Hi Mike Gunter
My only suggestion to anyone buying equipment is buy the best you can afford, and use them for long enough, don't sell it after a year because a newer model might be coming out.

DaveyJ said:
@sincejan: Welcome to NR. I believe this is a great site. I own quite a few Nikon film cameras and D100 thru D700. I still use the DX format far more as there are practical tradeoffs. I use the D700 with 20-35 Nikkor and 70-300VR but many times the D90 or D300 get used more. For what it is worth we use our D200 more than our D700. FF may be wonderful but to me they are tools. I miss my 8x10 and 10x30 camera some days, but not often. FF is not the only camera worth using. I have been comparing my DX 12-24 with my best wide angle Nikkor and I am not certain there is enough difference to impress me. Still the camera I most often check this site for is news of a FF D700 replacement. I have shot with the D3s and D3x and have no personal interest in owning them. To me they are excess baggage.

Hi Davey,

I see the D7K as a terrific option for upgrading from a D90 - assuming it will eventually live up to its specifications, but I am also somewhat interested in either the D700 or its replacement, and that is a rather 'eh' somewhat. I am on the golden side of my years (clearly ironic - whoever came up with that moniker _wasn't on this side_) and my current need for the full frame is probably not existent. My limited market takes no note of it. I regularly make enlargements for lobby displays to poster size with no complaints, and don't plan to make any thing larger.

The D7K would use all the 14 or so lenses I currently have without further investment in FX lenses and wouldn't weigh as much as a D700 or its replacement, something I'd appreciate.

I guess I can easily talk myself out of a D700, but I would be interested in yours or anyone else's comments as to the good reason's one should consider a D700 or D3s.

I would enjoy anyone's comments and input. Thanks to all.

My best.

Mike

@sincejan: Welcome to NR. I believe this is a great site. I own quite a few Nikon film cameras and D100 thru D700. I still use the DX format far more as there are practical tradeoffs. I use the D700 with 20-35 Nikkor and 70-300VR but many times the D90 or D300 get used more. For what it is worth we use our D200 more than our D700. FF may be wonderful but to me they are tools. I miss my 8x10 and 10x30 camera some days, but not often. FF is not the only camera worth using. I have been comparing my DX 12-24 with my best wide angle Nikkor and I am not certain there is enough difference to impress me. Still the camera I most often check this site for is news of a FF D700 replacement. I have shot with the D3s and D3x and have no personal interest in owning them. To me they are excess baggage.

Interested on this thread as well.... Me too on the wall between D90 and D7k.

Heart says D7k to have all the so called latest tech.

Head says most of the features will not be used so don't waste on it.

:(

The d7000 would be a sensible buy in 2 years, come on people it's a non full frame camera that Nikon can only make so much improvements to. I agree that it's a great backup camera (I have one) but if you're serious about what you photograph you would get into the wonderful world of Full Frame Cameras. Even the lens behave better, sharper, brighter and very fast. Don't waste your time discussing a APS-C sensor, GET A FULL FRAME CAMERA D700 or it's impending replacement

Davey, I was just in your shoes, until I made the decision to buy the D7000 last night. The D90 is a great camera that I've used for almost everything for the past two years. It will be a great backup camera for a at least another two!

I bought the D7000 because I'm beginning to shoot more weddings, which makes it a lot easier to have two bodies. I actually thought about buying another D90, but after reading reviews, and actually checking for dead/stuck pixels in-store before buying, I went ahead with the D7000.

You could do a dual body setup so you swap lenses less often, it's not a bad idea to keep a spare body around.

I'm not advising you to bash your equipment, but it's nice to have not-so-nice equipment around so you don't feel as bad bashing your equipment. I take my point and shoot and do shots with it I wouldn't do with my DSLR because I'm not afraid of bashing the point and shoot.

