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Skids72

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Simon
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I was all in for a Canon 40D (not tried one but peoples recommendations), then I did something really stupid. I have had a go with a few cameras. :bang:

My mates Nikon D90 and my brothers Canon 600D, both get superb results and felt great in my hands, curse me for confusing it all.:bonk:

Was all for Canon but the D90 felt good. So I know when you pose a question like this people always say try them out. Done it and like them both.

Real question is, would the D90 be good for aviation pics. I know its good for general as I have a fantastic pic of my daughter on my wall (courtesy of my mate). I know the 600D can with the right lens as my brother gets some good shots at the machloop and Fairford (with hired lenses).

So after my "which canon" thread I suppose its "what camera" now. or could another nikon be cast into the mix?

Price well not to sure but maybe 500 - 600, and not in a rush for a big lens as i wouldn't need one till Flying Legends at Duxford so got time to save.

Thanks
Simon
 
Before you go out and spend £500-600 on an expensive paper weight, go out and HOLD some camera's. The Canon Vs Nikon debate has been done a million times, but the images you get from one will be relatively similar to the other. To hold the camera will let you think about the ergonomics and how the camera handles.

I've been advised when you are buying a body and lens try and split the body and lens budget 50/50, don't underspend on the lens as that is the item that makes the real difference with image quality.
 
One thing that would put me off the D90 and the Canon xxxD range is that the max shutter speed is 1/4000 sec. Further up both ranges you get 1/8000 sec. This matters to me because I like to use wide apertures in daylight and sometimes 1/4000 will limit you to something like f2.8. I have this problem with my MFT cameras and I have to use ND filters to achieve wider apertures.

If you are not going to be using wide apertures in daylight or aren't too fussed at the thought of using ND's then it wont matter.

I just thought I'd mention the issue :D
 
I'd wager the D90 would be as good as the 40D for aviation, slightly slower fps rate with a smaller RAW buffer but probably slightly faster AF (AF also depends on the lens, but I expect all being equal the D90 would be a little quicker).

They'll certainly both serve you well, I know you've said they feel great in your hands but what about the button layout? Maybe ask to borrow both for a bit of shooting (just shooting anything) and you'll likely find that one has buttons in a more intuitive arrangement for you. If you can find someone to try the 40D with that would be best, because the 40D is quite a step up from the 600D for handling (lots more external controls).

If you still can't decide, have a really good look at the lens ranges. Both brands have excellent and comprehensive lens ranges also supplemented by some great third party options, but there will be some lenses that the other brand does not equal, like the canon 70-200 f/4L or the nikkor 35mm f/1.8 DX.

In the end though make sure not to get too bogged down trying to make "the right choice", so long as you put the effort in for good shots and put a decent lens on the front, either body will be capable of excellent results.
 
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Aviation? Canon, every day of the week. Not because of the body, but because it allows you to use the 100-400L. There's nothing like it in the Nikon line-up.

There aren't many situations where one brand has a clear lead over the other, but the market for ~£1000 telephotos is one of them.
 
StewartR said:
Aviation? Canon, every day of the week. Not because of the body, but because it allows you to use the 100-400L. There's nothing like it in the Nikon line-up.
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I agree re. the 100-400 L v the 80-400 VR but there are Sigmas too.

There aren't many situations where one brand has a clear lead over the other, but the market for ~£1000 telephotos is one of them.
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& to throw in a curve ball currently the lens to beat in that area is the Sony 70-400 G SSM ...
 
red_arrows5.jpg



something more recent (hazy due to the smoke)

ca11_02ww.jpg


The D90 with a sigma 70-300mm, nothing wrong with that combo


:)
 
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Ryan (a member on here) uses a D90 when he comes out with me shooting Aviation. He usually has my 28-300mm bolted onto the front. He gets some cracking shots.
The focus is fast enough, frame rate seems to keep up when he machine guns. Not that he does often.
300mm on cropped body is plenty for Lowlevel in Wales. Hell I use 300mm on fullframe there! Sometimes use my 70-200mm on the D300 at Cadwest!!
I would say yes, you will be happy with the D90 if it feels right for you.
Have a look at some of the Exif details on some of Ryans shots..

ryan Atmore

Not the absolute best shot's he's taken, but if you search his threads, you will see..


Kev.
 
intel86 said:
Sorry mate but those shots would def put me off buying a D90!! No disrespect.
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Whilst you may not mean any disrespect to say what you did is slightly disrespectful, those examples offered by rob are not up for serious judgement. He was merely showing the D90's capabilities with an average lens.
Plus the D90 is not the main factor in those kind of shots, the lens is.

There is nothing shabby about the D90 at all, its a cracking body that's performs well all round.
 
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Just stating on the basis of those 2 shots i would have to think twice before getting that combo

Anothet thing that put me off the D90 was the red line in the viewfinder when the shutter was pressed. Apparently it is the norm due to the Circuitry. I probably guess that most couldnt be bothered with that one way or another but for me it was bothersome
 
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intel86 said:
Just stating on the basis of those 2 shots i would have to think twice before getting that combo
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Well to put robs first shot into perspective, I took a similar shot with a 50D and 70-200 f4 L combo and his shot looks just as good as mine even if he has miss focused.
 
