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Buy D90 or wait?

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kyoshinikon

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NikoDoby said:
Well the D700 will be replaced first. The proof is that supply is already drying up. I'd believe you mb but the only problem with your "plan" besides what foofie already pointed out (D5000 is not even a year old) is that the D5000 hasn't been heavily discounted. The D90, D700 and D300S have. The D5000 is Nikon's number 1 selling DSLR in some countries followed by the D3000. (In some places it's the other way around)

It would be a huge mistake for Nikon to keep the D90 around until Christmas! Despite that it's barely going to be 2 years old, it's already pretty outdated. Remember it was the world's first HD video DSLR. At the time nobody else had HD video in a DSLR. Now look at how many other cameras do it "bigger and better". Nikon can't afford to wait 6 to 8 months for a replacement.

Umm not everyone buying a D90 is a amateur consumer... Canons consumer t2i just barely equals the specs of Nikons 2 year old model (compare the specs, and Mpx is only big on the consumer end).

While I agree that a new model is definitely needed before Christmas, video doesn't seem to be the main reason buyers purchase this camera as it is only offered (at least where I live (LA county as a whole)) in camera stores or stores that carry the D300s too. The D90 is "pro"sumer, the main buyers seem to be intermediate and advanced amateurs, Advanced students, and low budget professionals, not walmart camera shoppers.

The D700 is a mini D3, the D300s is a smaller D700, the D90 is a compacted D300s, and the D5000 is a simplified D90, but the D5000 is sure not anything like the D3! The D90 is the cut off line where consumer modes top out and professional settings begin...

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I disagree Kyoshi. The D70 and D80 were never thought of as "pro"sumer. Even though they used the "same" sensor as the D100 and D200. I think the only reason the D90 isn't thought of as an "amateur" camera now is because this time the sensor technology "seems" to be better than the more expensive D300.

It's still in the "amateur" class in my opinion. That's why I'm saying the "D7000" could be more of an advanced amateur, semi-pro "plastic D300". Imagine if Nikon gave it the same 51point auto focus, etc.

Posted 3 years ago #
heartyfisher

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mb said:
Lets just say that I have a filling that we will have D5000 replacement first and D90 will not be replaced before the end of this year.

:-) I hope the filling was not too painful I know they can give you some gas that helps with the pain and gives you good dreams.. :-)

Posted 3 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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NikoDoby said:
I disagree Kyoshi. The D70 and D80 were never thought of as "pro"sumer. Even though they used the "same" sensor as the D100 and D200. I think the only reason the D90 isn't thought of as an "amateur" camera now is because this time the sensor technology "seems" to be better than the more expensive D300.

It's still in the "amateur" class in my opinion. That's why I'm saying the "D7000" could be more of an advanced amateur, semi-pro "plastic D300". Imagine if Nikon gave it the same 51point auto focus, etc.

In terms of lineup the D90 is a amateur class camera, but in terms of demographics and some Iq the D90 can do most of the basic and necessary pro functions that the higher cameras can making it a camera that is not solely amateur. I was more implying that it is the bridge between casual consumer and shooter.

My definition of a pro is someone who makes the majority of their living off photography, and as someone who knows and works with many "pros" I find the D80/D90, D200, and D700 much more commonly used by my colleges than the D300 including the ones who own one ...

Although defiantly not a pro spec camera, the D90 is still a camera used by a handful of professionals who can't invest as much in a body and don't need the extra features such as 51 point AF. I shoot strictly manual. I don't use AF on my D90 and I still don't when I shoot with a D700.

On the subject of AF IQ the D90 has more AF points than the much higher spec Canon 5D mII.

The non pro specs lie mostly in the nuances and not major components like the crappy frame buffer and no strobe ports and the consumer crapdial. Most of the pro commands not on the body are hidden in the menu. The argument on build is not a strong one as very few pros who shoot midrange Dslr's push that use to the limit, and the ones that do have the better option of the D300s...

My point is that the demographic of the D90 isn't mostly the consumer, basic amateur, or hobbyist like nikon tries to reach, it is a group in the middle of commercial professional photographers D700 and intermediate amateurs D5000 (the prosumer), a group in which there are 2, models Low end prosumer D90 and high end D300s...

Shoot with the D5000, D90, and D300s and you will find the D90 stark in the middle and not anywhere as much like the d5000 as the Basic specs point out...

Posted 3 years ago #
Ronin.1

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kyoshinikon said:
Umm not everyone buying a D90 is a amateur consumer... Canons consumer t2i just barely equals the specs of Nikons 2 year old model (compare the specs, and Mpx is only big on the consumer end).

