upgrade? or down grade? help me please!

[n1njad4niel]

currently, im shooting with a nikon D3000 camera but i constantly find myself wanting to buy lens that do not have a AF motor. thus i am unable to AF with them leaving me to manual focus. I've been looking at some cheaper ( and older) Nikon cameras to purchase that have a built in AF motor. ones that i have seen are the D70, D80, and D90. i would love to purchase the D90 but i have a budget and cannot afford one at the time.
Please help me, should i sell my D3000 and get a D80 or possibly a D90? or are there other Nikon DSLRs with built in AF motors that i mised?
i could also just buy a D80 and keep my d3000. is that a good idea? the D70 is also looking very appealing despite the smal LCD screen and low MP. but due to its price, it is very appealing.

im also not a professional photographer and shoot recreastionally but needs a AF motor. please help me!

thank you

[OsmosisStudios]

Dont go any lower than the D80: I'd be tempted to sell the D3000 and get a D80 since they share the sensor and autofocus controller (just not the motor).

[n1njad4niel]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Dont go any lower than the D80: I'd be tempted to sell the D3000 and get a D80 since they share the sensor and autofocus controller (just not the motor).

is it a good idea to sell my D3000 to get a d80? doesnt the D3000 have newer technology that helps entry level shooters like me? in your opinion, which is better?
And thanks for the help

[isaiah40_31ph]

hello

if it can be helped.. you might want to play with your d3000 a little long.. and once you feel you can make the jump.. then get the d90.. i hear there is a replacement for this gem of a camera.. and with that.. im sure the nice price drop would follow.

but the above mentioned approach would be good as well

hope this helps

mike

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by n1njad4niel

is it a good idea to sell my D3000 to get a d80? doesnt the D3000 have newer technology that helps entry level shooters like me? in your opinion, which is better?
And thanks for the help

It has the Guide mode, that's it. There's a reason the D3000 is already being replaced.

[zona5101]

Consider a used Fuji S2Pro, S3Pro, and S5 Pro - all use Nikon mounts and are designed with pro features. When/if you upgrade to a new Nikon body the fuji would be an excellent backup camera.

[Shokinen]

Someone is selling a D80 in the gear for sale section:

Nikon Equipment For Sale

[katahdin]

OK...I'm sort of in the same boat here. I have a D3000 and a selection of fairly nice lenses for it, with the built in AF motor, of course. I also am drooling over the D90 or its upcoming replacement. With my current lens selection, are my only options:
1. Sell my entire D3000 kit and start rebuilding a new system that incorporates the in camera body AF motor, or
2. Hang on to my current kit and hope that Nikon releases a newer camera, comparable to the D90, that uses the in lens AF motor
Thanks for any advice

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by katahdin

1. Sell my entire D3000 kit and start rebuilding a new system that incorporates the in camera body AF motor, or
2. Hang on to my current kit and hope that Nikon releases a newer camera, comparable to the D90, that uses the in lens AF motor
Thanks for any advice

I think you're confused here

AF-S lenses (with a motor built in) can be used on ANY dSLR camera. AF-D lenses (those without motors built in) can be used on any dSLR camera but only have autofocus on the D90 and up.

THe D90 will still work perfectly with all your lenses.

[katahdin]

Hey Os...thanks for the reply...this sounds like good news and I WAS apparently confused. So, just to clarify, you're saying that my current lenses will also Auto-Focus on the D90?