Camera body upgrade help

[Jimmyn]

Hello,
i currently use a d40 and would like to upgrade to a better camera and that should have an in camera motor because undo have an old AF lens. I usually do landscape, HDR, and portrait styles.

The price for a used d90 is now quite affordable (around 500) and I am thinking about buying it. Questions:

- is the image quality of d90 much much better than the d40?
-should I not look at the d90 and spend a bit more on something else?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Denon]

The D90 is a great camera and has many features that are way better then the D40 so I say you should go for it! Better ISO-capabilities, built-in focus motor, faster. It's alot of camera for the money.

Otherwise a used D7000 is of interest? It's an ever better camera.

 

[pixmedic]

The D90 is a great camera and has many features that are way better then the D40 so I say you should go for it! Better ISO-capabilities, built-in focus motor, faster. It's alot of camera for the money.

Otherwise a used D7000 is of interest? It's an ever better camera.

^^^absolutely agree!
the D90 is a great camera and is fairly cheap now on the used market. the D7000 would be a step up from the D90 and is the top end DX camera nikon currently produces, except for maybe the D300s, depending on which features you feel are more important.
I would absolutely recommend getting a used D90, and if you can spare a few extra bucks, a used D7000 or D300s. any of those will FAR out perform
a D40, and will NOT be easily outgrown.

 

[MLeeK]

D90 is a great upgrade from the D40. It still keeps you at the back end of current cameras and if you can I'd also look to the D7000.

 

[TonysTouch]

If you don't need video a used D300 will give you a much better body for less than a used D7000. But, you will have to figure in for the cost of CF cards. But you would also lose auto mode and scenes. But I believe that losing these features will help you grow as a photographer.

 

[orb9220]

For my needs a D300 would go further with metering of Ai and Ai-s lenses. Fine-tune lenses feature and build for outdoors.

Otherwise my D90 has been a great performer and what I upgraded to from a D40. D40 only lasted me 9 months before aching for more. The D90 has lasted me last 3 years and near the 68k clicks mark with nary a problem! Great Camera and around $500-$600 mark a Great Buy!
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[Jimmyn]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I have found a great D7000 with less than 2K shutter counts for less than 800, which is 300 more than a used D90. I will probably end up getting the D7000. That will stay with me for many more years to come.

 

[pixmedic]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I have found a great D7000 with less than 2K shutter counts for less than 800, which is 300 more than a used D90. I will probably end up getting the D7000. That will stay with me for many more years to come.

thats a good price for a D7000 with less than 2k clicks. and worth the extra money over the D90.

 

[Mach0]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I have found a great D7000 with less than 2K shutter counts for less than 800, which is 300 more than a used D90. I will probably end up getting the D7000. That will stay with me for many more years to come.

That's a good deal. Prices on both have dropped a lot over the last 6 months.

 

[orb9220]

Yep the D7000 recent price drop to $996 new has forced the used prices down. Now seeing them in the $700-$800 range. Making the D7000 the new King of "Bang for the Buck" which the D90 held for last 2 years. And will take you far over the next few years.
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[Mach0]

Yep the D7000 recent price drop to $996 new has forced the used prices down. Now seeing them in the $700-$800 range. Making the D7000 the new King of "Bang for the Buck" which the D90 held for last 2 years. And will take you far over the next few years.
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Now only if the d300s dropped in price lol.

 

[orb9220]

Yep a bit surprising it hasn't yet. Would have expected it to drop down to the $1200'ish price slot by now.
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[Jimmyn]

Recently saw postings on CL of D300S for 899. I am sure it can be obtained for 850... Not sure why nikon camera prices drop faster than that of canon...

 

[Jimmyn]

i am asking another question, which should be a new thread but here it is:

For landscapes, what is the one lens that I should get that gives me the best bang for the buck? Should I stay with Nikon or can i get away with third party's? I only care about the image quality and not the brand.

 

[orb9220]

Most go number one choice with the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 personally went with the Sigma 10-20 as don't do landscapes extensively. But gives great IQ and cheapest of the bunch. New $479 the Tokina at $600. But went used and picked up the Siggy for $300 used. If going to be doing a lot of landscapes as the main thrust then one of those. Or go full hog out and go with the Nikon 10-24 for around the $800 mark.

For wide for landscapes and more general use. Would look into the older Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC around same new and use price points. 17mm-24mm range is wide for some types of landscapes. And has more usable 20-50mm range for more general type photography. And was a great killer workhorse combo on my D90. Also Sigma has a couple of variations in that range. Nikon version 17-55 is a great lens but at 3x the price.
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