D90+ computer, or D7000

Destin · Feb 25, 2011

Alright, here is my problem. I've got about $1400 to spend once I get my tax return back, and I need a camera body. I'm looking at either getting:

A.) A D7000 body + grip.

B.) A D90 body (used) and then spend the other $700-800 on a computer to edit with, since I'm currently using a crappy 4 year old laptop.

What you need to know:

I'm going to be using this body to shoot portraits, weddings, sports (both indoor and outdoor, day and night), and drills/training at my fire department. Which means I could really use the high iso, faster frame rate, and better build of the D7000. But I really do need a computer too. What would you guys do?

RealityCaptured · Feb 25, 2011

I would go with option A so long as your "crappy" laptop is still doing the job. Consider buying more RAM and doing the little disk cleanup and defrag bits (assuming windows) and that should help a little.

ghache · Feb 25, 2011

Get a d7000 and steal a computer

ghache · Feb 25, 2011

if your really in need of a computer, i would get the d7000 WITHOUT the grip and put the money towards a pc. save a few more 100s and get yourself a decend computer.

robb01 · Feb 25, 2011

I'd have to go with Ghache's suggestion

LBPhotog · Feb 25, 2011

The fact that you need the higher ISO is a mute point in this decission, d90 and d7000 will perform equally as well at higher ISOs ... as for the build quailty, I hold both in my hand on a daily basis and I don't really see THAT much difference in the two bodies if you want a significant difference in build quality you should look at the D300s instead (but, I don't think that's a option here) ... Frame rate is nice, but I've never been a fan of shoot 10 to get 2 just prolongs the PP process ...

What about picking up a D90 body (NEW) and a grip for that?

BOTH ARE GREAT CAMERAS and will perform wonderfuly in the situations you have listed. I'd do the D90 and get a nice PC personally because you have to think of the file sizes you will be generating with both og these cameras, can your laptop handle these increased files, if you can increase the RAM that's a good idea too ...

ghache · Feb 25, 2011

LBPhotog said:
The fact that you need the higher ISO is a mute point in this decission, d90 and d7000 will perform equally as well at higher ISOs ... as for the build quailty, I hold both in my hand on a daily basis and I don't really see THAT much difference in the two bodies if you want a significant difference in build quality you should look at the D300s instead (but, I don't think that's a option here) ... Frame rate is nice, but I've never been a fan of shoot 10 to get 2 just prolongs the PP process ...

What about picking up a D90 body (NEW) and a grip for that?

BOTH ARE GREAT CAMERAS and will perform wonderfuly in the situations you have listed. I'd do the D90 and get a nice PC personally because you have to think of the file sizes you will be generating with both og these cameras, can your laptop handle these increased files, if you can increase the RAM that's a good idea too ...

why dont you have a cookie?

Ginu · Feb 25, 2011

I would say get the D7000 without a grip (they expensive and dont increase FPS speed) and save a little more and get a computer although you might be able to squeeze in a half decent computer for the remainder.

Having the D90, I don't think there is anything wrong with the camera and can definitely get a used body + grip and have lots of cash left over for a comp and even a new lens, but a new D7000 is a better body and newer with better technology.

Just picked up this grip for my D90 and cant wait for it to arrive along with a flash diffuser for 9.99 and a new aftermarket battery for 6$. So you could defenetely pick up a used D90 for 600ish along with a grip+ battery for 50$ and have the left over $ for computer and lens.

Snakeguy101 · Feb 25, 2011

You can get a factory refurbished d200 for cheaper than a d90. I think you should go with that option instead since it will be a bit better with high ISO and is a better camera in general. Then you can get a very good camera and still have enough for a good computer.

LBPhotog · Feb 25, 2011

Snakeguy101 said:
You can get a factory refurbished d200 for cheaper than a d90...

D200 doesn't have the CMOS sensor like the D90 does, in low light situations that would make a difference - the build construction of the D200 is better though ...

Destin · Feb 25, 2011

Hmm.. I still don't know. My laptop is 4 years old, and was only $500 back then. It's slow, but not too slow to work with. Maybe I should go with a D7000 without the grip, and then buy a second monitor to edit on? I really want the D7000 over the D90, mainly for the better high iso performance. To whoever said that have the same high iso performance, I HIGHLY disagree, the D7000 is at least a stop better in low light from what I've seen, maybe more.

LBPhotog · Feb 25, 2011

I said it ... I have yet to see a difference between the two in image quality ... but, then again, I don't shoot availible light at high ISO ... I know I've seen results from both of them at 1600 ISO and at 8 x 10 print size and there was no noticable difference.

Ginu · Feb 25, 2011

Sounds like you sold yourself on the D7000.
Its a good camera and honestly I would pick the D7000 over the D90 if I was in your shoes. I have the D90 so cant really justify switching right now, I rather save up and go full frame in the future.

KmH · Feb 25, 2011

The problem with the laptop is it's TN display has limited accurate viewing angles and it's difficult, if not impossible, to calibrate accurately (it depends on what display adjustments the laptop has, if any).

You could get a external IPS display to do plug into the laptop when you edit photos so you could postpone buying a decent desktop computer for editing.

flea77 · Feb 25, 2011

LBPhotog said:
The fact that you need the higher ISO is a mute point in this decission, d90 and d7000 will perform equally as well at higher ISOs ... as for the build quailty, I hold both in my hand on a daily basis and I don't really see THAT much difference in the two bodies if you want a significant difference in build quality you should look at the D300s instead (but, I don't think that's a option here) ... Frame rate is nice, but I've never been a fan of shoot 10 to get 2 just prolongs the PP process ...

What about picking up a D90 body (NEW) and a grip for that?

BOTH ARE GREAT CAMERAS and will perform wonderfuly in the situations you have listed. I'd do the D90 and get a nice PC personally because you have to think of the file sizes you will be generating with both og these cameras, can your laptop handle these increased files, if you can increase the RAM that's a good idea too ...

I have to disagree a little here, I have both in my bag as well. They both perform about the same up to 1600, agreed, but the D7000 is useable for most things up to ISO 3200, and for sports etc up to ISO 6400 nicely. The D90 will do sports up to about 3200 and just plain stinks at 6400.

The faster frame rate in sports is also a nice feature and helps you get just the 'right' shot.

What would worry me more here is what lenses the OP has to pair with the bodies.

Allan