D90 pre-orders

[Furgus]

link to Circuit City Pre-orders

Still think I am going to get a D700 later this year, but this is looking to be a nice replacement to the D80.

 

[handicap18]

IIRC, the rumor is that Nikon will officially announce the D90 tomorrow, Wed, 8/27.

I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm getting the D300. I haven't told DW.... yet. Amazon has a 1 year or 2 year no interest offer that ends 9/30. In a few week's I'll talk to DW. I was planning on buying the D300 in March with Cash (or debit card) so i figure maybe just get it earlier and still pay in off in March. We'll see what the CFO (aka DW) says......

 

[Gdad]

What is GPS geo-tagging? Does that mean it is built in? I know with the D300/D700 you have to buy an accessory.

From the link:

Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, including Live View and a cinematic-quality 24-fps D-Movie Mode, the Nikon D90 exceeds the demands of passionate photographers. Outfit includes the 5.8x, AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens with VR image stabilization and legendary NIKKOR optical quality.

ENGINEERED FOR ARTISTRY. UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL.

• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• One-button Live View
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames per second
• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
• Built-in image sensor cleaning
• 11-point AF system with Face Priority
• One-button Live View
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
• Comprehensive exposure control
• Auto Active D-lighting
• Shutter precision and durability
• In-Camera Image Editing
• GPS geo-tagging

 

[dr_zero]

What is GPS geo-tagging? Does that mean it is built in? I know with the D300/D700 you have to buy an accessory.

• GPS geo-tagging

Leaked specs for the soon-to-be-announced Nikon D90 digital SLR camera show that Nikon has gone beyond the traditional geotagging features and built a GPS receiver right into the somewhat last-generation camera.

http://gpsobsessed.com/miscellaneous-gps-devices/nikon-d90-dslr-leaked-specs-show-built-in-gps/


Looks like its all included with this model and in this one also Nikon Coolpix D6000

Just yesterday we introduced you to Nikon’s GPS-packing D90 DSLR camera, and already we have the Nikon Coolpix D6000 to introduce you too. Of course we’re telling you about the D6000 because its built-in GPS chip records you location when you take a picture for automatic geotagging

http://gpsobsessed.com/miscellaneou...-built-in-gps-for-automatic-photo-geotagging/

 

[Gdad]

Leaked specs for the soon-to-be-announced Nikon D90 digital SLR camera show that Nikon has gone beyond the traditional geotagging features and built a GPS receiver right into the somewhat last-generation camera. Looks like its all included with this model and in this one also Nikon Coolpix D6000

Bummer they did not decide to include it in some of the very recent higher end models. The GPS add-on accessory is not so expensive- just bulky and another thing hanging off the camera you have to worry about.

 

[fitzperry]

Wow--the movie mode predictions were accurate. A lot of purists seem to think that it degrades the camera (I saw several posts on dpreview about the movie mode rumor that were not exactly kind), but I think I might enjoy having that feature. We so rarely use our video camera, and I almost never do. I wouldn't mind being able to make a video with my dslr on occasion. But I don't think I'll trade my D300 for it.

Kyle--just out of curiosity, what about the D300 do you want that the D90 won't offer?

 

[fhirleighinn]

That link seems to be down now.

 

[wenrob]

Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, including Live View and a cinematic-quality 24-fps D-Movie Mode, the Nikon D90 exceeds the demands of passionate photographers. Outfit includes the 5.8x, AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens with VR image stabilization and legendary NIKKOR optical quality.

ENGINEERED FOR ARTISTRY. UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL.


• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
• Built-in image sensor cleaning
• 11-point AF system with Face Priority
• One-button Live View
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
• Comprehensive exposure control
• Auto Active D-lighting
• Shutter precision and durability
• In-Camera Image Editing
• GPS geo-tagging

Oh my....
I do not think I can convince DH that I NEED to upgrade. Since the link is down, anyone have an idea of a price?

 

[YEKCIM]

Oh my....
I do not think I can convince DH that I NEED to upgrade. Since the link is down, anyone have an idea of a price?

I think $1299 with the kit lens (18-105VR, I think it is). Body only would probably be around $1000.

Y

 

[Furgus]

Should have posted this link alos, figured Nikon would find it and take it down...

http://gizmodo.com/5041991/nikon-d9...der-from-circuit-city-hd-movie-mode-confirmed

This is from Gizmodo and has screen captures of the link before.
Personally I like the GPS, think the movies is stupid.

 

[broberts]

Now the only question is: is it worth the extra $300 over the D80?

 

[handicap18]

Kyle--just out of curiosity, what about the D300 do you want that the D90 won't offer?

