Nikon D90 - User Opinions Please

Defiance

Defiance

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I'm looking at upgrading to the D90 from the D40x. I would be very grateful for any owners' opinions on the camera, both pros and cons, likes and dislikes etc please. It would also be intesting to know what you upgraded from.

I have looked at the D300 but decided I can't justify the extra money once accessories are taken into account and the D90 looks almost as good.
 
I bought one - hate the bloody thing, the S5 Pro kills it for image quality, and the D60 is much better at lower ISOs.

Its not an image quality upgrade IMHO.
 
I've considered selling my Sony kit for one, although I don't think I'm going to.
I've 'heard' the video/movie mode is crudd.......

Watching with interest!

:popcorn:
 
I'm blanking out the idea of having video mode.

Its like having a fridge that also makes toast. No place on a DSLR imho. I hate gimmicks.
 
puddleduck said:
I'm blanking out the idea of having video mode.

Its like having a fridge that also makes toast. No place on a DSLR imho. I hate gimmicks.
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Damn gimmicks sell though:(
 
I'm came from a D50 after 2 solid years of using it (2 of them, actually), and I absolutely love my D90. Far more user configurable options, almost everything you need has a switch/button on the body so you rarely need the menus, the LCD lights up (I can't believe I coped without that!), and it has lots of nice little touches I now wouldn't want to live without.

I found the AF slightly quicker and the additional focus points (from 5 to 11) are a welcome addition. I also love the high ISO performance, which does seem to be a significantly noticeable step up from my D50. I took a shot at ISO3200 last night that will easily make a nice 7x5 print with no processing.

The video mode is amazing, in my opinion. It has very specific uses, but used to its strengths the quality is absolutely breathtaking. As it's essentially a 'free' feature (in that the D90 is still brilliant as a stills camera) I can't see a problem with it. Treat it less as a consumer video camera and more as a creative film-making tool and you will be surprised just how good it is, that's why I don't buy the 'gimmick' thing, when it has a genuinely interesting and creative use in a body that costs many times less than any equipment that could outperform it in many respects.

Quite a varied selection of pictures from my first week with it here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/
 
Thanks Chris, they are some terrific pics. Like you, i see the video as a free extra and not part of the core selection process. I'm only intersted in the camera function.

Do you agree with Puddle duck's view of image quality at lower ISOs ?
 
Defiance said:
Thanks Chris, they are some terrific pics. Like you, i see the video as a free extra and not part of the core selection process. I'm only intersted in the camera function.

Do you agree with Puddle duck's view of image quality at lower ISOs ?
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I can't say I've noticed any problems with it, but then to be honest I haven't seen any DSLRs that ouput anything approaching 'poor' enough for me to dismiss it, so maybe I just don't study the images enough...but saying that I haven't read any reviews that have picked up on it having any particular problems.
 
I'm upgrading from a D40 to a D90, just waiting for it to arrive today. I'll let you know how I get on, I'm sure I'll be out with it this weekend :)
 
It's arrived, great service from Warehouse Express!
 
puddleduck said:
I bought one - hate the bloody thing, the S5 Pro kills it for image quality
Click to expand...

But is the S5 only really good for portrait shots ? this is what I've read anyway, and if it's true it would seem a lot of money for a one trick pony, on the other hand I've only read good things about the D90 same sensor as D300 which can only be good, i read somewhere it handles noise better than the D300 which while i find hard to believe if true is excellent, if it's anywhere near as good as it's predecessor the D80 it can only be great in the right hands, all early days yet on the D90 but i will be interested to see how it pans out ;)
 
Shot number 9 out of my camera, first impressions are very good :) Need to read up on the focus. Very different to only having just 3 focus points on the D40.

Very easy to change settings using the dials and buttons compared to drilling through the menus on my old camera.

I have an 8GB memory card and will hold 531 pics.
 
Ballgirl said:
Need to read up on the focus. Very different to only having just 3 focus points on the D40.

Very easy to change settings using the dials and buttons compared to drilling through the menus on my old camera.
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I'm with you on both counts. At first I was lost with all the focus settings (particularly as I shoot motorsport a lot) but it gradually made sense. I also love all the buttons and dials (and the custom FUNC. button), makes everything so much easier.
 
So first outing with the D90, lovely autumn colours.









More from today can be seen on my flickr
 
Thank you eveyone who contributed to this, it's been really very helpful indeed.

I was taken to our local Jessops on Friday where a very helpful assistant price-matched the lowest internet price and I'm now the proud owner of a new D90 :D
 
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