Nikon D90 & Nikon D300s- advice anyone??

[Elena]

Hey everyone, Just signed up at this site, and i am new to photography, have always enjoyed it but decided that i want to step it up and try to get somewhere with it.

I have a Sony A350 right now and really like it but want to switch to Nikon. (my dad is really into photography and i have been lucky enough to play with his stuff and LOVE it)

I have been looking at the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D300s, does anyone have them? what do you like/dislike about it? I really like that they have video on them but keep reading mixed reviews on how good it works.

again- any advice will help, thanks so much!!

[dinners]

Hi there

If your Dad has Nikon gear then that's a sensible route to take if you want to upgrade your gear and like the layout.

Spec wise the 90 & the 300s are not a million miles apart and brand aside your Sony is not unlike the 90.

The 300s would provide you with that all important step up however - it's a wee bit bigger and heavier than the 90 and your Sony so it might be worth getting to grips with it to see how it feels in your hands.

Plenty of folk with both on here to elaborate...

[SamuelHearn]

I'd say Nikon for sure if your dad has Nikon bits :) The D90 is due to be replaced soon, and the video should be upgraded massively to compete with the new Canon cameras. If video doesn't mean that much to you, go and try both the D90 and D300s, they are both cracking cameras!

[clud17]

to be fair with either the D90 or D300s you will not be disappointed. I have owned both but moved to the D300s for a few extra features. The D300s gives you a little bit more here and there so its worth reading up on the spec to see if that draws you. As previously said it may be worth going into a store and getting a feel for both cameras and choosing, you don't have to buy there and this will help you judge the size/ weight and design. As i have said both cameras are crackers but my move to the D300s was pleasing. I cant give you a heads up on the video mode as i don't use it but i have just dipped into the world of time lapse and i like it. i also find the overflow/backup card slot handy when using this feature as i dont have large capacity cards.

As the D90 is soon to be replaced there may be a deal to be had when its newer model comes out, if you grab one with the 18-105 lens kit you will have an excellent walkabout lens to start off , however if you have that extra pot of money i'd spend it on the D300s you wont be disappointed

[tiler65]

If I were you I would wait for the d7000/d95 which is just about ready for release I am informed.

[scottthehat]

i had a a350 and now have 2 d300s and the d300 is miles apart you will not regret it,
cant say about video as my d300 hasnt got it but my k7 has and i never use it.
as for the d90 i used one and its very nice, but it doesnt have the build and the far superior af system of the d300/s

[TCR4x4]

The D90 is a fantastic camera, the image quality is on par with the D300, but the video is a bit disapointing.Not the quality, but the usability. Its hard to follow action with manual focus and the sound recording picks up a lot of camera noise.

[cambsno]

I used to have a D90 and thought it was a very good camera. Good ISO, good IQ and just lovely to use. I upgraded to the D300 out of lust, as much as anything!!! Prefer the handling as it is quite a bit bigger and I like that. Really like having the controls accessible too.

If you use Auto, or dont need make many changes while shooting, and prefer something a bit smaller, then D90 is perfect. But if you are often changing and tweaking, and want something more robust, then D300 is lovely.

Do you really need video? If so I would wait until a newer Nikon is released and get one that has video AF

[grum]

Depends how you want to use it but AF is pretty much a no no for most serious video users anyway - but if you want a high quality camcorder then the lack of decent AF is an issue.