Which Nikon SLR should I buy?

[EcoPhotoDude]

Hi folks,

Which Nikon SLR do you suggest I buy?

I've been using Canon DSLRs for 4 years. I love taking photos but I don't use many of the manual features and I only take photos as a hobby. I'd like to have the option to shoot video from the SLR. Budget is not really an issue though I would like value for money. I normally use the standard basic lens but am open to suggestions on a better one that the usual "starter" lens.

Thanks in advance - I really appreciated your advice

[scootermcq]

Why switch camps? Canon has bodies that take video and your existing gear will be able to be used on the new body.

If Nikon is a must, D90 and D5000 both shoot video. My sister has the D5000 and I have the D90, so I have used both cameras. If you dont use a bunch of manual features, the D5000 is a great camera, but a drawback is it does not have an autofocus motor in the body, so you have to get it in the lens (AF-S) . This makes additional lenses more expensive and can limit your choices. If you want one lens and do not want to change lenses or think about adding them, the 18-200 AFS VR lens is a wonderful piece of kit for everyday use. Put that on either body and you are good to go.

Read this review, it might help point out the differences between the D90, D5000 and the Canon T1i

http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/...T1i-500D.shtml

[EcoPhotoDude]

Thanks scootermcq!

All my Canon kit was stolen So there is nothing tying my to Canon any more. I was delighted with my Canon's, but 2 photographer friends of mine both rate Nikon higher than Canon, so I thought I'd switch.

It looks like a choice between the D90 and D5000. I'm from the UK but am currently in Australia. Can anyone recommend a low cost shop in Australia to buy an SLR? Online would be good

Thanks.

[RichardTaylor]

Try here:
Canon Nikon and Sony digital SLR Cameras and lenses - Sydney and Brisbane pickup - Discount Digital Photographics

I have only purchased a Canon L lens from them with no problems (I live less than 1hr away from the Sydney store)
I do know quite a few people who have purchased Nikon DSLRs wit out any problems.

Keep in mind it may be a grey market import.

[wulf]

Have you tried their Nikons? While differences between models can also be significant, there tend to be brand similarities, such as the position of controls and general menu layout. If you are going to switch brand, now is probably a good time to do it but it might be worth getting some hands on experience before you commit.

Wulf

[EcoPhotoDude]

Thanks Wulf - I tried one of their Nikon's briefly and felt comfortable with it. Quite similar to the Canon's I had.

Thanks RichardTaylor - I saw http://d-d-photographics.com.au/nikond90.htm before but found their prices to be high (and their site is ugly!). D90 with 18-105mm VR is $1,379.00AUD. The same camera on eBay Australia is about $1200. Most other online stores were in the $1400AUD range, so I'll probably go with eBay.

Still pondering on the choice between the D90 and D5000...

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by EcoPhotoDude

Still pondering on the choice between the D90 and D5000...

If you are not going to buy additional lenses, or use many manual features, the D5000 is less money and has more "scene settings" to choose from, making it a really high end p&s camera. Like I said, the 18-200 lens makes it a wonderful camera for a bunch of situations.

Having said that, I quickly out grew my D60 as I started learning and realized what I was unable to do with that camera. If you think you may grow, want to use more manual settings or add quite a few lenses to your inventory, then D90 makes sense.

If you put both cameras on program auto and fire the same scene with the same settings, you will get pretty much the same result. I guess it all boils down to the 2 points above.

[EcoPhotoDude]

If you put both cameras on program auto and fire the same scene with the same settings, you will get pretty much the same result.

That's very interesting! In this case, I'll get the D5000. Image quality is the most important factor to me and I'll use the money saved on getting the cheaper body towards the getting an 18-200 lens as you suggested. I found this useful review of the Nikon 18-200mm VR AF:

Nikon 18-200mm

My shopping list:

Nikon D5000 body
Nikon 18-200mm VR II AF
Hoya 72mm UV Filter
Sandisk Ultra 8GB SD card
Carry case

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by EcoPhotoDude

Budget is not really an issue though I would like value for money.

Lucky dog. D90 minimum then. (D300 consideration recommended as well- it's a helluva lot more camera though)

[EcoPhotoDude]

Thanks again for your advice everyone!

In the end, I found a 6-month old Nikon D90 with 18-200mm lens on eBay and won the auction at the last minute

I've taken the camera for a spin. I'm still getting used to it, but am starting to get some decent results.

I have attached a couple of shots, resized to 1600px...