[JohnR]

Just in case you wanted to know...

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/

Technology marches on...

[Grumpy_Git]

Still a DX sensor though!

 Nick.

[JohnR]

Yes, well, I'm inclined to agree... I don't find much in the D90 (from what I've been able to read so far) to excite me.

[ooheadsoo]

Really?  I find a lot to like about it.

#1 WAF - it has face detection, anyone can pick it up and use it
#2 WAF - live view, you know they don't want to look through the view finder...
#3 most likely high iso performance similar to the D300, which is a huge plus in my book
#4 dynamic range compression lets you squeeze in some more detail in the highlights and shadows when you are not shooting in ideal light
#5 movie mode can potentially come in handy
#6 4.5 fps and probably better 3D AF tracking than the 3 sensor D40 will be a great boon for shooting dynamic subjects, if it's fast enough
#7 decent 3" lcd
#8 in camera picture leveling might save me some time in post

With an MSRP of $999, this camera, to me, is clearly my choice over the Canon 40D and 50D.  The Nikon D200 is about this price, now, and I think I would choose the D90 over that camera, as well, if you don't need the ruggedness.

[kbuzz3]

the ny times gave it a rave review this week. I think its now on my wish list.  mmmmmmmmm omega deep hemp or new camera???

[JohnR]

Really?  I find a lot to like about it.

Heh, admittedly I'm not really the target market I have a tendency to either pay for what I really want, or if that's out of range, go for the cheapest thing I can get that will do the job. The features of the D90 that you've listed are very compelling in this price range. I guess I'm still just holding out for FF sensor capabilities, and a few other tricks like mirror lockup and metering with AI/s lenses

[john1970]

Really?  I find a lot to like about it.

#1 WAF - it has face detection, anyone can pick it up and use it
#2 WAF - live view, you know they don't want to look through the view finder...
#3 most likely high iso performance similar to the D300, which is a huge plus in my book
#4 dynamic range compression lets you squeeze in some more detail in the highlights and shadows when you are not shooting in ideal light
#5 movie mode can potentially come in handy
#6 4.5 fps and probably better 3D AF tracking than the 3 sensor D40 will be a great boon for shooting dynamic subjects, if it's fast enough
#7 decent 3" lcd
#8 in camera picture leveling might save me some time in post

With an MSRP of $999, this camera, to me, is clearly my choice over the Canon 40D and 50D.  The Nikon D200 is about this price, now, and I think I would choose the D90 over that camera, as well, if you don't need the ruggedness.

Just so everyone remembers that the D90 does NOT meter with manual focus Nikon lenses.  If you want a camera that meters with non-CPU lenses the D200 is the least expensive of the bunch.

Cheers,

John

[goldlizsts]

Just in case you wanted to know...

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/

Technology marches on...

I am a newbie to these DSLR postings (I read many of your postings), but I thought I'd bring up something.  I was perusing DSLRs at B&H here in NYC last weekend (I presume it's a place not unknown to camera buffs).  I'm now not sure which camera it was, Canon or Nikon,  I noticed one of the many samples on display (for the shopper to play with) had this piece of plastic around the bend of the grip area busted out.  Then I noticed one thing - the more expensive ones have screws pinning down that piece of wrapping rubber to the body.  The less pricey ones (many of them in the mid-price range, like below $1K) do NOT have the screws.  I was shocked to see that, and it was still on display.  So, instead of shopping for a cheapie one, my hand may have been forced to buy a more expensive one, with screws to pin down that piece of plastic, fearing that IF the glue wasn't strong enough, the camera would fall apart.

THAT observation changed the way I'd shop for cameras now.  I bet you guys would never pay attention to this when you shop for your camera.  I want to see screws on both sides of the camera I'd buy.

[JohnR]

Modern cameras aren't built like the old film cameras... having said that, my D40 looks like the day I bought it, and it's going on for two years before too long. I don't abuse it, but I do use it...

[ooheadsoo]

Really?  I find a lot to like about it.

#1 WAF - it has face detection, anyone can pick it up and use it
#2 WAF - live view, you know they don't want to look through the view finder...
#3 most likely high iso performance similar to the D300, which is a huge plus in my book
#4 dynamic range compression lets you squeeze in some more detail in the highlights and shadows when you are not shooting in ideal light
#5 movie mode can potentially come in handy
#6 4.5 fps and probably better 3D AF tracking than the 3 sensor D40 will be a great boon for shooting dynamic subjects, if it's fast enough
#7 decent 3" lcd
#8 in camera picture leveling might save me some time in post

With an MSRP of $999, this camera, to me, is clearly my choice over the Canon 40D and 50D.  The Nikon D200 is about this price, now, and I think I would choose the D90 over that camera, as well, if you don't need the ruggedness.

Just so everyone remembers that the D90 does NOT meter with manual focus Nikon lenses.  If you want a camera that meters with non-CPU lenses the D200 is the least expensive of the bunch.

Cheers,

John

IME, not having a meter on a digital isn't as big a handicap as it sounds.  But yes, you do have to jump up to the d200 for that.

Goldlizsts, I suspect the product demos were deliberately abused.  My D40 is also holding up well.

JohnR, I don't think FF is going to make it to this price any time soon   That's really the only thing that it's lacking, for me.  MLU is nice, but I don't do tripod shots all that often, and I've learned to live without the meter with AI/s lenses.  But you're right, I'd like FF for $1000, too

[thunderbrick]

Between me and my son we have beaten the hell out of a D70, D50 (one year in the Sahara with him in the Peace Corps), three D200's and a D300.  We use them like hammers, on football sidelines, wildlife, motor sports, weddings, rain, shine, you name it.
His D50 was trashed when it fell from a 10' high tripod with a monster 800mm lens on it.  Looks like hell but still works fine.  D70 also fine.
I set my bag down at a race and a pickup truck drove over it, flattening a D200.  Still powers up, but doesn't work.  Flattened the 18-70, but the 70-200 2.8 lens on the crushed body at the time was fine.
Shot Nikon film cameras for 35+ years, dropped several, and they never missed a beat (unless you count a gasket failure on a Nikonos).
That's why I have been using Nikon since 1970, and haven't looked back.
'nuff said?
Bob

[Russell Dawkins]

interesting features I was not aware of in the D90:

http://yourphotoarchive.com/laugh.htm

[nathanm]