Upgrade, Where to I go from here?

AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
I'm partly posting this to debunk the myth "if you have a better Camera you'll take better pictures" I'm being pressured by my peers (mostly my wife) by this statement, which I find partly true owning a D3000 after reading reviews vs. other Nikon models The D3100 (I know nothing about) D5000, and the D90 However, an upgrade, like it or not, will be here for me by the new year to one of these three models, seeing we have slated $2000 on the upgrade. This will be the last camera I buy (or bought for me), and I want the right choice made. I'm old school, so Video is not an issue with me. If I want to shoot a video, I'll pick up a video camera and use it. What do I shoot? Well if it's in my view finder it's mine, put it that way. If I see a shot I take it. I find myself taking a lot of zoomed speed (motion) and night shots (low light). I love night photography, but again not the only thing I shoot. The D90 in my book has a strike against it because I have read it does not do as well in low light. Also sometimes I'm lazy and like to use a preset on the dial for a shooting mode instead of setting the camera up by hand. When it comes to outdoors and a lot of light on a sunny day, I have a hard time getting the results I'm looking for, I like photo's that "pop". I have not ruled out the D90, but maybe it's not for me, but by the same token, I would not want to get a D5000 or a D3100 and only gain video, live view, and a swivel screen. I will not use them. I'd rather take the $2000 and dump it into new lenses and stuff, and stay with the D3000. Thanks in advance for your response, Rick
 
Last edited:

Browncoat

Senior Member
There are some pretty substantial differences between the D3000 and the D90/D3100. As far as specs go, no, there's not a whole lot of difference between the D3000 and the other two models. However, the intangibles can be important too. One being dual control wheels, which make navigating menus and changing settings a whole lot easier. The D3000 also has less available lenses that are compatible, if that's a consideration for you. The larger body is also something to think about...some people just don't like it.

The best advice anyone can give you is to go try out a few of the models that interest you. Nearby dedicated camera stores often rent out cameras at an inexpensive price per hour or per day. Take some for a test drive! With a budget like yours, you could easily get outfitted in an upgraded camera, bag, and probably another lens or two!

Gear does matter. Having a better camera won't make you a better photographer, but it does open up more possibilities to becoming one. :)
 

goz63

Senior Member
AH is right, the camera does not make the photo but the photographer does. Also let me put to rest the idea that the D90 is not good for low light, that is completely false. In fact the D90 allows you to shoot with much higher ISO levels with less noise than almost any Nikon camera except the D3.
The ability to use lenses without a silent wave motor built into them and still auto focus is a huge plus for me. I have a 50mm 1.8 and a 28 2.8. Both require a focus motor in the camera to auto focus. If you like night photography, you will want some lenses with the ability to open up like that and the added focus motor will help you in low light.
The D90 is likely to be replaced in the next month or so. I think the latest rumor is that it will be called the D7000. You may want to wait and see what that brings since you are talking about the end of the year anyway.
Make a list of what you want to do, compare the camera bodies and see what will fit you style best. Then buy. That is what I did when I bought my D90. I would not change a thing.
Mark
 
Top