D90 or D7000

[Eye-level]

This is pretty interesting because I have always thought of the D90 to be a solid rig I have never heard of the soft focus issue and for that matter I cannot imagine any modern digital camera shooting soft. I know AF systems can be tricked sometimes but that just doesn't make much sense to me. Perhaps this could be chalked up to my limited experience with digital. All I know is every Nikon and Canon DSLR (including the D90) that I have ever used was razor sharp nearly 100% of the time.

With regard to the D90 I would wager that whenever a D90 shoots soft it is because of the lens or some other factor not the sensor!

As Glenn mentioned above a slow shutter speed and camera shake will get you every time. Also the wide open thing. Why do so many people insist on shooting wide open? I suppose it is because of OOF and bokeh effects but there is hardly a lens made that can perform at its full potential wide open not to mention the typically hair thin DOF the wide open aperture setting entails. I am really coming up against this with the last roll of film I have shot using the 50/1.8 lens. I shot about half a roll yesterday at lunch with the family clan. Since we were indoors it metered out at F1.8 with a shutter set at 60. Nearly every shot was bunk OOF...now this may be due to my new focusing screen which I am getting used to but it is more likely to be the wide open aperture and low shutter speed. I would have probably done better shooting at F2.8 and 30!

Photography seems so straightforward and easy but really it is convoluted and maddeningly frustrating and exhilirating at the same time...

 

[Rick M]

This is a funny topic for me, because I was having the same debate! I've had a D90 for over a year ( suggestion of a camera buddy of mine Jacob Maentz Jacob Maentz: Travel, Culture, Documentary Photographer ) I love it, but I am saving up for the D7000 because I want the full frame. Coincidentally, Jacob has also upgraded to the D7000.

My only beef with the D90 is it shoots soft. From what I have researched, it was designed for post editing and leaves nothing to the capabilities of an inferior camera processor. It's still a great camera and I've gotten great results with it in raw format. I'd definitely recommend going D90 as a grab and go, solid, freshen up on your PS skills type of camera.

Sigh, only about $4000 left to go for the D7000 and lenses! D8000 looks intriguing

Side note, you should check out Jacob's mission to photograph the indigenous people of the Philippines. He was recently awarded the rights of National Geographic to reproduce some of Dean C. Worcester indigenous portraits taken back in the 1910's. I am supporting this issue, because not much has been documented and these people are slowly being driven out by technological and societal advancements.

Interesting link! He does nice work!

 

[Marcel]

Hi Glenn (fellow PN'er!),

I find my D90 often shoots soft, I have complained about this a number of times. I will gladly post some of my latest shots in raw, if you prefer.

How big a picture can I post here?

Ideally, your picture shouldn't be more than 1000x1000, it would be big enough to judge sharpness. I have a D90 and it's quite normal to sharpen ALL raw files. NEF files have absolutely nothing done to them and there always has to be sharpening done. If you want to experiment, just shoot raw+jpeg (large-fine) and compare the two. You should find out that there is some sharpening and color processing done to jpegs by the camera processor. I found quite an improvement with the D90 and the D7000 by using sharper lenses (85 1.8, 50 1.8, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8).
And the tripod which should come before the lenses.

 

[Photowyzard]

This is a "typical" picture I take. More times than not, I will shot 100 images and maybe 20 are crisp and sharp. Typically, this would be the majority of shots. Check the eyes!

The first image was scaled to 1000px

The second image is cropped at 100% so you can see just the head.

 

[Photowyzard]

Here is another example at 100%.

Seems like the very ODD time, I get one that is really crisp.

 

[Marcel]

what were your camera focus settings for the first duck shot? How many active focus points were you using? AF-S, AF-C ? What was the shutter speed and aperture? It looks like maybe the focus engine got fooled with the reflexion of the duck in front of it. The focus is looking for contrast and the eye of the duck was in the shade (not in your second example). Maybe if you would use only one focus point.

 

[Photowyzard]

Here are the specs for the first image:

D90
300 f/4
ISO 200
1/1000s
f 7.1
-.7 EV
Shade
0,0

I used a single focus point on the shoulder of the duck.

Focus Mode: AF-S
AF-Area Mode: Single
Metering: Spot
Shutter Priority
Sharpening 4
Contrast and Brightness: Active D-Lighting (high)

 

[Marcel]

It looks to me like the focus was done in front of the duck's head. The water seems to be more in focus in front of the animal… There might be a problem there but I couldn't tell you what exactly. Could be the lens that needs adjustment of the body??? Sorry not to be able to help more. Let us know if you ever find a solution.

