Nikon - but which one

p3ryg

p3ryg

Messages
826
Name
Perry
Edit My Images
Yes
I am looking at buying a Nikon - used to own a D50 and had a Canon after that - now feel I prefer the Nikon - but question is which one -

I think I have narrowed it down to 3 possibles - D90 - D3100 / 3000 - D5000

Budget is approx £300 or just under.

Which one would you Nikon users go for and why and is it achievable to get one of the above with a kit lens ?

Or is there another alternative Nikon to look at.

Thanks
 
Out of that lot and at that budget I would go for the D90, has extra buttons and top lcd for easier control and has a built in motor. They go for under £250 used now for the body which leaves just enough for a kit lens.
 
This is a funny question with no definitive right or wrong answer if you ask me, well, the wrong answer would be a D3000 - and maybe the D5000 for that matter too actually, you can probably get a D5100 within budget!

The D90 is a great camera and gives you more functionality over the D3XXX/D5XXX series but the sensor and image quality aren't quite as good as the D5100 in particular, which produces fantastic images - I believe it has the same sensor as the D7000.

Perhaps it boils down to functionality (D90) or image quality (D5100) for that sort of money. I'm thinking 2nd hand by the way.
 
Thanks for replies - yes second hand - had a D50 and while quite a simple camera got some cracking shots - had a Canon 20D and I'm not getting the same kind of shots - I know its most prob me and not the equipment but just feel happier with Nikon.

So best bet so far is D90 or D5100 if budget allows but not D5000 or D3100
 
D3100 would be a good buy, lots on eBay going for around £260 with a kit lens, some with spare batteries, an extra lens etc. Just have to hunt around.
 
Its a difficult choice as the image quality that you get out of the D5100 is better than the the image quality that you get from the D90. If you don't mind the size of the D5100 then IMO its the way to go.

Anyway, both of the above cameras are a huge improvement over the D50
 
I had the D3100 and traded to a D90 for the lens focus motor and flash commander mode . Both are fine cameras, but I'd have the D90 given the choice again, especially if I was looking on a budget
 
Great site oldcarlos many thanks for that - so that now throws in a D200 as well lol


Seems basis are D90 D200 or D5000

I take varied pictures from the kids up to Motorsport.

Thanks for all the replies
 
D90 every day of the week. Extra buttons plus backwards compatibility with older lenses. I'd look into the D300 as well though.
 
D300 gets my vote 100 percent but will have to stretch your budget a bit.

I own a D200 and D300, the 300 is miles ahead of the 200 even though they look the same.
 
I had the D200 but found it heavy on the battery, now the D300 as Suggs says is a lot better camera and there is now way would I part with mine

Realspeed
 
As the op said £300 I suggested d90, but if I can stretch to say £375 the you MUST get a d300. Brilliant camera and great value for money.
 
D300 or D90 for me, and if it was my dosh, deposit on a s/hand D7000 and work the rest off on the streets:naughty:
 
Thanks again for the replies - D300 I think may be out of budget - D90 is doable - is D5000 / D5100 not a viable option then or I take it the D90 is much more superior - sorry for the questions just want to try make the right decision.
 
p3ryg said:
Thanks again for the replies - D300 I think may be out of budget - D90 is doable - is D5000 / D5100 not a viable option then or I take it the D90 is much more superior - sorry for the questions just want to try make the right decision.
Click to expand...

Certainly the D5100 is a good camera. I've never tried the D5000. I'd still rather have a D90 though. If you start collecting lenses the D90 will save you loads of money as you can use older AF lenses on it. Often these lenses work just as well as their more expensive AF-S counterparts.
 
Last edited:
Another vote here for the D90, upgraded from my d80 and am happy with it.
 
Ok looks like funds may be limited to about £250 - with that need to purchase camera and lens - have seen a Nikon D3100 and 18-55vr lens for £249 with 12month warranty - bare I mind still a beginner and get a warranty I'm toying with this idea - only other lenses in the future would be a 50mm - 55-200VR or 75-300VR.
 
D90 or D300. Remember they'll let you have AF without spending extra on AF-S lenses. The 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 are a prime example. Most are non S so will only manual focus on a 3000/5000 etc. The difference will be eroded once you get round to buying a couple more S lenses rather than the equivalent AF-D lenses. Also you find the D300 will meter with the older manual F mount lenses.

Although the 3200,5000,5100 has a better sensor than the D300 or D90.... especially in low light. Outdoor in light conditions, there won't be so much in it.

If it was me, I'd wait 2-6 months extra and save up for a D300. I had a D300 for a while before going FF, great camera. I sold my D300 to Suggs on here a few months ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top