Just got a new Nikon D90 and....it isn't as good as my D50?

[Stina3246]

So I actually lost my D50 (I am an idiot and lost it doing something very stupid.) ANYWAY
I found a good deal on a D90 which I'd been saving up for for quite a while anyway. WELL...It came with a 50mm prime lens and I already have a nikon 70-200 and a 38-80 but the Nikon 18-55 which was my work horse lens was on the D50 so I bought a new one and even paid a little more to get the VR version, now the pictures don't seem as nice and crisp as the ones from my D50!!
The 50mm I haven't ever used before so still getting used to it. It seems great with the other 2 lenses but the one I use most....I can't seem to take a clear picture to save my life!! It just doesn't seem to be as fast, Macro shots are still good and clear but if I'm shooting something moving....forget it.
Did I get a bad camera? A bad lens? I did read somewhere that the 18-55 can't keep up with anything over 10 mp and the D90 is 12.2. I NEED a good all around lens that I can shoot macro (details....I shoot weddings)
Any suggestions? Ideas?
Where did I go wrong?

[OsmosisStudios]

RAW or Jpg? Processing at all?

The D50 was optimized for JPG output from the camera, and the lower resolution sensor made even terrible lenses look decent. The D90 is optimized for RAW output and processing: it takes a bit of work to get the best out of it (The same applies to my D300s as it shares the same sensor.) I've noticed that it takes a bit more finesse to get the absolute best out of it than it did with my D80.

As for the 50mm: What are you shooting it at? f/1.8? f/2? Stop down a bit, or sell it off and get the new 50/1.8G, which is considerably better (especially in the corners, and especially wide open).

What kind of subjects were you shooting? what shutter speeds? How fast were they moving? Were you panning? Again, it takes practice. Hell, I use my 50mm most often on a film body and manually focused. THAT'S a pain when youre used to practically instant AF on a pro body.

[Stina3246]

The 50mm is a Nikon AF Nikkor 1:1.8D I have no manual for it and do not have the slightest idea how to use it. I shoot everything from running horses to sleeping baby rats, to Weddings (although not with the 90 yet.) I shoot in broad day light and very dim lightling with no flash....or with a flash....just depends. I'm trying to read the manual ASAP. I've been told this 50 mm is pretty good but again I honestly have NO idea. I'll sell it if it won't work for what I need. I had gotten REAL good at shooting my D50 in fully manual and getting some great results but I feel like I'm learning all over again with the D90. I shoot almost primarily in Raw now and that does help.
ANY advise you can offer, or anyone else for the matter, would be great. I have a wedding in 2 weeks and it will be right at sundown on the water and I had very high hopes for some spectacular shots. Now I'm paranoid!

[OsmosisStudios]

Well, if you can post offending samples with the EXIF, we might be able to diagnose an issue.

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by Stina3246

I had gotten REAL good at shooting my D50 in fully manual and getting some great results but I feel like I'm learning all over again with the D90.

Pretty much felt the same for me. Give it a little while and you'll get used to the differences between it and the D50. There's not really advice I can give on it other than use it though.

[RLucas]

If at all possible, if you are shooting that lens at close to wide open, do like OS said and close it down a little. I still hate mine,( couldn't be my fault... Right? ), but the IQ seems to be the best stopped down to f/4 or so.