Pre-Ordering a Camera Body?

[WDWFigment]

In anticipation of the announcement of the D7000 (expected tonight at midnight) and wanting to sell before a decrease in the camera's market value occurred, I sold my D90 last weekend. A bit of a gamble, I know, but I figure I can always re-acquire a D90 between now and December for less than the price for which I sold mine, so I'm not too concerned.

I have never followed new camera body releases too closely, but I've gotten caught up in the hype of this one. From the tone of discussion and in reviewing the specs, this camera is going to surpass the D300s and D700 in some regards, and looks to be quite popular. Is this always the hype pre-announcement for a new DSLR?

I ask this because I need a new DSLR prior to the beginning of December when we next head down to WDW. I don't really care if I have one between now and then (I mean, it'd be nice to avoid getting rusty, but if I can save $100-200, I'll just as soon wait), but I am somewhat concerned that demand may surpass supply, and this camera may become back-ordered or waitlists may develop. I realize no one can prognosticate the future, but has this happened recently with any camera releases? I'd rather wait and watch SlickDeals for a good discount on one between now and December, but I don't want to push my luck! Thanks!

[Jax1023]

When I was shopping back in April, I know the canon T2i was frequently out of stock almost everywhere, and it was nearly 6 months old at that point.

Maybe Nikon is better at anticipating demand though.

[MarkBarbieri]

These things usually follow predictable patterns.

The first phase is the early rumor phase. People really have no idea what is coming, but that doesn't stop them from speculating or even quoting unreliable sources as though they are deep insiders. This game has improved some as rumoring has institutionalized (NikonRumors.com, CanonRumors.com). Even I have been involved in speculating on future cameras, having once posted a rumor (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1032&thread=28700752&page=1) about the 5D Mark II which turned out to have been slightly less than 100% accurate.

Then the camera is announced and people move into camps. You're used to seeing silly debates between brand loyalists. Now, you'll see silly debates between model loyalists. People who own a lower model or an older camera in the same model line wax poetic about how awesome the new camera looks. People having recently purchased a camera in the same model line make lots of comments on how it is a trivial upgrade and even a bit of a step backwards because they made the pixels smaller or removed some trivial feature. People with a camera in the next higher model line get irate and flame the new camera like it is the spawn of Satan. This is usually because the camera is much cheaper then theirs but has some advantages over theirs.

For quite a while, it's all a lot of talk. There is often a considerable gap between the announcement and the shipping date. Canon isn't usually too bad about this. Nikon has had some really long lag times.

Finally, the camera starts shipping. The first few to get it all praise it as though it were the only camera worth of Mary using to photograph Christ's final moments. Then someone finds a problem. This problem gets seized as the worst disaster ever and people start referring to it as a disaster. Usually (excepting the Canon 1D Mark III AF disaster), this is completely overblown nonsense.

Finally, the camera is in widespread use and everyone moves on the start speculating about the next camera. After all, arguing about future cameras is much more fun than actually taking pictures. The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.

[Chikabowa]

I put my name on the waiting list around Oct/Nov prior to the D3 being released. It was finally release at the beginning of December. I could have purchased one through B&H at the end of January, but my name came up at the very beginning of February.

My guess is that the wait won't be as long for this rumored D7000, so I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. :) I think you'll probably be able to get one relatively quickly.

[MassJester]

The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.


Those forums are brutal. I think political campaigns are less mean spirited than the debates over there. :eek:

[shawn68]

D7000 here I come. Looks pretty awesome. I am waiting with you Tom.

[Uncle Greg]

These things usually follow predictable patterns.

The first phase is the early rumor phase. People really have no idea what is coming, but that doesn't stop them from speculating or even quoting unreliable sources as though they are deep insiders. This game has improved some as rumoring has institutionalized (NikonRumors.com, CanonRumors.com). Even I have been involved in speculating on future cameras, having once posted a rumor (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1032&thread=28700752&page=1) about the 5D Mark II which turned out to have been slightly less than 100% accurate.