Weather sealed larger professional body vs the plastic cheep body. Better location/easier access to control feathers (WB, Metering, etc...) to name a few.

I will say that I will have to see images at the high ISO's on the D90 to see what it offers. The 4.5fps vs 6 or 8fps is a slight advantage for me for the D300. I did A LOT of sports shots this summer and really missed the fast fps.

I've handled a D300 and really liked the fit. The D90 is probably going to be the same size as the D80 which is pretty much the same size as my D50. The D300 really blew me away with its feel and the images produced. The D90 would have to blow me away too. The video and GPS features would do nothing for me.

Is the sensor the same on the D90 as on the D300? I haven't seen anything about EXPEED imaging processing for the D90. I also like the idea of 14bit and 12bit RAW.

 

[handicap18]

Now the only question is: is it worth the extra $300 over the D80?

If the image processor and sensor handle high ISO like the D300 then probably. The D80 is good with ISO1600, but not great. The D300 at ISO3200 is THE BEST in its class (bested only by the D700 and D3, which are in a class higher as they are FF vs crop).

The D80 is 3fps, the D90 is supposedly 4.5fps. The sensor is also going to be 2 years newer and 2 generations better.

 

[Gdad]

I will say that I will have to see images at the high ISO's on the D90 to see what it offers. The 4.5fps vs 6 or 8fps is a slight advantage for me for the D300. I did A LOT of sports shots this summer and really missed the fast fps.

The 4.5fps vs the 6/8fps does not sound like a big deal but the huge difference comes in with the larger buffer. Especially when shooting RAW the D80 (and I suspect the D90) will bog down after 2-3 shots (Click..Click...Click........Click............... you get the idea.) With the D300 I can zip off 20+ shots at 8fps with the grip and the camera never NEVER backs down.

 

[Groucho]

Wow--the movie mode predictions were accurate. A lot of purists seem to think that it degrades the camera (I saw several posts on dpreview about the movie mode rumor that were not exactly kind), but I think I might enjoy having that feature. We so rarely use our video camera, and I almost never do. I wouldn't mind being able to make a video with my dslr on occasion. But I don't think I'll trade my D300 for it.

I certainly won't "degrade" anything but will it work nearly as well as a PnS? Liveview focusing on DSLRs (without flipping the mirror) tends to be pretty slow, and a movie mode would rely on such a thing.

My camera has a similar mode, 21 fps w/o sound at similar resolutions (I think slightly higher but not sure off the top of my head), and once you start shooting at that speed, there's no adjustments to focus unless you do them yourself. You also max out the buffer after maybe 150 shots or so, so perhaps 7 seconds or so... it's fun and occasionally very useful but hardly something that I use every day.

If Nikon is claiming that it's a proper "movie mode" then obviously they're not saving individual photos but a single big compressed movie - so not quite as hard on the buffer, but still a pretty serious strain. I'd be really surprised to see it offering much length to the movie, and I'm thinking you'll get pretty heavy compression of the video, too, and who knows how quick it'll be able to focus. But who knows...

Handicap18: As for ISO 3200 of the D300, it's debatable if it's the best in its class. The K20D is certainly extremely competitive (and grabs more detail) and the Sony A700 has the same sensor as the D300, and their newer firmware supposedly improves on the poor performance of the original firmware which had awful NR smearing. I don't want to start a debate but it's not fair to claim that nothing else comes close.

Still, the D300 sensor is a darn fine one, and if they do put the exact sensor in the D90 and it produces the same photos, the D90 will likely be a big success (and really put the hurt on the 40D.)

 

[fishynancy]

Now the only question is: is it worth the extra $300 over the D80?

It is worth..

 

[Gdad]

Here is the official Nikon release...

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

And a cool video/blog-

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2008/08/chase-jarvis-raw-advance-testing-nikon.html

http://www.chasejarvisandfriends.com/

I guess the GPS is still a clunky accessory.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90/d90-gps.jpg

 

[handicap18]

Ok, so I think I need to be realistic with my thinking. When I first went into the dSLR world 2 1/2+ years ago I was convinced that the D70s was the camera I was going to get. Then I starting reading reviews everywhere and came to realize at that time that the D50 pretty much fit what I needed and mostly wanted in a dSLR.

I had been anticipating a replacement for the D80 for a while, then of course the D300 came along and pretty much blew everyone's socks off. But now I have to seriously ask myself,,, is this what I really need based on finance, use, features, my experience, and my wants and needs out of a dSLR for the next 4-6 years.

I've spent the better of this morning reading a few different previews/reviews of the D90 and it does seem like a great camera with a lot of the features of the D300 in a slightly smaller package.

I will seriously have to take a look at the full reviews when they come out to find out how it truly handles the high ISO's (that is an important feature for me).

