D90 or D7000

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Peridot

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Sam
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I have had previous experience with a D3000, (I am relatively familiar with this camera and how it works) that I have used in university and I have decided it is time to invest in my own DSLR. I know both of these cameras are a big steps up but I am very motivated to learn and discover. I have a budget of £1100 and I'm trying to choose between the D90 and D7000. I have an interest in photographing a wide range of subjects. So I enjoy photographing nature as well as sports as well as people. I have a friend who is giving me their unwanted 55-200mm lens so I will have some glass to play with. Both cameras are in my budget with an 18-105 kit lens but I am unsure what the best action to take is. I am in need of help and advice really.
Thank you :)
 
The D7000 is the new D90, so depends whether you want the latest tech or happy with a decent camera and more $$$ for lenses. You won't be disappointed with either.

What do you like photographing?
 
I'm sure you have done your research on both bodies and know the D7000 is the newer and much improved body so if budget already allows for the D7000 I'd go for that. There is a section on this page comparing both bodies.
 
I enjoy photographing transport, birds and people. I'm trying to work out the best use for my budget and I'm slightly stuck trying to weigh up having the D90 and another lens, if another lens what to get? Or should I get the D7000 and would the kit lens really make the most of its features. I wouldn't be able to buy a new lens for it for a while probably if I chose to go down that route. I have found the D90 with the kit lens to be in most places £659 and the D7000 with the kit lens to be £979.
 
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You could get a used d7000 + a tamron 17-50 2.8 for about £1,000. Real good body and lens..
 
you could buy a good second hand d7000 with kit lens(18-105) for approximately £850-900.There is one for sale in avforums for approx £850, i think.
 
could get a d90 second hand a buy a decent lens second hand, if your budget is £1100, maybe a 17-55 dx f/2.8 if you shop around ;)
 
A dilemma I'm currently facing... Buy a D7000 or D90...

Choices choices! Lol
 
D7000 is quite a large upgrade sensor wise for low light iso. Apart from that you are paying for a more robust body, better video, 100% viewfinder, twin card slots and a better battery. For me these easily cancel the couple of hundred pound price difference out. My ideal mid-price lens choices for the D7000 would be Nikon 12-24 f4, Nikon 17-55 f2.8, Nikon 50mm f1.4 and Nikon 80-200 f2.8. Which ones you buy are up to you ;-)
 
I think I am just slightly worried that the D7000 might not be a wise investment if I cannot buy the better lenses for it at this stage. I have read on forums that using it with cheaper lenses sacrifices picture quality and I don't want to spend the extra to end up with worse pictures than if I purchased a D90, if that makes sense. Is there any truth in this?
 
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Peridot said:
I think I am just slightly worried that the D7000 might not be a wise investment if I cannot buy the better lenses for it at this stage. I have read on forums that using it with cheaper lenses sacrifices picture quality and I don't want to spend the extra to end up with worse pictures than if I purchased a D90, if that makes sense. Is there any truth in this?
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dont forget you can get a good standard zoom (tanmron 17-50) for under £300..well within your budget
 
jacob12_1993 said:
D7000 is quite a large upgrade sensor wise for low light iso. Apart from that you are paying for a more robust body, better video, 100% viewfinder, twin card slots and a better battery. For me these easily cancel the couple of hundred pound price difference out. My ideal mid-price lens choices for the D7000 would be Nikon 12-24 f4, Nikon 17-55 f2.8, Nikon 50mm f1.4 and Nikon 80-200 f2.8. Which ones you buy are up to you ;-)
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an opinion but the lenses you mention would be upper end for a d7000. a selection of lenses woth more value would be the tamron 17-50, sigma 10-20, and the nikon 35 1.8. You could buy the 3 for the price of a 17-55..

Having said that, i wouldnt say no to a 17-55...
 
Rapscallion said:
an opinion but the lenses you mention would be upper end for a d7000. a selection of lenses woth more value would be the tamron 17-50, sigma 10-20, and the nikon 35 1.8. You could buy the 3 for the price of a 17-55..

