Still waiting here in Sydney for the D7000, but looking around I wonder if the D90 is now the better option. I assume the quality for a DX mid range camera would do just fine for the average guy who likes taking snaps but just wants some extra features they were used too with their old film camera.
The more I read and research, the 18-200 VR ii lens seems to be the best fit for my needs and with my budget the D90 looks very good value over the D7000 with the extra specifications. Will the extra mega pix from 12 to 16 is it really that much better. I don't think I would print any bigger that A3 - probably 6"x4" most times and viewed on computer of TV (plasma. I do run Paint shop pro for minor cropping and adjustments.
It seems DSLR's are like PC's, buy the latest and it is replaced in 6 - 12 months. So I buy my DX 18-200 lens, with a D90 that will do a good job and maybe down the track if keen I can upgrade the body if I need to at all. As for video, just spent 3 hours converting some of my old sony video's to DVD, bad quality but still fun to watch. So Full HD 720 in lieu of 1080, not much difference for home use. What I am saying family movies about 2 minutes long and the manual focus D90 should be OK. Again if it doesn't work then maybe buy a stand alone vidoe camera that can be put in a pocket.
Has anyone else thought that maybe the rassel and dassel of the D7000 for the average family photograher is just too much money?
[D90] - Is the D90 still worth it?
(33 posts) (18 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Welcome, Ray Mac. I'm usually the photographer you're describing and I'd get the D90.
I have to disclose that I just sold the D90 and ordered the D7000, but the main reason is for the redundancy of the dual card slots because I shoot a few weddings every year and I literally lose sleep before every one thinking that one of my cards is going to die on me at some point and then even a contract isn't going to bring back the lost photos. I'm not going to complain about the other improvements, of course.
You will love the D90. It's an amazing camera and I've printed bigger than A2 with 12MP and it still looks great. The video will be great for what you're describing. It's not the best codec but you'll be amazed at how much easier the workflow is taking video off of cards instead of tape if that's where you're coming from. I have a backlog of 2 years' worth of DV tapes that I haven't captured to a hard drive. I would have been happy with only the D90 for the rest of my life (and lenses, but that goes without saying).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi, In sydey here too.. and still waiting as well !
However when I switched to DSLR from film I went for the D70 and it was fabulous. The D90 is 2 generations from the D70. I have printed A3 from the D70 6MP so the 12MP is more than enough. Paint shop pro is a fantastic little program lots of fun and great features. the Clarify is great!.
I also had the 18-200 VR with my D70 and it was great fun for snaps and travel. Its also great for finding out your "eye" (your Fav Focal lengths).The D90 is the most popular camera and would suit your needs. However! That D7000 is a serious upgrade to the D90. I think Its going to be the most popular Nikon camera ever! :-) I am getting one I think.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh yes, and I really like paint shop pro as well. I still use it for vector graphics, but use photoshop because of its interface with lightroom. I admit Photoshop is growing on me, though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks Guys, lets see what the D7000 does to the price of the D90. Looks like I will do just fine with the D90. I agree with the improvement (even for a 1st DSLR looker) is greater than the D90, but I always try to bring the issue back to the basics and printing a memory up to A2 still sounds good to me. But saying that the D7000 with 18-105 VR could be an option ($'s?)with my x2 TC0201 covertor (does anyone know if my nikon x2 TC-201 convertor works with the DX lenses?)
As for Paint shop pro and photoshop I just bought PSP first and got use to the commands then got Photoshop. Bit like the the mid range DX v's Pro camera, both do the job but the expensive option just has so much more features. I wish I had the time to expore.
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?Posted 2 years ago # -
I would stick to the D90 and in fact thats what I'm going to do. The D7000 is real nice and I was able to play with them at the store, but all I really need is a D90 and the price difference is awesome. Plus I'm coming from a D60 do the D90 will be a giant upgrade for me.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh c'm u should know that once the d7000 was released d90 stopped taking pictures, but seriously if You don't need the extra slot, are not video fanatic and don't care about mpx's ( most of the new d7000 owners doesn't have good enough lenses to benefit from it's bigger in mpx sensors) than You'll be more than happy with d90, which is IMHO the best camera in the whole nikon lineup when You consider IQ to price ratio.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Adamz, how does the mpx sensor work with relation to the cameras? With my limited knowledge I understand about DX and full frame 35mm but is there an issue with MP size for the DX camera's. I other wonder with the Nikon pro cameras having lower MP than the new DX D7000. Again I assume it comes down the size of the image.
I have a number of lenses from my film days (old FM body) with series e 75-150 zoom, 24mm, 55mm macro and a 35mm PC lense.Posted 2 years ago # -
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. :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
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.Posted 2 years ago # -
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.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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.Posted 2 years ago # -
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!
Posted 2 years ago # -
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.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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 MacPosted 2 years ago # -
Don't put a teleconverter on either of those lenses, it will damage the rear element of the lenses.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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."
Posted 2 years ago # -
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!
Posted 2 years ago # -
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.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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!
Posted 2 years ago # -
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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.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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