D90 or D5000? « Nikon Rumors Forum

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D90 or D5000?

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mb

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NikoDoby said:
AF is the same with both D90 and D5000 meaning same AF sensor. What the D5000 lacks versus the D90 is the ability to power focus on older (non AF-S) lenses. If you stick to new lenses (with AF-S) then you'll have no problems as all new lenses are AF-S.

The way the D90 is able to power nonAF-S (no af motor in the lens) is with the use of a little "screw driver" like protrusion that sticks out of the camera and actually spins and drives the lens autofocus gears. The D5000 doesn't have this ability. So if you buy an old used nonAF-S it will not autofocus on the D5000.

Niko is more understandable then I am so please disregard my post.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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NikoDoby said:
The D5000 doesn't have this ability. So if you buy an old used nonAF-S it will not autofocus on the D5000.

The last thing I'll say (sorry if we've confused you already, Gabriel) is that even some new lenses (meaning purchased new) don't have a built-in motor. If you look at nikon's current lens page, you'll see that some just have AF in their name, not AF-S (the S is for silent wave motor, which is what Nikon calls the focus motors they put inside their lenses). The ones that say "AF blah blah blah" will autofocus on the D90 but won't on the D5000. The AF-S ones will work on both. My point is that even though Niko makes it sound like only ancient used lenses are AF lenses, that's not true. You can still buy new lenses (purchased new) that won't autofocus on the D5000. Niko is right that recent new lenses (meaning newly designed) have been AF-S but, as mb was saying, the new (newly designed) AF-S lenses are usually more expensive than their older AF versions. So getting a camera that will autofocus even when you have AF lenses can save you money in the long run because you can take advantage of using some great value lenses—the 50 f/1.8 AF or the 85 f/1.8 AF being the ones I think you'd like most in portraiture.

Sorry for the long post. Maybe in the future you'll be more careful about inviting ANY comment on this forum as we have a way of getting off topic sometimes. ;-)
edit: fixed mistake on naming.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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jonnyapple said:
The last thing I'll say

So sue me.
Here's the list of current lenses so you don't have to go looking.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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True jonny but all of those "new" (as in still being made by Nikon) lenses are old designs and most if not all will be replaced with AF-S versions in the next few years.

I much rather prefer to have a lens with AF-S than without. It's old tech versus new technology.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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fully agree with Niko on the lenses issues, go for AF-S rather than AF, they are simply better lenses.
if You need a start up system, then for 700EUR You should be able to buy d5000 and 35mm/1.8 af-s lens (the view will be quite similar to this what You see with Your own eye), as for taking pictures in the dark (concerts) this set up will be more than You would need, as You can easily use iso 1600 with d5000/d90

mb - mentioned d3000, I wouldn't go that way, as the sensor on that camera wasn't designed to handle high iso values

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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adamz said:
mb - mentioned d3000, I wouldn't go that way, as the sensor on that camera wasn't designed to handle high iso values

If the budget is tight something must suffer, ISO is the first thing I would give up and if I must choose between a good lens and ISO I would choose better lens.

Posted 3 years ago #
mikeo21

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I think the focus motor issue isn't as big of an issue as people make it out to be.

I own a d5000 and I see Nikon making af-s versions of everything we will need. The 35 1.8 is a good example.. i think more af-s primes are on the way.. or at least ive heard!

The best advice I can give you:

If you really want to get into photography as a major hobby and are a technical person who would be likely to use all of the cameras advanced features very often, step up to the d90.

For me, the d5000 is a good camera for continuing to learn photography. Im not shooting often enough to miss the advanced features, and I appreciate the cameras size (and lower value) when walking around with it.

I see the d90 for people who can walk around, look at something, and instantly think of a few very particular settings they want to use to take the picture. For me, its more of an educated guess :D

IMO IQ should not impact your decision.. they are two cameras for two different sets of needs. find the one that matches based on what you look for in a camera.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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mb said:
If the budget is tight something must suffer, ISO is the first thing I would give up and if I must choose between a good lens and ISO I would choose better lens.

sure mb, I'll go for better lens too, but I have two different cameras one with the new and one with the old sensor, and IMHO the sensor from d3000 (similar to my d200) is not a good option once You need to cross the 800iso border, and You will do it on concerts - even with the brightest lenses - I was actually shooting night pictures with no artificial lights on my d200 + 50/1.4 but the percentage of good shots (sharp, w/o motion blur) was really low (and I have very steady hands, as I'm used to work with long range lenses)

although, if Gabriel would use the camera for landscapes, I'll be the first one to said that d3000 is a great option, as the based iso 100 is a true advantage over based cmos iso 200

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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gabriel - just checked the prices on amazon.de (they should ship it to Your place) and they have d5000 with 18-105 vr for 725EUR and the 35/1.8 for 180EUR

Posted 3 years ago #
Gentoo

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GabrielWolff said:
Nonono, I didn't yet buy it. I decided, but obviously not firmly enough to actually take out my credit card and get the camera.