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stupar said:
Robs shot may not be pin sharp but that again is down to the Sigma lens at full reach than the D90 body.
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Actually it was at 180mm, so it maybe because it was cropped.
 
Nikon have 80-400 VR which is a decent lens. Also Sigma have 50-500 HSM OS which suppose to be better then the Nikon 80-400 and the Canon 100-400 L.

Thats what i heard from people that actually use it.
 
Tbh, fast moving subjects are not my best subject, most due to the fact, I'm not fast enough, having limited depth perception certainly doesn't help, but hey ho, I live and learn, they were merely examples of an average lens on the D90 :)

6047024396_bf42d90f56_z.jpg


This is more my bag, stuff that doesn't move, or at least not that fast,

Taken with a sigma 18-200mm on the D90 at full extension

:)
 
Now, thats a cracking shot Emily (Love that name as my daughter is called Emily too!!)
 
woof woof said:
One thing that would put me off the D90 and the Canon xxxD range is that the max shutter speed is 1/4000 sec. Further up both ranges you get 1/8000 sec. This matters to me because I like to use wide apertures in daylight and sometimes 1/4000 will limit you to something like f2.8. I have this problem with my MFT cameras and I have to use ND filters to achieve wider apertures.

If you are not going to be using wide apertures in daylight or aren't too fussed at the thought of using ND's then it wont matter.

I just thought I'd mention the issue :D
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That's not true as I have the Canon 550D and the shutter goes up to 1/8000 which as far as camera goes is the same as the 600d apart from the swivel screen!.
 
lucky_13 said:
That's not true as I have the Canon 550D and the shutter goes up to 1/8000 which as far as camera goes is the same as the 600d apart from the swivel screen!.
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Are you sure? Have you done that with Magic Lantern as that's not Canon's specification...
 
intel86 said:
Sorry mate but those shots would def put me off buying a D90!! No disrespect.
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:thumbs: I think every one will advice u to buy the brand that they have and love. Canon users will stand their ground and so will the Nikon users, I went to jessops a year ago with money in my pocket to buy a Nikon and walked out with a Canon, it all depends how the camera feels in your hands and how easy u find their menus. I'm a Canon man, and will be a Canon man forever as far as I can see, just as the Nikon man will stay with Nikon. Very rarely u will hear of someone switching sides and you will most certainly never hear a Canon user recommend a Nikon or vice versa. The choice is urs.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Are you sure? Have you done that with Magic Lantern as that's not Canon's specification...
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It must have been ML as I just checked now having removed ML a few days ago due to lack of using it and the shutter speed is actually 1/4000. my apologies.
 
lucky_13 said:
Very rarely u will hear of someone switching sides and you will most certainly never hear a Canon user recommend a Nikon or vice versa. The choice is urs.
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Kind of ironic as further up the thread I said the D90 was a good body.
I shoot a canon 50D but would highly recommend a D90 and a D7000 having had a shot of both. :D
 
stupar said:
Kind of ironic as further up the thread I said the D90 was a good body.
I shoot a canon 50D but would highly recommend a D90 and a D7000 having had a shot of both. :D
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I didn't know what u shoot with as I'm using the iPhone app and I can't see people's camera bag but u must be an exceptional case...
 
Both bodies/systems are equally as good. It depends on what you feel comfortable with or other colleagues/friends have to offer you loans/advice.

Something to bear in mind is that Canon has a huge range of lenses to suit all prices, with a similar amount available second hand.
 
lucky_13 said:
I didn't know what u shoot with as I'm using the iPhone app and I can't see people's camera bag but u must be an exceptional case...
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A lot of people on here give well balanced advise rather than just blindly recommending whatever they happen to use (:wave:)

It's one of the reasons this is my favourite photography forum over others.
 
Wow thanks, gonna go and retry the cameras. I don't know anyone with a 40D but I do know someone with a 30D so I will ask them if I can have a go. Like most say its down to the individual but I like to hear what others have to say.

I am not rushing into it as I want to wait til I can get on the classifieds here unless a good bargain arises.
 
Skids72 said:
Wow thanks, gonna go and retry the cameras. I don't know anyone with a 40D but I do know someone with a 30D so I will ask them if I can have a go. Like most say its down to the individual but I like to hear what others have to say.

I am not rushing into it as I want to wait til I can get on the classifieds here unless a good bargain arises.
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Good plan, the 30D is close enough to the 40D to give you a very good idea of how it'll handle.
 
Like people have already said you need to try all the cameras you like in the hand. How they feel, the weight, the button layout and the viewfinder view.

If it was down to video I would not go with the D90 as that's not its strong point but all depends on what you want. (I don't care about video on DSLR cameras)

I was unsure when I bought mine, went to store felt both (Canon & Nikon) and for me the Nikon D90 was my choice and I am VERY happy with it and the results I get. Plus now its older you can get some good deals on it,

The D90 is not a lot different than the D300 but for a lot less money if that helps
 
what about a canon 50d? 2nd hand around £430-480 so in your budget.

Af is good with cross sensors, better screen than 40d, af micro adjust and better built than the xxxD range.
 
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