Then the camera is announced and people move into camps. You're used to seeing silly debates between brand loyalists. Now, you'll see silly debates between model loyalists. People who own a lower model or an older camera in the same model line wax poetic about how awesome the new camera looks. People having recently purchased a camera in the same model line make lots of comments on how it is a trivial upgrade and even a bit of a step backwards because they made the pixels smaller or removed some trivial feature. People with a camera in the next higher model line get irate and flame the new camera like it is the spawn of Satan. This is usually because the camera is much cheaper then theirs but has some advantages over theirs.

For quite a while, it's all a lot of talk. There is often a considerable gap between the announcement and the shipping date. Canon isn't usually too bad about this. Nikon has had some really long lag times.

Finally, the camera starts shipping. The first few to get it all praise it as though it were the only camera worth of Mary using to photograph Christ's final moments. Then someone finds a problem. This problem gets seized as the worst disaster ever and people start referring to it as a disaster. Usually (excepting the Canon 1D Mark III AF disaster), this is completely overblown nonsense.

Finally, the camera is in widespread use and everyone moves on the start speculating about the next camera. After all, arguing about future cameras is much more fun than actually taking pictures. The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.


LOL, perfect!


I hadn't been paying any attention to the talk on this camera until yesterday. The stats sound pretty awesome though and if it's got the low light capability they're talking about, it would save the need to move to FX (for that reason) so you wouldnt have to dump all the DX glass.

Tom, I think I'd be getting on at least one pre-order list.

[AlbertZeroK]

Pre-orders are fickle, here is my experiance with the T2i

I pre-ordered two bodies only from Best Buy, one body with kit lens from B&H, one body and lens kit from Amazon. I ended up buying it from J&R the day of release (body and kit lens). I then canceled my pre-order from Amazon and B&H.

I think you will have better luck pre-ordering with a kit lens. Get that order in NOW though, and skip Amazon, I've had more pre-orders canceled by Amazon themselves there than anywhere else.

Adorama and B&H are always good, J&R electronics is where I would pre-order from though.

[ChiSoxKeith]

Full review of the D7000 over here...

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/09/nikon-d7000/

I'm a canon shooter but this camera does look nice.

[Gdad]

This was completely off my radar until I read this post but I have to say it looks like a very sweet camera. I have been kicking around the thought of scaling my kit way back and this might just be a good place to start.

(Then again maybe I'll just pick up one of them 'decreased in market value' used D90's for cheap instead...hmmm.)

[WDWFigment]

This was completely off my radar until I read this post but I have to say it looks like a very sweet camera. I have been kicking around the thought of scaling my kit way back and this might just be a good place to start.

(Then again maybe I'll just pick up one of them 'decreased in market value' used D90's for cheap instead...hmmm.)

Scaling it back to the extent of selling your D700 and accompanying lenses?

I really wish there were a DX version of the 14-24 f/2.8. If there were, I don't think I'd ever go FX. I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

[henryp]

We're all pretty excited by today's announcement of the D7000, but to address the OP's availability issues, I'll say this. Our site has a "notify me when in stock" applet for products we're out of. Our buyer instructed us to disable this applet for this camera because he is uncertain when we'll get early deliveries and of how many we will when they do begin arriving. I consider that an indication initial availability will be sparse and outstripped by demand.

[WDWFigment]

We're all pretty excited by today's announcement of the D7000, but to address the OP's availability issues, I'll say this. Our site has a "notify me when in stock" applet for products we're out of. Our buyer instructed us to disable this applet for this camera because he is uncertain when we'll get early deliveries and of how many we will when they do begin arriving. I consider that an indication initial availability will be sparse and outstripped by demand.

Hi Henry,

Thanks for the response. That scares me a little, honestly. When you say "initial" how "initial" do you mean? Are you talking the first month it's out, the first 3 months, 6 months, etc.? You've already really helped, but any further light you could shed on this would help!

Thanks,
Tom

[Gdad]

Scaling it back to the extent of selling your D700 and accompanying lenses?

