samnavy

iTrader: (7)

Looking at DSLR's and my homework is a disaster. There are so many damned choices I'm losing my mind. I think I've narrowed it down to the package deal at Costco for the Nikon D5000. Online reviews of this thing are outstanding.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...US&Sp=C&topnav=

Problem is I don't really know what features and **** I need and only speak basic photo-talk. I understand shutter speed, aperature, F-stop and that ****, but will probably never use any of the manual settings EVER. My long string of trust sony Point&Shoots have been ******* awesome, but the wife and I agree the WAY better photo quality of a full-size DSLR is worth the cost.

I'd like to keep it in the $800 range, one or two lenses, extra battery, case, big flash-card, basics.

I'm looking for advice from somebody who really knows their **** and has a better answer than the D5000. It's gotta be a significantly better choice for the same or less money, otherwise I'm gonna buy it and be happy.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

D5000 is discontinued but still great. the D3100 is probably cheaper and pretty much just as good with the addition of a few minor improvements like the shooting mode switch.

I have the D5000 and Brain has the D3100 and you probably couldn't tell photo quality apart.

Stick with the 18-55 VR lens for 6 months before buying any other lenses and determine what you really *need*.

Also get the SB400 flash and point it up at the ceiling for indoor shots.

Then get a tiffen UV protective filter for each lens and leave it on all the time.

the end. you wont be sad with the D5000 kit.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

D5000 with kit lens taster shot:

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Id rather have this camera and lens combo.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...atchallpartial

I have the 55-200mm and I think it's a little too short. I'd love a 250-300mm range.


but like y8s said, the camera with 18-55mm VR is great alone.

Reverant

iTrader: (10)

Used D300 on eBay, and a 18-55 lens.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Both the D5000 and 3100 are excellent. I prefer the 3100 myself, but hate losing the top display, which I use quite a bit for changing settings without having to use the back LCD and menu. How do you feel about refurbs? You can get a Nikon refurb D90 for $720 and then a 18-55 VR refurb lens for another $100. So right at $850 with shipping, and it's to me a much better camera. Buy from Adorama dot com. I've purchased two refurb items from there recently and both you can't tell they aren't brand new.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

^Refurb items are good enough for me. I'll check that website for stuff. I had looked a the D90, but all the commercials with Aston Kutcher pretty much sunk that particular model. **** that guy.

Good advice coming in... gonna pull the trigger in a day or three.

RotorNutFD3S

iTrader: (33)

I've been very pleased with the Nikon D40x I'm using. It's not the top of the line or the newest by any means, but a very great camera overall. It's great for a beginner as well, I've enjoyed learning on it and it's not overwhelming with a ton of options/functions. Downside for me is I'm selling it, I have a great Sony point and shoot that I'm happy with and I'm shoving money into the bank for important purchases (house, wedding, etc.), so some of my "toys" have to go.

Link to FS thread here: https://www.miataturbo.net/stuff-sale-trade-70/fs-nikon-d40x-accessories-54218/ I'd like it to go as a packaged set so I'm not left with camera remnants, so if you want, research it and let me know if you're interested. It gets really good reviews just about anywhere you read about it. Even some people that posted in my for sale thread have one.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

To me the D90, though older than both the 5000 and 3100 is a better, more "professional" camera. The D5000 lacks many important buttons that the D90 and the other newer high end Nikons have, like ISO, WB and the Quality buttons. Going through the menu every time you want to change white balance or iso sucks *****. Even my 6 year old D50 has those. D5000 also requires two hands for a lot of functions, taking time away from shooting. Also has a very inferior LCD when compared to the D90. D90 just has features and functions out the *** compared to the D5000 or D3100. I hate Kutcher too though. If you can swing $200 more, get the D90, you won't regret it. Then again you probably won't regret any of the three, but I would hate knowing I left features on the table.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD90R.html

with this:

http://www.adorama.com/NK1855VRR.html

I just picked up that lens last week and have been loving it. It replaced my non VR 18-55, and is 1000 times more usable in all conditions.

