Help me buy a camera please

[Davor]

I own a D90 my self and can't be any happier, for my needs its perfect. And the lens it comes with is really nice, i have the 18-105mm that originally came with it and im still happy but the 18+200mm i imagine is much better. So go for the D90 IMHO

 

[ulrichsd]

Actually, the VR on the Nikon lenses should usually be turned off.

The most common mistake amateur photographers make is not using a tripod.

The D90 and the D3100 are both entry-level cameras.

The SB-400 is not much more useful than the built-in pop-up flash. The SB-600 is much more useful.

I'll have to look into the SB 600 as well then. I also have a few of these these crazy-bright super8 film lamps which I could setup for indoor lighting as well.

I do have a tripod, but there are certainly times I'd leave the camera at home before hauling around a tripod, so VR seems like it be nice for those hand held shots when the tripod isn't around.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[ulrichsd]

Play with a D90 and a D3100 b4 you purchase. Having movie capabilities on the camera is always a plus. From the sound of things you dislike bigger and heavier apparatus so bringing the camcorder along sounds a little contradictory, however my iPhone does a better job on the movie aspect ... People always tend to forget they have a mini camcorder in their pocket at all times with all the new cool gadget mobile phones.

I did play with both and there are things I liked about both.

I rarely use video on my current cameras and when I do it never does more than sit on my computer. That said, with a baby, I expect video to be more important. But I still expect the camcorder to do most of the video, even if I only bring it along for special occassions or when I can through it on a stroller, leave it in the trunk, etc.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[djacobox372]

A fast prime is an absolute must have for baby photos.

If u go with the d90 you could go with a 50mm af-d 1.8, which is $100 cheaper then the 35mm afs; this would help make the d90 more affordable. Also the 70-300mm Ed af is about $50 cheaper used then a 70-300mm afs kit lens and the Ed version is better!! Ad these lens savings up and the d90 cost about the same as the d3100.

The 35mm would be a preferable focal length for the crop sensor camera, but the 50mm would work as well--you just need to stand back a couple more feet

 

[jdag]

I doubt you'd be upset with the video quality of the D90. And it is a superior camera. In my opinion there is no comparison. The D90 is absolutely what I would choose (and seems to me what most everyone here is suggesting).

 

[DVC Mike]

I'd pick the Nikon D90 over the D3100.

 

[ulrichsd]

Hello everyone, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who offered their advice.

I went ahead and ordered the D90 over the weekend along with the 35mm f/1.8 lens.

My reasoning:
1. I like the extra accessibility to the controls.
2. I like the internal motor for more lens options (like the Tokina 11-20mm)
3. I preferred the larger viewfinder
4. The better lcd seems like a bonus

I kept switching back and forth, things I liked about the D3100:
1. D3100 body (new) is $150 cheaper than the D90 (factory demo from Cameta).
2. New sensor, newer technology
3. The size difference didn't make a big difference for me, but the lower weight in the D3100 was a plus

Thanks again!
Scott

 

[jdag]

I think you will look back and be 100% happy with your decision.

 

[ulrichsd]

I think you will look back and be 100% happy with your decision.

Thanks John, you were convincing

I think I would probably be happy with either camera, I just think that the D90 seemed like the best combination of price and functionality for me.

I plan to start with just the 35mm since it is so highly recommended and it seems like it will work well for baby photos. Then later add tele (70-300mm) and maybe eventually a wide angle zoom.

 

[inaka]

I'd go with the D90 in a heartbeat.

I owned the D3100 for about a month and hit many of the limitations you may experience if you do more than your basic shots. I upgraded to the D7000, but the D90 would be a solid pick as well. For me the D3100 had these issues:

Battery life wasn't great
Back display wasn't as high res
Seemed really slow writing long exposures to the card
No auto-bracketing feature at all for HDR
No top digital display to review settings
No exclusive dial for aperture control
No built-in motor for auto focus with some legacy glass

I'm sure there are other limitations I ran into, but those above were dealbreakers to me so I sold it and moved on.

 

[DVC Mike]

Congrats on your D90 purchase.

 

[Ginu]

Hello everyone, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who offered their advice.

I went ahead and ordered the D90 over the weekend along with the 35mm f/1.8 lens.

My reasoning:
1. I like the extra accessibility to the controls.
2. I like the internal motor for more lens options (like the Tokina 11-20mm)
3. I preferred the larger viewfinder
4. The better lcd seems like a bonus

I kept switching back and forth, things I liked about the D3100:
1. D3100 body (new) is $150 cheaper than the D90 (factory demo from Cameta).
2. New sensor, newer technology
3. The size difference didn't make a big difference for me, but the lower weight in the D3100 was a plus

Thanks again!
Scott

Best choice in between the two. You will really enjoy this camera.

Congrats on your purchase.

 

[Davor]

Congrats! D90 is a great camera and one to keep for a long time. I got mine maybe 1 year ago, upgraded from a d40 and cannot be happier. The only thing missing right now is lenses, and accessories

 

[bobbyknight]

Congrats on the new D90!

 

[ulrichsd]

Thanks for the congrats everyone. I thought I'd post a few of the pictures I've been playing around taking of my dog. Both taken with the 35mm. Couldn't be happier with the camera, look forward to it warming up so I can get outside and get some more practice.