need some advice (upgrading)

G

Goonerman

Member
I became interested in photography 1 year ago, when I bought my first DSLR - Nikon D40 with 18-55mm kit lens. I've been using this camera for a year, and I've also bought some lenses for it during the time (55-200mm VR, 50mm 1.8D, 35mm 1.8G)

I also recently bought an lx3. I started experimenting with HD mode, and was blown away by new possibilities. Here is one of the videos I made with it... http://www.vimeo.com/4901093

So my interest in HD grew. I started researching DSLR's with HD video. I am still very much interested in photography, which is why I'd prefer a DSLR and not a dedicated video camera - besides, I like the two in one option.

Here are the cameras I've been thinking a lot about recently...

5DMII
GH1
D90
D5000

As for the Canon, although I think that this may be the best quality - I think its best if I stay with Nikon. This is assuming that someday, Nikon will release a DSLR that also has features of Canon such as fully manual control. Am I right in assuming that around the corner Nikon will deliver something? More importantly, the price tag is way out of my range, and to even consider it, I would have to sell all my Nikon camera gear, including my lx3 (which is something i could never do)

As for GH1. I really really really wanted this camera. I was blown away by its video capabilities. But to be honest, $1400 is quite a lot! And if I were to buy this camera (which I was), then I was going to have to sell ALL of my Nikon equipment (which I almost did). So again, like above, I'm relying on Nikon to someday produce somethingn like the GH! and/or 5DMII


So that leaves me with D90 vs D5000.

Reasons for D90
Will autofocus my 50mm 1.8!!!! (but i have a 35mm 1.8 that will work with d5000)
fantastic lcd screen
better all around camera for stills (from reviews i've read)

Reasons for D5000
time lapse photography option (something i've always wanted in a camera)
Swivel screen - no more awkward shooting positions



So, I think I will sell my D40. And use some of the money to help pay for the body only of a D5000. I think its a no brainer. To be honest, the timelapse is what i really am intrigued about. IS IT TRUE THAT THE D90 And D5000 have EXACTLY the same video quality and options??? IF so, then that might just seal the deal for the D5000.

I think I will buy and use the D5000 for about a year or so, and hopefully by that time, Nikon will come up with something that will take its HD video to another level. Am I right in believing they will? If so, then I will be perfectly happy with getting the D5000, and continuing to collect some more interesting lenses for Nikon DSLRs.
 
The D300s is coming out next month wait to see what it does. Then if it is not much of a upgrade get the D90. Plus go back and read all the post on the D90. Watch all the videos and films made with it.
Read the threads about the D300s.

You will learn a lot and will be able to make a better choice. I'm waiting for the D300s to see the reviews once it is out on the street. Not paying much attention to the reviews now since people don't have them yet.

Maybe wait for a D400....
 
I think I will buy and use the D5000 for about a year or so, and hopefully by that time, Nikon will come up with something that will take its HD video to another level. Am I right in believing they will? If so, then I will be perfectly happy with getting the D5000, and continuing to collect some more interesting lenses for Nikon DSLRs.
Click to expand...

I think you already have your answer.

I don't have the d5000, but the D90 is unbeatable for stills at that pricepoint, imo.

The d3000s is a hasty investment, imo. For stills, I wouldn't upgrade my d3000 for such a minimal amount of improvements, and the video seems to have improved a little, but not enough to invest in a camera that expensive that will most likely be replaced in less than a year by a d400 or equivalent(which will most likely have a new sensor and additional improvements to the videomode).
 
i've seen some d300s video which is up on vimeo, and it seems as though there is no real improvement over the d90/d5000. i did read somewhere that autofocus tracking was a feature, but is this for video or stills? not sure.

but maybe the videos are actually from d90/d5000, and just labeled as d300s?



i keep hearing about the d400. hope everything i've read about the camera turns out to be true :D


so i think i will settle for the d5000. i find the d40 very limiting, and i know that the d5000 will be a huge jump for me. after a year with the d5000, i will start to think about something on the d80/90 level. hopefully the d400 is out by that time!.... thx :)

am i correct in saying that the d400 will be the replacement for the d300?

what do you think the replacement for the d90 will be called? d100???? didn't nikon already have a camera with that name before????
 
Yep the D90 and D5000 have the same "brain". The swivel LCD is smaller and lower resolution so have a look at both before you buy.

Get a cheap stabilizer like the hague, make a diy steadicam or just hold a semi-collapsed camera tripod mid shaft to balance it and deal with the jello.
 
think it will be less than a year for the D400......I'd like to see that


Jim Klatt said:
I think you already have your answer.

I don't have the d5000, but the D90 is unbeatable for stills at that pricepoint, imo.

The d3000s is a hasty investment, imo. For stills, I wouldn't upgrade my d3000 for such a minimal amount of improvements, and the video seems to have improved a little, but not enough to invest in a camera that expensive that will most likely be replaced in less than a year by a d400 or equivalent(which will most likely have a new sensor and additional improvements to the videomode).
Click to expand...
 
I can't help but wonder if several of you are correct in saying that Nikon (well, other than the Marketing folkis) isn't very interested in D.Movie. Even worse is the notion that D.Movie as implemented in the D90 is all that Nikon feels it needs to be. It does seem that the d300s release indicates such...Nikon seems oblivious to the chorus of feature requests. I don't see anything in Nikon's history that would indicate a reasonable expectation of D.Movie enhancements in any rumored new camera.
 
D movie may have been improved but probably not as much as most people would like.
 
decided to go with d90! :D


yeah, it would really suck if nikon decides to not advance to d. movie mode in future models. but i'm sure the demand will force them to. otherwise i think new dslr owners would opt for canon. and i think some current nikon users would switch over to canon.

not sure, but i'm optimistic that less than a year, the d400 will be a lot more flexible!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top