Which Nikon DSLR?

[ReAnSt]

So I have been thinking about getting a Nikon DSLR D40 through D90, or any of them in between. I have touched and felt them and they seem like what I want. I know we are talking a large range in price. I currently have a Sony DSC-H1, which has been well used the almost 4 years I have had it, but it has been acting wonky. I have shot a lot in S, M, A, P.

I like to shoot candid photos, low light/night time photos, nature shots. I have no kids but am on the go a lot.

I may have access to a 50mm and and 60-300mm lens from a Nikon N2000 to use with the new camera. Would they work better with one of the above mentioned cameras, or should I just plan on getting new lenses for the new camera? Would I be better off spending more money on the camera and using the above lenses, or spending less money on the camera and getting new lenses?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[Chikabowa]

If you have old film lenses you want to use on a Nikon, completely skip the D40 and the D60 from your consideration. On both of those cameras, the auto focus system was built outside the body of the camera and then built into the lens instead. You can still use those lenses (or any Nikon lenses), but they will not auto focus, you can manually focus only. They do have a special line of lenses that you can purchase that will work with both of these cameras.

You mention low-lighting photographs and I know the D40 (and I'm not positive about the D60, but I would imagine it's about the same) are not great at the higher ISO's - there is a lot of noise. The D90 is reported to be MUCH better at handling the noise levels than the other consumer line cameras. One of my back up bodies is the D80, and anything over ISO 400 starts to see noise, but I know Nikon took that into consideration while building the D90.

I can't tell you how to spend your money because it's such a personal decision. Most photographers I know say to invest in quality glass (lenses), and I totally agree with this, and then buy the camera body that suits your needs the best and offers the functionality you need to accomplish your goals.

I'm guessing the lenses you mentioned are older film lenses. Doesn't mean they aren't quality glass (I don't know from your description) but older generation lenses are usually slower to focus because they are just older technology.

The added benefit of the D90 is the built in video as well. You didn't mention that as something important to you, but it is a really cool feature.

 

[YesDear]

Yeah what she said!

 

[rutgers1]

I have a D70 and a D90. The D70 actually came out before the D40 and D60. I bring this up because it is HORRIBLE in low light situations - horrible. I didn't expect much from the D60 in low light, but when I tried my friend's D60 at a school function (school "show" in the gymnasium), it did a nice job. I was very surprised. I thought, all around, it took much better pictures than my D70, which I had paid significantly more for a few years ago.

I recently moved from the D70 to the D90. I have been very happy with the D90. Just last night, I took the same shot with both cameras, and there was no comparison. In a low light situation, the D90 is the best camera that I have ever used.

There are a ton of factors to consider when buying a new camera, but from my perspective, shooting in low light is #1. Nowadays, in broad daylight, a cheap $100 point-and-click camera takes a great photo. Likewise, in perfect conditions, I have seen great shots from just about every SLR owned by friends and family. The contenders are separated from the pretenders in low light, and that is where it pays to have a camera like the D90.

I just bought a 1.8 lens. Nice!

 

[handicap18]

With your older lens collection you'll be better off with the D90. Its a great camera. It has excellent performance in low light, on par with the D300. It has a pretty good focus system, decent frames per second and is a decent size (bigger than the D40 and D60, but smaller than the D300).

Its more money than the D60, but if you can swing it, it will give you more to grow into in the long run.

 

[singjenn]

So I have been thinking about getting a Nikon DSLR D40 through D90, or any of them in between. I have touched and felt them and they seem like what I want. I know we are talking a large range in price. I currently have a Sony DSC-H1, which has been well used the almost 4 years I have had it, but it has been acting wonky. I have shot a lot in S, M, A, P.

I like to shoot candid photos, low light/night time photos, nature shots. I have no kids but am on the go a lot.

