Help!- Another Upgrade now (to what) or wait question

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Help!- Another Upgrade now (to what) or wait question

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heywood

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Joined: Mar '10
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I was debating a D90/D5000 purchase last year and the wife wanted just an upgrade to a P&S, so I went with the D60 18-105 and later added a Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro lens.

A friend of my wife's brought over her D3 and later sent me some shots we took at the same time- and I started thinking about an upgrade to the D90.

(We have a 2 week vacation at the end of June this year where I would be taking a ton of shots, and will really have time to play with any new toys, but would like some familiarity before then)

I have done searches here and even started to consider the D300s.

I have had the D90 Body in my cart at B&H on and off and the price dropped to 730, and is now back up to 780. I also considered the D90 with the 70-300VR because at 1150, it make the lens less than $400.

Background- Still a dabbler, but I want to do more ( I am still experimenting with non-auto modes).

In addition to Kids plays, Soccer games, vacation sunsets, I want to do more general landscapes, and portraits, candids--

Advice on next purchase-

D90
D300s

or Hold off until a "real big" upgrade comes and in the meantime get

A Speedlight 600
AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens

And take more time to really understand what the limitations are that would make you need/want a better camera (other than no AF motor in the body)

(I have been know to get better gear than my ability with my guitars as well)

Is the SB-600 something that I will be happy with on a 90/300s or the replacements?
Same question about the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens-

Thanks for reading my rambling.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Joined: Jan '10
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You haven't really pointed out any specific ways that you think the D60 is limiting your abilities, so hard to say if you need to upgrade or not. The D3 is in a totally different class, even the D90 cannot keep up. I think a flash and maybe some lens upgrades, along with time focused on learning to take better photos would help you the most.

What kind of photos do you like to take? For general photography, trip photography, and house parties (etc), I'd say keeping the D60 and upgrade your lenses before you change bodies.

Posted 3 years ago #
foofiebeast

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especially if you are just starting to play around with the non "auto" modes, I'd say stick it out with the d60. I would say you'll know when you are ready to move on to something else (one good marker will be when you wonder why in the hell you ever used an auto mode to begin with, :) )

I know some people on here like to use Aperture priority modes, but a lot of us I would say are manual mode only because its really the only way to have control over your camera.

really I think upgrading your glass and picking up the 600 would be an excellent idea as when you do feel the need to upgrade those items will be right there with you, just as good as they were if you purchased them now.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Learn to use your D60 first. A new camera won't make you a better photographer. Despite what you think your D60 is capable of taking great photos.

Posted 3 years ago #
heywood

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Joined: Mar '10
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Thanks for the replies so far-

As I was putting my thoughts down on the screen, I really think I began to answer my own questions. Just because I can afford to upgrade doesn't mean I should.

So I guess the question would be do the SB-600 and the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens make good sense at this point?

Will they serve me well on a 90/300 or next gen when I do upgrade or are there better lenses I should be looking at with an eye for the future.

I do like the AF-S Nikkor 18-105 3.5-5.6 lens I first bought as a walk around, and as long as I use a tripod at 300 haven't noticed any issues with the sigma 70-300. (Apart from slow focusing in low light)

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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The SB600 and the 35mm will be just fine on any other DX camera. You'll have to upgrade the lens only if in the future you get a FX (full frame 35mm) digital camera.

Oh and welcome to the forum :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 3,400
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Stay with the D60. I like the SB-600 and 35 1.8 idea. Both of those are great on any DX body if you decide to upgrade, and they will open up new worlds for you that getting a D90 or D300s won't. Save the rest until you're limited by your camera body.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikyvee

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Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 83
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No one has mentioned this but I think you should rethink the idea of getting the SB-600. My reason is that I have heard (not from personal experience), that there is so much difference in power output from the 600-to the SB900, that it makes the 600 really disappointing. Now if you were to latch onto one of the now discontinued 800 speedlights, THAT would be a different matter. But that isn't going to happen. Folks that have the 800s are keeping them. Folks that have the 900 love them (me too); folks with 600s, not so happy. Check the reviews.

