Upgrade from a Nikon D90?
Discussion
I currently have a D90, which I've had since late 2008, and I've been extremely happy with it (as I was with the D70 I had before). But of course I suspect camera technology has moved on over the last 5 years, so I was wondering what might be a good model to move to, in the £500 - £1000 range? I'd need an awful lot of persuasion to move from Nikon. Uses would be entirely amateur, mixed general snappage.
There's nothing wrong with the D90 (and indeed I still use the D70 in the workshop), if I had a criticism I find the white balance a bit tricky to get right when trying to take pictures indoors at the NEC Classic Car Show, but that's it. I suppose I've just got a case of new gadget-itis?
There's nothing wrong with the D90 (and indeed I still use the D70 in the workshop), if I had a criticism I find the white balance a bit tricky to get right when trying to take pictures indoors at the NEC Classic Car Show, but that's it. I suppose I've just got a case of new gadget-itis?
I have a D90 as well and if I was looking to upgrade the D7100 looks awfully tempting at around £800 (body only), definitely a superior body with quiet a few new features. I looked into this a while back and reading posts from those 'in the know' it became apparent that the upgrade is worthy but only if you shoot in Raw and have some good glass, if you're still using the kit lens and shooting JPEGs then the benefits of the better body may be lost - although it's low light performance looks very good.
Once I have some spare cash to throw at my hobby it'll be lenses first, body last. I already have some OK lenses and, as an example, the 50mm prime made a huge difference. It's so fast you can shoot without a flash inside and get some great shots.
Do some research on DPREVIEW, there are some pretty good articles and informative posts.
Once I have some spare cash to throw at my hobby it'll be lenses first, body last. I already have some OK lenses and, as an example, the 50mm prime made a huge difference. It's so fast you can shoot without a flash inside and get some great shots.
Do some research on DPREVIEW, there are some pretty good articles and informative posts.
Having had a read up, it doesn't look like there's that much to be gained unless I spend a good deal more than I was thinking - although I have to say the Df does look gorgeous!
I did read that the 18-200 zoom lens is supposed to be much better than the 18-105 lens that I currently have, so maybe I should scratch the gadget itch with that rather than a whole new camera?
I did read that the 18-200 zoom lens is supposed to be much better than the 18-105 lens that I currently have, so maybe I should scratch the gadget itch with that rather than a whole new camera?
As already said, the most obviously upgrade path would be a D7000 or D7100.
I've not owned a D90 but did previous own a D5000 which has the same sensor as the D90. I just recently purchased a D7000 and it's very clear that the sensor has come on leaps and bounds from the 12mp cmos in the D5000/D90. Especially for high iso performance. With the D5000 I wouldn't shoot above 800iso, 1600 iso if I really needed to. I happily shoot at 3200iso with the D7000 and will push to 6400 if I really have to. Low ISO performance is similar although I do find the D7000 has better dynamic range and captures better shadow detail.
You mention the 18-105 lens which I currently have on the D7000. It's an OK lens. A bit soft at 18mm wide open but stopped down a bit and it becomes nice and sharp. It's also very sharp at all other focal lengths and I think it's actually a very nice lens to use. People say the AF is slow but I totally disagree. I've found it perfectly fast for what I use it for, and that includes accurately tracking my two dogs chasing a frisbee just recently. No doubt, it could be quicker, but it's hardly slow.
I think the 18-200 may be a step back in terms of quality. Such a large range is going to bring some compromises and you'll probably find it isn't as sharp as the 18-105.
I've not owned a D90 but did previous own a D5000 which has the same sensor as the D90. I just recently purchased a D7000 and it's very clear that the sensor has come on leaps and bounds from the 12mp cmos in the D5000/D90. Especially for high iso performance. With the D5000 I wouldn't shoot above 800iso, 1600 iso if I really needed to. I happily shoot at 3200iso with the D7000 and will push to 6400 if I really have to. Low ISO performance is similar although I do find the D7000 has better dynamic range and captures better shadow detail.
You mention the 18-105 lens which I currently have on the D7000. It's an OK lens. A bit soft at 18mm wide open but stopped down a bit and it becomes nice and sharp. It's also very sharp at all other focal lengths and I think it's actually a very nice lens to use. People say the AF is slow but I totally disagree. I've found it perfectly fast for what I use it for, and that includes accurately tracking my two dogs chasing a frisbee just recently. No doubt, it could be quicker, but it's hardly slow.
I think the 18-200 may be a step back in terms of quality. Such a large range is going to bring some compromises and you'll probably find it isn't as sharp as the 18-105.
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