I am considering an upgrade - advice please

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PMK

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Hi there

I am thinking of staying with Nikon and was looking at the D90. A great upgrade and video ability if I fancy it, more choice of lens.

Currently I own a Nikon D40, kit lens, sigma 70-300mm zoom/macro and Nikon 35mm 1.8f.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I think I want to stay with Nikon! I reckon I'll get about £200 for the D40.

Another question; as all my lenses have auto focus on them I am assuming the D90's auto focus motor won't be an issue? if that makes sense :thinking:
 
The D90 is a lovely camera - I have no issues with it! Not used a D40 so can't compare mind.

Those lenses will be fine - nice thing of D90 though is you can use lenses with or without AF-S so a lot of the older/cheaper autofocus lenses without a motor in will work fine too :)

Other options in the Nikon range.. well there's the D5000 which is similar but doesn't have the ability to use as many lenses, although your existing ones will work fine. Or of course up to a D300 or if you wanted a D700 - but of course the prices are much higher! You could get a D300 for about the same price used as a D90 is new, which may be an option - it is a Pro grade camera as opposed to a Consumer, that said the D90 is a pretty awesome camera too! I went with the D90 and another lens as I didn't need any of the extra bits on a D300.
 
Of course you could always think about the D7000 which is the successor to the D90 (if you have the budget), it should be shipping at the end of this month I believe.
 
Upgrade to the D90. Wait few a few months and see if the price drops as the D7000 is hitting the shops soon.

I would also look to replace you Sigma as you'll notice the difference if you go with Nikon lenes. The 18-200 VR is a great all round lens that will fit nicely on a D90.
 
second hand d300 (is what I did anyway). as for replacing your siggy 70-300 you might be better looking at the nik 70-300 VR. cracking lens (unless you start looking at faster lenses).
 
I have just been looking at the previews/reviews of the D7000 (I wasn't previously aware of it!) and I am literally drooling! It's spec is fantastic, however, the retail price at the moment is slightly out of my budget. I could wait until new year and see what the price is then, or get the D90 and see how I get on. Decisions...

Also, do you think £200 for the D40 is a good rough estimate? I was thinking e-bay/gumtree/TP sale?

Thanks for all your advice, it has helped!
 
PMK said:
Hi there

I am thinking of staying with Nikon and was looking at the D90. A great upgrade and video ability if I fancy it, more choice of lens.

Currently I own a Nikon D40, kit lens, sigma 70-300mm zoom/macro and Nikon 35mm 1.8f.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I think I want to stay with Nikon! I reckon I'll get about £200 for the D40.

Another question; as all my lenses have auto focus on them I am assuming the D90's auto focus motor won't be an issue? if that makes sense :thinking:
Click to expand...

First thing you need to do is decide on your budget I know it's a obvious statement.
Are you looking at selling just the D40 body ? or will you sell the kit lens with it?
If the later and you use your kit lens a lot you will also be looking for a replacement which will be taking up a portion of your budget. :(
I,m guessing your kit lens is a 18-55mm which as you have probably already found out for yourself it's a top quality optic and punches well above price :)

A D7000 although a bit more layout is there latest DX model and will give you a number of years use before you may want to update your body again.

The D90 is a cracking camera in every respect and if you shoot low light high iso your onto a winner it shares the same sensor as the D300 and D5000 so images should all be very much the same.
A D90 new or used along with a new kit lens replacement should be attainable for less than a D7000 costs new.
But will you be hankering for a D7000 in 6 months time?
If you are hard/rough on your gear only then would I consider the D300.
 
£200 for D40 & kit lens sounds a fair price obviously depending on condition and usage it has had ie: shutter count.
Stick with your Sigma 70-300mm its a cracking and versatile lens especially the close up/macro functions and the exceelnt working distance you get with it.
 
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To be honest I was probably going to sell the D40 with the kit and was thinking if I was going to get the D90 I'd get the kit lens with that (18-105 VR) - totalling £750ish

The D90 is the more realistic option (price wise and general gleaming reviews), I guess is was impressed with the D7000's 16 megapixel and the film capabilities of 1080p.

Thanks for your input, though.
 
PMK said:
To be honest I was probably going to sell the D40 with the kit and was thinking if I was going to get the D90 I'd get the kit lens with that (18-105 VR) - totalling £750ish

The D90 is the more realistic option (price wise and general gleaming reviews), I guess is was impressed with the D7000's 16 megapixel and the film capabilities of 1080p.

Thanks for your input, though.
Click to expand...

A good choice and should fill most if not all your needs:)
16mp is all well and good but they soon gobble up you storage/space on HDs or other storage media :(
 
Phiggys said:
£200 for D40 & kit lens sounds a fair price obviously depending on condition and usage it has had ie: shutter count.
Stick with your Sigma 70-300mm its a cracking and versatile lens especially the close up/macro functions and the exceelnt working distance you get with it.
Click to expand...

I think you'll be looking around 180 assuming low shutter count (depending if you can stick anything else with it).
 
d7000 - mate at work is likely to get one. high iso plus 16mp and hd vid.... and a tilting screen for those above head shots.


As to lenses, depends what you prefer shooting the most and your budget...
I haven't got a zoom yet, but bigma (50-500 sigma) for really long shots is on a long distant wish list.
I do have the 105mm micro nikkor, which is grreeeat. 1:1 and f2.8. Fast, great crisp pictures.
For portraits, the 50mm f1.4 (@ f4) gives good pics... I am hoping to compare it to the sigma 30mm f1.4.
For wide pictures, or creative pictures I have the tokina 11-16 f2.8 which when bright and sunny is really good.

All depends on what you want to do. If you are unsure, perhaps browse flickr and see what people used to take pictures that you like?
 
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