Nikon D90 Likes/Dislikes Where/What to purchase

[nkkilala]

Ok, so I found a few older threads related to the Nikon D90 and thought I would ask a few questions.

My husband has totally outgrown his PnS. He needs more features that a SLR provides to keep him happy.

This will be our first SLR camera and picked it due to the features we found on it.

I was wondering if anyone would like to share their Likes and dislikes.

It would also be helpful to know what we will need for our SLR. I know that you can get the body with a kit lens but also would like recommendations for other accessories that we would need starting out.


Thank you so much for your time!

 

[wenrob]

I *heart* my D90 but found it a little overwhelming at first after a year of using the D40. I caught on fairly quick but that's because I used the D40 for a year. If your DH plans on using it to it's full potential meaning taking it out of 'auto' and really using it then it's worth every penny. The kit lens (18-105) is a nice every day lens and will suit him for awhile until he gets bit by the NAS bug and needs more. I personally would recommend waiting to buy further lenses until he gets to know his camera and knows his style.

*memory cards
*a book on DSLR photography (Understanding Exposure is frequently recommended here)
*a good bag or backpack
*a nice strap
*a remote
*an external flash
*lens pen and cloth
*tripod

None of those are "needed" (except the memory) but they are certainly worth a few extra bucks to start off with. The camera does have a pop up flash but he'll lose patience and want an external flash pretty quick.

 

[nkkilala]

Wen,

Thank you so much for your suggestions!!!

Currently by DH tries to use his PnS like a SLR! I don't think it will be in auto-mode much unless I'm using it!

I did order an SLR for dummies book. I'll also look into the Understanding Exposure book.

 

[Miller1412]

Wen, do you have any issues with focus in the video mode? My boss has a d90 and recently taped an event in my classroom. When she gave me the video, it was totally blurry. You could see that the focus was on something close, and that anything at a distance was out of focus. Is that typical, or was it user error? Is the video mode generally pretty easy to use?

 

[handicap18]

It would also be helpful to know what we will need for our SLR. I know that you can get the body with a kit lens but also would like recommendations for other accessories that we would need starting out.


Thank you so much for your time!

A second job to pay for everything that your going to want.

But seriously, I would let him start shooting and figure out what he likes to shoot more. Then find a lens/accessory that will assist in that. You could literally spends tens of thousands of dollars and never be happy with what you want. Others can get 2, maybe 3 lenses and maybe a flash and be happy for many many years. My uncle's wife has the D40 and only has the kit lens. She's had it for about 2 years and hasn't wanted anything else.

Wen, do you have any issues with focus in the video mode? My boss has a d90 and recently taped an event in my classroom. When she gave me the video, it was totally blurry. You could see that the focus was on something close, and that anything at a distance was out of focus. Is that typical, or was it user error? Is the video mode generally pretty easy to use?

There is no auto focus in video mode. You have to focus on something and hope that it or the camera doesn't move. So bascially it is typical and user error.

 

[wenrob]

Wen, do you have any issues with focus in the video mode? My boss has a d90 and recently taped an event in my classroom. When she gave me the video, it was totally blurry. You could see that the focus was on something close, and that anything at a distance was out of focus. Is that typical, or was it user error? Is the video mode generally pretty easy to use?

To be honest I've only used the video once, just to test it out but I'm going to say user error. Like Kyle said, she needed to refocus when she recomposed.

nkklila-Glad I could help!

 

[Brad M]

Wen, do you have any issues with focus in the video mode? My boss has a d90 and recently taped an event in my classroom. When she gave me the video, it was totally blurry. You could see that the focus was on something close, and that anything at a distance was out of focus. Is that typical, or was it user error? Is the video mode generally pretty easy to use?

As the others have said there is no autofocus once the video starts. Just keep you left hand on the manual focus ring if you have a moving subject.

I've had my D90 for 2 or 3 months now and am very happy with it. I use the video feature every once in a while but mostly I take a ton of pictures. I do wish the video recorded audio in stereo. Unfortunately it's mono only.

 

[nkkilala]

Just thought I'd share with you what DH said last night.

We were eating dinner and he told me all of the Disney pictures he wants to take, and the new techniques he wants to us!

I haven't seen him this excited since they announced the New Generation Consoles to be released (XBox 360, PS3)!


Now I just have to find the right place to purchase it from. Does anyone have any ideas? I looked at Best Buy but they seemed a bit over priced. We have 1 Nikon dealer in the area so I'll have to check them out this week.