Oh yeah, one more thing. The size of the 3100 and 5000 is not good if you have regular or large hands. I have pretty normal size hands and the 3100 felt like a toy compared to the D90 and my D50. Not very comfortable to hold for more than a few minutes. So if you have large hands, I would for sure avoid the newer and smaller cameras.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

I really wish you hadn't said that... I might not have ever known the difference. I'm 6'5" and 250lbs... not exactly small hands. It looks like I'm gonna hafta run into BB and actually hold some cameras and do a little hands on just to make sure about this.

I'm totally hearing you on all the "features" stuff. I keep saying that I'll never take the thing out of "auto" but then again, I've never had a grown-up camera either. I may geek it out and be one of those ******** who takes forever because he's ******* around inside the menu after EVERY ******* PICTURE.

Oh yah... it's 43* here in Ventura... WTF?!!?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

^Probably the best thing I've read yet... choice is getting tougher yet easier.

Adorama shows this:

D5000 refurb w/18-55, 8gb card, spare batt, case: $611

D3100 new w/18-55, 4gb card, spare batt, case: $672

D90 refurb w/4gb card, spare batt, case: $790
18-55 refurb lens: $100

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

FWIW. I owns the D3100. Really like it. I sold my D40 for it. It's newer than the D5000, but you get the flippy screen with it.

make sure you get the VR 18-55.


The D3100 handles low light really well: http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/compari...-iso/index.htm

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

I would go test them in person first if you can. I'm not lying about the size. They are amazingly small, which I wasn't expecting. You may not need all of the features the D90 offers, just depends on what you are willing to spend. The 3100 and 5000 are better bangs for your buck probably, but the D90 is the feature king for under $1000. The best camera Nikon makes for less than several thousand is the D7000, which I want SO much, but can't swing $1200 right now. Basically in the affordable Nikon rankings, it currently goes (in my opinion, and most reviews) D700, D7000, D90, then everything else. Of course you have the FX cameras for $5000+.

While we are posting Rockwell, here is the D90 vs the Nikon big dawgs...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90...comparison.htm

and general D90 review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm

240_to_miata

iTrader: (2)

FWIW i just got the Canon xsi 12.2 mp for about 400 shipped w/o the lens.

I stuck with canon because my gf already had the kit lens from her film slr. I am very happy with it and its a great starting platform.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Get that Canon garbage out of here!!! This is a Nikon thread!

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

Went to a 3yr olds b-day party yesterday and played with a D5000 for a little bit. WOW! If that thing is a little mild on features, then I will never know the difference. I felt like I was trying to program a VCR back in 1984 reading instructions in Korean. It'll take me a month to crack the manual on it. It's got plenty of tech.

I've got a couple good friends here that are photog gurus and they've said they'll help me out getting the basics down pat. Looks like I am going with the D5000, although the D90 is tempting, it's $300 more in the end, and every time I picked it up, I'd think of ******* Kutcher and hafta kick my own *** a few times.

Reverant

iTrader: (10)

I'm pretty surprised that no one else mentioned the D300, you should really, really have a look at that one too. It is superior than all the other cameras mentioned so far. A used one in excellent condition can be had at the same price as a refurb D90 these days.

Cspence

iTrader: (11)

I noticed that trend.....thats why I havn't said a word until now lol!

But, I absolutely love my T2i....my next will be the 7D in a few years (or maybe the 5DmkIII when it comes out)

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Not really. The old D300 in a lot of ways is inferior to the D90, and costs more when you can find them used, since they are no longer made. The new D300s is a pretty good camera, but still isn't really that much better than the old D300 or D90, and it costs ~$1300 for the body. Only real major upgrade from the D90 to the D300s is a more sturdy body, but that also adds weight. AF sensors are also better, more of them. If one was going to get a D300s, you might as well spend a few more hundred dollars and make the huge leap in performance to the D700.