I still would rate the D90 as one of the best bags for the buck of any camera I have ever used. Selling mine used would bring to little for it's practical value. I still have not ordered the D7000 based on hot and dead pixel issues with that camera. Only advantage I see in the D7000 is better video and if it has pixel problems that are very noticeable on HD video I'd rather wait. Bottom line is the D90 still looks GREAT based on what I know now.

jonnyapple said:
Wait, don't you go to school with just a point and shoot? The NEX is better than that. ;-)

Haha, no, I brought my D40 now.

I don't have time to shoot still, but I take shots from my dorm window though.

D90 is worth it, I just got one a week ago. I love it and it does everything I need it to. The D7000 is great, but I didn't see it as a giant upgrade over the D90. The only thing that is that much better is the ISO.

NSXType-R said:
You have nothing else to shoot with other than the NX5?

Poor you. :D

Wait, don't you go to school with just a point and shoot? The NEX is better than that. ;-)

jonnyapple said:
Good man. No wonder you haven't been around lately, John. My D7000 will be in by next Wednesday, it seems. I can't wait because I have dearly missed my D90.

You have nothing else to shoot with other than the NX5?

Poor you. :D

Anaxagoras said:
That said, I confess I have made great efforts NOT to read any D7000 reviews, just in case I'm tempted!

Good man. No wonder you haven't been around lately, John. My D7000 will be in by next Wednesday, it seems. I can't wait because I have dearly missed my D90.

from what I can see, noise levels are same between the D90 and D7000 RAW. . .of course, you're getting a LOT more in the D7k, but a D90 at $550-600=1 D7k, so. . ..get a D90+flash and shoot at ISO 200!

I own both the 18-105VR and the 18-200VRI (the older version). I don't really notice that much difference in AF speed. Instead of the 18-200, you might want to consider the 18-105VR together with the 55-200VR. Might be cheaper for the price of having to swap lenses. That said, you will probably be using the 18-105 most of the time for the "average family photographer". Save any money for a flash and a fast lens e.g. the 50mm/1.8D which will go very well on the D90. I wouldn't buy a SU800 for the D90 as you can use the D90's built-in flash as a commander, and if you set the flash to NOT contribute to the exposure, you can even use shutter speeds higher than the D90's fastest sync speed (not sure if that is 1/200 s or 1/250 s), in other words in AutoFP mode.

I bought my D90 eleven months ago. It was an excellent camera when I bought it, and it's still every bit as excellent now.

There's no doubt the D7000 is even more excellent but, to me, certainly not worth the extra cost.

That said, I confess I have made great efforts NOT to read any D7000 reviews, just in case I'm tempted!

I personally wouldn't buy a D90 unless you find one used at a good price (e.g., $500 USD or less). Yes, it's still a very capable still camera, and yes, at the right price, the D90 is still very "worth it," but you may be happier with either of Nikon's newer offerings. The only major downside to say, a new D3100 (compared with the D90), is that you won't be able to auto-focus non-AFS lenses (screw-drive AF lenses).

Also, I can't recommend the video quality of the D90. It's extremely flawed: no 50Hz/60Hz flicker removal, no manual control, severe chroma/luma aliasing (banding), and fairly severe rolling shutter (jello). Also, just be aware that V-DSLRs aren't designed for casual video-making. Counter-balanced shoulder brackets, fluid-head tripods, and skilled technique are prerequisites for getting good video results from a V-DSLR.

That said, the D90 is a great body, and the money saved, put to use toward an SU-800 and a couple of Speedlights would certainly pay back in spades. Lots to consider. Short answer: "Yes."

Don't put a teleconverter on either of those lenses, it will damage the rear element of the lenses.

D90 - update from Sydney
Just walk into a retail store asking for best price on the D90.
Seems I can get great deals on grey sites but it makes sense to have Australian warrantee. Been offered $1700 Aus - D90 + 18-105 + 8 gb class 6 + 67mm UV + 5 year warrantee on body & lens
But I was looking at 18-200 vr ii and the retail shops are selling the 18-105 VR
I will be taking in my teleconvertor soon to see if it works with the zoom lense.