The idea of getting additional lens is a great one. IMHO. Which one? I'll leave that to the experts, but I will go on to suggest getting one that is of a micro/macro capability. It is so darn much fun to take really, really close ups. And to be able to do that when you are just walking around is really fun. You can be taking shots of your kids, but then see some butterfly landing on a flower and shoot that. It is scads of fun. Which one? Again, listen to the experts. My only experience is with a D90 and a few lenses, and the SB-900. My macro is a Tamron 70-300mm that I really enjoy. Not the fastest--f/4.5--but surprisingly sharp and CHEAP. It's only abgout $165 new. This is the lens without any vibration reduction. I love it, although I am looking for an even better one.

By the way, my Tamron lens will work with DX OR FX bodies, so it will work when I do get the D700 upgrade---whenever that comes out.

The idea of shooting lots; even joining some club or group that has photo outings will really improve your shooting and again, add to your photo life.
Nick V

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

The Predator
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 3,461
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spend the money on better lenses (with F2.8) or get a photo class - You will benefit more than from any other new camera

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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The guide number is 125 ft@ISO100 for the SB-800 and 98ft for the SB-600. That's not even a full stop of difference. The SB-900's is 132 ft, which might be a full stop (don't have time to calculate). I use both the SB-600 and SB-800 and I don't think the difference in power is worth the price difference. I like the built-in bounce card of the SB-800, but I rigged up a velcro one that's always on my SB-600 and I like them both equally.
edit: that's probably not true. I should have said that for the price, I think the SB-600 is as good.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Joined: Jan '10
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Another advantage of the SB-600 is that it is smaller and lighter than the SB-900. I have an SB-800 and will likely add an SB-600, because I love to work with remote flashes.

Posted 3 years ago #
gelu88

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I've had a D60 since its launch so i've been having these same debates.

@nikyvee: a sb-900 costs almost as much as a D60, and is bigger. It's focused on a pro class of user and shoudn't be suggested here.

D60 has a guide number of about 40ft, and a sb-600(98ft) can have a massive benefit to his/our photography. esp since the wireless slave goes well with commander mode on the D90. plus bounce flash for under $250

@heywood: i too started out looking at the D300, but there is not much of a benefit for most people over a D90(as has been covered in countless threads here; build quality, fast access to more functions, burst speed, etc). Not image quality or functions

I have a 35mm 1.8 and its really nice, i would highly recommend it. It works as well with the D90-D300 as it does with D60, so no worries there.

Finally, while the image quality of the D60 is fine, and not too different from higher end cameras in some situations (in good light, no fast moving subjects). I do photos for a couple university newspapers and i use my D60 at 800 and 1600 ISO frequently with hand holding at 1/2s to 1/15s for low-light situations. quality sucks but thats a situation where higher end camera's perform significantly better.

but to concur with the general mood, if you are shooting in good light, no fast action. better lenses and flash will help you much more.

Posted 3 years ago #
heywood

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Joined: Mar '10
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Thanks for the additional input-(And the welcome) (And the resistance to all pounce on the overly enthusiastic noob)

My Sigma 70-300 does have a macro switch (200-300), and I previously picked up a set of Bower +1,+2,+4 macro rings for the 18-105 nikkor, again still playing around.

(I was going back and forth between the Sigma and Tamron 70/300, f4.5-6)

I did not consider a SB-800 or 900 because from many things I read, people didn't feel the jump was worth it for the recreational/hobbyist photographer. (But they did say the 400-600 jump was well worth it.)( And many mentioned the size as being just right)

I will pick up the D60 Digital Field guide, and really wait until I am being hindered to shop for get a new body.

Posted 3 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Joined: Apr '09
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For macro - instead of the +1,+2,+4 filters get the Raynox DCR250 It has 3 lense elements that correct for the blurred corners and CA(Chromatic Aberration - colour fringing at the edges). It will work with your 18-105 very nicely. I have a dedicated macro lens but I Still use the convenient raynox clip on filter from time to time.

