Nikon D90 owner now, but what next?

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Hi all!

I currently own a D90 with a few 3rd party lenses covering most ranges, with and old D50 upstairs somewhere as an emergency backup. I've had the D90 for a couple of years or so now and I have to say I do love it, it really is a very nice reliable and faithful camera to have, however I get that horrible urge to consider upgrading and moving on a bit at the moment.

Can I ask for other opinions and suggestions here?

I'm thinking a full frame sensor would be wise and ideally a package that comes with a good quality lens as I have hacked together a kind of £300-500 per lens kit bag of Sigmas and Tamrons, I'd love at least one top quality Nikon beauty to turn to for the real important shots I wanna do.

I'm eyeing up the D700 at the moment as you might imagine with a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

I'm not a pro but I'm more than a highly passionate amateur and I have enjoyed self teaching and learning photography over the past 5 or 6 years.

Therefore, if you were in my position would you agree that the D90 to D700 upgrade would be a good move and a logical one? Or perhaps would you not see the point, or indeed recommend considering another model?

Again, just interested in people's personal views here, I have researched my cameras but this is I guess a kind of sanity check to make sure I am looking down the right path.

Appreciate your time guys, thanks!
 
What do you shoot mainly?
Any problem you encounter on your D90 or is something you just want to upgrade?
What lens you using at the moment?
 
I was in exactly the same boat. Had a d50, then a d90 and wanted something more... I decided on full sensor.... And some quality lenses.... I bought a d3.... Purely because it fits in my hands well, has crazy ffps when you need it, and ISO capability is amazing.

I'm also pennies away from saving for my nikon 24-70 f2.8 and find myself listing over a 300mm f4.

One thing I do miss, is that little extra range the crop sensor gave me.... But then you can't have everything.... But the d7000 shouldn't be forgotten..

My 2p
 
I would consider the d7000 before making such a drastic move. FF is much heavier bulkier and lenses a lot more expensive. You could get close enough IQ as not to matter from a D7000 and something like a 17-55 for half the price.
 
badboy1984 said:
What do you shoot mainly?
Any problem you encounter on your D90 or is something you just want to upgrade?
What lens you using at the moment?
Click to expand...

Hi mate,

I don't have any problems with the D90 per se, which I know makes me sound merely materialistic, but I would just like to be at a hardware setup that allows me to be as capable as possible. I have it in my mind right now that by having a full frame capable body I will be able to produce tighter, cleaner, sharper, more advanced level shots. I of course realise the impact of lenses, but that's my thought pattern just now.

Lens wise I currently use:

- Tamron 18-270mm (not overly pleased with this lens but its ok for wandering around places and taking general shots)
- Sigma 18-50mm f2.8
- Nikon 50mm f1.8
- Sigma's "Bigma" 50-500mm (occasionally)
- Sigma 10-24mm
- Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

So you know, its not a flash bag but I get to cover most angles with that lot.

What do I shoot?
Mainly my wonderful 2 year old son who I just cant take enough pics of. I have thousands and I want thousands more. I make my wife a 40-50 page photobook each Christmas charting the year's experiences, trips and general fun times. It's a lovely way to record his upbringing and she loves getting the books. BTW, we just found out we're pregnant again (it's cool, I've calmed down now haha) and obviously we're really happy, but maybe now would be the time to sort this kind of camera stuff out before time, money and abilities become a bit more restricted. I'm also looking at this as a great, new opportunity to explore a new level of photography with a whole new person :)

The other thing I shoot is bands and nightclubs, so low light in some cases, shed loads of ambient in others, moving subjects and variable circumstances overall.

I don't mind a bit of landscape here and there, mainly recording holidays and local locations, but I'm not big on it.

I have also a Lastolite Hi Lite and Bowens Gemini mobile studio so occasionally I get this out to snap my wife, son, extended family or anyone else who fancies it.

Lastly, I am toying with the idea of female/very mild glamour in the future. Woodland locations, pretty hair at sunset kinda thing, not TNA everywhere lol

Sorry for all the info but I hoped it might illustrate where I currently am.
 
Thanks for the other replies guys!

I must admit I am not overly familiar with the D7000. Could I ask if anyone has a top 2or 3 reasons why this model should be on the radar?
 
I've got a D7000, is pretty much like the D90 but with alot more improve features.

First: it have more mega pixel if you into that sort of thing, not overly important but good to have it if you crop your images alot.

Second: it have a metal body and weather sealing, altho is not full metal body like the pro series but it still tough. It weight more than a D90 but less than a D700.

Third: High ISO performance for a DX camera. Useable ISO up to 6400 which is something better than a D90 and even D300s.

Fourth: 100% view finder which is a big bonus for a camera like that, you usually find it on pro range cameras.

Fifth: Dual SD slot which is handy, altho i prefer it SD/CF but dual SD still does a fine job

Sixth: Image quality is very good and pleasing, even better with good lens.

Seveth: Alot of pro range button is on this camera so it makes it a semi pro camera. If you like the pro range button seup only than D300, D700, D3 is your friend.