While I agree that a new model is definitely needed before Christmas, video doesn't seem to be the main reason buyers purchase this camera as it is only offered (at least where I live (LA county as a whole)) in camera stores or stores that carry the D300s too. The D90 is "pro"sumer, the main buyers seem to be intermediate and advanced amateurs, Advanced students, and low budget professionals, not walmart camera shoppers.

The D700 is a mini D3, the D300s is a smaller D700, the D90 is a compacted D300s, and the D5000 is a simplified D90, but the D5000 is sure not anything like the D3! The D90 is the cut off line where consumer modes top out and professional settings begin...

There are several things to consider about the D90 replacement. When the D90 was introduced nearly two years ago, there were a lot of comments that it was "late" at two years and had been scheduled/expected at 18 months. Two years is an eternity in the electronics/computer business which is what DSLRs are. The D90 is supposedly incapable of accepting a new firmware update. I suspect that Nikon cheaped out on the chip that the firmware is installed on and there is not enough capacity to install any meaningful firmware update. (This happened on a number of computers some years ago.)

This is not to say that the D90 is not a good camera, but it is not well positioned in comparison to the competition at the present time. It is at a price point where a great many units can be sold as compared to the higher end D3/D700 series. In other words, it is an important revenue source even though its margins are almost certainly smaller than the higher end products.

As has been observed many times elsewhere, just what sensor does Nikon have to install in any new camera? Presumably there is a new sensor for the D4 that has been reported in testing for some time, but what spinoffs of it are there for the D700/D300/D90 product lines? With any new sensor one has to be concerned about the production yields as it has a direct bearing on the ability to ramp up production to support the production volume required.

But just which camera will get the "new stuff" first? I doubt that it will be the D90 replacement.

Posted 3 years ago #
boboo

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i've been looking thru stuff and i found this! im also looking for a dslr and wanted to buy a d90 but with the rumors replacing a d90 makes me want to wait for it.

i just finished reading thru all the reply and found the possibility of the replacement will be semi pro camera... i'm new to dslr meaning never touched one before!!! should i just get the d90 or canon rebel t2i? or wait for the replacement?

im not in a hurry to buy one, i just might take photography as a minor starting next year or the year after that.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Welcome, boboo. You never know how long it's going to take them to replace a camera. If you're not in a hurry, it might make sense to wait. As to the T2i/D90 question, I've never played around with a T2i, but the canons I have tried don't have controls that are as easy to use as nikon cameras. But I'm sure there are Canon users who say the opposite, so you should just try out both models and see what works best for you.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Hi Boboo

I agree with jonny. If your in no hurry then just wait. Nikon is supposedly going to be making some kind of announcement "very, very, soon". We don't know if it's just new lenses or also a new camera body too.

Posted 3 years ago #
foofiebeast

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yeah as someone who started with canon, for me it was really just a matter of relearning. The system you learn on tends to make the most sense for you, and it can be hard at first to retrain yourself, although really not that hard, hah.

to the topic though...if the specs of the d90 replacement are what is being talked about on the front page...I am definitely waiting.

Posted 3 years ago #
boboo

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But the thing i was concerning about is will it be too much for a beginner to use... ? i want a camera easy to use for beginners but also have advanced features, like idk more manual controls that i can learn and grow into the camera??? i have never use any dslr before... any suggestions?

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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There aren't a lot of extra beginners' features on the lower-end cameras. The D90 has an auto mode where the camera basically takes over for you, so it's a good camera for that. It will also give you full manual control if you ask for it or pretty much anything in between these extremes.

Posted 3 years ago #
boboo

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or should i get the very beginner dslr like nikon d40 or canon rebel xs?

Posted 3 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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No because you will grow out of it. Lets compare 3 models he D5000, D90,and D300s (1 consumer, prosumer, and pro).

They all have the same Sensor, Info, Menu, Play, Delete, AF-L, and Live View button, Command Dial, Lens mount, video option, and hotshoe... That is where the similarities end.

The D90 and D300s have a focus lock and sub command dial. The D5000 doesn't.

The D90 and D5000 have consumer modes. The D300s doesn't

The D90 and D300s have a function and aperture preview button. The D5000 doesnt.

The D300s can directly take a sync cable. The other 2 need an adapter

The D5000 has a swivel screen. The other 2 do not.

The D5000 does not have a point selector button or an internal motor. The other 2 do.

The D5000 also is smaller and harder to handle with larger and heavier lenses (as you get better at photography you will probably upgrade your lenses). The other 2 are not so much.

The d5000 also doesn't have a top Lcd or certain firmware options the other 2 Do...