Like your choice of 35 and SB600 ... and .. Welcome !

PS : also consider a Circular polarising filter..

Posted 3 years ago #
chancetlu

senior member
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 61
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I went through the same dilemma with upgrading from a D40 to a D90. I took about 1200 pics of high school football games (my little brother's - I am simply a hobbyist) last year and was really disappointed in iso 800 and 1600 performance. I also could not really get any great crops as I wanted to crop a few at 50% or greater. I was shooting wide open on the 70-200 VR 2.8.

After talking to a number of former professionals I work with, they recommended upgrading to the D90 for the low light capabilities, larger images (better crops), and the ease of full manual control. I have had the D90 for about a week and notice a drastic difference in the ease of using the camera in manual mode. I am not familiar with the D60 but wonder if it has some of the same low light problems as the D40.

Just my 2 cents.

Posted 3 years ago #
chancetlu

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Joined: Mar '10
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One other thing, the 35 1.8 and the sb600 stay on my camera almost all the time when I am indoors. They are a great combination on any Nikon DX camera!

Posted 3 years ago #
RyanWard

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Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 61
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Agreed. I have the same setup and it is what I typically have on mine as well. I have a D60 also and I know that it is easy to get envious of the D5000/D90 camera if you aren't careful. I have decided to wait and see what the next cameras out will have.

I'm interested in what new video options will be on the next generation along with potential upgrades in megapixels without loss of better high ISO performance compared with the D90/5000 today. I could jump in now and upgrade but it might be worth the wait to see what the new models have and if they don't impress you very much, you will likely be able to get a better deal on a D90 or D5000 at that time.

Posted 3 years ago #
gelu88

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Joined: Feb '10
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@chancetlu

D60 has a 10mp sensor but low light ability is basically identical to the D40. That is actually the reason i got the D60 over the D40. more resolution without lowered quality.

These dicsussions the past couple weeks have made me decide to pull the trigger on a sb600.

I'm in full ebay/craigslist mode now, looking for new or good used units.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 3,400
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heywood said:
I did not consider a SB-800 or 900 because from many things I read, people didn't feel the jump was worth it for the recreational/hobbyist photographer. (But they did say the 400-600 jump was well worth it.)( And many mentioned the size as being just right)

The SB-600 is great. I agree with 'people' that it's worth the extra over the SB-400 even if just because you can bounce with the camera in portrait orientation.

The one feature I miss from the 800 when using the 600 is the bounce card, but I just put velcro on a rectangular piece of white plastic (I cut a piece from a white DVD case) and the other half of the velcro around the top of the flash. Then I can just turn it around so it goes down the back of the flash when I'm not using it.

Happy hunting, gelu.

Posted 3 years ago #
Niz

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Joined: Dec '09
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I have a D60 with the 35mm 1.8 and the SB-600. Both work great with the camera, in fact I have only had the 35mm lens off my camera once since I got it. It is always on my camera and pretty much will stay there. The SB-600 is great, it does everything you will ever need it to. I am looking to upgrade once I grad from college, but them I also want to be a pro photographer. The only real drawl back on the D60 is using any ISO greater then 400. If you get the 35mm you shouldn't run into many times when you will need more then 400 and the flash will make sure you keep at 400 or lower.

Posted 3 years ago #
RyanWard

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Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 61
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I too have the D60, 35mm and SB-600 and it is what sits on my camera unless I need wide or really zoom. It has basically taken the place of my 18-55. I don't seem to have the same ISO problems (although I would like it to be better) though. I printed 2, 5X7 photos today taken at ISO 800 and they show no visible noise. At 100% crop on my monitor they have noise, but not in real life.

Personally, the addition of the 35mm and the SB-600 has given me what I need to wait to see what the next generation of cameras will be.

Posted 3 years ago #

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Help!- Another Upgrade now (to what) or wait question

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