I AM STILL CAMERALESS.

Considering taking portraits the most important function, because some of my income comes from it, and low-light conditions a factor, as I am a musician and shoot a lot of concerts, is there a good reason to go for the D90 and not the D5000?

I just now chimed into this thread and haven't read the whole thing so forgive if I'm repeating what may have been said already.

As Niko and adamz have said, 1. get the one that you're comfortable with and 2. with these two bodies, only lenses will make a difference in IQ. They are essentially the same. The big differences are having controls on the outside of the camera on the D90 and opposed to having to dive into menus all the time on the D5000. That latter situation always got on me nerves when I had a D40 but this may not bother you much. I tend to like the larger bodies as well and when I picked up a D5000, I felt like I was holding a toy, just like the D40.

If you want to get older AF lenses that are pre AF-S, you will want the D90. Otherwise, it's largely up to you and what you're comfortable with.

Posted 3 years ago #
GabrielWolff

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Wow, people, thanks for the incredible amount of info. Just what I was looking for :)

@Gentoo: I see the f/ of the AF-S lenses I see available here in the Netherlands is very high in comparison to the f/ of the AF-D lenses. Are there any AF-S lenses available with a low f/ [below 2]? And isn't that something I'd need? A lense with a low f/?
@adamz: thanks, that's the prizes I found here in "real shops". Guess that's safer, or at least makes me feel safe. And could you explain what you mean with "the based iso 100 is a true advantage over based cmos iso 200". What's a "based iso"?
@jonnyapple: consider yourself sued. And thanked :)

@everyone: If we forget about the financial issue for a second - will I have AF-S lenses [preferably zoom lenses] which I can use under darker conditions? With a low f/? Or is the only option to get "fast glass" the D90?

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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The AF-S 35mm f/1.8 has been suggested on this thread. For more money, there's also the AF-S 50mm f/1.4. There aren't any zooms (AF or AF-S) that have bigger apertures than f/2.8, and even the f/2.8 ones—14-24, 24-70, and 70-200—are expensive (well over 1000 EUR each). If you need a zoom, you might consider the tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That will autofocus on the D5000 and I've loved mine. The fast Nikon zooms will autofocus on on either body, too.

There is definitely more 'fast glass' for the D90 until Nikon redesigns some of the fast primes, and they have been taking their time about it. That's what I was trying to say earlier. Even though the D5000 will save you money on your initial purchase, if you're thinking of buying more than a couple of lenses it's going to be more expensive in the long run to buy the the AF-S versions of each lens.

I wouldn't recommend the D90 to everyone who asks, but for someone who's going to do a lot of low-light shooting, there are more lens options for it than there are for the D5000. By the way, can you afford a D700? Just kidding.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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jonnyapple said:
The AF-S 35mm f/1.8 has been suggested on this thread. For more money, there's also the AF-S 50mm f/1.4. There aren't any zooms (AF or AF-S) that have bigger apertures than f/2.8, and even the f/2.8 ones—14-24, 24-70, and 70-200—are expensive (well over 1000 EUR each). If you need a zoom, you might consider the tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That will autofocus on the D5000 and I've loved mine. The fast Nikon zooms will autofocus on on either body, too.

There is definitely more 'fast glass' for the D90 until Nikon redesigns some of the fast primes, and they have been taking their time about it. That's what I was trying to say earlier. Even though the D5000 will save you money on your initial purchase, if you're thinking of buying more than a couple of lenses it's going to be more expensive in the long run to buy the the AF-S versions of each lens.

I wouldn't recommend the D90 to everyone who asks, but for someone who's going to do a lot of low-light shooting, there are more lens options for it than there are for the D5000. By the way, can you afford a D700? Just kidding.

