WTB SLR: need camera recommendations

[krak256]

So i've been trolling the photography forum and I've been checking out all of your amazing pictures. I recently borrowed a friends nikon d90 and I'm convinced i want to buy a SLR.

The thing is, I don't want to drop over $1k. I know lenses are more important than the body, but i do love the top lcd on the d90. I found it to be pretty useful, but what do I know, I'm a noob.

what would you guys recommend, a nikon or canon? I hear nikons are more ergonomical. i want to be able to take amazing macro shots of my corals and fish and also be able to go outside and take some detailed pics. I see all those sweet detailed coral pics and I hope I can do that.

so far I've been looking at the nikon d40, d60, and d80. what do you guys use and recommend?

 

[Melt]

i have a D70s kit with a 18-70mm lens(nikon) for sale....cheap

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

I have a D80 and I like it....

 

[masterswimmer]

Tagging along. I've been considering the D90 for quite some time now. The main reason I've put my focus on that model (pun intended ) is because its got 11 focal points as opposed to only three on the D40.

The 12.3 MP offers great resolution for large pictures. Nice size 3" LCD viewing monitor. And this isn't the #1 selling feature, but the cinematic quality movie mode is a nice bonus.

Once again, here I go talking myself into it. LMK if you've seen the body for less than $929 with free shipping and no sales tax (www.buydig.com)

swimmer

 

[marki24]

I have a d90 and i love it. Its a great camera that even records HD videos. No other Nikkon model does it yet.

 

[cybermeez]

I have a D60 and like it a lot, particularly since the price point was about 1/3 of the D90's. I have to admit, I did find the D90's 11 focal points instead of 3 very appealing, but just coudn't swing the extra $$$.

 

[Reef Reaper]

d40x!! with a good sigma macro to save $$!! Good Luck!!

 

[asianer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150361844874&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

 

[marki24]

I see a lot of Nikon fans here.

 

[Alex]

I was looking at the D90 when it came out, Then the D5000 came out and it is a very impressive camera with many of the features the D90 has with a smaller price tag. It even has the HD movie feature. I am a firm believer that you have to like how a camera fits in your hand before you buy, you are more likely to use a camera that is comfortable in your hands. See if you can rent the camera you want before you purchase. Some places will rent over the weekend for the price of a day or two and then use that fee towards purchase price. by the way here are some D5000 features:

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking picture quality is assured.
D-Movie Mode with sound
Record 720p HD movie clips enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.
Vari-angle color LCD monitor
Position the 2.7-inch monitor freely for fresh shooting perspectives. Screen flips inward for safe keeping.
19 Auto-exposure Scene Modes
Capture stunning photos in challenging picture-taking situations including Sunsets, Candlelight, Silhouette, Portrait, Landscape, Beach/Snow, and more.
One-button Live View
Easy Live View access offers 4 autofocus modes, including Face-priority AF.
Continuous shooting as fast as 4 frames per second
Combined with fast power-up and split-second shutter response, decisive moments are captured easily without annoying shooting lag.
Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Engineered for exceptional low-light shooting.
Built-in image sensor cleaning
Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning keeps images spot free.
11-point Autofocus System with 3D Focus Tracking
Fast and accurate autofocus delivers razor sharpness.
Auto Active D-Lighting
Restores lost shadow and highlight detail in high contrast exposures—Selectable and Auto modes available.
In-camera Retouch image editing
Creative in-camera image editing, featuring Soft Filter, Straighten, Color Outline Effect, Perspective Control, Red-eye Correction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more—all without a computer.
Picture Control Settings for personal image control
Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and 9 customizable settings.
Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon’s renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates each scene for unmatched exposure accuracy.
Durable, high precision shutter
Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures precision and long shutter life.
GPS Geo-tagging
GP-1 GPS unit (optional) automatically identifies and records every image’s latitude, longitude and altitude, with satellite time-of-day.

 

[masterswimmer]

Alex, the D5000 looks like an amazing duplication of the D90. What's the downside of the D5000?

Thanks for the heads up.

Russ

 

[grknyer]

Alex, the D5000 looks like an amazing duplication of the D90. What's the downside of the D5000?

Thanks for the heads up.

Russ

Russ Check this link out http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000.htm
It pretty much answer your questions. They do compare it to other Nikon models to help you out. Hope it helps

 

[krak256]

Tagging along. I've been considering the D90 for quite some time now. The main reason I've put my focus on that model (pun intended ) is because its got 11 focal points as opposed to only three on the D40.

The 12.3 MP offers great resolution for large pictures. Nice size 3" LCD viewing monitor. And this isn't the #1 selling feature, but the cinematic quality movie mode is a nice bonus.

Once again, here I go talking myself into it. LMK if you've seen the body for less than $929 with free shipping and no sales tax (www.buydig.com)

swimmer

hey swimmer, I have seen the body for less, but are you ok with refurbished? adorama has it for $800:
http://www.adorama.com/INKD90R.html?searchinfo=d90

 

[krak256]

im up in the air about the d40 vs d90. the d40 costs approx $400 with a 18-55mm lens where as the d90 is $800 for a refurb body. my main concern about the d40 is that it wont focus fast enough to take pics of my fishies hahah. anyone have experience? i do love how cheap and lightweight it is though...

russ, the main downside of the d5000 is that it doesn't have a in body focus motor. here is a comparison vs other models:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000.htm

 

[jerl77]

canon g9 baby love it

 

[masterswimmer]

Harry, krak, thanks for the Ken Rockwell link. Great read. Looks to me like the D40 or D90 is much preferred over the D5000. And the search (or research) continues.

R

 

[krak256]

haha of course. im still waiting to pull the trigger as well. another downside of the d5000 is that it doesnt have a top lcd and two command dials. i think for a savings of $300, the benefits of the d90 outweigh the costs.

for me, its a flip between d40 and d90.

 

[masterswimmer]

for me, its a flip between d40 and d90.

Ditto. If the cost differential was closer it would be an easier decision. However the spread is so great, as are the benefits, it makes the choice so much harder :banghead:

Russ

 

[Alex]

thanks for the links they provided good info, I guess the D90 is still number one for my use.

 

[krak256]

russ, to make things even harder, take a look at some sample pics taken with both cameras:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/d90
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/d40

i think the d90 pics tend to better, in terms of exposure, colors, and sharpness. let me know what you think