Is the 18-105 a faster lens than the 18-200 for the average guy wanting a good photo of family and travels shots? and do DSLR have a tendancy to break down (my old Nikon FM body had no issues)

Will I be disappointed with the lack of zoom (x5.8 v's x11)? And can I make up with cropping in paint shop pro or photoshop. Can't see printing larger than A4 for the average pic.
Any thoughts
Ray Mac

I have a Kenko 1.4 TC and I use it with my dx lenses sometimes. I don't know if the nikon TC work with dx lenses.

That 75-150 E is a gem! Some photogs use it by choice for portraits on their DSLRs. You have a nice set of lenses there (Hmmmm 55micro yum.. oooo 35pc ..wow...). Dont know if they all work with the D90.. You will need to check or maybe some knowledgeable chap will drop by.I am sure they will all mount on the D3100/D60/D40 but not too sure about the D90. The D300S should also be able to use those lenses.

I sometimes use old flashes on remote sensor triggers. Mainly for macro because there is no pre-flash to scare the bugs away.

I think the d90 is a good option even if money is not really limited. The difference could be spent on a flash and a decent tripod (if you don't have one) or a new lens, which will give you far more creative choices than the d7000 would over the d90. Happy shooting!

Thanks for the feedback
I assume the TC will work with my older lenses on the D90, but I thought the DX lenses might work on manual mode. Thanks again on the info on the old film flash, a bit more research before testing. Maybe that new flash is worth a look.
As for $'s in Australia (UK feedback), best price I can find as a pick up (not using imports) in Sydney is $885 Aud D90 (body only). Again the cheapest D7000 $1499 and the retail shops up near $1900. So yes around double the cost.
From what I am reading the D90 is looking like a good choice over the D7000 if $'s is limited. Looking forward to capturing some of images with summer coming up down here in Aus.
I need to stop writting and start buying, just hope the D7000 will make the D90 go on sale. Bring on the D7000 in the shops.

Ray Mac said:
does anyone know if my nikon x2 TC-201 convertor works with the DX lenses?

Also I have a Hanimex TZ2500 flash (from my film days), does that work with the D90, or do I start saving for the new nikon flash?

AFAIK none of the TCs work with DX lenses.

Beware, trigger voltages on old film flashes can be much higher than the new flashes and can fry your camera. Do a check on the net first. If in doubt, put it on an optical trigger and use it off camera. Not sure if this will fry your optical trigger as well, but eBay triggers are quite cheap :-). Don't blame me if anything gets fried.

Also, the SB600, SB700, SB800 and SB900 will give many, many improvements over the old film days flashes.

I don't know what the prices are like in Australia but here in the UK the D7000 is double the price of the D90...I'd get a D90, maybe even a used D90, and spend what you save on a lens or two.
I work as a photographer and my first digital body was a D80, the D90 will produce stunning image quality and will match the D7000 under most conditions.
The D7000 is not twice the quality of the D90 even if the price is...get the D90.

Yes I would say the D90 is still in the running, a great camera for the price. If, however, you are looking at the D300s, i would say go for the D7000 as the price/features are better still on the d7000 compared to the D300s. I was actually hoping the d700 would come down in price and was considering using the d7000 hype as a catalyst for getting into a full frame sensor. It just hasn't come down far enough though.

I'm at that cross-road now, do I get the d90, which I shoot with now (work camera and very happy with it), and a whole bunch of accessories, that I can have next week, or do I wait. I'm very impatient though. Or do I get the d7000 and only a couple of accessories. I really want the SU-800 flash commander as I have two sb-600 flashes. I also want more glass, grip, Zoom h2, Rode VidMic, and a flash bracket among other things.

Problem i have now is disk space for all my dng/raw files, am i going to get into shooting lots of video now? Where do I put all those files... I'm wrestling with it all right now. :)