Yeah- pretty much.

Thinking of selling:
Nikon D700
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFS
Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 AF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF D
Nikon F100
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro

Keeping:
Nikon D40
Nikkor 18-200mm AFS VR
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 AFS
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro

And Adding:
Nikon D7000
Some kind of nice DX UWA?

I really wish there were a DX version of the 14-24 f/2.8. If there were, I don't think I'd ever go FX. I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

I had the Tokina when I was shooting with a D300- I would buy it again but have not really followed what else is out there now in the DX UWA realm. The 14-24/D700 combo is very nice but more than I really need for what little I shoot anymore.

My big concern is loosing the 28/1.4 on FX which I really love and do not see anything even close in the DX world to replace it. This is why I have not moved forward already.

[Marlton Mom]

[QUOTE Gdad
Thinking of selling:
Nikon D700
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFS
Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 AF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF D
Nikon F100
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro

Keeping:
Nikon D40
Nikkor 18-200mm AFS VR
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 AFS
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro

And Adding:
Nikon D7000
Some kind of nice DX UWA?

I'm just curious as to why you would keep the Nikon D40. The (not enough for me) 3 focus points drove me insane on my D60 :scared1:

:)
Marlton Mom

[Gdad]

I'm just curious as to why you would keep the Nikon D40. The (not enough for me) 3 focus points drove me insane on my D60 :scared1:

:)
Marlton Mom

My 9yo daughter uses it. I would not mind upgrading it for her at some point but that works fine for her now.

[Gdad]

I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

Why is it likely lesser? I had the Tokina for a while and I liked it too- but the Sigma looks pretty interesting to me. The few shots I found on Flickr with it look pretty good actually.

[WDWFigment]

Why is it likely lesser? I had the Tokina for a while and I liked it too- but the Sigma looks pretty interesting to me. The few shots I found on Flickr with it look pretty good actually.

When it first came out, I read a few reviews that were only lukewarm on it. I can't find those now, so maybe it was just the selection I saw? I still am not too hot on its speed, but I suppose if I move from the Tokina 10-17 fisheye to the Sigma 10 f2.8 fisheye, I could use that in circumstances where I might need a wide lens with speed.

A concern for me personally is that I do all of my lens shopping on eBay and Craigslist, and buying a Sigma there is rolling the dice with the quality control issues the company has. Another issue for me is that right now the 8-16mm is so new that used copies don't really come up on eBay, and when they do, they typically sell for the price of new copies (one sold for more!). I think it'd have to be in the $500 range for me to bite.

If that lens were good, I think I might be able to avoid ever going full frame. My only real intrigue right now is the 14-24. I don't know nearly enough about the technical side of things to ever use 25% of the features on full frame. Plus, I'm not even close to hitting the wall with my current gear yet, so I don't think the move is justified. I actually feel like I shouldn't have sold the D90 for this reason. I'm probably not ready to move up yet--I guess I will grow into the new camera? :confused3

[MassJester]

I guess I will grow into the new camera? :confused3

Wow--that's exactly what I said.

The 5D MK II was much more camera than I was ready for. After struggling through the summer, I've contracted with a local professional photographer that also shoots Canon for lessons.

[JanuaryF]

I just put my name down on a list for this new body (upgrading my D40), and I'm really excited about it! :yay:

But this:
I'm probably not ready to move up yet--I guess I will grow into the new camera? :confused3
is making me wonder about my decision... If you will grow into this camera (I love your photos), I'm betting it is WAY more camera than I need. But I think I'm willing to live with that. ;)

Jan

[annnewjerz]

Not to re-vamp an old thread too much...but Jeff, I'm in the market for a 105 f/2.8 AIS if you are ever interested in selling. Just sayin! I was looking on KEH and E-Bay today and there are a handful available, but I'd be more than happy to take yours off your hands. :thumbsup2

[Gdad]

From Thom Hogans blog today...

