Help Me Decide!

[Shannon_A_S]

I don't know which camera to pick. I'm looking to do mainly portrait photography, hopefully professionally at some point, but in the meantime I am a beginner in DSLRs. I have played around with my father in law's D70s, but I'm still learning. I wanted to buy a D90 so that I could grow into it, but its a little bit over what I wanted to pay. So I, of course, am also considering the D60, D3000, and the D5000. Any opinions on which I should choose and why would be VERY helpful. I really need to decide soon as my point and shoot has died and I love taking pictures of my children. Thanks.

[Footski]

The D60, is an outstanding entry level DSLR. I have in the past been a professional photographer, but since I retired, I only used compacts, until I got my D60, which I rate very highly. Unless you are really considering going very advanced, it will do all you want and at a price that is superb these days.

[pjgoswami]

After seeing this post I could not resist myself to writing.

I am a Nikon D5000 user, previously I used Zenith 112, Nikon FM10, Pantax KX & MX and (silently Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta III). On Sept'2009 I have purchase one Nikon D5000 with 18-55 VR kit lens. I like it too much but could not effort Nikon D90 which is a better choice over Nikon D5000. Now I am facing some limitation due to non availability of its focusing motor inside the body, although I like to focus manually. In some situation demand for auto focus but at that case I can't doing it with out motorised lens (Nikon SWM, Sigma HSM etc). This limitation is not there in Nikon D70s also, so we can use old auto focus lens with out the lens motor.

As you mentioned that D60 & D3000 is in your consideration, but I like to say some thing on this also that these two are not having internal body focus motor and having CCD sensors.

As per the seniors in this forum I like to say you that if your budget permits then please try to get one.

Nikon D90 with one of lenses below as per your field of work,

Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI (Manual) (may be discontinued) or
Nikon 50mm f/1.2 Nikkor AI-S or
Nikon 50mm f/1.4 or
Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-S

If there is any mistake in my letter, then our senior in this forum will guide us.

Thanking you.

[inkista]

Have you considered getting a used D80? The price is probably what you're looking for, and you'll have an autofocus motor in the body and CLS commander capability in the pop-up flash. A search on completed auctions on eBay shows that the body goes for $450-$500.

[pmarkstone]

If you are wanting to do portrait photography, I would get the D90 (or a used D80 as inkista suggested) for the simple fact of having the CLS option. Having the ability to use off camera flash can be an extremely useful tool in portraits.

[skyline photo]

go canon!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shokinen]

I would gather more money and get a D90. Especially if you are serious about this.