What would you do (D50 > D80/90)?

[ukaskew]

I'm chopping and changing almost constantly here, any thoughts? I'm currently a D50 user, got a Sigma 120-300 2.8 EX, a Nikon 50mm 1.8 and a Sigma 10-20 will be added this Christmas.


D80: (£399 new) + Sigma 50-150 2.8 (£300ish second hand)

D90: £699 new


The main benefit of the D80 is that it will allow me to get the 50-150, which will plug the gap I most want to fill, particularly as I recently sold my 80-200 and desperately miss the 80-120 range I'm now lacking.

I love my D50, but at the recent Britcar 24hr I really felt like I had outgrown it in some respects, even ISO400 was a bit rough and I can see myself doing a lot more low light photography in the future. My concern is that the D80 won't offer me enough in additional high ISO performance over my current D50, but by the looks of things the D90 will blow me away in that respect.

Usually I would go with the option that includes more glass, but I'm not so sure now, as the D90 would seem like a more significant upgrade than the D80. Help!

 

[tracybradbury]

Well I have the D90 and LOVE it and got it with the 18-105mm lens and even though I have only owned it for just over a week am very happy

Tracy.

 

[Jjm]

The D80 is the same size as the d50 but with a lot more features

 

[Greenie]

Hasn't the D90 come down in price recently?

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod723.html

Not sure if that will persuade you to the newer body?

 

[GoLotus]

I'd get just the lens for now, and then the D90 later on when the price has dropped a bit

 

[Flash In The Pan]

The D80 is the same size as the d50 but with a lot more features

The D80 is a bigger camera than the D50, not by a huge amount, but it is bigger. As well as having more features it is ergonomically better by virtue of the larger grip and front scroll wheel. Although to be honest, when I had both a D80 and D50 I found myself using the D50 more for a walkabout camera as I prefered the slightly smaller/lighter body.

The D90 is still a fresh face, so I'd be tempted, as GoLotus suggests, just to get the lens and hold fire on buying a body until nearer xmas when the price war starts....

 

[Nicos Rex]

My 2p worth:

Although the D80 handles somewhat better than the D50 and does not need the AFS lenses it doesn't appear to offer enough over the D50 to be worth the change. The D90 is a whole different beast even without the video feature with far better sensor and display than either of the other cameras.

The D80 would be an upgrade for an upgrade's sake while the D90 would be a genuine upgrade

 

[jonnyjogpants]

chris i thought you was getting D300?????

why the second thoughts??????

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Although the D80 handles somewhat better than the D50 and does not need the AFS lenses.....

The D50 doesn't need AF-S lenses either......

 

[Monkey]

the D80 wont offer you any significant gain in high ISO performance.

The D90 however shares the High ISO performance of the D300, and that will allow you to shoot at ISO 1600 all day long.

Wait till you can afford the D90 or you will regret the D80 within a month or 2

 

[ukaskew]

chris i thought you was getting D300?????

why the second thoughts??????

D90 seems to offer everything I need, so I can't see any point in having to find another £350 for the D300, when that could buy me a nice bit of glass.

Cheers for the advice everyone, it would seem the D90 is gradually creeping down to £650 (or even £600) in some places - if they ever have any stock - so I will hold fire for a month or so and get a D90.