Eight: it have 39 AF point which is very very good for a consumer camera, not as much as the pro range but it does the dirty job fine without a problem.

Nine: It cost less as well, if you not bother about using DX or FF than the D7000 is a good choice. Body only is around £800 ish which you spend the rest of the money on better glass.

I'm sure it have more improve features than that which i miss, someone will jump in i'm sure or correct me if i made a mistake.

Also only draw back with the D7000 is the buffer speed is not fast and is 6FPS. If burst is everything for you than i think you should look else where ..... but it does the dirty job fine for me.
 
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Ok seems like some good reasons there.

At the end of the day I do feel its about subject, composition and thought behind the pics you take, but the practical question I'm trying to answer here is does it make sense to go with a camera with a full frame sensor if you want to maximise quality and potential in your shots?
 
Put it this way, no doubt that FF camera is better. So that mean D700, D3s etc.

Altho D7000 is very good for the price it is and packed with pro features, it is still a crop sensor ......

For max quality you mention than FF no doubt is better.

High ISO on a FF is better ........ but then we comparing two different thing .... one is crop sensor and one is FF sensor.
 
There are rumous of a Nikon annoucement at the end of this month regarding new bodies, which may or may not include the replacement to the D700.
If thats the case, then probably by November there will be a flood of used D700's hitting the market that may sway your decsion even more.
Im not usually one to advocate waiting for annoucements, but with this one so close, it may make sense just too see whats happening. You can then make a more educated choice.
I went from a D700 to a D90 for finacial reasons, but as soon as money allowed I went back to a D700 again.
Like you Im just a very passionate amatuer, but have done a few paid bits here and there.

I wanted the D700 pretty much for the same reason. I wanted to have the ultimate quality, so any failings in my photography I knew were down to me and not the gear, so I could concentrate on fixing myself, rather than thinking all the time,, "I wonder if a new body would solve that".

The D7000 looks a fine choice if you want to stick with DX, and I imagine the D300s replacement will be even better, but there is just that added extra with a FF body that no DX camera can emulate.
 
Nikon has a press release scheduled for the 24th of this month! I think it may be the D4 and the D400, as they were both released together 4 years ago around the same time with the D800 arriving early next year. But who knows!
Will have to wait and see, I am in a similar position in some respects as I have currently have a D80 and I am wondering what camera to go for next, either a D700 or the D400 if its being released!
 
girl_with_camera said:
Nikon has a press release scheduled for the 24th of this month! I think it may be the D4 and the D400, as they were both released together 4 years ago around the same time with the D800 arriving early next year. But who knows!
Will have to wait and see, I am in a similar position in some respects as I have currently have a D80 and I am wondering what camera to go for next, either a D700 or the D400 if its being released!
Click to expand...

D700 is FF and depend if Nikon going to make the D300s replacement (D400) to FF otherwise is hard to compare ........

Either way I looking for a second body and i guess D300 will be even cheaper if D400 release so i will keep my eyes out on D300 second hand lol.
 
Yes i figure the D300s will be a lot cheaper secondhand if the D400 is coming up. No idea if the D400 will be ff or not. Meanwhile while I am waiting my savings pot is increasing!
I also have to consider if the D700 will be too heavy for me to lug around comfortably.
 
i guess is a good time to release lol. You about to have enough money for a new camera :) Just have to wait and see lol.

I don't know I feel the D700 is light for me ............ even the D3s is light in my hand lol.

I lug around big video camera around when working so i guess DSLR is pretty small and light for me hahahaha
 
I have 1.6k currently set aside, whatever I get will be a nice upgrade from the D80! I even considered a D3. maybe i need to save some more money so i can employ someone to follow me around carrying all of my kit for me! The more I think about it i think a ff may be the right way to go....
 
yeah FF sure is nice, i upgrade to D7000 and i thinking about FF already lol. It will be in the future but not right now :)

you can employ me and i carry all your kit around hahahaha
 
I was out this afternoon at a retro festival, which was rather enjoyable I must say.

By pure chance a fella walked past me with a bright yellow Nikon D700 strap round his neck, so I stopped him for a chat lol

He raved about it, said FF makes a huge difference in his opinion. I think I'm gonna head towards a FF cam but posts above now create new questions of when to buy.
 
It's not just the camera when you move to FF but also the lenses. To get the same range as what you have now is going to be very expensive. :eek:

For ultimate image quality FF (with the best lenses) is the way to go. And if you're making money from images such expense can be justified.


If you have money to burn though, who needs justification? :shrug: Please your self and buy the new toys. :lol:


If money was a problem (as it is for most people ;)) I'd be tempted to get the best DX camera, be that the D300S/D7000 or D400 (should it arrive) as you should see an instant improvement over what you have, and if you get the pro spec lenses over time, when you move to FF there should be no 'let down' as you don't have the quality lenses, or sufficient lens range you were used to. And you never know, the pro lenses and DX camera may give you what you want. :shrug:
 
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