Having said that, i wouldnt say no to a 17-55...
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Maybe it's just me but I personally would like to invest more in lenses than a body. Bodies get replaced much quicker, don't tend to last as long and you will notice bigger improvements with better glass. Higher end bodies really shine with good glass and the D7000 is a complete different beast when used with a good quality pro lens. The lenses I posted can be had for about £1600 mint condition second hand if you bought them all in one go and would likely outlast many bodies/retain their value better.

If spent wisely £1150 will get you:

Mint condition 2nd hand D7000: £600
Mint 50mm f1.4: £150
Mint 12-24 f4: £400

That's my ideal crop sensor set up for travel, documentary and portrait work and only £50 more than the OPs budget
 
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Is there really that much difference between a tamron 17-50 and a nikon 17-55 in actual image quality? Photozone shows the difference as being minimal. And the Tamron has the added benefit of VR

Build quality is definitely better on the Nikon though..

Nikon photozone

Tamron photozone
 
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jacob12_1993 said:
Maybe it's just me but I personally would like to invest more in lenses than a body. Bodies get replaced much quicker, don't tend to last as long and you will notice bigger improvements with better glass. Higher end bodies really shine with good glass and the D7000 is a complete different beast when used with a good quality pro lens. The lenses I posted can be had for about £1600 mint condition second hand if you bought them all in one go and would likely outlast many bodies/retain their value better.

If spent wisely £1150 will get you:

Mint condition 2nd hand D7000: £600
Mint 50mm f1.4: £150
Mint 12-24 f4: £400

That's my ideal crop sensor set up for travel, documentary and portrait work and only £50 more than the OPs budget
Click to expand...

Where could I get a mint D7000 for £600 ?, I I could find one at that price I would get it today
 
Rapscallion said:
Is there really that much difference between a tamron 17-50 and a nikon 17-55 in actual image quality? Photozone shows the difference as being minimal. And the Tamron has the added benefit of VR

Build quality is definitely better on the Nikon though..

Nikon photozone

Tamron photozone
Click to expand...

I was never really happy with my 17-50 and I think that was partly due to the poor AF and build quality as much as image quality. It was also pants wide open at f2.8
 
17-55 would be so much better the a 17-50, its a really sharp lens, probably sharpest dx lens available
 
Thanks everyone :) I think I'm being drawn towards the D7000, I will look into all of the lenses suggested and then make a decision on which to get.
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Maybe it's just me but I personally would like to invest more in lenses than a body. Bodies get replaced much quicker, don't tend to last as long and you will notice bigger improvements with better glass. Higher end bodies really shine with good glass and the D7000 is a complete different beast when used with a good quality pro lens. The lenses I posted can be had for about £1600 mint condition second hand if you bought them all in one go and would likely outlast many bodies/retain their value better.

If spent wisely £1150 will get you:

Mint condition 2nd hand D7000: £600
Mint 50mm f1.4: £150
Mint 12-24 f4: £400

That's my ideal crop sensor set up for travel, documentary and portrait work and only £50 more than the OPs budget
Click to expand...

there is no way you could get a 50mm 1.4 for £150, you can hardly find a 35mm 1.8 for £150
 
if you are speaking about the new G model without a apature ring
 
I was in the same boat, everything I have read say's the D7000 is a magnificent machine so that is what I got, I know in the future if I want to move to FF the D7000 will still hold a good resale value, but equally I could see myself staying "amatur" and being very happy with my D7000.

For a body I will always look for new, the D7000 is £969 @ Calumet and Nikon are doing 2 years warranty instead of the usual 1 at the moment, for the piece of mind that is a great deal. I would (and actually have) then use the remaining £150 or so and get a nice prime in the classifieds. 1.4 50's are rare but they do come up (one just day's after I bought my 1.8)
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I was never really happy with my 17-50 and I think that was partly due to the poor AF and build quality as much as image quality. It was also pants wide open at f2.8
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I think you may have been a victim of a poor sample, far too common with the 3rd part manufacturers.

Cant complain about the centre performance with mine, though edges do need the lens to be stopped down. If i was shooting action then the af performance may force me into an upgrade, but for general shooting I find it more than adequate.

Cheers!
 
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