If you're waiting for a body-only version, I'd say expect to wait another month, as that's the typical lag between kits and body-only versions for Nikon. If you can't manage to grab one of these first shipments, I'd say expect to wait at least a couple more weeks, maybe more. If you're outside the US, it appears that Nikon is staggering initial deliveries amongst subsidiaries, probably because the Thailand plant hasn't been building D7000's for long, and there's no inventory build-up to ship simultaneously with.

My current estimate is that only about 10,000-12,000 D7000 kits are being distributed in the US by Nikon at the moment. Given that there are a bit over 3000 authorized places that sell Nikon gear in the US, that suggests that the average store is going to get less than half a dozen to sell

[rossb]

The D7000 certainly looks very nice, but I can't say that I'd be in a rush to sell my D90 and get one. IMO, it is not much of an upgrade and I doubt that it will result in better images. On the other hand, some people always want to have the latest gear. That means you will need to 'upgrade' every 2 years. :) I'm waiting for a FF sensor in a D90 sized (and priced) body. That would be a significant upgrade. I already have plenty of FF Nikkor glass.

[WDWFigment]

The D7000 certainly looks very nice, but I can't say that I'd be in a rush to sell my D90 and get one. IMO, it is not much of an upgrade and I doubt that it will result in better images. On the other hand, some people always want to have the latest gear. That means you will need to 'upgrade' every 2 years. :) I'm waiting for a FF sensor in a D90 sized (and priced) body. That would be a significant upgrade. I already have plenty of FF Nikkor glass.

I guess it's all in the eyes of the purchaser. I consider the D7000 to be a substantial upgrade over the D90. What you're asking for, I would consider much more substantial, yes, but I doubt it will happen anytime within the next five years. I wouldn't be surprised if it ever happens, as that would cannibalize a lot of sales from the high end DX line and the FX line. The D7000 will be my 3rd DSLR in 2 years of photography, so I can't say I'd mind upgrading 'only' every 2 years. Granted, I upgraded from the D40 to the D90 because I felt I was starting to hit a wall with the D40, so it wasn't so much an upgrade for the sake of new tech (but rather, new features), but I'm mostly upgrading from the D90 for new tech (and some new features).

[rossb]

I guess it's all in the eyes of the purchaser. I consider the D7000 to be a substantial upgrade over the D90.

Three D-SLRs in 2 years is a lot, that sounds like technology chasing. I do not see it as a substantial upgrade. I see one decent upgrade, the dropping of the base ISO to 100 which will effectively increase the flash sync speed. AF fine tune also looks interesting, but I’ve never had a need for it. All of my Nikkor glass focuses fine, including my old FF film lenses. I'd rather spend my money on something that will provide more of a difference and be around longer, like glass. But it is your money and it is all good as long as you will enjoy this new camera. Have fun and report back.

[WDWFigment]

It is not a substantial upgrade. 3 D-SLRs in 2 years is pretty crazy, you are chasing technology! This 'upgrade' is not going to improve the quality of your pictures. Personally, I bought 3 SLRs (including a film body) over the past 15 years.

Pretty definitive statements given that only I know in what regards the D90 has 'held me back'. I have many shots in which the IQ has suffered due to high ISO capability. I have shots that I've (slightly) missed the focus on because of the number of AF points on my current camera. I have previously refused to consider a lot of older lenses that couldn't meter with my camera. I have missed shots because of the burst rate on my camera. This list goes on, but I'm sure you get the idea by now. Making a blanket assertion that it's not going to improve the quality of my photos is unfounded. I consider the camera a substantial upgrade. It is for me at least.

I think I provided a decent rationale as to why I've gone through so many bodies in two years. I bought into the hobby cheaply, unsure of whether it would be 'for me.' Once I realized it was, and I started using the more advanced features of the D40, I realized I wanted "more camera" so I upgraded to the D90. Had money allowed, I would've upgraded to the D700, as it had the specs I really wanted. Instead, I settled. So now, when a camera is announced that starts to rival (a bit) the specs of the D700, it is logical for me to make the upgrade. Part of it may be 'chasing technology', but I really don't think that's my main motivation.

