updating kit ..

glaw89

glaw89

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Name
Gemma
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My kit currently stands at:

D3100
18-55 NIKKOR VR
55-200 NIKKOR VR

I will be purchasing a D90 in the next few weeks, mainly as I have read good reviews on it vs the D3100 and I would like to take advantage of the AF motor within the body & buy the cheaper lens!

So, although I know most wont AF on the D3100 where would you go from here to better my glass?

I would like to invest in a prime, prob the 50mm 1.8 and have seen fantastic reviews on a Samyang 85mm F/ 1.4. At a quick glance I'm thinking that would set me back around £300.

I plan on progressing into weddings so want my kit to withstand this. Any help is greatly appreciated. :)
 
I similarly upgraded from a (D3100 equivalent 3yrs ago) D60 to a D90 as I wanted a DSLR with AF motor but have still never bought a non AF lens:thinking:

I can't comment on the 85mm f/1.8 you mention however I would maybe consider that with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (older non VC version) or maybe a 35mm f/1.8 alongwith the 85mm you mention. I think an 85mm prime and shorter range fast zoom would be a good combo.

You'll find the D90 much more useful especially when shooting in manual as all the buttons you need are readily at hand and it saves wading through all the menus to change settings. You'll also appreciate the top LCD screen and wonder how you ever managed without it. I know alot of people will say the D90 is old tech and go for a D7000 however it costs £400 more and imo it doesn't justify enough the extra cost. The D90 offers great value for money at it's current price.

The cost of a D7000 body on it's own would easily get you a D90 and a nice fast lens which would nullify the D7000's better iso performance. A Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 on a D90 will produce better images than a Nikon kit lens 18-55mm on a D7000 and still leave you with some change:thumbs:
 
Bear in mind the Samyang is manual focus only.

I didn't (and honestly still don't) see the point in upgrading from a D3100 to a D90 - IQ is basically the same, AF is the same, metering the same, and every critical shooting control is at worst 1 extra button push away. Lenses are going to make a massive difference to what you can do, where that body change will make none.

In your shoes I'd take that budget and buy a 35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8 (the AF-S version), and 85mm 1.8 (again, AF-S version). You get 3-4 stops extra light gathering ability over your current lenses (so if you needed ISO3200 for a shot with your current lenses, you'd only need ISO 200 or 400 with my suggestions) and slightly to much better optical performance. And it'll put you in a much better position for eventually getting into wedding photography.

Another thing to try would be to buy a hotshoe flash and start messing about with that both on and off camera.

The D3100 is no slouch :).
 
Thank-you both for your input. I have read so many saying the D90 is much more useful then the D3100 mainly as the D3100 is an entry level SLR and with the AF motor on the D90 makes it easier for somebody like me, without a disposable budget to invest in the cheaper glass that wont AF on a D3100.

I did have plans on getting rid of the 3100 and buying 2 D90's - would you suggest against this?

Lets say I have around £1000 to spend on a body, some lens (pref a 35mm/50mm/85mm) and a flash - what would you buy? I want an extra body as I wouldn't risk shooting a wedding with just one in tow!
 
glaw89 said:
Lets say I have around £1000 to spend on a body, some lens (pref a 35mm/50mm/85mm) and a flash - what would you buy? I want an extra body as I wouldn't risk shooting a wedding with just one in tow!
Click to expand...


D90 (you really will apreciate the top LCD and having so many functions asigned to buttons rather than in menus if you're shooting a wedding) plus

stuartm1 said:
the 85mm f/1.8 you mention ...... with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (older non VC version)
Click to expand...
 
glaw89 said:
Thank-you both for your input. I have read so many saying the D90 is much more useful then the D3100 mainly as the D3100 is an entry level SLR and with the AF motor on the D90 makes it easier for somebody like me, without a disposable budget to invest in the cheaper glass that wont AF on a D3100.

I did have plans on getting rid of the 3100 and buying 2 D90's - would you suggest against this?

Lets say I have around £1000 to spend on a body, some lens (pref a 35mm/50mm/85mm) and a flash - what would you buy? I want an extra body as I wouldn't risk shooting a wedding with just one in tow!
Click to expand...

With £1000, I'd probably look at buying used and going for the following:

D90 £400
50mm 1.8 £60
35mm 1.8 £125
85mm 1.8 £200
Nissin Di622 Mk2 £100

Plenty of change left over for the other little bits and bobs like spare batteries, cards etc
 
glaw89 said:
Thank-you both for your input. I have read so many saying the D90 is much more useful then the D3100 mainly as the D3100 is an entry level SLR and with the AF motor on the D90 makes it easier for somebody like me, without a disposable budget to invest in the cheaper glass that wont AF on a D3100.

I did have plans on getting rid of the 3100 and buying 2 D90's - would you suggest against this?

Lets say I have around £1000 to spend on a body, some lens (pref a 35mm/50mm/85mm) and a flash - what would you buy? I want an extra body as I wouldn't risk shooting a wedding with just one in tow!
Click to expand...

I'd go pretty much with what gad-westy posted. While the AF-S versions of those lenses are nicer (especially the 85 - it has much less purple-green CA), there are better ways to spend a limited budget, especially when you're happy to buy second hand. One big thing in favour of the D90 over the D3100 is that the pop-up can be used as a CLS commander, so with compatible flashes (Nikon ones + some third party) you have a cheapish and very portable camera adjustable off camera flash setup. Of course, if you're not using CLS then that is moot (can use the off camera lights in simple optical slave mode).
 
thanks gad-westy!

now to find those items at those prices :thinking: .. ebay seems to be in excess of £500 for a used D90. any reputable companies other then the above to look?

thanks again!
 
glaw89 said:
thanks gad-westy!

now to find those items at those prices :thinking: .. ebay seems to be in excess of £500 for a used D90. any reputable companies other then the above to look?

thanks again!
Click to expand...

That's a stupid price.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...ras/used-nikon-digital-slr-cameras/nikon-d90/

A D90 + 6 month warranty for £380.

Grays and mifsuds and I'm sure a bunch of other stores will have D90s come used for less than those ebay prices and they will come with a warranty. Hell, a brand new D90 is less than £600 now.
 
Look at Currys or PC World. I know that they have clearance on their remaining D90 stock and it's listed at 520.

Note that this is for a new unit, so will get you a two-year warranty (assuming you register in time).
 
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