The 4.5fps is a big improvement over my current 2.5 and the D80's 3, however it is still a 6 RAW image buffer (though my D50 has only 4 RAW image buffer).

The more I read about the video feature, the more it seems ok. One site has some video footage taken with the D90 and it looks fairly acceptable. Which actually is more than I have right now for video as my Sony Video camera is no longer functioning correctly. Not that this is a reason to get this dSLR. No still camera can replace a video camera and vise versa.

Price is a big advantage for the D90. $999 suggest retail vs $1624 for the current D300 price. The battery grip for the D90 (Same as the D80) is $138 vs $229 for the D300's grip so that comes down to $1137 vs $1853

I know that previous in the thread I have said that I'm still leaning towards the D300. I don't know if that is my initial, bigger and better is for me or how I really feel. Over the next month I will do some serious shopping and reading on both these camera's.

I've had some conversations with different people who have the D300 and others who don't. I really do like the makeup and built quality of the D300.

In the end I'll have to decide if the extra $700+ is going to be worth it to me and my needs. I don't know if this whole post is me trying to talk myself out of the D300 or not, but if I'm going to be serious about spending this kind of money I guess I should be completely serious about my own needs and wants. I'm not a professional, but I do consider myself an advanced amateur. This is my hobby, not my profession. That doesn't mean I have to sell myself short of what fits me.

Ok I'm kind of just babbling now. Thanks for listening. These camera companies certainly don't make this easy.

 

[Furgus]

Ok, so I think I need to be realistic with my thinking. When I first went into the dSLR world 2 1/2+ years ago I was convinced that the D70s was the camera I was going to get. Then I starting reading reviews everywhere and came to realize at that time that the D50 pretty much fit what I needed and mostly wanted in a dSLR.

I had been anticipating a replacement for the D80 for a while, then of course the D300 came along and pretty much blew everyone's socks off. But now I have to seriously ask myself,,, is this what I really need based on finance, use, features, my experience, and my wants and needs out of a dSLR for the next 4-6 years.

I've spent the better of this morning reading a few different previews/reviews of the D90 and it does seem like a great camera with a lot of the features of the D300 in a slightly smaller package.

I will seriously have to take a look at the full reviews when they come out to find out how it truly handles the high ISO's (that is an important feature for me).

The 4.5fps is a big improvement over my current 2.5 and the D80's 3, however it is still a 6 RAW image buffer (though my D50 has only 4 RAW image buffer).

The more I read about the video feature, the more it seems ok. One site has some video footage taken with the D90 and it looks fairly acceptable. Which actually is more than I have right now for video as my Sony Video camera is no longer functioning correctly. Not that this is a reason to get this dSLR. No still camera can replace a video camera and vise versa.

Price is a big advantage for the D90. $999 suggest retail vs $1624 for the current D300 price. The battery grip for the D90 (Same as the D80) is $138 vs $229 for the D300's grip so that comes down to $1137 vs $1853

I know that previous in the thread I have said that I'm still leaning towards the D300. I don't know if that is my initial, bigger and better is for me or how I really feel. Over the next month I will do some serious shopping and reading on both these camera's.

I've had some conversations with different people who have the D300 and others who don't. I really do like the makeup and built quality of the D300.

In the end I'll have to decide if the extra $700+ is going to be worth it to me and my needs. I don't know if this whole post is me trying to talk myself out of the D300 or not, but if I'm going to be serious about spending this kind of money I guess I should be completely serious about my own needs and wants. I'm not a professional, but I do consider myself an advanced amateur. This is my hobby, not my profession. That doesn't mean I have to sell myself short of what fits me.

Ok I'm kind of just babbling now. Thanks for listening. These camera companies certainly don't make this easy.

Add the D700 to that post and I am in the same boat as you(looking at D300, D700, and now the D90)....I have not done anything today because I have been trying to figure out which is best for me. I know if I spend the money and get a D700, it is going to last me at least 4 years, maybe more. So then what is going to be out there? Will I have spent 3K on a camera that in 4 years a 1K camera will rival it?? Well it probably will since tech is always getting better. Or do I get the D90 or D300 and not be so disappointed when something better comes out for the same price? Darn you technology!!!

 

[fhirleighinn]

Buy what camera will do what you want and can afford. The longer that you wait the more likely it is that Nikon or someone else will come out with another camera. I bought the d80 just a couple of months after it came out. While I still drool over the D300, d3 and d700, I am very happy with it. I was going to get the D70 originally but ended up having to wait.
I am not excited about the video mode, I am afraid that it is going to be the shape of things to come. I do want my cell phone to take picture, I did not want my PDA to be a phone. Why do they thing that I only want to have one device????