The D300s has many more AF points than the other 2 and has a heavier build.

The question is what features do you need? You are gonna grow out of a D5000/D3000 and Defiantly out of a Canon rebel or Sony A230 (which you will regret). The D90 you can not only grow with (as it has easy features like the D5000) but it will make a great backup when you go up to a D300s, D700, or D3 (due to its pro layout)

Posted 3 years ago #
Killermac

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Nice layout of options. I don't want to hijack this thread nor do I want to start another. I am in a predicament also. I have a honeymoon coming up in August and I have been wanting a D90 and done much research. The D90 fits all the needs that I have but with the refresh coming very soon I don't know that it is worth a purchase.

Posted 3 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Wait till august and see..
1) If the replacement is out yet.
2) If you are still interested in photography.
3) If you are going on the honeymoon.. 8-)

Posted 3 years ago #
Killermac

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heartyfisher said:
Wait till august and see..
1) If the replacement is out yet.
2) If you are still interested in photography.
3) If you are going on the honeymoon.. 8-)

Being that I will go early August that is what makes this tough. Alas I have waited this long.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Kyoshi for many the D3000/5000 is all the camera they will need. Most just want "great" pictures and don't care to learn all the fundamentals of photography. They just want a good camera for the least amount of money and go take pictures.

Posted 3 years ago #
tcole1983

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Killermac said:
Nice layout of options. I don't want to hijack this thread nor do I want to start another. I am in a predicament also. I have a honeymoon coming up in August and I have been wanting a D90 and done much research. The D90 fits all the needs that I have but with the refresh coming very soon I don't know that it is worth a purchase.

Not sure if you have any SLR experience but you wouldn't want to wait too long. I think it would be a bad idea to wait until you are going and have a camera you don't really know how to use. I think you would be disappointed with the pictures then. That and a new wife probably doesn't want to wait around for you to mess with it while you learn how to change settings and things for pictures :)

Posted 3 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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NikoDoby said:
Kyoshi for many the D3000/5000 is all the camera they will need. Most just want "great" pictures and don't care to learn all the fundamentals of photography. They just want a good camera for the least amount of money and go take pictures.

You may be right in this case although I assumed the asker would be getting more serious about it which is why I said that out of the comparison (which is accurate) the D90 sounded like the best option...

The D5000 is still a great camera and more than enough if you don't want to learn a bunch of fancy controls...

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Killermac said:
Being that I will go early August that is what makes this tough. Alas I have waited this long.

ditto what tcole said above. You don't want the stress of the wedding and learning the camera at the same time.

Posted 3 years ago #
Killermac

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kyoshinikon said:
You may be right in this case although I assumed the asker would be getting more serious about it which is why I said that out of the comparison (which is accurate) the D90 sounded like the best option...

The D5000 is still a great camera and more than enough if you don't want to learn a bunch of fancy controls...

jonnyapple said:
ditto what tcole said above. You don't want the stress of the wedding and learning the camera at the same time.

Ahh it was late when I read back the tread no this is a honeymoon long overdue. We did not have the funds when we first were married so we told ourselves when we did we would go. I think the prices on the D90 with two decent pieces of glass would be great.

Posted 3 years ago #
clillja

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There are some outstanding deals on the D90 right now! Thank you Nikon Rumors! Time to add one to my home/fun/travel outfit - get to know the video. Will hang on to my little D3000, which, for all the bad press (well, damned with faint praise, anyway) I think is a great little camera. Mine has paid for itself many times over with odd jobs here and there...

At work, the budget seems to indicate that I will have to soldier on with the D300 for some time. No FX in my near future, unfortunately.

Oh - and have a good time on your overdue honeymoon!

Posted 3 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Killermac said:
Being that I will go early August that is what makes this tough. Alas I have waited this long.

Sorry for being overly subtle :-) (I get in those moods sometimes) but I meant that you should get the D90 or D5000 now. Its not going to get any worst after the new camera comes out and It really chap at the moment. You should get some good glass (with the savings) that will outlive the D90 by decades.

Posted 3 years ago #
clillja

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Just ordered my D90. From B&H refurb by Nikon - $50 cheaper than the D5000 when it came out - about $120 more than current new D5000. Stoked.

Posted 3 years ago #
Killermac

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I have decided that I will go with the D90 and if the a new one does come out then so be it. I can then decide if I want to take a slight loss and sell it if the new one is much better. Now I will have to decide on lenses. I want a good macro I am thinking Nikkor 105mm and then a smaller portrait landscape lens. I don't think the 18-105 would be a good decision seeing as I want the 105 and having two lenses in the same rage is not smart.

KM

Posted 3 years ago #