Lens options are certainly better on the D90, 2 days ago my my old 50mm broke, so I just bought a cheap 50mm F1.8 $140 area new(don't laugh this lens is very sharp), it will work great on a D90, but lack AF on the D5000 and I like to have the option to AF (just read the Zeiss lens thread about that issue) The D90 is also stronger, better screen, but does miss out on being adjustable

Pete

So Jonny when do we become Senior Members here on NR

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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bmxdad said:
So Jonny when do we become Senior Members here on NR

I think it depends on how many right answers you give, so we've got a very long way to go.

just kidding, if I'm remembering right what the admin wrote, it should be next week.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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GabrielWolff said:
@adamz: thanks, that's the prizes I found here in "real shops". Guess that's safer, or at least makes me feel safe. And could you explain what you mean with "the based iso 100 is a true advantage over based cmos iso 200". What's a "based iso"?

shortly - based ISO is the most native iso that is supported by sensor, any other iso setting is either higher (and You have calibrated values, that follow all the ISO directions, or non-calibrated that might have some differences)

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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adamz said:
sure mb, I'll go for better lens too, but I have two different cameras one with the new and one with the old sensor, and IMHO the sensor from d3000 (similar to my d200) is not a good option once You need to cross the 800iso border, and You will do it on concerts - even with the brightest lenses - I was actually shooting night pictures with no artificial lights on my d200 + 50/1.4 but the percentage of good shots (sharp, w/o motion blur) was really low (and I have very steady hands, as I'm used to work with long range lenses)

I thought you loved your D200 ;)
Anyway I too love older CCD chips color and overall performance at low ISO, but you are right about newer CMOS chips they are more versatile.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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mb - I love my d200, but I'll never use it above iso 800 (unless necessary, or for B&W), but once I have a plenty of light there's no better solution for me at this moment, as I don't see enough reasons to buy d300s, when I also own d90, and till I go FF (if ever) I need to get couple more lenses (including the pricey 600/4)

Posted 3 years ago #
GabrielWolff

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OK, I checked with the photographer of my ensemble and she shot our last concert with this one:
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/dx/af-s_dx_18-200mmf_35-56g_ed_vr2/index.htm
So I guess that factor is good enough. I'll buy the D5000.

Thank you so much, guys. You really helped me with this decision :)

G

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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You'll love it, Gabriel. I'd love to see some of your work here when you start taking some photos.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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jonnyapple said:
You'll love it, Gabriel. I'd love to see some of your work here when you start taking some photos.

Senior today, your turn next

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
seba316

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bmxdad said:
Lens options are certainly better on the D90, 2 days ago my my old 50mm broke, so I just bought a cheap 50mm F1.8 $140 area new(don't laugh this lens is very sharp), it will work great on a D90, but lack AF on the D5000 and I like to have the option to AF (just read the Zeiss lens thread about that issue) The D90 is also stronger, better screen, but does miss out on being adjustable

I don't know much about the D5000 but I can say that I love the 50mm f1.8 with my D90! That lens was so cheap.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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seba316 said:
I don't know much about the D5000 but I can say that I love the 50mm f1.8 with my D90! That lens was so cheap.

Yes one of the best lens values, so if one planned on getting this lens, then the D90 would be a better option than the D5000 there are other lenses that would work better on the D90 also

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
shutterdancer

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Good to see that you have made your mind up.....and I'm sorry to be late to the party, but after just trying out the D5000 head to head with (my friends) and the D90 (mine). The D90 wins the day. You still have to scroll through menus to change major settings on the D5000....the D5000 has a swivel screen.....cool....but poor resolution ;( No matter what anyone says the D5000 is slower to focus than the D90. It seems to me that the D5000 has a smoother,quieter,shutter.....for what thats worth... than the D90.....it's lighter than the D90....but after using his and then mine...he said
" damn, I shudda bought the D90 .

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Thanks, shutter. I can't believe I'm chiming in again here after all I've said already in support of the D90, but I think the 18-105 VR with the D90 is a better setup than the 18-200 with the D5000 and the D90 kit costs less and has more options for future lens additions. Maybe I'll shut up now.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I think it doesn't help that this forum is so biased towards the D90 :^) I wonder what would happen if I started a "I hate the D90" thread? ;^)

Don't let us second guess your choice on the D5000 Gabriel. If it's what YOU think is best for YOU then enjoy. Invest your money on quality lenses anyway. There will always be "better" camera bodies every year.
Enjoy your purchase and I look forward to seeing some of your pictures.

Posted 3 years ago #