Conversely, I could just as easily say that with only 3 bodies in 15 years, you're unreceptive to technology and are suffering because of it. However, I don't know you, your personal shooting style or what's necessary to make such a judgment. Perhaps all of your shots would look exactly the same with a D50 as a D7000. I do know that my shots didn't look the same with a D40 as they did with a D90 (and that wasn't just because I was improving).

To each his own.

[Gdad]

I can see good reasons for moving from a D40 to a D90- and likewise on to a D7000. Just being able to meter AIS lenses would be enough reason for me- I went from a D80 to a D300 for the same reason. I don't think two upgrades in two years is anything out of the ordinary. Of course I just did a quick count and came up with about 20 cameras I have bought in the last 4-5 years (more film than digital- but still).....I may be a little biased. ;)

[Gdad]

Now, you'll see silly debates between model loyalists. People who own a lower model or an older camera in the same model line wax poetic about how awesome the new camera looks. People having recently purchased a camera in the same model line make lots of comments on how it is a trivial upgrade and even a bit of a step backwards because they made the pixels smaller or removed some trivial feature.

What???

[annnewjerz]

Honestly, I think the D7000 sounds like a nice upgrade for someone who is looking to stay with a DX camera and get as close to the "benefits" of FX as possible. I don't have the money to make the jump right now, but considering about half of my glass is DX and half is FX, once I get the cash I'd consider it in lieu of an upgrade to the D700.

The higher ISO will be nice (although I remember when th D90 came out everyone talked about how great the high ISO for a DX was, and I still think it does wonderfully), the extra AF points would make a huge difference for me (3 was brutal, 11 is better, I can only imagine even more would be spectacular), the ability to meter with AIS lenses would be an added benefit since I have a few and I like the feel of the non-plastic dSLR bodies better.

If it were me, I'd probably just buy the kit with the 18-105 from Best Buy and get it sooner rather than later...but I'm impatient and I like new toys. :thumbsup2

[rossb]

Conversely, I could just as easily say that with only 3 bodies in 15 years, you're unreceptive to technology and are suffering because of it.

Absolutely not. Running out to buy the latest gear does not make anyone a better photographer. What did Ansel Adams use?

My original Nikon 'F' still works great. I'm pretty sure it is older than you. :)

I have two DSLRs, a D50 and a D90.

[MarkBarbieri]

What???

Sorry, I was off in left field. Nothing like that would ever happen here.

[WDWFigment]

Absolutely not. Running out to buy the latest gear does not make anyone a better photographer. What did Ansel Adams use?

My original Nikon 'F' still works great. I'm pretty sure it is older than you. :)

I have two DSLRs, a D50 and a D90.

Did you not read the sentence immediately after the one you quoted? My implication was that blanket statements about others' style of photography are ignorant because you don't know what makes a good or bad photo for them.

In the context of photography discussions, Ansel Adams must have Godwin's Law status. Sure, Adams took great pictures, but so do a lot of contemporaries. Could Adams do some of the things with his camera that Trey Ratcliff does? Could Adams get a clean shot of the helmsman on Pirates of the Caribbean? I wholly agree that the biggest 'difference maker' in good photography is the eye behind the lens, but I think it's ignorant to be wholly dismissive of the role technology plays in some people's hands.

Sorry, I was off in left field. Nothing like that would ever happen here.

Haha.

[MarkBarbieri]

Haha.

Sorry, I just find the debate amusing because it is so rare here.

Ross, Tom is one the most creative and innovative photographers I've seen here, with some ultra-wide night shots that leave me drooling with envy. I could see mashing on him if he was some hack gear head that uses the Canon section from the B&H catalog as his packing list for day trips and still comes back with boring junk. Heck, even if he was some old granddad ;) that took great shots but seemed to change switch bodies or lenses as often as he posted it would make sense. It just doesn't seem to fit in this case.

[rossb]

I could see mashing on him if he was some hack gear head that uses the Canon section from the B&H catalog as his packing list for day trips and still comes back with boring junk.

