Please help me upgrade!

[robb01]

Okay, so I had my mind pretty much set on upgrading to the D90 from my current D3000.

The main features I need are:

- Auto Bracketing as I really like HDR's
- An internal focus motor for older lenses

What I'm wondering is do any of the older model nikons have those features, i.e. the D40/60/80?

Reason being, I'm trying to save a few dollars but still want to upgrade

 

[mrpink]

Okay, so I had my mind pretty much set on upgrading to the D90 from my current D3000.

The main features I need are:

- Auto Bracketing as I really like HDR's
- An internal focus motor for older lenses

What I'm wondering is do any of the older model nikons have those features, i.e. the D40/60/80?

Reason being, I'm trying to save a few dollars but still want to upgrade

Just get the D90.





p!nK

 

[kundalini]

Auto Bracketing is a numb nuts reason to upgrade.

The lens thing is a different kettle of fish. If you upgrade to the D90, you won't be saddled with AF-S lenses. Opens up another world for AF lenses. I'm blind as a bat and rely on Autofocus.

 

[robb01]

Yea, the auto bracketing is a big weak of a reason, but I already have the 50mm 1.8d, and have to manually focus it on the d3000, SUCKS

 

[Vinny]

If you want the D90 get it. Auto bracketing is not completely auto; it will adjust the exposures for you up or down but you need to take the 3 photos - I originally thought it would automatically click 3 photos in a row. For HDR, I believe Bryan Peterson (or someone else who I read) stated you might need to take up to 9 exposures to get a great HDR; I believe he said his camera will take them automatically but not sure on that. You can achieve the same thing by using different shutter speeds on manual or exposure compensation on one pf the programmed modes.

Now that I have CS5 I've tried a few HDRs but they haven't been too good.

 

[robb01]

If you want the D90 get it. Auto bracketing is not completely auto; it will adjust the exposures for you up or down but you need to take the 3 photos - I originally thought it would automatically click 3 photos in a row. For HDR, I believe Bryan Peterson (or someone else who I read) stated you might need to take up to 9 exposures to get a great HDR; I believe he said his camera will take them automatically but not sure on that. You can achieve the same thing by using different shutter speeds on manual or exposure compensation on one pf the programmed modes.

Now that I have CS5 I've tried a few HDRs but they haven't been too good.

For HDR's you need Photomatix, i just picked it up, if you look around there is a 15% off coupon, making it $84. Very worth it if you love making HDR's

 

[robb01]

If you want the D90 get it. Auto bracketing is not completely auto; it will adjust the exposures for you up or down but you need to take the 3 photos - I originally thought it would automatically click 3 photos in a row.

You sure about that? I was watching a youtube video, and the guy showed where you can adjust the exp that you want, say -2,0,2 and then the amount of frames to shoot, i.e. 3. I thought all you'd have to do was 1 click and it would take all 3 photos, is that not how it works?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

It should if you put it in continuous shoot mode.

At least that's how it works on Canons.

 

[Vinny]

Well, I only used it once or twice and if I remember correctly I had to manually take the photos. I told the D90 to take 3 photos with a + and - 2 stop exposure and just left the camera on whatever setting it was on and the D90 did adjust the exposure automatically but I had to click.

I found this about what to do: HDR Bracketing with the D90 - RedBubble.com

Seems easier to adjust shutter speed or manually adjust exposure.

Photoshop CS5 has HDR in it - not sure how good or bad it is compared to Photomatrix, I'm amazed what CS5 can do and I'm just started to learn it.

 

[Vinny]

That would work as well - the only thing - what about camera movement?

It should if you put it in continuous shoot mode.

At least that's how it works on Canons.

 

[Nikon_Dude]

On my d5000 I can to bracketing and just put it on continuous mode and shoot three shots.

 

[Overread35]

That would work as well - the only thing - what about camera movement?

It should if you put it in continuous shoot mode.

At least that's how it works on Canons.

Generally speaking landscape shots for HDR are done on a tripod - with a remote release - so motion at the camera end should be minimal. However if your shutterspeeds are not too slow for all 3 (or more) shots of the series you can certainly work handheld. You might get problems manually merging the shots (it might take you longer to align them) but most software approaches will easily handle small amounts of difference.

 

[Vinny]

I did realize the use of a tripod, didn't realize the D90's remote could do continuous. Although a different remote trigger could be used I guess if the "standard" D90 remote doesn't work in continuous. I was thinking of holding down the shutter button for continuous and the vibration of the shutter and mirror would be the problem. Not sure if the D90 can work in continuous in live view to keep the mirror up or if the auto bracketing feature would work in live view.

That would work as well - the only thing - what about camera movement?

It should if you put it in continuous shoot mode.

At least that's how it works on Canons.

Generally speaking landscape shots for HDR are done on a tripod - with a remote release - so motion at the camera end should be minimal. However if your shutterspeeds are not too slow for all 3 (or more) shots of the series you can certainly work handheld. You might get problems manually merging the shots (it might take you longer to align them) but most software approaches will easily handle small amounts of difference.

 

[kundalini]

For HDR's you need Photomatix, i just picked it up, if you look around there is a 15% off coupon, making it $84. Very worth it if you love making HDR's

I've only just delved into attempting HDR, but CS5 has the function for HDR. I thought it was pretty slick, but then again, I am easily amused. This is what I came up with, warts and all, with a 3 shot bracket.

OVER
ZEROED
UNDER

RESULT

 

[KmH]

Once you step up to a D300/D300s and above, you get 9 AEB.

HDR can be done by manually adjusting the exposures.

Since aperture needs to stay constant, only the shutter speed needs to be changed.

With practice and good technique, camera shake can be controlled.

People today are relying to much on 'automatic' this and 'automatic' that. :thumbdown: