Advice on my next camera please

[Cheeze439]

I'm hopefully getting quite a nice bonus in my salary at the end of February so I'm looking to upgrade my camera.

I currently have a Nikon D60, the 18-55mm~AF-S VR kit lens and a 50mm 1.8 AF lens.

I'm an amatuer, this is a hobby and I'm not looking to move into this as a profession, just improve my photos.

I like my D60, it was my first SLR and in the 6 months I've had it I've learnt a lot. I'm now finding it restrictive. I don't like having only 3 focus points, I want auto focusing on the body and I'm interested in exposure bracketing.

I've been looking at the D5000, the video feature is a plus but not an absolute essential. I did look at the D3000 but it doesn't look like it offers a great deal more than my D60 apart from the inbuilt AF and a few more focus points.

So, is the D5000 a good investment for a keen amatuer looking to expand his hobby?

Also would you advise I get it with the kit lens or without? I could always keep the one from my D60 and sell the D60 as a body only on eBay. What's the best bet here?

[candleman]

i'd suggest a D90

its more advanced than the D5000,

built in focus motor,
built commander mode for off camera flash,
manual flash power settings (i dont think the D5000 has that)
a second command control dial
wicked High ISO ..ok thats the same as the D5000
additional LCD,
twin command dials,
DOF preview button,
additional programmable button,


the biggie is the focus motor.. many lenses out there do not have built in focus motors, so having one built into the body means that lenses like your 50mm f/1.8 will now have autofocus...
that means you can buy old lenses (which are great pieces of glass and very cheap) and they will still autofocus.

the D5000 doesnt have that... and you will need to buy AF-S lenses which are inherently more expensive,

i'd probably suggest buying the body only, seeing as you already have two lenses and seem happy with them. then if theres any spare cash save it for something good. dependson the bargains you can find i guess. an 18-105VR might be a nice replacement to your 18-55 kit lens


the only significant improvement i see with the D5000 over the D60 is the ISO capabilities... but the D90 does that and a whole lot more... for not much more.

*edit*
heres a side by side spec comparison so you can see the differences...
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...n_d90&show=all
this doesnt show much difference.. they are in essence the same engine.
but the D90 has the extratras... namely LCD, twin command dials, DOF preview, additional programmable button, larger in size, .....all the extras that really allow you to expand,

i know i've been flamed in the past by D5000 lovers.... i think its good.. just not as good as what you get in a D90.
i certainly wouldnt buy a D5000 with my own money as a primary camera

so basically i'm answering NO.. its not going to be a good investment to help you expand.. i think its a minor upgrade.

[kirbinster]

The D5000 will give you the same image quality as the D90 or D300. If you don't need what the D90 offers then you can save some bucks and get great image quality. I love my D5000, and I have a D300 and a D90 as well.

[OsmosisStudios]

The D5000 isnt much of a step up: all youre trading up to is a better sensor/processor. The D90 will give you much more to work with.

[Cheeze439]

See now you really aren't helping because you've now got me looking at the D90 and it's more than I wanted to spend, but I do want it lol. I thought the D5000 had an internal motor but now I see it doesn't.

I can justify the D90 because of the savings I'd get buying AF lenses rather than AF-S. Also, I reckon I can sell my D60 and kit lens for around £300 on eBay and pickup a D90 body only, new for about £619 from Jessops on offer and live with just my 50mm 1.8 AF for now. That's approx £319 to upgrade but it's a pretty decent upgrade, should suit me for years to come. Unless anyone knows a better place to buy it from (better meaning cheaper).

Now roll on February's paycheck.

[OsmosisStudios]

Is there anything that says you need the camera NOW? You can surely wait a bit saving your spare pence.

[kirbinster]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The D5000 isnt much of a step up: all youre trading up to is a better sensor/processor. The D90 will give you much more to work with.

That IS a BIG step up! Its the same sensor as the D90 and D300, thus you will get the same image quality as those two cameras provide. IF you don't need all the other advanced features of a D90 then the D5000 IS the camera to buy. It is way better than the D3000 and only about $100 more. The problem with reaching from the D60 to the D90 is where do you stop. I could say the D90 offers nothing and you should get a D700 (full frame) or a D3. The point is that everyone does not need all the features, and added expense, of going two or three levels up. Thus, if you are considering a D3000 because it meets your basic needs then it might make sense to go one level up to the D5000, but you probably don't need to go two levels up to the D90. There is almost no end if you try to get every little feature --you need to decide which ones you need -- or you will end up with a very small bank account!

[Cheeze439]

The 2 main things I feel I need, want and will get use from is the inbuilt AF motor and the increase in focal points. The things I'd like but can live without are video recording, exposure bracketing and a better quality of image from the sensor.

The D90 is just about within my price range. It is also probably more than I need right now but it will delay me in upgrading for a good while afterwards. I'm looking at 8-10 weeks yet anyway and who knows, maybe the New Year will bring some good deals. I'm just waiting final word on my bonus which is a minimum of £1200 and max of £1800, but there's a lot to do around the house, a young son and wife to treat and my car will need it's service around then.

[vandergus]

Originally Posted by Cheeze439

The 2 main things I feel I need, want and will get use from is the inbuilt AF motor and the increase in focal points. The things I'd like but can live without are video recording, exposure bracketing and a better quality of image from the sensor.

The D80 will get you the "need" items.

[rbickel]

How does the D60 feel in your hands. The 3000/5000 are closer in size (I think) to the D60. The D90 is bigger. I choose the D90 specifcally because the D60 was too small from my big hands.

I was at a party last night, where someone else had the D60, and we were talking about them. I picked up his camera, and I was explaining appiture priority mode to him. realized I'd have to go into the menus to change ISO, which I change from the 2nd control wheel, and then was missing the top LCD where all my settings are displayed.

Back to my point. The D90 is bigger, may or may not be an issue for you.