I don't think I really mashed on him. I look forward to his results with the new cam.

[MarkBarbieri]

http://photos.barbierifamily.org/Recent-Shoots/2010-10-Brazos-Bend/MG8674-2/1054190907_M2NZg-M.jpg

[Gdad]

If it were me, I'd probably just buy the kit with the 18-105 from Best Buy and get it sooner rather than later...but I'm impatient and I like new toys. :thumbsup2

I was actually at Best Buy this afternoon...

and they actually had two of them in stock...

I have to admit I was very tempted but I just can't bring myself to pay that much extra for a kit lens I don't need. What they did NOT have was one out on display that I could look at- which is what I was hoping for.

[GvilleDisneyDad]

I've already sold the 18-105mm lens from the D7000 kit. At the end of the day, I paid just a bit less than I would have from the Amazon preorder and I actually have the camera in hand.

[WDWFigment]

I've already sold the 18-105mm lens from the D7000 kit. At the end of the day, I paid just a bit less than I would have from the Amazon preorder and I actually have the camera in hand.

Dang! Either you live in a state with low/no sales tax or you sold that 18-105 for a lot. Congrats!

[Gdad]

My thoughts exactly- for me the tax would have been $105- doubt I could have got even close to $400 for the lens.

[rossb]

Tom - I just read 2 of your trip reports and browsed through many of your Flickr pictures. Great work, very impressive!

[WDWFigment]

My thoughts exactly- for me the tax would have been $105- doubt I could have got even close to $400 for the lens.

I think he mentioned having a 12% off coupon to Best Buy, which would drop the price substantially. For me, it still would've only been a 5% discount after tax, which wasn't enough given the market price on the 18-105 that I was seeing (if I recall correctly, ~$250).

I pre-ordered my body from J&R, so I'll get 5% cashback, plus I bought an Epson R1900 printer, which has a $450 rebate if you purchase with a $500+ DSLR. The printer will cost less than $100 after all is said and done, and sells for ~$350. So for me, buying at Best Buy just to have it now would've been an unjustifiable loss. Besides some minor projects, I don't have any substantial photography that I 'need' to do right now, so I just use Sarah's D40 when necessary.

I will definitely need my own camera by December 1st, though, so I fear I will have to purchase a used D90 if the D7000 hasn't arrived by then. Even then, I will still come out ahead as the prices on the D90 have dropped since I sold mine.

Tom - I just read 2 of your trip reports and browsed through many of your Flickr pictures. Great work, very impressive!

Thanks! I'm working on a trip report from our first Disneyland trip right now.

[mom2rtk]

Thanks! I'm working on a trip report from our first Disneyland trip right now.

Can't wait to read it Tom!

[GvilleDisneyDad]

I think he mentioned having a 12% off coupon to Best Buy, which would drop the price substantially. For me, it still would've only been a 5% discount after tax, which wasn't enough given the market price on the 18-105 that I was seeing (if I recall correctly, ~$250).



That's right. The 12% was what made it work for me. And I think I sold the lens cheap. here's how it worked out in case you're interested:

BB D7000 Kit $1499.99
12% off coupon -$180.00
Tax + 89.10
Sold lens -$220.00

Final price = $1,189.09

[WDWFigment]

That's right. The 12% was what made it work for me. And I think I sold the lens cheap. here's how it worked out in case you're interested:

BB D7000 Kit $1499.99
12% off coupon -$180.00
Tax + 89.10
Sold lens -$220.00

Final price = $1,189.09

Worked out pretty well for you, then!

Part of me wishes I did that, but here's my math (as I see it):
D7000 Body + Epson R1900 ........................................$1,731.57
BigCrumbs CB (thought it was 5, actually 4%).................($69.26)
Visa CB................................................ ....................($51.95)
Epson MIR............................................... .................($450)
Epson Printer value recaptured (upon selling)..................($350)
eBay fees (if I can't sell printer on CL)...........................~$50

Final price = $860.36

Granted, it's a lot more of a hassle and some of these numbers are speculatory, but I'm willing to do it for the sake of the deal. If these numbers work out to be accurate, I'll be upgrading to the D7000 for very, very little cost.

