren’t great, but it might be annoying enough to stick with another T2i.
What do you think about the 7d? I notice that 60d is closer to the t2i than the 7d.
I am not a fan of the 7D. I would suggest the 60D over the 7D. It’s a better value. Right now, you can find the 60D for $800 less than the 7D. The 7D is better, but not $800 better. Not even close.
What about the 7d you dislike? I am not counting the 60d out. I will be shooting action events too.So the autofocus is kind of cool. But saving $800 on anything is a major plus.
I don’t like the layout. I don’t like the high ISO and especially the banding noise at higher ISOs. I don’t like the way the autofocusing options are accessed. I feel bad when I show 7D users how to manually select the AF points. They give me a “I have to do all of that?” look. Blame Canon! I’ve yet to have someone take my workshop that wasn’t overwhelmed by the 7D and that’s not the case with other Canons so I’ve grown to dislike it. Just my opinion so 7D lovers don’t tell me how great it is. I know it’s good… it’s just not worth $1699! You might as well buy a 5D at that point.
Hey Okello, great post. I’m a student and have been using a Sony EX Digital Camcorder to get video footage. I want to buy my own camera and wanted to use DSLR’s because of the depth capabilities. Would you also suggest the D90 for getting good video footage? If not, what do you think?
Sorry if you have already answered this already. Thank you.
-Patrick Rossman
Hey Patrick, If you’re into video even as Nikon guy I can tell you that you should go with Canon. Let me preface my comments by saying I don’t know a ton about Canon video, but if you’re just looking to get started I wouldn’t get anything too expensive. Get yourself a 60D and get used to the HD video on it. That way you can do it for relatively cheap. If and when you’re ready to step up to the next level the 5DMIII will be out and you can either buy that or get yourself a 5DMII since they should be relatively cheap by then. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the info Okello. Even if I use a Canon, will your workshop still work with any brand? Or is it strictly a workshop for Nikons? Thank you.
Hey Patrick, it’s for any brand. Essentially, all cameras work the same. I shoot live with a Canon T2i, Nikon D7000 and D3100 and I’m fluent in both languages!
Okello-
Do you have an opinion on the mirrorless DSLRs? A compact system like the Samsung NX100 or Sony NEX5? Would you still recommend the D90 over these? I have my first child on the way this summer and I figure it’s time to get more serious re: photography. The compactness of these cameras is attractive to me. I want to upgrade from my point-and-shoot camera and take your class but I don’t want to make the wrong purchase beforehand.
Thanks.
Hey Brian, I’ve seen a few in my workshops and haven’t been that impressed with them. I just think of them a smaller scale option when it comes to taking photos. I know they couldn’t replace my DSLR so it’s nothing I’m interested in professionally, but if I look up and they’re raving about one and it’s small and relatively inexpensive, I would get one for vacation and personal use.
The answer to that got a lot more complicated when the D7000 came out. I have had my D90 since early 2009. Great DX DSLR, but I recently purchased the D7000 and for $200 more (now $300 mre since they reduced the D90) it blows away all other DX format cameras. The D300… a real nice piece of equipment, but for the $1,600 price tag, it’s not worth it. The question too is how serious a photographer are you and how serious do you want to become. I started 5 years ago with a D40. Great entry level DSLR, but once bitten by the shutterbug, I wanted more. The answer still may be the D90 for many photographers. With many jumping to the D7000, I think you’re seeing a reduced price in the used market and I’m seeing it drop on the retail side as well. …just as it did for the D300 when the D90 came out. I still have my D90 as a back up and still would have been content with it as my primary if the D7000 hadn’t come out.
Hi Okello,
I’ve followed your recommendation on purchasing a D90 and also a 50mm f1.8 lens, now i’m going to travel to europe in a month, do you have any lens that you are recommending for landscape/travel purpose? Thanks!
Great! Lens questions are really hard to answer; it varies from person to person. Try the 50mm and if you think you want something wider look for a lower mm number which means a wider angle. You can always go to your local camera shop and try different lenses.
oh sorry, one more question, is Polarizing Filter same as Circular polarizers? I went to b&h, and they gave me a polarize filer. Thanks!
I bought the D90, its fabulous. I am going to move up to a D700 in the fall but I’m still keeping the D90 for the times I don’t want to take the big dude out, plus it gives me video.
The D90 is so expansive, you can do so much with it. I have great photos from a flower to a bullfight in Mexico City. Add really great glass to it and you’ll be a super happy shutter bug!
So happy I found your blog in my research… so informative and to the point. I see that you are now using a Canon T2i. Would you now recommend that over the D90? I am trying to find the best in my $1000 or so budget not only for still photography but with low light and HD Video capability for concert photography.
Hi Cheri, Thanks! I would put the T2i slightly ahead of the D90 simply because it’s newer and looks a bit better than the D90 although the D7000 outdoes them both, but that’s technology If I were in your shoes I would look at the 60D and even a refurbished one. I saw yesterday that Canon had refurbished 60D bodies on their site for $799. Here’s the link:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_276387_-1
If you’re OK with refurbished (and I totally am) then consider that and you won’t have to worry about upgrading for a while. The T2i is good but I like the features of the 60D better. Good luck!
I’m taking your class this weekend in Baltimore, and I can’t wait! I know nothing, but love photography. My question is, do I need to have a DSLR for the class? I am doing extensive research (and leaning heavily towards the Nikon D7000), but I am hoping this class will help me in my purchase decision. I currently own a Canon G11. Is this an acceptable ‘car’ to learn to drive on, or do I need to borrow a DSLR for the class?
Hi Bryan, Glad you’re excited! Actually a G11 will work for this class, but I will also have 3 extra cameras with me. I use a D7000 to teach the class so if you get there early and sit close to the front you can play around with it when I’m not using it. Either way you’ll be OK whether it’s a DSLR or the G11 since the G11 is even ahead of some DSLRs. See you this weekend.
Hi, My 15 yo daughter and I are attending your Boston class. I very have recently given her my old camera which has been laying around for years, a D100. She loves it. Is the old camera adequate for the class? How much improvement is the D90 over the old D100?
Thanks for signing up. The D100 is just fine for the class but in the long run you’ll see it’s limitations compared to something newer like a D90.
Oh wow…….. where were you when I bought my D3100 – I have only had it a year and already I am wishing it were “more”. I am thinking about diving in and buying another one. I am very glad I read this blog!
Hi
(exactly why I am signing up for your Philly class in Feb)
I was hoping you could give your opinion in a purchase between the Nikon D5100 and the Canon Rebel 2ti….
I have tried both and love the features of the Nikon but seem to think the pictures look nicer with the Canon.
I am hoping you can help. I am new to DSLR and sure it is the user not the camera.
Thanks
Sheila
If I had to choose between the D5100 and the T2i I would choose the T2i. I am just not a fan of the consumer Nikons.