 

[evan]

maybe the duck was bobbing about slightly on the water? not uncommon when shooting wildlife. small birds are worse as they move incredibly quickly. the slightest noise or movement near to the creature makes them instinctively move their head. also, when shooting wildlife i use singlepoint, AF-S, plus the highest shutter speed i can get.......good luck!

 

[Rick M]

All elements being equal, I think the equipment would render the same result, either all good or all bad. Something is different between the shots (in my opinion). I sometimes have soft shots with my D3100, somehow I can always trace it back to me. Generally when folks have equipement issues, the problem is consistant.

 

[Photowyzard]

maybe the duck was bobbing about slightly on the water?

Well, at 1/1000s, I could have been doing the jitterbug and I am sure I would have frozen it solid. After reading the comments on this thread, I suspect it may be an "issue" with the D90 and I am not alone.

I have long suspected that the focusing is off slightly on the camera. I know it can take really sharp pictures, just that it does so inconsistently. I tested for dust, all the tests show no dust. I wipe the contacts and they typically look clean, so I don't believe it is that.

I may bite the bullet and take it in to Nikon and pay the $150 for a thorough cleaning and adjustment and see if that fixes it.

I have been thinking of making a small rig to test the DoF on the camera. This may be my project for the month. Has anyone ever made any kind of rig to test focus and DoF?

 

[fotojack]

Try this website. I really think it will answer your question. Jeffrey Friedl's Blog » Jeffrey’s Autofocus Test Chart

 

[Michael Black]

The only thing that I could think of is to set it up on a copier stand or tri-pod and get a depth of field kit. it should have directions in it to show you how it works. but it probably not tell you how to adjust your camera. by the way I have something very smiler that happens to me at times so I know what your talking about. it just does happen to me that often. good luck

 

[Photowyzard]

Try this website. I really think it will answer your question. Jeffrey Friedl's Blog » Jeffrey’s Autofocus Test Chart

Thanks, great link! Greatly appreciate the info, Jack!

 

[Photowyzard]

The only thing that I could think of is to set it up on a copier stand or tri-pod and get a depth of field kit. it should have directions in it to show you how it works. but it probably not tell you how to adjust your camera. by the way I have something very smiler that happens to me at times so I know what your talking about. it just does happen to me that often. good luck

Michael,

Thanks. The D90 has no focus adjustment like some of the other Nikons, which do. This is a real shame. Well, the good news is, I will try these tests and then take it in to Nikon. I prefer to know myself first if it is soft or if it is me. When I get a nice sunny day again, I will run this test and see what happens.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Art

 

[Photowyzard]

How does this image look to you? Took this at noon today from my deck. I put the centre dot on the middle marble of the dragon fly wind chime.

Your comments welcomed. I didn't take this for composition, just strictly to test the focus.

D90
Nikon 300mm
f 5.6
1/800s
ISO 1000
Shutter Priority
AF-Area: Normal
Meter: Spot
0EV
Focus Mode: AF-S
Tripod
Remote Release

I am wondering, what if I used AF-C???

 

[Rick M]

At this size it looks good, especially if it's raw. Sometimes Active D lighting can produce inconsistant quality, if its on (default on some models), might try turning it off, just a thought.

 

[Marcel]

I find it a little hard to see in that small picture. Could you post a 100% crop of the dragon fly so we'd have a better chance to give a valid opinion? Looks sharp to me as is, but a crop would say more.

 

[Viveck]

if you think the D90 has a "cult" following, you should see the D7000 following...LOL.

The D90 is a great camera, i had one. The D7000 is a great camera as well, and has newer technology. You honestly cannot go wrong with either choice. If cost is an issue, go for the D90. As mentioned before, the D7000 is getting harder and harder to obtain. If video is a concern, dont think twice about the D7000 and the D90's video capabilities are FAR behind that of the D7000. Being that the D7000 is constantly compared to the D300s, as apposed to the D90, it is on the higher end of the spectrum and in my opinion will take you further than the D90. Your earning curve will be the same, no matter which body you get.

I completely agree with Joe, I have the d7000 since Jan 2011, it's a beauty, no fOcus issues with mine...

 

[fotojack]

Thanks, great link! Greatly appreciate the info, Jack!

You're very welcome. Glad to help. That's why I get the big bucks.