[rossb]

Thanks! I'm working on a trip report from our first Disneyland trip right now.

Good stuff. I'm not at WDW nearly as much as you are and unfortunately my wife is not nearly as supportive of photography as yours is. No waiting around to get a shot, she wants to keep moving and she gets annoyed when I stop.

I'm going for 10 days in late November, staying at a Pirate Room in CBR this time. I hope to avoid Bed Bugs, I'm bringing spray with me. I'm bringing a D90, a Nikkor 10-24, Nikkor 18-200, and a 35 1.8. I will bring a tripod with me. We are also going to spend an evening in South Beach. Great picture opportunities down there.

I shot about 2000 pictures in Hawaii last month.

[mom2rtk]

Good stuff. I'm not at WDW nearly as much as you are and unfortunately my wife is not nearly as supportive of photography as yours is. No waiting around to get a shot, she wants to keep moving and she gets annoyed when I stop.

I'm going for 10 days in late November, staying at a Pirate Room in CBR this time. I hope to avoid Bed Bugs, I'm bringing spray with me. I'm bringing a D90, a Nikkor 10-24, Nikkor 18-200, and a 35 1.8. I will bring a tripod with me. We are also going to spend an evening in South Beach. Great picture opportunities down there.

I shot about 2000 pictures in Hawaii last month.

I think a number of us here are jealous of Tom's spousal support of his photography habit. :cool1:

[rossb]

I got a D7000 body-only today from the J&R retail store. I know this goes against my first few posts in this thread. :)

[WDWFigment]

I got a D7000 body-only today from the J&R retail store. I know this goes against my first few posts in this thread. :)

Wait...did you pre-order it or just happen upon it? If it was just 'there', I'm going to be seriously pissed. We were promised that our body would ship today. When Sarah called this morning, she was told it would be two more weeks.

In any case, I know that even if you did preorder it, you preordered it after I did. I know Nikon has been sending out small shipments, but this one is on J&R. This really pisses me off.

[Gdad]

Wait...did you pre-order it or just happen upon it? If it was just 'there', I'm going to be seriously pissed. We were promised that our body would ship today. When Sarah called this morning, she was told it would be two more weeks.

In any case, I know that even if you did preorder it, you preordered it after I did. I know Nikon has been sending out small shipments, but this one is on J&R. This really pisses me off.

Ouch! That stinks- I'm sorry to hear that Tom. I had a bad feeling about J&R after getting three different stories from three different people. I hope you get a camera soon.

[rossb]

My original opinion was pretty accurate. The D7000 has more features, more menu items, and better ergonomics, but the IQ is essentially the same as the D90. Low light ISO 3200 images from the D90 are very close to low light ISO 3200 images from the D7000. The D7000 will natively go to ISO 100 and 6400, the D90 will not.

Nikon changed how the Auto-ISO bump (based on minimum shutter) feature works when using flash. The D90's implementation is better.
http://g4.img-dpreview.com/FA8F8B18EB964DC789DE45E5514637A0.jpg

[rossb]

I just tried my Nikon 18-200VR on my D7000 and it looked pretty soft. It looked great on my D50 and my D90 so I found this to be surprising. I shot a focus scale at around 50mm and I noticed that it was 12mm off. The D7000 allowed me to adjust for that and now the mid range focals look much better and the wide end looks much worse.

[MarkBarbieri]

My original opinion was pretty accurate. The D7000 has more features, more menu items, and better ergonomics, but the IQ is essentially the same as the D90.

I've never used either, but DxO (http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Compare-sensors/%28appareil1%29/439%7C0/%28appareil2%29/680%7C0/%28appareil3%29/441%7C0/%28onglet%29/0/%28brand%29/Nikon/%28brand2%29/Nikon/%28brand3%29/Nikon)shows a noticeable difference between the two.