I may have access to a 50mm and and 60-300mm lens from a Nikon N2000 to use with the new camera. Would they work better with one of the above mentioned cameras, or should I just plan on getting new lenses for the new camera? Would I be better off spending more money on the camera and using the above lenses, or spending less money on the camera and getting new lenses?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Hello! I hope I'm not too late with my info

I have owned a D50 and now I currently have a D40 and a D80. The D80 is strictly for photo shoots and weddings and the D40 I take on vacations etc.

I started with the D50 and it was a great camera. To make a long answer short I think I would go with the D60. It's a good median between the D40 and D90.

One good tip though: The 50 mm lens you mentioned will not auto focus with the D40.

 

[Experiment_626]

One good tip though: The 50 mm lens you mentioned will not auto focus with the D40.

Nor on the D60. If you got a D80 or D90, it will autofocus on those cameras.

SSB

 

[annnewjerz]

I would agree with most others and recommend the D90. I have the D60 and while I am thoroughly enjoying it as my first dSLR, I do think if money isn't a big concern it is much nicer to have the focus motor built into the body rather than the lenses. I have the 50mm f/1.8 and have had no major problems manually focusing it with the D60 (in the viewfinder there is a little "in-focus" light that will flash and then turn steady as you get closer to the correct focus, which makes things a lot easier), but being able to just slap it on and have the lens do the work sometimes would also be a nice option.

As far as the noise in low-light, I recently took my first really low-light photos (granted they were hand-held) and did notice a bit of noise, but was shooting at ISO 800 and 1600. I wouldn't say it's horrible, if I used a tripod and a lower ISO I'm sure they would like much nicer and there are always noise reduction programs...but if you can swing the D90 and it does that much better in low-light, it might be one additional reason to consider it over the D60.

Good luck!

 

[fitzperry]

Another vote for the D90. I have a D300 and briefly considered swapping it when the D90 came out because it's slightly smaller and I personally think the video capability is a great feature. I too am impressed with the difference in low light performance between the D70 and the newer sensors. I shot a couple hundred pictures at my daughter's choir performance last night, mostly at ISO 3200, in ghastly lighting conditions, and they look pretty darn good.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

I'm loving my D90 I got in Oct so it's another vote for that. I'm not as good at photography as many of the people on these threads but I think I'm getting some nice low-light shots with this camera. I also love the flip of a switch for movie mode! Here are a couple of shots at 3200...

 

[ReAnSt]

Thanks for all of your help.

I would love the D90 and could afford it. But the economy scares me and I just feel guilty spending that much money on a camera. Plus I would love a 18-200 VR lens. Plus several other accessories.

Great pictures.

 

[handicap18]

Thanks for all of your help.

I would love the D90 and could afford it. But the economy scares me and I just feel guilty spending that much money on a camera. Plus I would love a 18-200 VR lens. Plus several other accessories.

Great pictures.

I never let guilt get in the way of things I may or may not want to do. While it is not one of the 7 deadly sins, it should be #8.

If you can afford it, then what does the economy matter.

I give guilt the middle finger. I say go for it.

 

[spinetnglr]

Thanks for all of your help.

I would love the D90 and could afford it. But the economy scares me and I just feel guilty spending that much money on a camera. Plus I would love a 18-200 VR lens. Plus several other accessories.

Great pictures.

I say go for it too !!!! If you can afford it why not?? People need to get out and start spending a little on the things that make them happy again to get the economy moving a little. Sounds like a good excuse to make a guilt free purchase to me As soon as I have the money together I am going to be ordering a D300 body and I am not going to feel guilty about it.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

I felt guilty too...however I'm off settting my cost by doing photo shoots for people on the side. It's crazy how many people will refer someone and then another and another. There are other extras I have my eye on but those wil have to wait. Keep us posted!!

 

[Brad M]

After being a Minolta guy for many years, both film and digital, I finally made the switch to Nikon a week ago and bought a D90 with a 18-105mm Nikkor lens. I have not taken any night shots yet but will soon. I love the camera so far. Very quick focus, sharp pictures, and the video feature is great although I wish it could record sound in stereo. It's a great camera and I don't regret the purchase. Go for it!